Windhaven Auto Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto Insurance (2024)

If you’ve been searching for an extensive Windhaven auto insurance review, you’ve come to the right place. Windhaven Insurance (Windhaven National Insurance Company) provides car insurance coverage to drivers in Florida and Texas. The company focuses on personal auto for both standard and non-standard drivers, with what they call a “risk-tolerant” approach to underwriting.

Out Windhaven auto insurance review will help you to compare car insurance whether you need standard or high-risk auto insurance.

Update: Windhaven automobile insurance announced they are going out of business in February 2020. High-risk drivers may want to consider Clutch Insurance in Florida instead.

You can’t get auto insurance quotes from this provider online, and affordable Windhaven auto insurance is no longer available, but we can still help. Enter your ZIP code in the FREE comparison tool above to compare auto insurers in your local area.

What is Windhaven Insurance?

The Windhaven Insurance Company traces its roots back to 1990, when the company was founded in Dallas, Texas. After a time during which they did not offer coverage in Texas, only in Florida, they eventually brought their services back to their home state as well.

They are a small regional insurance company that has seen a lot of growth in recent years, but currently shows no signs of expanding into other states. Windhaven writes only personal auto insurance coverage and offers coverage for both standard and non-standard drivers.

All of the products are sold only through local agents. The company recently introduced the Clutch Insurance program, which allows drivers to purchase a policy online, then directing them to an agent who will service the policy.

Independent agents can also set up their agency with a website to offer their customers the option to purchase Windhaven products online. This is an unusual approach and places Windhaven ahead of many similar companies in terms of using technology and the availability of online quoting and purchasing.

Windhaven further makes use of technology with a mobile app available that allows customers to manage their accounts directly from a smartphone.

Since its liquidation, the company no longer has a physical address; however, prior to liquidation, the headquarters was located in Miami, Florida. As it stands, they do not appear to have an office locations that remain in operation.

Does the company sell auto insurance?

The Windhaven website provides no information on the available auto coverage. Instead, the website directs visitors to find a local agent with whom to discuss coverage, or to use one of the two online options — an agent website or the Clutch Insurance site — to get a quote.

Based on Windhaven’s position in the industry, its auto insurance policies are likely very basic, offering standard insurance policy limits. This type of regional insurer, particularly one that sells in the non-standard market, generally offers liability-only policies to help high-risk drivers obtain the legal minimums for insurance. They also offer full coverage policies, but rarely have many add-ons or special options.

Without an outline of coverage on the website, it’s tough to determine how this provider’s products line up with other similar insurance companies. For a company that seems very focused on utilizing the internet to reach customers and make the insurance purchasing experience easier, it is shocking to see that they have not provided any product information.

Are auto insurance rates affordable?

Windhaven does not write insurance in any market where we usually run price comparisons, so we cannot obtain a sample rate for comparison.

As a non-standard insurer, Windhaven is not likely to be the most affordable insurance option. Auto insurance companies willing to write policies for high-risk drivers generally protect themselves by charging higher rates. Even a driver with a clean record will likely find them more expensive than other options.

Non-standard insurers rate on a different playing field, so those who need that kind of coverage will do best by comparing the rates of several non-standard companies.

As with any insurance company, your mileage may vary. It is important to get a personalized quote since every organization uses its own underwriting guidelines to determine rates. Comparing a wide variety of quotes will help you get the best rate.

How are auto insurance claims processed?

Windhaven offers several options for claims reporting. The company’s claims department is open every day of the week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time. To report a claim to a representative during these hours, you can call the phone number (866) 595-4080. For information regarding an existing claim, the websites instruct customers to call (800) 919-9114.

Windhaven’s mobile app, which is available for iPhone and Android, also has a claims reporting option. The app allows the customer to report a claim from their smartphone. Also, the customer can take and upload pictures of the damage directly through the app.

When it comes to claims, the company provides a lot more information about the process than they do about their products.

Their claims process follows a five-step system:

1. Collecting information at the scene
2. Reporting of the claim
3. Review of the evidence and policy coverage
4. Estimating of damages
5. Payment of the final settlement

The company promises response time within 24 from a claims adjuster in most cases, depending mainly on where the insured lives. With the company out of business, the Windhaven auto insurance claims address is no longer active.

Windhaven has a Direct Repair network where estimates and repairs can be done quickly in direct cooperation with the insurance company. While the policyholder can choose their repair shop, repairs done within the network are guaranteed.

Are there complaints against the company?

Windhaven has a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as of the time of this review. The BBB records 361 complaints against the company in the past three years, with 105 closed in the past 12 months. The BBB has lowered its rating because it has failed to the underlying cause(s) of the complaints.

While the BBB considers this number of complaints acceptable for a company of this size, it’s quite a large number, and that bears out what the many reviews and complaints about the company have to say.

Google reviews give the company three out of five stars. Reviews cite refusal to pay claims, slow service, inability to contact representatives, and claims being ignored and denied. There are reviews from both Windhaven’s customers and non-customers. All point to the same problem.

A quick search for reviews of the company even reveals a local news story where a Windhaven customer had to bring in the media’s “Consumer Watchdog” team to get the company to pay for the damage to her vehicle.

We couldn’t find any Windhaven Insurance class-action lawsuits, but the company has been in several lawsuits.

Overall, the portrait that emerges of Windhaven’s reputation isn’t a pretty one. Let’s examine the company’s current ratings.

Windhaven auto insurance reviews will show that the company doesn’t have any ratings from the top financial strength and credit rating companies. Windhaven insurance A.M. Best rating doesn’t exist.

Windhaven National Insurance Company liquidation occurred in March 2020

Windhaven is a small company, but Texas reviewed the company’s debts and found the company should liquidate.

Are customer reviews positive?

Windhaven customer reviews can be hard to come by. The first place we looked at was the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). NAIC is the insurance station for locating the complaint rates of insurance companies and financial reports of insurance companies.

Each company has a unique code. Windhaven Insurance’s five-digit company code is 12541, but Windhaven National Insurance Company’s five-digit company code is 37001. The recent NAIC complaint index is zero, but the company is not licensed to do business.

Read more: Best Business Insurance Companies 

Before it was liquidated, the Windhaven auto Insurance app was listed on Google Play. Windhaven Insurance mobile app was rated 2.5 out of five stars. Customers only had to access Windhaven Insurance’s create login page on the website or through the mobile app. Windhaven auto insurance payments could be made through the app.

Windhaven Auto Insurance’s Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Windhaven Insurance offers a mobile app that provides various features and functionalities for policyholders. Through the app, customers can manage their accounts, access policy information, make payments, and report claims. The app’s convenience and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for policyholders on the go.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Policyholders can access their accounts and manage their policies online through Windhaven Insurance’s website. This includes tasks such as viewing policy details, making payments, and updating personal information. The online account management system simplifies the policy administration process and enhances customer convenience.

Digital Tools and Resources

Windhaven Insurance employs digital tools and resources to streamline insurance processes. They offer online options for obtaining quotes and purchasing policies, emphasizing the use of technology to reach customers. Additionally, their Direct Repair network allows for quick estimates and repairs, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Windhaven’s commitment to utilizing technology, including mobile apps and online account management, reflects their efforts to provide policyholders with efficient and accessible digital tools for managing their insurance needs.

What’s the bottom line?

Windhaven auto insurance customer service is no longer available, the company has no information on its products available and suffers from a very poor reputation regarding claims. They might be the last resort choice for non-standard drivers, but can’t be recommended for anyone else. Even non-standard drivers will likely find coverage from a more reputable company by shopping around carefully.

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