GuideOne Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto, Home, Life, Church, Senior Living & School Insurance (2024)

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A property and casualty insurer with a specific market, GuideOne insurance is aimed at churches, faith-based institutions, and those who attend them. Their combination of commercial and personal products is particularly designed for people of a variety of different faiths.

What is a GuideOne Insurance summary?

While GuideOne was always a niche insurer, they did not begin with churches. The company was founded in Iowa in 1947 as Preferred Risk Mutual Insurance Company, offering lower-cost auto insurance for non-drinkers. In 1958 the company opened a life insurance branch, also for non-drinkers.

The 1960s saw expansion and the creation of the first package policy for churches, as the company moved into many other states and grew quickly. By the 1970s they had added coverage for other faith-based institutions such as seminaries and schools. They remained focus on sober driving, donating large amounts of money to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in the 1980s.

Today GuideOne is one of the biggest insurers of churches in the country and offers its products in every state. Their headquarters remain in Des Moines, Iowa.

Products are sold through independent agents across the country and include churches, senior living and home care coverage, schools, and basic personal lines insurance.

What insurance products does GuideOne offer?

GuideOne’s products are aimed at niche markets, particularly faith-based niches, and people of any faith can apply for coverage.

Does GuideOne Insurance offer Auto Insurance?

GuideOne’s website no longer offers information regarding any kind of auto insurance policy. The same goes for a home insurance package. The company states they are now working with SafeCo Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Company. (read our “Safeco Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto, Home, Renter’s, Boat, Motorcycle & Umbrella Insurance” for more information). The site directs you to get a quote, where you fill out a bit of information and submit it, then await a response either by phone or email. It is likely that you will be contacted by a Safeco representative.

GuideOne plans to exit the Personal Lines Market completely in order to focus more on its specialty of church coverage. The company is currently working towards transferring all personal lines business to Safeco by February 2018.

Does GuideOne offer Home Insurance?

As mentioned above, GuideOne is gradually transitioning away from the Personal Lines Market and this includes home insurance. The company will transfer all lines of personal insurance to Safeco by 2018.

How About Life Insurance?

GuideOne offers a range of life insurance and annuity products, underwritten by Kansas City Life Insurance Company.

They offer term, whole, and universal life, as well as deferred and immediate annuities. There are also some health plans to choose from, including long-term care and income protection plans.

Can I learn more about GuideOne’s Church Insurance?

GuideOne’s flagship product is package insurance for churches, synagogues, and places of worship. Their main policy offered is called FaithGuard. Their policies include property coverage and liability, along with a long list of options and endorsements that are designed for the needs of churches. Some of the specifics include stained glass window coverage as well as coverage for the personal property of ministers. (For more information, read our “Life Insurance Guide for Ministers“)

GuideOne also offers employee benefits including group life and disability coverage for church employees.

How about Senior Living and Home Care?

GuideOne writes commercial products specifically for senior care homes as well as home care companies. Among the many facilities covered are independent living homes, skilled care facilities, and more.

Read more: Medicare Coverage: An Expert Guide

What about insuring schools?

GuideOne writes package policies for faith-based schools and colleges. They provide both property and liability coverage along with specific coverage required by educational facilities.

What are GuideOne Insurance rates?

GuideOne does not offer online quoting, as all of their policies are sold through independent agents. That means we are unable to compare their rates to other companies.

What About Financial Strength?

Insurance Claims Process With GuideOne

Ease of Filing a claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile apps)

GuideOne Insurance offers a straightforward claims process for its policyholders. Claims can be filed either through a 24-hour toll-free phone number or through insurance agents. However, it’s worth noting that there is currently no option to file a claim report online, which may be a limitation for those who prefer digital convenience.

Average Claim Processing Time

GuideOne Insurance strives to provide prompt service to its customers. According to their official website, customers can expect to be contacted within 24 hours of filing a claim. This commitment to a quick response time is beneficial for policyholders who need timely assistance and support during the claims process.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

While GuideOne Insurance is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it holds a respectable rating of A-. Over the past three years, there have been only 13 complaints against the company, with one unresolved complaint in the last 12 months.

It’s important to note that GuideOne has received positive feedback and relatively few complaints in comparison to its size and scope. This suggests that the company generally delivers satisfactory claim resolutions and payouts, with no significant red flags identified on common insurance review websites.

GuideOne Insurance Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

GuideOne Insurance provides a mobile app that offers convenient access to policy information and account management. While specific features may vary, typical functionalities in insurance mobile apps include the ability to view and manage policies, pay premiums, and access digital insurance ID cards.

Policyholders can benefit from the convenience of managing their insurance needs on-the-go through the GuideOne Insurance mobile app.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Policyholders can access their insurance policies and manage their accounts through the GuideOne Insurance website. Online account management typically includes options for viewing policy documents, making premium payments, updating personal information, and initiating contact with customer support.

The online portal provides a convenient and accessible way for customers to stay informed about their insurance coverage and make necessary changes.

Digital Tools and Resources

GuideOne Insurance offers various digital tools and resources to assist policyholders. These tools may include educational resources, FAQs, and calculators to help customers understand their insurance needs and make informed decisions.

Additionally, online resources can provide guidance on risk management and safety measures, contributing to a comprehensive insurance experience for customers.

Please note that while GuideOne Insurance offers digital and technological features to enhance the customer experience, some aspects of their services, such as filing claims, may still rely on traditional methods like phone calls and agent interactions.

What’s the Bottom Line?

GuideOne Insurance is one of the nation’s largest church insurers, operating in all 50 states through a network of thousands of independent agents who serve more than 51,000 commercial policyholders. Since its founding in 1947,

GuideOne has remained focused on successful business operations and initiatives that can support the insurer’s growth path. For example, following its 1999 creation of the GuideOne Center for Risk Management program to help religious organizations craft strategic risk management plans. The company expanded the offering in 2008 with the launch of SafeChurch, the most comprehensive church risk management website available in the United States.

GuideOne has a good reputation and offers niche commercial products. Although GuideOne aims its products at people of faith, they are open to all individuals; those who do fit the niche will find some added benefits. Especially for their target market, GuideOne is worth a look and a comparison quote.