NerdWallet's take on Freeway auto insurance
Freeway Insurance is a national chain that focuses on auto insurance for drivers considered “high risk," such as those with at-fault wrecks, tickets or DUIs on their records. Rather than providing its own auto insurance, Freeway uses insurance brokers to get quotes for you from insurers it partners with.
Having someone shop for insurance on your behalf can be convenient, especially if you’ve had trouble finding an insurer that will accept you. However, you may find more options and avoid extra fees by comparing quotes from several companies yourself.
Pros
- Available in all states.
- Offers website and agent assistance in both English and Spanish.
- Can get insurance rates from multiple companies.
Cons
- Freeway may charge a broker fee for finding you a policy.
- Some policies may come from insurers with high customer complaints or financial stability concerns.
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How does Freeway work?
When you get a quote through Freeway, you’ll provide your name, contact information and facts about your car. Freeway shows you estimates of what you could pay from a handful of companies. You’ll give more detailed information and may receive a phone call from an agent if you move forward with the quote.
Freeway is an insurance brokerage, which typically means you pay the company a fee that’s often nonrefundable to find a policy that fits your needs. In most states, brokers must disclose fees. Still, always ask about extra charges on top of your premiums. Freeway operates in multiple states, each with its own laws, so fees will vary.
To avoid a broker fee, consider buying auto insurance directly from a carrier or through an independent agent. A car insurance comparison tool, like the one from NerdWallet, can help you get multiple quotes. Plus, we don’t charge fees.
Freeway specializes in car insurance for high-risk drivers. Insurance companies use terms like “nonstandard” or “high risk” to refer to drivers who might have had multiple accidents or serious driving violations, and who usually pay more for insurance. High-risk drivers can still get relatively cheap car insurance rates by shopping around from more than one company.
Freeway auto insurance coverage
Because Freeway shows you rates from insurance companies instead of offering coverage itself, the types of car insurance coverage and discounts that you get depend on which of these carriers you choose.
Freeway sells policies from several large, well-known auto insurers as well as smaller companies that focus on coverage for high-risk drivers. When you request a quote from Freeway, you may see rates from companies such as:
It’s not just the coverage that may be different at the companies Freeway works with. Some of Freeway's carrier partners have solid financial strength ratings and draw relatively few consumer complaints to state regulators. Others, however, have high rates of customer complaints and questionable financial strength. When you’re offered a policy from a broker or agent, make sure the carrier is one you can trust.
Freeway can also help place drivers with insurers that can file an SR22 form, which states may require to prove you have insurance after a DUI or other serious violation. An SR22 isn’t a type of coverage, but it could be an essential step you have to take if you lose your license after a serious violation.
Most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive, but beyond that the coverage you get is mostly up to you. That said, if you can afford it, we recommend getting more than the minimum coverage. Otherwise, you may not have enough insurance to cover a serious accident.
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More information about Freeway car insurance
Customer service: You can call 888‑443‑4662 to reach Freeway’s customer service, or send an email to customercare@confie.com.
Website: Freeway’s website, available in both English and Spanish, allows visitors to request a quote, locate an office and learn about payment options. Many of Freeway's carrier partners offer online payment options through their external websites, which policyholders can find on Freeway's website. Customers can also pay their premiums over the phone, in person at a Freeway retail office, or by mailing a check or money order to Freeway.
Mobile app: Freeway’s app allows you to access your insurance cards, get quotes and locate Freeway offices near you. Many insurance companies also have their own apps that support many of these same features, and more.
How we review auto insurance companies
Our editorial team considers these factors when reviewing auto insurance companies:
- Financial strength
We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B.
- Complaints
These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.
- Ease of use
This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
- Discounts
We look at the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
Read our full auto insurance methodology.
We nerd out on car insurance
Our goal is to give you what you need to make smart decisions about your car insurance.
Here’s why you can trust NerdWallet:
We do our homework. We regularly evaluate and review many of the insurance companies we write about. And all of our content is fact-checked before publication. This means the star ratings you see on our reviews are accurate and up-to-date.
We analyze the data. We update our average car insurance rates every month. To do that, we analyze more than 500 million rates from across the country. These rates are provided by Quadrant Information Services.
We are unbiased. NerdWallet’s content is never influenced by our business partners and advertisers. Learn more about how we write in our editorial guidelines.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
» MORE: Compare car insurance rates
Frequently asked questions
Is Freeway insurance legit?
Is Freeway insurance legit?
Yes, Freeway is a real company where you can work with a broker to find an insurance policy that matches your needs. It is not an insurance carrier, though.
In which states does Freeway offer car insurance?
In which states does Freeway offer car insurance?
Freeway doesn’t sell its own car insurance. That said, you can get a quote from insurance companies that partner with Freeway in all 50 states.
Can you buy car insurance in person from Freeway?
Can you buy car insurance in person from Freeway?
Yes, you can. The company has storefronts in 25 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
