Travelers vs. American Family: Which Insurance Company is Better?
As an insurance professional and the owner of Blake Insurance Group, I help clients find the right coverage based on their unique needs. Two well-known insurance providers that frequently come up in discussions are Travelers and American Family. While both companies have strong reputations and offer a variety of coverage options, their pricing, claims experience, and customer service can vary depending on individual circumstances.
To help you make an informed decision, let’s compare Travelers and American Family across several important factors, including coverage options, pricing, claims process, customer service, unique features, availability, and reputation.
Coverage Options
Both Travelers and American Family provide a wide range of insurance products, including auto, home, renters, business, and umbrella insurance.
Travelers Insurance:
- Offers comprehensive auto policies with optional coverages such as gap insurance, accident forgiveness, and rideshare coverage.
- Homeowners policies include green home coverage, allowing policyholders to rebuild with environmentally friendly materials after a covered loss.
- Strong selection of business insurance policies, making it a great option for small business owners.
American Family Insurance:
- Provides unique KnowYourDrive® telematics program that rewards safe driving habits.
- Home insurance includes optional add-ons like diminishing deductible and equipment breakdown coverage.
- More focused on personal insurance lines rather than business policies.
Both companies offer customizable policies, but Travelers has a more extensive range of business and specialty insurance options, while American Family tends to focus more on personal auto and home coverage.
Pricing and Discounts
Price is often a deciding factor when choosing an insurance provider, and both Travelers and American Family offer competitive rates, depending on location, driving history, and coverage selections.
Travelers Insurance Discounts:
- Safe driver and multi-policy discounts.
- IntelliDrive® program, a telematics-based discount that rewards safe driving habits.
- Hybrid/electric vehicle discount.
American Family Insurance Discounts:
- KnowYourDrive® usage-based discount.
- Generational discount for customers with family members insured by American Family.
- Loyalty discounts for long-term policyholders.
While both companies offer telematics-based programs, American Family’s KnowYourDrive® program tends to be more generous with savings for safe drivers, whereas Travelers’ IntelliDrive® program can both increase or decrease rates depending on driving habits.
Both insurers offer significant discounts for multi-policy bundling, making combining home, auto, and other policies cost-effective under one provider.
Claims Process
A seamless claims experience is crucial when choosing an insurance company.
Travelers Insurance Claims:
- 24/7 claims reporting via phone, online, or mobile app.
- Strong financial backing ensures claim payouts.
- Some customers report slower claims processing times compared to competitors.
American Family Insurance Claims:
- Provides 24/7 claim filing through an online portal or mobile app.
- Generally receives higher marks for personalized service, as many customers work with local agents throughout the claims process.
- Offers a catastrophe team for quicker disaster recovery assistance.
While both companies provide round-the-clock claims support, American Family tends to have a more personalized approach, while Travelers has mixed reviews regarding claim speed.
Customer Service
Customer service plays a vital role in policyholder satisfaction.
- Travelers has a large national presence but relies more on centralized customer service, which can sometimes lead to longer wait times.
- American Family uses a localized agent model, offering more personalized service and quicker response times.
According to J.D. Power customer satisfaction rankings, American Family typically scores higher than Travelers in auto and home insurance customer satisfaction, mainly due to its strong agent network and local customer support.
Unique Features
Each insurer has distinct offerings that set them apart.
Travelers Unique Features:
- IntelliDrive® Program: Tracks driving habits and adjusts premiums accordingly.
- Premier New Car Replacement: Pays for a brand-new car if yours is totaled within the first five years.
- Green Home Coverage: Offers extra coverage for rebuilding with eco-friendly materials.
American Family Unique Features:
- KnowYourDrive® Program: Rewards safe drivers with discounts up to 20%.
- Diminishing Deductible: Lowers deductibles for each year of claim-free driving.
- DreamBank Program: Supports policyholders in pursuing personal goals and financial literacy.
Travelers may be the better fit if you prioritize eco-friendly coverage and broader business insurance options. American Family is worth considering if you’re looking for strong local agent support and innovative personal insurance features.
Availability
- Travelers Insurance: Available nationwide in all 50 states.
- American Family Insurance: Primarily serves 19 states, with a stronger presence in the Midwest and Western U.S.
If availability is a concern, Travelers has a wider reach, while American Family is more localized and may not be an option for customers outside its coverage area.
Reputation and Reviews
Both Travelers and American Family are financially strong, with AM Best ratings of A++ (Superior) and A (Excellent), respectively.
Travelers:
- One of the largest and oldest insurance companies in the U.S.
- Has a strong financial reputation, but customer satisfaction ratings are average.
- Some policyholders report longer claim processing times.
American Family:
- Frequently ranks higher in customer service and satisfaction.
- More regionally focused, so policies and pricing vary significantly by state.
- Known for its personalized customer support and strong local agent relationships.
While Travelers is a larger company with more financial resources, American Family often receives higher marks for customer satisfaction due to its localized, agent-driven service model.
Final Verdict: Which is Better?
- Travelers may be the better choice if you prioritize nationwide availability, business insurance options, and eco-friendly home coverage.
- American Family is worth considering if you value personalized customer service, local agent support, and strong telematics-based discounts.
The best way to determine which company is right for you is to get personalized quotes and compare coverage based on your specific needs. At Blake Insurance Group, we help clients navigate these choices and find the best value for their situation.
Need help choosing between Travelers and American Family? Contact us today for a personalized quote and expert advice!
Travelers vs. American Family - Frequently Asked Questions
Travelers generally offers more affordable auto insurance rates compared to American Family. Travelers' average annual cost for full coverage is $1,606, while American Family's average is $1,698.
Both companies have good customer satisfaction ratings. American Family tends to score slightly higher, with J.D. Power ratings that are above average. Travelers typically receives average ratings for customer satisfaction.
Both companies offer a variety of discounts, but American Family tends to have a wider range of discount options available to policyholders.
For teen drivers, American Family offers more affordable rates on average. The annual rate for a teen driver with American Family is about $4,515, while Travelers' average is $4,834.
American Family offers an Emergency Roadside Service that covers various breakdown scenarios. Travelers provides a choice between Basic and Premier Roadside Assistance, with the latter offering additional benefits like trip interruption coverage.
Both companies offer comprehensive homeowners insurance. Travelers is known for providing more customizable options, while American Family is often praised for its competitive rates and discounts.
Travelers is available nationwide, making it a good choice for those who move frequently or have properties in multiple states. American Family's availability is more limited, primarily serving 19 states.

Blake Nwosu
Owner & Principal Agent
Expertise: All personal and commercial line insurance, including auto, home, business, health, and life insurance.
License: 16117464
Blake Insurance Group
Phone: (888) 387-3687
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sat-Sun: Closed