Auto Insurance Companies That Use Third-Party Consultants
If you want to find the best auto insurance companies that use third-party consultants, you might only have three top choices. Most auto insurance companies use agents and claims adjusters to aid in the auto claims process. That said, two affordable auto insurance companies that use third-party consultants are Travelers and Farmers Insurance.
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Written by
Marissa Hayes
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: Oct 13, 2021
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- There are at least three leading auto insurance companies that use third party consultants during the claims process
- Of the three car insurance companies that use third-party consultants, Travelers Insurance may be the most affordable
- Most insurance companies will use claims representatives and adjusters to handle and investigate claims after a car accident
When looking for an auto insurance provider, you might not think about which auto insurance companies use third-party consultants. That can become a factor if someone makes a claim against you after an accident — or vice versa.
In either case, the person who makes a liability auto insurance claim is the third party. (The policyholder is the first party, and their insurer is the second party.)
Read on to know more about auto insurance companies the use third-party consultants and some that don’t. Also, if you would like to look at quotes from leading insurers in your area right now, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above.
Table of Contents
Which auto insurance companies use third-party consultants during the claims process?
Of all the major auto insurance companies, only three use third-party insurance consultants during their claims processes: Farmers, Kemper, and Travelers.
- A Farmers Insurance full coverage auto insurance policy costs $1,366.60 a year on average. (Learn more about Farmers auto insurance in our review.)
- The average Kemper full coverage auto policy costs $2,930 a year.
- The average full coverage Travelers auto policy rate is $1,251 per year.
Now, who is on each company’s claims team?
Farmers Insurance hires guaranteed repair consultants who communicate with policyholders, claim owners, repair shops, and other claims staff.
Kemper’s claims team includes representatives and adjusters, including first-party and third-party claims adjusters. The team also has field appraisers.
Travelers Insurance has a Direct Repair Program consultant position. This person is partially responsible for helping to carry out the claims strategy. There is also the auto liability technical specialist, who may serve as a consultant.
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Which auto insurance companies do not use third-party consultants during the claims process?
Far more major auto insurers use other professionals to process third-party insurance claims:
| Company | Company’s Third-Party Claims Team |
|---|---|
| AAA | Service representatives |
| Allstate | Claims adjusters, investigators, customer service professionals, and analysts. |
| American Family | Claims representatives, managers, and adjusters |
| Amica Mutual | Claims representatives and adjusters |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | Claims representatives, field representatives, field investigators, and subrogation claim examiners |
| Dairyland | Claims representatives and adjusters |
| Erie | Material damage adjusters, liability specialists, and claims support specialists |
| Esurance | Claims representatives and appraisers |
| GEICO | Liability claims examiners |
| Liberty Mutual | Representatives, adjusters, and appraisers |
| Mercury Insurance | Claims specialists, examiners, litigation specialists, a specialist investigator, and a theft/fire specialist |
| Nationwide | Claims associates |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | Claims representatives |
| Plymouth Rock | Claims representatives |
| Progressive | Centralized auto claims representatives, field auto claims adjusters, and special investigators |
| Shelter Insurance | Claims adjusters |
| State Farm | Claims associates and appraisers |
| Tennessee Farmers | Agents, claims associates (in Columbia and Waynesboro), and claims adjusters |
| The Hanover | Claims adjusters |
| The Hartford | Representatives and adjusters |
| USAA | Claims representatives and adjusters |
| Wawanesa | Claims representatives and investigators |
| West Bend | Claims representatives, specialists, and auto claims appraisers. |
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A few notes:
- GEICO has liability claims examiners who are primarily responsible for investigating claims after car accidents. (Learn more about GEICO car insurance in our review.)
- Nationwide assigns a claims associate to you whenever you submit a claim. This associate will likely specialize in auto insurance claims.
- Plymouth Rock uses personal representatives to help policyholders process claims.
If you get into an accident and have Plymouth Rock insurance, you have the option of using CarPicsSM Photo Appraisals or using the Crashbusters Mobile Claim Service.
If you choose the latter, a representative will meet you and appraise the damage to your car or the other driver’s car.
Auto Insurance Companies That Use Third-Party Consultants: The Trend
In most cases, third-party car insurance companies use insurance agents or claims representatives to handle claims while bringing in claims adjusters to investigate claims. Third-party consultants are rarely on the team. When they are, they can share duties with the other claims staff.
We hope you have learned more about auto insurance companies that use third-party consultants and the auto claims process. In the meantime, if you would like to see rates from top auto insurers in your area, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below.
Frequently Asked Questions: Auto Insurance Companies That Use Third-Party Consultants
Here are some answers to a couple of questions you may have about dealing with a third-party insurance claim:
#1 – What is a third-party auto insurance consultant?
A third-party auto insurance consultant is a trained professional who works to find the best solution for a policyholder. Initially, this person might suggest policies and coverages that are appropriate for your situation.
For example, this person might suggest business insurance for independent consultants in other industries. (This will include auto insurance). The consultant might also point people with a lot of assets toward the best umbrella insurance companies.
A few auto insurance providers have third-party consultants on their claims teams. These consultants will work with claimants and provide estimates for car repairs, among other duties.
#2 – What should you do after getting into an auto accident?
If you should get into a car accident with another driver, the first thing you should do is move your car off the road, if possible. Next, contact your agent or insurance claims professional.
After contacting a claims professional, get the insurance information from the other driver. Finally, review your auto insurance policy and start gathering any information you need to settle a claim.
The Insurance Information Institute offers similar advice. However, some car insurance companies will also advise that you call the police and remain calm.
In any event, you need to become familiar with your auto insurance company’s claims process beforehand to know what to expect and what your rights are in the situation.