What Allstate is and how to get a quote

Allstate is a publicly traded insurance company that sells auto, home, life, and umbrella policies directly to consumers and through independent agents. You can get a quote online at allstate.com, by phone at 1-800-allstate, or through a local Allstate agent in your area. The company operates in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., though some coverage types and discounts vary by location.

When you request a quote, Allstate asks for information about what you want to insure — your vehicle, home, or both — your driving or claims history, and the coverage limits and deductibles you prefer. The quote process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes online or by phone. You do not have to buy when ready; quotes are usually valid for 30 to 60 days depending on the type of insurance.

Allstate also owns several subsidiary brands that operate under different names: Esurance (online-focused auto insurance), Encompass (home and auto bundled), and National General (specialty policies). If you see quotes from these companies, they are part of the same parent company, though each has its own pricing, discounts, and customer service structure.

Key Takeaways

  • Allstate sells auto, home, life, and umbrella insurance in all 50 states, with quotes available online, by phone, or through local agents.
  • Auto policies cover liability (damage you cause), collision (damage to your car), comprehensive (theft and weather), and uninsured motorist protection, with coverage limits and deductibles you choose.
  • Home policies cover the structure, personal belongings, liability if someone is hurt on your property, and additional living expenses if you cannot stay there during repairs.
  • Allstate offers discounts for bundling policies, safe driving records, completing safety courses, and paying your full premium upfront rather than monthly.
  • You can manage your policy online through the Allstate mobile app or website, make changes to coverage, and file claims 24/7.

Auto insurance coverage types and what each covers

Allstate auto policies include several coverage types, and you choose which ones to buy and how much protection each provides. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else — it is required by law in every state, though the minimum amount varies. For example, your state might require 25/50/25, meaning $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. You can buy higher limits if you want more protection.

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. You choose a deductible — typically $250, $500, $750, or $1,000 — and you pay that amount out of pocket when you file a claim. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal. It also uses a deductible you select.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages. This coverage is required in some states and optional in others. Medical payments coverage (also called med pay) pays medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident, up to the limit you choose, regardless of who caused the crash.

Home insurance coverage and what is and is not included

Allstate home policies cover the structure of your house, your personal belongings inside it, liability if someone is hurt on your property, and additional living expenses if a covered event forces you to leave temporarily. The policy lists what is covered — typically fire, theft, wind, hail, and vandalism — and what is not, such as flood or earthquake damage. You choose a deductible, usually $500 to $2,500, that you pay before the insurance pays.

The dwelling coverage portion pays to rebuild the structure itself if it is damaged by a covered event. You set this limit based on the replacement cost of your home, not its market value. Personal property coverage pays for your belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing — up to a percentage of your dwelling limit, typically 50 to 70 percent. Some items like jewelry or art have sub-limits, meaning the policy will not pay more than a certain amount for those items even if they cost more.

Liability coverage in a home policy pays if someone is hurt at your house and sues you, or if you accidentally damage someone else's property. Additional living expenses (also called loss of use) pays for a hotel, meals, and other costs if your home becomes unlivable during repairs. Flood and earthquake damage are not covered by standard home policies; you must buy separate policies for those through Allstate or another insurer.

Discounts Allstate offers and how to find them

Allstate advertises several discounts that can lower your premium. A bundling discount applies when you buy more than one policy — for example, auto and home together. The discount amount varies by state and what you bundle. A safe driver discount applies if you have no accidents or moving violations in a set period, typically three to five years. Good student discounts are available if you or a household member under 25 maintains a certain grade point average, usually 3.0 or higher.

Allstate offers discounts for completing a defensive driving course, paying your premium in full rather than monthly, setting up automatic payments, and insuring multiple vehicles. Some discounts are automatic when you meet the criteria; others you must ask about or confirm during the quote process. The discounts available and their amounts differ by state, so ask your agent or check your quote to see which ones explore to you.

Discounts can stack — meaning you might receive several at once — but the total discount cannot exceed a certain percentage of your premium, which varies by state. If you think you should be getting a discount you are not, contact your agent or call customer service to review your policy.

How to file a claim and what happens next

You can file a claim with Allstate online through the mobile app, on the website, by phone at 1-800-allstate, or through your agent. When you file, you will need your policy number, the date and time of the incident, and a description of what happened. For auto claims, you may also need the other driver's information if another vehicle was involved. For home claims, you may need photos of the damage.

After you file, Allstate assigns an adjuster to your claim. The adjuster contacts you to schedule an inspection, reviews the damage, and determines what the policy covers and how much it will pay. This process typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of the claim and how busy the adjuster is. You can check the status of your claim in the app or online portal.

Once the adjuster approves the claim, Allstate sends payment to you, your lender (if you have a mortgage or car loan), or the repair shop, depending on the type of claim and what you arranged. If you disagree with the adjuster's decision, you can request a review or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.

How Allstate's customer service and policy management work

Allstate offers customer service by phone, online chat, email, and through local agents. Phone lines are open 24/7 for claims and most other issues. You can manage your policy online through allstate.com or the Allstate mobile app — view your coverage, make changes, pay your bill, and view documents like your declarations page or ID card. Changes to coverage typically take effect the same day if you make them before a certain time (usually 5 p.m. in your time zone).

If you work with a local Allstate agent, you can also contact them directly to make changes, ask questions, or discuss your coverage. Agents have access to your policy and can often process requests faster than the online system for complex changes. You can find a local agent through the Allstate website or by calling customer service.

Allstate publishes its customer service ratings and complaint data through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which tracks how many complaints each insurer receives relative to the number of policies they sell. You can view this data on the NAIC website to compare Allstate to other insurers.

How Allstate rates and prices policies

Allstate uses several factors to calculate your premium: your age, driving record, claims history, credit score (in most states), the type and age of your vehicle or home, your location, the coverage limits and deductibles you choose, and how far you drive. The company also considers whether you have had a lapse in coverage. Rates vary significantly by state because each state sets its own insurance regulations and has different costs for medical care and repairs.

Allstate does not publish its exact pricing formula, but you can see how your rate changes when you adjust coverage limits or deductibles during the quote process. If your rate increases after you buy a policy, it is usually because of a change in your driving record, a claim you filed, or a rate increase the company filed with your state. You can ask your agent or call customer service to understand why your rate changed.

You can shop for a new quote from Allstate every six months or whenever your policy renews. If you find a better rate elsewhere, you can switch insurers. There is no penalty for canceling an Allstate policy before it expires, though you may owe a prorated amount for the time you were covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a quote without providing my Social Security number?

Allstate asks for your Social Security number during the quote process because it uses credit information as part of its rating formula in most states. You can provide a quote without it initially, but you will need it to complete a purchase. If you prefer not to provide it, you can ask whether your state allows Allstate to rate policies without a credit check.

What happens if I miss a payment?

If you miss a payment, Allstate typically sends a notice and gives you a grace period — usually 10 days — to pay before your policy lapses. If your policy lapses, your coverage ends and you are no longer insured. You can reinstate it by paying the overdue amount plus any reinstatement fees, but there may be a waiting period. It is better to contact Allstate if you are having trouble paying to discuss options.

Does Allstate cover rideshare driving like Uber or Lyft?

Standard auto policies do not cover you while you are driving for rideshare. Allstate offers a separate rideshare endorsement that adds coverage for the periods when you are logged into the app but have not picked up a passenger yet. You must add this endorsement to your policy if you drive for rideshare; your personal auto policy alone will not protect you during those times.

Can I cancel my policy anytime?

Yes, you can cancel an Allstate policy at any time without penalty. You can cancel online, by phone, or through your agent. If you have paid for coverage in advance, Allstate refunds the unused portion. Some states require a short notice period — typically 10 to 30 days — before the cancellation takes effect.

How do I know if my home is insured for its full replacement cost?

Review your declarations page, which lists your dwelling coverage limit. Compare that number to a current estimate of what it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch, including labor and materials. If the limit is lower than the replacement cost, you are underinsured. You can increase your dwelling limit anytime by contacting your agent or updating your policy online.