EMC Insurance Review & Complaints: Business, Auto, Home & Motorcycle Insurance (2024)

Premiums
Claims
Feedback
Financial Strength

EMC Insurance has been providing coverage to Americans for over 100 years. The company started as a worker’s compensation provider and has grown to offer a strong lineup of both personal and business insurance products.

What is EMC?

Employer’s Mutual Casualty Association (or EMC) was formed in 1911 in Iowa and started writing worker’s compensation policies. By 1920, they added auto insurance to the lineup in response to the growing number of cars on the road. Within a few years of this, they began expanding into other states, eventually offering coverage in more than 40 states.

Expansion and acquisitions of additional companies added fire insurance, life insurance, and more to the company’s property and casualty product offerings. Today, they write business insurance, auto insurance, homeowner’s, motorcycle, and more. The insurance company’s  office headquarters are located in Des Moines, IA.

EMC sells its property and casualty policies through independent insurance agents, and does not offer online quoting. The website does offer Policyholder Access, which allows customers to access control and manage their individual insurance policies online rather than counting on an agent for all changes and tracking of claims.

What insurance products are offered?

EMC writes a strong lineup of business insurance products as well as all of the basics of personal insurance.

Can I get auto insurance?

EMC’s auto program offers all of the basics of liability and property coverage, along with some additional options.

The Auto Choice Coverage Extension is an add-on package that includes the following features:

• Rental vehicle coverage
• Enhanced Transportation Expenses
• Increased Non-owned Trailer
• Waiver of deductible on other than collision claims in a total loss
• Accidental airbag deployment

EMC offers a good list of discounts, including loyalty, multi-car, accident-free, good student, and more. They also offer their Bonus Renewal Plan to those who hold an insurance policy accident-free for three years straight – this plan is basically accident forgiveness under a different name, and allows one surcharge-free accident.

EMC also has a special list of benefits for those who bundle auto and home together, known as Personal Lines Advantage. It includes pet medical, single deductible when home and auto are involved in the same loss, and emergency lockout coverage.

Motorcycle Insurance

EMC covers motorcycles with the same options available for auto insurance, as well as some options specific to motorcycles.

These include:

• Customized Equipment coverage
• Helmet coverage
• Excess Electronic Equipment

Can I get home insurance?

EMC has three levels of homeowner’s insurance coverage, each increasing limits and benefits, starting with the base-level policy. EMC promises that their basic homeowner’s policy still offers above-average coverage, with extra features.

The next two levels are the Homeowner’s Plus, with more personal property coverage as well as identity theft, and the EMC Choice, a premier level policy that adds more replacement cost coverage, equipment breakdown, and more.

The EMC website also mentions a MyHome policy that they intend to introduce for Nebraska residents, offering new pricing options, but little information is available at the time of this review, and you are directed to contact an insurance agent for more details.

Can I get life insurance?

EMC writes a range of life insurance products, including:

• Regular term and immediate-issue term
• Universal
• Whole life
• Annuities
• Group Life

The company also offers a range of other related products for workplace benefits such as long-term care, disability income insurance, and critical illness insurance.

What additional products are offered?

Business Insurance

EMC’s first product was worker’s compensation, and they continue to write it today, but have expanded to offer full coverage for businesses.

Business products include:

• EMC Business owners – comprehensive package policy that covers liability and business products along with many other common coverage options: EMC writes this type of policy for more than 500 different types of business
• EMC Choice – package policy for specialty businesses such as boat and equipment dealers, light manufacturers, and more
• Excess and Surplus Lines
• Surety and Fidelity Bonds
• Workplace Life Insurance

EMC also writes group programs and provides coverage for public entities such as schools, law enforcement, and more.

Are EMC rates affordable?

Because EMC does not offer online quoting, it is difficult to compare its products in terms of price to other companies. As a company selling products through agents, EMC is at a general disadvantage in that commissions can increase rates.

The company does offer a good range of discounts, and with the available auto-home bundle might be competitive with other companies of a similar size, also selling through agents.

Are there consumer complaints against the company?

Although EMC’s headquarters in Des Moines does not have a rating with the BBB. Their locations in both Wichita, Kansas, and Peoria, Arizona have an A+ rating.  Neither location lists any complaints against the company.

Overall, reviews of the company are minimal – there are not many of them, and those that do exist are limited in information. Overall, the company appears to have a fairly good reputation. There are positive reviews available, and the negative reviews – which are few – state common complaints that most insurance companies see.

What is the Company’s Financial Strength Rating?

EMC Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile Apps)

EMC Insurance provides multiple convenient options for filing insurance claims. Policyholders can report a claim through various channels, including online, over the phone, and even through the company’s mobile app.

This flexibility ensures that customers can choose the method that suits them best, whether they prefer the ease of online submissions or the personal touch of speaking to a representative.

Average Claim Processing Time

EMC Insurance is committed to swift claim processing. While specific processing times may vary depending on the nature of the claim and its complexity, the company aims to expedite the process as much as possible.

Policyholders can expect efficient handling of their claims to minimize disruptions in case of unexpected events.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback plays a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of an insurance company’s claim resolution process. EMC Insurance strives to provide satisfactory claim resolutions and payouts. While customer feedback may vary, the company maintains a generally positive reputation in this regard. Policyholders can expect fair and responsive claim handling.

EMC Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

EMC Insurance offers a mobile app with a range of features and functionalities to enhance the customer experience. Through the app, policyholders can access their accounts, view policy information, and file claims conveniently from their smartphones. The app is designed to provide ease of use and accessibility.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Policyholders can manage their insurance accounts efficiently through EMC Insurance’s online portal. This portal offers a user-friendly interface for customers to review and update their policies, make payments, and track claims. Online account management empowers policyholders with control and convenience.

Digital Tools and Resources

EMC Insurance provides a variety of digital tools and resources to support policyholders in making informed decisions about their coverage. These resources may include educational materials, calculators, and guides to help customers understand their insurance options better.

The company’s commitment to digital solutions enhances the overall customer experience.

What’s the bottom line?

EMC offers a strong list of products along with a long, solid reputation. With an excellent BBB record and few negative reviews online, they appear to be a sturdy bet in terms of service and satisfaction. In addition, their products appear to be straightforward and generally without gimmicks, while still offering comprehensive programs.

Although EMC is unlikely to be competitive with some of the large direct-buy insurers, they appear to offer products and services that may well make up for a little extra expenditure. EMC is worth a look as a company of choice for anyone who values great service over the most affordable price, and for those who prefer to work directly with an agent. It is not the most cost-effective company, but will be worth it for some.