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Auto Insurance Specialists Review

AIS Auto Insurance Specialist-QS
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Bestmoney Staff
Apr. 19, 2021
3 min read
BestMoney Staff
AIS Auto Insurance Specialist-QS Summary
Auto Insurance Specialists is a major car insurance agency, representing 41 insurance providers. It started life selling car insurance to California drivers in 1968. It has undergone rapid expansion in recent years, and now brokers multiple lines of insurance for residents of all 50 states. Although AIS specializes in many types of insurance, auto insurance remains its main area of expertise.

AIS Auto Insurance Specialist-QS at a glance

2.4
Editorial score

Insurance Features

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Discounts Available

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Customer Service

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Online Experience

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Direct Insurer?

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Pros and Cons

Pro: AIS offers the best rates from 41 different insurance providers. The companies it represents range from large insurers like Progressive and Nationwide to smaller providers that work in certain regions. By working with so many companies, AIS is in a position of power where it can broker the best deals for its customers.

Con: Although the company website has an extensive FAQ section, we would have liked to see AIS provide more information about how it operates. From what we could gather, AIS is an agency, which, by extension, means it collects a commission on all the policies it brokers. There’s nothing wrong with that per se; in fact, that’s how much of the industry operates and it can often lead to the customer getting better deals. But we would have liked to see greater transparency.

Types of Auto Insurance

Given AIS works with so many auto insurance carriers, it’s no surprise to see this agency offer all the most common types of insurance. Wherever you live and whatever type of vehicle you drive, AIS has policies to suit you.

Bodily Injury Liability. Covers all expenses related to bodily injuries suffered by other drivers when you are at fault.

Property Damage Liability. Covers all expenses related to damage of another person’s property when you are at fault.

Collision. Covers expenses related to vehicle repair and replacement if your vehicle is damaged in a collision, regardless of who was at fault.

Comprehensive. Covers repairs and replacement if your vehicle suffers damage in a non-collision incident such as fire, flood, vandalism, theft, or hitting an animal.

Personal Injury Protection. Covers medical and rehabilitation expenses, and in some cases lost wages for you and any passengers, no matter who was at fault.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist. Covers the other driver’s liabilities if they are uninsured or underinsured.

Additional Features

Working with dozens of carriers has its benefits, including a wide selection of optional add-ons. Each motorist has different needs, and AIS has products to suit all types of niches and driving habits.

Rental car reimbursement. Covers you for the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is in the shop due to a covered loss.

Towing. Covers you for the cost of towing or repairs at the place of disablement. Coverage has a per occurrence limit.

Loan/lease gap coverage. In the event of a total loss, the insurer’s actual cash value payment may not be sufficient to pay off your loan or lease. This add-on covers the difference.

Medical expenses. Goes beyond standard personal injury protection and medical coverage, covering you and other passengers for medical costs incurred in a covered incident.

Rideshare insurance. Ensures you have proper liability protection, at all times, while you are on the clock for a rideshare company such as Uber.

Mexico insurance. Designed for drivers in California, Texas, and other border states, this add-on ensures you remain covered when driving in Mexico.

Discounts. At least 9 types of vehicle and policy insurance discounts, from multiple vehicles to multiple policies to installing an anti-theft device in your car.

How to Apply

AIS accepts applications on the internet or over the phone. If you have ever applied for car insurance, you’ll find the process quite familiar. The application form is pretty standard for car insurance. It includes sections on the driver(s), vehicle(s), and the type of coverage you’re looking to purchase. At the end of the form, AIS will ask questions about your driving and claims history. This helps it locate the best rates from partnering insurance carriers and figure out if you qualify for any discounts.

All up, the process isn’t long or painful. As an agency, AIS does all the work, saving you the trouble of speaking directly to the insurance carrier. Applying online is the easiest option, but we recommend calling AIS directly if you’d like to consult with a real agent about different policies.

Filing a Claim

In the event you need to file a claim, AIS offers to help contact your insurance company. However, be aware that it doesn’t actually file claims on behalf of clients. To file a claim, head to the page marked ‘Claims’ on the AIS website. There, you will find a search tool that allows you to view the claims process for all AIS partners. AIS’s customer service representatives are also on hand to talk you through the claims process by phone at (800) 493-7879, from Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST.

Contact Details

AIS started out selling insurance in person and by phone, and it still maintains a strong customer support service. To get a quote or simply get advice, contact AIS via the following channels:

Phone: (888) 772-4247

Email: Via direct contact form on AIS website.

Summary

Using an agent to purchase car insurance has many benefits, including convenience, affordability, and the ability to compare the best deals. Auto Insurance Specialists, also referred to AIS, offers all these benefits. With a network of 41 insurance companies from around the United States, AIS is well-equipped to find great insurance deals for all types of drivers. AIS says it saves customers $640 per year on auto insurance. While we have no way of verifying if this figure is accurate, there’s no doubting AIS has the ability to source great deals for its customers.

BestMoney Staff
Written by
Bestmoney Staff
Our editorial staff consists of writers who are knowledgeable about financial services. We specialize in simplifying the process of choosing the right provider for your needs.
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