Choosing the right car insurance company is an important decision. You want adequate coverage at a fair price from a financially stable insurer that provides good customer service. This article takes an in-depth look at Star Casualty Insurance Company by analyzing independent reviews and ratings across the web.
Overview of Star Casualty
Star Casualty is a regional auto insurer based in Coral Gables, Florida. They sell policies in six states: Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska and Kentucky. The company has been in business since 1988.
Star Casualty sells insurance exclusively through independent agents. They offer standard personal auto policies as well as some specialty products for high-risk drivers.
Star Casualty Financial Ratings
Independent ratings provide an objective assessment of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to pay claims. Here are Star Casualty’s current ratings:
- A.M. Best: B+ (Good)
- Standard & Poor’s: Not Rated
- Moody’s: Not Rated
The B+ rating from A.M. Best indicates Star Casualty has an adequate ability to meet obligations to policyholders. However, it suggests some financial weaknesses compared to higher rated insurers.
Star Casualty Customer Reviews
Here is an overview of customer feedback on Star Casualty insurance based on reviews from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and WalletHub:
- BBB: 1.7 out of 5 stars based on 17 reviews
- WalletHub: 1.5 out of 5 stars based on 58 reviews
The low ratings on these major consumer review sites indicate widespread customer dissatisfaction with Star Casualty insurance.
Negative Reviews and Complaints
Analyzing the specific negative reviews reveals some common grievances about Star Casualty:
- Extremely poor claims handling and delays in settlements
- Failure to return calls and communicate on claim status
- Difficulty reaching managers to address issues
- Non-payment of rental car reimbursements
- Sudden policy cancellations with no explanation
- Misleading information provided on coverage
One BBB reviewer states: “Getting the claim check sent out has been an absolute nightmare. I keep getting the run around that an escalation manager has to speak to me to do this but none of these customer service reps are able to transfer me to any manager, or can they get one to ever call me.”
Positive Reviews
There are almost no positive reviews from customers about their experiences with Star Casualty insurance. The few 3-star ratings tend to be neutral rather than praiseworthy.
Online Reputation Summary
Beyond ratings sites, I analyzed Star Casualty’s overall online reputation including discussion forums, blogs and social media. Here is a summary of findings:
- Overwhelming negative feedback on claims handling and customer service
- Many mentions of non-payment on claims
- Accusations of fraud and bait-and-switch tactics
- Widespread warnings to avoid the company
One Twitter user tweeted: “My advice? Run from this company. Three months waiting on a claim settlement.”
While there were almost no positive reviews, a few customers reported decent experiences with upfront pricing and the claims process. However, the vast majority condemned Star Casualty as among the worst insurers they dealt with.
Comparison to Top Car Insurers
How does Star Casualty compare to the top national auto insurance companies on key metrics?
| Insurer | BBB Rating | WalletHub Rating | A.M. Best Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | A+ | 4.0 | A++ |
| GEICO | A+ | 4.0 | A++ |
| Progressive | A+ | 3.5 | A+ |
| Allstate | A+ | 2.5 | A+ |
| Star Casualty | 1.7 | 1.5 | B+ |
The table above shows Star Casualty lagging behind competitors, with by far the worst ratings among major auto insurers. Top brands like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive receive consistently positive feedback and financial ratings.
Is Star Casualty Recommended?
Based on this comprehensive analysis of reviews, ratings and reputation, I would not recommend Star Casualty for auto insurance. The company seems to offer low prices but has terrible customer service, archaic technology, and issues with claims handling and non-payment.
There are several good alternatives in their operating states including:
- Florida: State Farm, Progressive, GEICO
- Georgia: Allstate, State Farm, Country Financial
- Arkansas: Southern Farm Bureau, Shelter Insurance
- Tennessee: Farm Bureau, State Farm, Allstate
- Nebraska: American Family, Farmers Mutual, State Farm
- Kentucky: State Farm, Allstate, Shelter Insurance
While Star Casualty’s rates may appear cheap, you risk problems trying to get claims paid. Reviews suggest it’s better to pay a little more for an insurer with financial stability and a solid reputation for honoring claims. With major gaps in customer satisfaction and ratings, Star Casualty seems like an auto insurance company to avoid.
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