Scottsdale Insurance Review & Complaints: Commercial & Home Insurance

Key Info	Details
Year founded	1982
Current executives	Thomas Clark - President (Nationwide E & S Specialty Team)
# of employees	Around 11,000
Total sales	$26.6 billion in revenue (2016)
Headquarters address	8877 N. Gainey Center Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone number	(800) 423-7675 (480) 365-4000
Company website	https://www.hmia.com/insurance-company/scottsdale-insurance-company
Premiums written	Nearly $3 billion (2016)
Best for	Businesses seeking commercial policies

Compare RatesStart Now →

Premiums
Claims
Feedback
Financial Strength

Looking for information about Scottsdale Insurance Company?

Most of the time, searching for the best auto coverage for your needs would mean hours of research, long phone calls, and hours of internet searches. Imagine, instead, if you had all the information you needed in one easy guide.

That’s exactly what we have put together here for you. In this Scottsdale Insurance Review, we will look at and analyze all the information related to the Scottsdale Insurance Company, including Scottsdale Insurance complaints, to give you a better idea of the options available to you.

For four decades, Scottsdale Insurance has been writing property & casualty products, mainly in the commercial arena. A part of Nationwide Insurance’s group of companies, they come with a strong financial backing and an unusual mix of products including pet insurance.

Who owns Scottsdale Insurance Company?

Scottsdale Insurance’s parent company is Nationwide Insurance, which announced in 2014 plans to bring all of their companies under the Nationwide name, and drop all previous names and logos. In January 2016, the company completed its rebrand of Scottsdale Insurance.

Scottsdale Insurance is a part of the E & S Specialty Team of the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

What is E & S Insurance? This stands for Excess and Surplus Insurance. It is a specialty market that insures things standard carriers won’t cover. This branch of Nationwide was created in 1982.

The Nationwide Mutual Insurance company writes policies under all of the following company names:

• Western Heritage Insurance Company
• Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance Company
• Scottsdale Insurance Company
• Scottsdale Indemnity Company
• National Casualty Company
• Freedom Specialty Insurance Company

This auto insurance review will look at operations through both the Scottsdale entity and its parent company, Nationwide.

Looking to buy Scottsdale Insurance? If you’re ready to start comparing auto insurance rates now, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to get started!

Scottsdale Insurance Car Insurance Rates

Since Scottsdale does not offer online quoting and their products are heavily weighted towards commercial lines, it’s difficult to obtain any sort of price comparison.

For personal lines, the lack of bundling discounts such as auto and home – and the added cost of agent commissions – means that Scottsdale is unlikely to be a major competitor price-wise. This is especially true when compared to major direct-buy insurance companies.

Because commercial policies vary so widely, general price comparisons are very difficult to provide.

While the price isn’t always the deciding factor when it comes to choosing an auto insurance policy, it’s usually one of the most important.

You can look at the table below to get an idea of what you might pay for auto insurance depending on how much coverage you decide to buy.

The table shows average, annual rates based on coverage levels.

Auto Insurance Average Rates by Coverage Type

These are just guidelines. Actual rates will depend on a variety of factors such as age, driving history, auto theft rates in your area, and ZIP code.

If you’d like to check out the crime rates where you live, you can visit the online database for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Keep reading to learn more.

What is Scottsdale Insurance availability by state?

Scottsdale Insurance was founded in 1982 in Scottsdale, Arizona, as the name indicates. The company grew quickly, exceeding expectations, and moved on to acquiring additional companies in states like New York, Minnesota, and California. Today the company writes business in all 50 states and has many subsidiary companies.

The company also has locations in other areas such as Scottsdale Insurance of Florida and Scottsdale Insurance of Columbus, Ohio.

Is Scottsdale Insurance a part of Nationwide?

Yes, it is, meaning they carry many of the same benefits as Nationwide insurance.

Chances are, no matter where you are in the United States, Scottsdale Insurance and its parent company, the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, have you covered.

Scottsdale Insurance Car Insurance Coverages Offered

One thing you’ll need to ask yourself before purchasing your auto insurance policy is, “How much insurance coverage do I need?”

Watch the video below to get a better idea of the different types of car insurance coverage and what each one does.

If you’re financing your vehicle, your loan company may require you to carry full coverage insurance. Otherwise, you’ll need at least the minimum amount of liability insurance required by the auto insurance laws in your state of residence.

If you decide that you need more than the minimum coverage required by the state, there are several different options available to you as additional coverage.

Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the different types of auto policies and coverage available to you, along with what they do.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Again, these are just guidelines and actual prices will vary so it is always wise to do a little comparison shopping for your auto policy before purchasing.

What are Scottsdale Insurance’s bundling options?

Many insurance providers offer different bundling options. Bundling your insurance refers to purchasing multiple policies from the same company.

For example, you can purchase your auto insurance policy as well as your life insurance from the same company if you choose. Most insurance companies offer a discount of anywhere from 5% to 25% if you choose to bundle.

Check out the video below to learn about the pros and cons of bundling your insurance policies.

Many companies offer multi-car discounts, also. You can think of this as a way of bundling as well, but in this case, you’re buying auto insurance for multiple vehicles.

Auto insurance companies offer up to a 25% multi-car discount on combined policies.

What are discounts offered by Scottsdale Insurance?

Generally, your auto insurance discount options through the company depend on what each provider has to offer, but many discounts are standard throughout the industry.

The table below shows some of the most common auto insurance discounts available, an estimate of how much money each can save you, as well as the major auto insurance companies that offer the discount.

Common Auto Insurance Discounts Offered by Company

Discount Name
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes	10%	✓	✓	5%	5%	5%	✓	5%
Anti-Theft	10%	✓		23%	20%	25%	✓	15%
Claim Free	35%	✓	✓	26%	✓	10%	✓	15%	23%	12%
Continuous Coverage		✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	15%	✓
Daytime Running Lights	2%		✓	3%	5%	5%	✓	✓
Defensive Driver	10%	10%	✓	✓	10%	5%	10%	5%	10%	3%
Distant Student	35%	✓	✓	✓	✓	10%	✓		7%
Driver's Ed	10%	✓	✓	✓	10%	✓	10%	15%	8%	3%
Driving Device/App	20%	40%	✓	✓	30%	40%	20%	50%	30%	5%
Early Signing	10%	✓	✓	✓	✓	8%	✓	✓	10%	12%
Electronic Stability Control	2%	✓	✓	✓	5%		✓	✓	✓	✓
Emergency Deployment	✓	✓	✓	25%	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Engaged Couple	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Family Legacy	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	10%
Family Plan	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	25%	✓	✓	✓	✓
Farm Vehicle	10%	✓	✓		✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Fast 5	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Federal Employee	✓	✓		12%	10%	✓		✓	✓	✓
Forward Collision Warning	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%		✓	✓	✓	✓
Full Payment	10%	✓	✓		$50	✓	✓	✓	8%	✓
Further Education	✓	✓			10%	15%		✓		✓
Garaging/Storing	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓		90%
Good Credit			✓	✓	✓		✓		✓	✓
Good Student	20%	✓		15%	23%	10%	✓	25%	8%	3%
Green Vehicle	10%	✓	5%	✓	10%	✓	✓	✓	10%	✓
Homeowner	✓	✓	✓		✓	5%	✓	3%	5%	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Life Insurance	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Low Mileage		✓		✓			✓	30%
Loyalty	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓
Married	✓	✓	✓	✓			✓		✓
Membership/Group	✓	✓	✓		10%	7%		✓		✓
Military		✓	✓	15%	4%	✓			✓
Military Garaging	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	15%
Multiple Drivers	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Multiple Policies	10%	29%	✓	10%	20%	10%	12%	17%	13%
Multiple Vehicles		✓	✓	25%	10%	20%	10%	20%	8%
New Address	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
New Customer/New Plan	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
New Graduate	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
New Vehicle	30%	✓	✓	15%	✓			40%	10%	12%
Newly Licensed	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Newlyweds	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Occasional Operator	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Occupation		✓			10%	15%	✓	✓		✓
On-Time Payments	5%	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	15%	✓
Online Shopper	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	7%	✓	✓	✓
Paperless Documents	10%	✓		✓	✓	5%	$50	✓	✓	✓
Paperless/Auto Billing	5%	✓		✓	✓	$30	✓	$20	3%	3%
Passive Restraint	30%	30%		40%		20%	✓	40%
Recent Retirees	✓	✓	✓	✓	4%	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Renter	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Roadside Assistance	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Safe Driver	45%	✓		15%	✓	35%	31%	15%	23%	12%
Seat Belt Use	✓	✓	✓	15%	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Senior Driver	10%	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Stable Residence	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓
Students & Alumni	✓	✓	✓		10%	7%		✓	✓	✓
Switching Provider	✓			✓	10%	✓		✓	✓	✓
Utility Vehicle	15%	✓	✓		✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Vehicle Recovery	10%	✓	✓	15%	35%	25%	✓	5%
VIN Etching	✓	✓	✓	✓	5%		✓	✓
Volunteer	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Young Driver	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	$75

As you can see, it is always best to check with your insurance provider to see what insurance discounts are available to you.

What programs are available from Scottsdale Insurance?

While Scottsdale Insurance sells many plans, its biggest seller is high-risk commercial insurance. High-risk business insurance includes owners with a history of claims and businesses in risky areas.

Scottsdale Insurance sets itself apart by offering an extensive list of insurance products for business owners.

As previously mentioned, Scottsdale’s focus is largely on commercial insurance, covering a variety of business needs. They also provide coverage to public entities.

Scottsdale products are sold through agents, and the vast majority of them are commercial products. On the personal lines side, Scottsdale writes a variety of home insurance policies and liability options, and they are also the owner of the pet health insurance company Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).

Take a look at the table below to see the programs offered through Scottsdale Insurance.

Keep reading to learn more.

Canceling Your Scottsdale Insurance Car Insurance Policy

What should you do if you need to cancel your policy?

Watch the video below to get an idea of what to expect should you need to cancel your auto insurance policy.

Keep reading to learn more.

Is there a refund?

Whether you can get a refund on your policy depends on the type of policy and when you choose to cancel.

If you choose to cancel a refundable policy in the middle of the policy cycle, you’ll receive roughly half of what you paid, assuming that you only paid for that cycle.

Since refund amounts may vary and depend on a variety of factors, you should always check with your insurance agent to see what factors apply to you.

How do you cancel?

What should you do if you need to cancel your policy?

You can cancel your policy at any time simply by contacting your auto insurance agent and letting them know that you’d like to cancel your policy.

Your agent will let you know when the changes will take effect and whether or not you are entitled to a refund of any policy premiums you have paid.

When can I cancel?

You can cancel your policy at any time simply by contacting your auto insurance agent and letting them know that you’d like to cancel your policy.

Your insurance provider will let you know what, if anything, is required of you in order to do so.

Scottsdale Claims Process

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

Filing an insurance claim can be a stressful experience, but Scottsdale Insurance aims to make it as convenient as possible for its policyholders. When it comes to ease of filing a claim, Scottsdale Insurance offers multiple options to cater to diverse preferences.

Policyholders have the flexibility to submit their claims online through the company’s website, ensuring a hassle-free and efficient process. Additionally, customers can file claims over the phone, providing a more personal touch for those who prefer direct communication.

One notable aspect is the absence of a dedicated mobile app for claims processing, which may be a drawback for tech-savvy individuals looking for a seamless mobile experience. However, the availability of online and phone-based options ensures that policyholders can choose the method that suits them best, enhancing the overall ease of filing a claim with Scottsdale Insurance.

Average Claim Processing Time

The speed at which an insurance company processes claims can greatly impact customer satisfaction. Scottsdale Insurance understands the importance of prompt claim processing and aims to provide a streamlined experience for its policyholders.

While specific data on the average claim processing time may vary depending on the type and complexity of the claim, the company strives to handle claims efficiently to ensure timely resolutions.

Customers generally expect their claims to be processed and resolved in a reasonable timeframe, and Scottsdale Insurance’s commitment to efficiency is reflected in its efforts to minimize delays. Timely claim processing can provide peace of mind to policyholders during challenging situations, making it a crucial aspect of the overall claims experience.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback plays a pivotal role in evaluating an insurance company’s performance in claim resolutions and payouts. While Scottsdale Insurance has received positive ratings from professional organizations like A.M. Best, customer reviews provide valuable insights into the real-world experiences of policyholders.

It’s important to note that the company shares ratings with its parent company, Nationwide, which can provide an added layer of confidence in their financial stability. However, customer reviews highlight certain areas where Scottsdale Insurance may need improvement.

Some customers have expressed concerns about communication during the claims process, emphasizing the importance of clear and effective communication between the insurer and the policyholder. Additionally, the absence of a dedicated mobile app for claims submission may be a drawback for those seeking a more digital-centric experience.

Policyholders’ experiences with claim resolutions and payouts can greatly influence their overall satisfaction with an insurance provider. Scottsdale Insurance should continue to prioritize effective communication and explore opportunities to enhance the digital aspects of the claims process to improve customer feedback in these areas.

Scottsdale Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

In today’s digital age, mobile apps have become an essential tool for managing insurance policies and claims. While Scottsdale Insurance offers various insurance products, it lacks a dedicated mobile app for policyholders to manage their accounts and file claims conveniently on their smartphones.

This absence of a mobile app can be a limitation for customers who prefer the flexibility and convenience of digital platforms.

A robust mobile app could provide policyholders with features such as easy access to policy documents, the ability to report claims with photos and videos, real-time updates on claim statuses, and secure communication with the insurer. Implementing such features could enhance the overall customer experience and keep up with industry standards for digital engagement.

Online Account Management Capabilities

While Scottsdale Insurance may not have a mobile app, it offers online account management capabilities through its website. Policyholders can access their accounts online to view policy details, make payments, and update their information. Online account management provides a convenient way for customers to stay informed about their policies and take action when needed.

Improvements in online account management could further enhance the user experience. Providing policyholders with tools to track claims, view policy documents, and receive digital notifications can contribute to a more efficient and transparent relationship between the insurer and its customers.

Digital Tools and Resources

In addition to online account management, Scottsdale Insurance should consider expanding its digital tools and resources to better serve its policyholders. These resources can include educational materials, FAQs, and informative blog articles related to insurance topics.

By offering valuable digital content, the company can empower its customers to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage.

Moreover, digital tools like calculators for estimating coverage needs or interactive forms for claims submission can simplify processes and improve customer engagement. By investing in digital resources and tools, Scottsdale Insurance can demonstrate its commitment to providing a modern and user-friendly experience for policyholders.

Scottsdale Insurance: Car Insurance Ratings

Is Scottdale Insurance Company an admitted carrier?

Nationwide E & S group actually works through both admitted and non-admitted carriers.

What is the Scottsdale Insurance Company rating?

Nationwide is considered to be one of the largest insurance companies in the United States. The Scottsdale Insurance CompanyAM Best rating is an A+ and they also have an A rating with Standard & Poor’s.

Scottsdale Insurance receives the same ratings as Nationwide is their parent company.

With Nationwide as its parent company, Scottsdale Insurance has the same professional ratings. For example, the Scottsdale Insurance company’s A.M. Best rating in 2021 is an A+, meaning they are financially stable and can pay claims.

The Better Business Bureau gives Scottsdale Insurance an A+ rating, but the site is plagued with customer complaints. However, the BBB complaints are directed at Nationwide rather than specifically at Scottsdale Insurance.

Customer reviews can be hard to find online, but some customers are upset. The biggest complaints stem from communication. Scottsdale Insurance also seems to have a problem handling claims from outsiders when one of their insured customers is at fault for an accident.

Another drawback for the company is that it doesn’t accept claims through a mobile app or online form. Instead, you have to either call the Scottsdale Insurance company claims phone number or write an email.

Scottsdale Insurance Company NAIC reports can also be found on the website for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC also provides information on Scottsdale Insurance Company loss runs as well as the Scottsdale Insurance Company’s state of incorporation.

As far as the personal lines products from Scottsdale, at the time of this review there were no complaints or comments relating to individual property & casualty, with most complaints focusing on commercial auto claims.

Read more: What is an AM Best rating?

The Bottom Line

Scottsdale Insurance may be a good choice for businesses seeking policies such as commercial transportation and business liability. The lack of reviews directly from customers makes it hard, however, to tell what the policyholder experience is with their service and claims.

They do offer some specific and unusual products that could bump them to the front of the line if your business needs fall within those particular areas.

Due to the lack of information both on products and pricing, it’s difficult to recommend Scottsdale for personal property & casualty coverage. Most individuals will likely find a better price elsewhere, along with the option to bundle auto and home together.

Now that you know everything you need to know about Scottsdale Insurance, we hope that you’ll feel more confident in purchasing your policy.

Which part of this guide was the most helpful for you?

Looking for affordable Scottsdale Insurance? Compare your current Scottsdale Insurance car insurance quotes to other top companies. Enter your ZIP code below and start comparing FREE auto insurance quotes now.