Pros Explained 

• Nationwide coverage: Kemper auto insurance is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Large agent network: Kemper has over 34,000 agents and brokers for more personalized service. 
• SR-22 available: Kemper specializes in SR-22 insurance to help get you back on the road if you're a high-risk driver.

Cons Explained  

• Exact coverage isn't specified: Kemper’s website doesn't explain the types of auto insurance coverage it offers. You'll have to contact an agent for details. 
• Current class-action settlement: Kemper is involved in a class-action settlement based on two cyberattacks. 
• Several subsidiaries: Kemper Corporation has several subsidiary companies, so it can be a little confusing to determine which is the right one for you.

Introduction

Kemper Corporation has offered personal and commercial insurance through subsidiaries like Kemper Auto, Kemper Personal Insurance, and Infinity since 1990. Kemper can accommodate several vehicle types, such as RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and boats, through its auto insurance policies. It also offers renter, condominium, mobile home, and flood insurance in addition to auto insurance.

Kemper provides free online quotes for pricing estimates to help you get started. It also offers a large nationwide network of independent brokers and agents situated across the country. These agents can help you navigate the many perks of Kemper auto insurance, including exclusive packages like Kemper Total. 

Types of Coverage

You can customize Kemper’s personal insurance policies with flexible deductibles and policy limits to meet your specific needs. You'll have to speak with an agent for the exact coverage details, but Kemper offers some popular types of auto insurance coverage. 

Comprehensive Coverage

Not all auto damages are a result of accidents. Comprehensive insurance protects against incidents that don't involve contact with another vehicle, such as fire, hurricanes, and theft.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance protects against damages from an accident with another vehicle. The driver found at fault for the accident is typically responsible for financial damages.

Liability Protection

Auto liability coverage is required for most drivers. It includes bodily injury insurance, which covers the injured party’s medical bills and damages. There's also property damage insurance, which covers any damages you've made to another party’s vehicle or property.  

Medical Payments

Medical payments coverage protects you and your passengers. It also protects any others injured by your accident, such as pedestrians or passengers in the other vehicle. 

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Some states require underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, but you should consider this to be additional coverage. It protects you if you're involved in an accident with a driver who has no or limited car insurance.

Optional Coverage

Kemper also has additional car insurance packages that you can add to your policy.  

Kemper Prime Auto Enhanced

Kemper combines several perks with enhanced auto insurance protection if you want to upgrade your coverage. Your first accident or minor violation will be waived with Kemper Prime Auto Enhanced, with diminishing deductibles for continued safe driving. There are also extras like trip interruption expenses and key or entry transmitter device replacement.

Kemper Total

Recommended for newer models, Kemper Total is designed to protect your new car. It takes care of the necessary repairs or will offer a complete replacement if you incur damages.

Auto Loan/Lease Coverage

Also known as "gap insurance," auto loan/lease insurance offers the peace of mind that your insurer will pay the difference between your vehicle’s value and the amount you still owe on your loan or lease if your vehicle is damaged beyond repair.

Personal Umbrella Liability Coverage

Kemper offers a personal umbrella liability policy for your vehicle if you want extra liability protection. It's also available for residences, watercraft, libel, and invasion of privacy. Your personal umbrella liability policy will cover the difference between your policy and a judgment ordered by the court should you be found at fault for an accident. Coverage is available starting at $1 million, with additional protection available in $1 million increments.

Discounts

Kemper offers several car insurance discounts to help you save money on your auto insurance policy.

Proof of Prior Insurance Discount

You can receive a car insurance discount if you can prove that you previously had an insurance policy before Kemper.

Multi-Car Discount

You could receive savings on all of your policies if you insure multiple vehicles with Kemper. You may be able to insure an unlimited number of cars on a single policy depending on your state's restrictions.

Defensive Driving Course Discount 

Another way to save on Kemper auto insurance is to complete an approved defensive driving course. 

Good Student Discount

Kempers rewards good grades with its good student discount for full-time students with a minimum 3.0-grade point average (GPA).

Military Discount

You could be eligible for an additional discount on your Kemper car insurance policy if you're an active member of the military or National Guard.

Payment Options

Kemper auto insurance premiums can be paid online or via the mobile app. Kemper offers three other car insurance discounts to help you save.

• Advance quote discount: Kemper rewards policyholders when they purchase a quote before its effective date.
• Paid-in-full discount: You can lower the costs of your auto insurance premium when you pay your policy premium upfront rather than in monthly payments.
• Homeowner discount: Kemper offers discounts when you bundle multiple policies, such as your home insurance and auto insurance.

A Kemper insurance agent can help identify any discounts that may help lower your total premium cost.

Loss Ratio

Kemper holds a loss ratio of 83.07%, indicating that premium pricing is measured fairly. For insurance companies, the loss ratio shows the percentage of cash outflow in comparison to premium earnings. Its ratio outperforms providers like The Hartford and Erie, but it's worse than many other leading providers, such as Farmers, Nationwide, and Allstate. 

Other Features

Kemper offers fantastic support options when you have to file a claim. It offers 24/7 phone support and there are simple online forms to begin the claim process. Separate forms are available for auto insurance, auto glass claims, and towing. Most policies include roadside assistance, featuring 24/7 towing, jump-start, lockout, tire change, and fuel delivery. 

Customer Service

Kemper has excellent online resources, from its easy online payment form to its online search tool that helps you find a local agent specializing in Kemper auto insurance. You can use the online contact form or use one of its many other contact methods to contact Kemper. 

Policyholders can also contact their local agents directly. 

Customer Satisfaction 

We refer to AM Best, a leading ratings provider for car insurance companies, to best determine a company’s financial strength. Kemper receives an A (Excellent) rating, indicating strong financial stability and efficient claims processing.1

Satisfaction Ratings

J.D. Power is a ratings provider that uses annual rankings to determine each insurance provider’s level of customer satisfaction. The most popular study, its 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, rates car insurance companies based on separate regions of the U.S.2 Kemper is only rated in California, where it's the lowest rated insurance company on the list. It's not rated in other regions in the U.S.

Kemper isn't rated for service in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study, but it scores below average for shopping with a 784/1,000 rating.3 It's not rated in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study.4

Complaint Index

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) also determines customer satisfaction. It tracks the number of customer complaints an insurer receives each year and assigns an average score using a 1.00 industry baseline. 

Kemper performs horribly in its customer complaint index, managing to almost double its score each year for the last several years.5 Its complaint index was 2.08 in 2018, and it rose to a 3.79 score in 2019. Complaints skyrocketed by 2020 with its complaint index climbing to 6.42, one of the worst scores in the entire industry. 

Account Management

Policyholders have access to online account management, plus an easy mobile app that's accessible by both iPhone and Android. You can make payments, access identification cards, and submit claims. Kemper also offers a helpful online tool that can help you find a repair shop you can trust. Its Kemper Repair Network facilities guarantee repairs for as long as you own your vehicle.

How Kemper Compares to Other Auto Insurance Companies

Kemper performs far worse in customer satisfaction than other providers, but it performs well with strong financial satisfaction in AM Best ranking. The average annual premium is $2,190 per year, making it about average with other car insurance companies. Kemper is more expensive than companies like Alfa, USAA, and Auto-Owners, but it's cheaper than other providers like Travelers and The Hanover.

Final Verdict

Kemper Corporation offers widespread service across the country for comprehensive, multi-faceted car insurance. You have the option to add on exclusives like personal umbrella liability with gap insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance. 

Policyholders shouldn't expect much in customer service given its poor customer satisfaction ratings, but it rates highly for financial strength so you can have faith in its claims processing. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Kemper offer SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance is coverage for drivers who've had their licenses revoked, but some states require it under other circumstances as well. It's not actually a policy but rather a certificate that your insurer will file with your state. Kemper specializes in SR-22 insurance.

Is Kemper the same as Infinity?

Infinity is a subsidiary of Kemper Corporation. Kemper Auto is also a subsidiary of Kemper Corporation. They both belong to the same parent company, but they're separate entities.

How do I get a quote from Kemper?

You can get a free online quote by visiting the Kemper Auto website. The same site provides a tool you can use to locate an agent in your area. Kemper has an extensive network of independent brokers and agents all over the country.

Does Kemper offer accident forgiveness?

Kemper will waive your first accident or minor violation, but only if you carry its Prime Auto Enhanced coverage. This is an upgrade to its basic auto insurance policy. Prime Auto Enhanced offers other benefits as well, such as a waiver of your deductible if your vehicle is damaged while it's parked. Your deductible will also decrease when you've established a record of safe driving.

What is Kemper Auto's rating?

Kemper is given an A (Excellent) rating by AM Best, indicating strong financial stability. But the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) gave this insurer a complaint index of 6.42 in 2020, which is one of the worst scores in the entire industry. J.D. Power rated Kemper only in California in its 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, and Kemper ranked poorly in this study as well.

Methodology 

Investopedia is committed to providing readers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of auto insurance companies. All our reviews are based on extensive research and analysis of each company’s coverage, customer service, pricing, years in business, and accreditation. To rate providers, we developed an auto insurance review methodology that compares the auto insurance coverage types, additional features, discounts, account management, and other features.