Our Review Methodology: A Commitment to Data-Driven Clarity

In an industry filled with marketing jargon and complex products, getting objective, reliable information about insurance companies can be a challenge. At RiskGuarder, we believe that you deserve better than vague summaries and biased reviews.

Our mission is to provide analysis that is clear, objective, and actionable.

To achieve this, we have developed a comprehensive and standardized methodology for every insurance company we review. This page outlines our exact process, the data sources we use, and the criteria we evaluate, so you can trust that our ratings are built on a foundation of rigorous research.

Our proprietary RiskGuarder Score is a weighted average of five key pillars, each chosen to reflect a critical aspect of the customer experience.

 The Five Pillars of the RiskGuarder Score

1. Financial Stability (25% Weight)

• Why it matters: An insurance policy is a promise that a company will be there to pay your claim, even if it’s a major one. A company’s long-term financial health is the single most important indicator of its ability to keep that promise.
• How we measure it: We do not rely on our own financial analysis. Instead, we turn to the most respected independent credit rating agencies that specialize in the insurance industry. Our primary source is A.M. Best, the gold standard for insurance financial strength ratings. We convert their letter grades (A++, A+, etc.) into a quantitative score. We may also reference ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings for a more complete picture.

2. Customer Complaints & Satisfaction (30% Weight)

• Why it matters: A company’s track record with its existing customers is the best predictor of the experience you will have, especially during the stressful process of filing a claim. We look at this from two angles: official complaints and general satisfaction.
• How we measure it:
  • Official Complaints: Our primary data source is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). We analyze each company’s Complaint Index, a score that compares its share of complaints to its share of premiums. A score of 1.0 is the national average; a score of 2.0 means the company receives twice as many complaints as expected for its size. This is a powerful, objective measure of customer dissatisfaction.
  • Customer Satisfaction: To gauge overall sentiment, we analyze scores and trends from the annual J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance and Home Insurance Studies. These large-scale surveys provide valuable insight into claims handling, customer service, and overall satisfaction.

3. Pricing & Discounts (20% Weight)

• Why it matters: While the cheapest policy isn’t always the best, affordability is a major factor for most consumers. We aim to assess a company’s general price competitiveness and the value it provides.
• How we measure it: Because insurance pricing is highly personalized, we cannot provide exact quotes. Instead, we research rates for a series of standardized consumer profiles (e.g., a 35-year-old driver with a clean record in a specific state) to establish a baseline for comparison. We also conduct a thorough review of all available discounts, evaluating not just the number of discounts but also their potential impact (e.g., a 25% bundling discount is more valuable than a 5% paperless billing discount).

4. Coverage Options & Policy Features (15% Weight)

• Why it matters: A great price is meaningless if the policy doesn’t cover what you need. We evaluate the breadth, depth, and flexibility of a company’s insurance products.
• How we measure it: We conduct a deep dive into each company’s policy offerings. We look for the availability of standard coverages, but more importantly, we assess the unique and valuable endorsements or add-ons they offer, such as new car replacement, accident forgiveness, rideshare coverage, or specialized home insurance riders. Companies with more flexible and comprehensive options score higher.

5. Digital Experience (10% Weight)

• Why it matters: In today’s world, managing your insurance shouldn’t be a chore. A company’s website and mobile app are central to the modern customer experience, from getting a quote to filing a claim.
• How we measure it: This pillar is based on a qualitative hands-on review. Our team evaluates the user-friendliness of the company’s website and mobile app. We score them based on key tasks: the ease of getting a quote, the clarity of policy information, the ability to manage your account online, and the simplicity of the digital claims filing process.

Our Commitment to You

The insurance landscape is always changing. We are committed to regularly reviewing and updating our data to ensure our reviews and ratings remain current and relevant.

The RiskGuarder Score is designed to be a powerful tool in your research, but we always encourage you to use it as a starting point. Your individual needs and circumstances are unique, so we recommend getting personalized quotes from your top 2-3 choices before making a final decision.

Thank you for trusting us to help you navigate your insurance journey.