The Truth About First Chicago Insurance Company: A Comprehensive Review

First Chicago Insurance Company has been providing auto insurance since 1920. But how good is their service really? In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at First Chicago Insurance, analyzing customer reviews, ratings, products offered, and more to see if they live up to their century-old reputation.

About First Chicago Insurance

First Chicago Insurance Company is headquartered in Bedford Park, IL and has been in business for over 100 years. They provide auto insurance in 13 states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Some key facts about First Chicago Insurance:

• Founded in 1920
• Headquarters in Bedford Park, IL
• Provides auto insurance in 13 states
• Has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau
• Holds a B rating from AM Best

First Chicago Insurance Reviews and Ratings

To get a sense of real customer experiences, we examined reviews and ratings from two reputable sources – the Better Business Bureau and WalletHub. Here’s an overview of what we found:

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives First Chicago Insurance an A rating. However, they have a very low 1.03 out of 5 star customer review rating based on 158 reviews.

An analysis of the reviews shows a common theme of very poor customer service. Many complaints mention:

• Extremely difficult to get a claims adjuster on the phone
• Repeated unanswered calls and unreturned voicemails when filing a claim
• Severely delayed claim processing and payments, some waiting months
• Claims denied even with police reports and evidence

WalletHub

WalletHub gives First Chicago Insurance just 2 out of 5 stars based on 372 reviews. Again, most complaints centered around claims service:

• Failing to return calls about claims for weeks or months
• Denying valid claims without cause
• Requiring claimants to get lawyers to receive payouts
• Giving claimants the “run around” hoping they’ll give up

So while First Chicago Insurance maintains decent financial ratings, their customer service ratings are very poor.

First Chicago Insurance Products

First Chicago Insurance offers a standard suite of auto insurance coverage options including:

• Bodily injury liability
• Property damage liability
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist
• Medical payments
• Personal injury protection
• Comprehensive
• Collision

They also offer some additional options like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. But they do not provide other insurance products like homeowners or life insurance.

Some of the discounts First Chicago offers include:

• Defensive driving
• Multi-car
• Paid in full
• Good student
• Anti-theft devices

One area where First Chicago lags competitors is in the technology and convenience features offered. They don’t seem to have a mobile app or allow online claims filing.

Cost of First Chicago Insurance

First Chicago Insurance appears to be a budget insurer, with rates generally lower than the national averages. Here are some sample monthly premiums for a 30 year old driver with a clean record:

However, many customer reviews complain that the low rates aren’t worth the poor service. Additionally, some report steep rate hikes at renewal time, eliminating any savings the first year.

Pros and Cons of First Chicago Insurance

Pros

• In business for over 100 years
• Lower than average rates
• A rating with BBB

Cons

• Extremely poor customer service ratings
• Difficult claims process with slow payouts
• Limited coverage and discount options
• No mobile app or online claims filing

Is First Chicago Insurance Recommended?

While First Chicago Insurance has been around for decades and offers affordable rates, their terrible customer service should make drivers think twice. Dealing with a difficult claims process can negate any savings on premiums.

There are many reputable insurers that offer similar rates but with much better service. And major players like GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate often beat First Chicago’s prices with strong digital claims processes.

The bottom line is we do not recommend First Chicago Insurance given the availability of far superior options. The frustration and delays caused by their poor customer service simply aren’t worth the slightly lower cost.

Driver’s should compare quotes from top-rated insurers like Amica, Erie, and USAA. These companies offer quality coverage with great service. First Chicago Insurance fails to compete when it comes to caring for customers.

So in this comprehensive review, while First Chicago Insurance stays afloat with budget rates, their terrible reviews reveal an insurer that doesn’t put customers first. We encourage drivers to steer clear and find a reputable provider instead.