[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.0.9"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.0.9"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.0.9"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.0.9" hover_enabled="0"]<h1 class="gnt_ar_hl" elementtiming="ar-headline" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Coronavirus auto insurance refunds: Here's what you need to know</strong></h1>
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.0.9" custom_padding="20px|||||"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.0.9"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.0.9" hover_enabled="0"]<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="magnify-wrapper">
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><img src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/890f9c2eac4c1ded7cb080cf9e6706a048e636a4/c=0-188-3599-2212/local/-/media/2020/04/03/USATODAY/usatsports/cars-on-a-dealership-lot.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp" alt="Cars on a dealership lot." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></em></span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><em>Corrections &amp; Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated the $50 one-time payments per policy from Nationwide.</em></span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">Coronavirus stay-at-home orders have led to fewer people on the road and many cars sitting in driveways. Now, more than 82% of auto insurance companies like State Farm, Geico and Liberty Mutual are offering policyholders refunds and credits to save money, totaling more than $6.5 billion over the next two months, according to the</span><span> </span><a href="https://consumerfed.org/press_release/report-card-to-date-on-the-6-5-billion-promised-to-auto-insurance-customers-as-people-drive-less-due-to-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Consumer Federation of America</a><span style="color: #000000;">. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">"We applaud the many insurance companies that have recognized that they cannot sit on policyholder premium while their customers sit at home," said J. Robert Hunter, director of insurance for CFA and former Texas insurance commissioner, in a statement.</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">Relief programs offered by auto insurers include refunds, credits or one-time payments. Most of these forms of relief require no action from the consumer and will be applied automatically through the policyholder's recent payment method on file. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">Here's what you need to know about coronavirus car insurance refunds.</span></p>
<h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><span style="color: #000000;">Which car insurance companies are offering relief?</span></h2>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://newsroom.farmers.com/2020-04-08-Farmers-R-and-21st-Century-R-Branded-Automobile-Customers-Will-Receive-a-25-Reduction-in-Their-April-Premium" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">21st Century</a>:</strong><span> </span><span style="color: #000000;">25% discount on premiums in April</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://csaa-insurance.aaa.com/content/aaa-ie/b2c/en/misc/recovery.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">AAA</a></strong><span style="color: #000000;">: 20% refund between for policyholders with insurance in effect from March 16 to May 15 </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.allstate.com/covid.aspx?intcid=/home/home.aspx%7Chero%7CLearnMore%7CCovid19200406" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Allstate</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% discount on premiums in April and May</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.amfam.com/about/coronavirus/relief-payment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">American Family Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> $50 one-time payment for each car insured</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.amica.com/en/about-us/media-center/news-release-archive/2020/covid-19-auto-relief-announcement.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Amica</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 20% credit on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.auto-owners.com/special-message1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Auto-Owners Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% refund on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://news.chubb.com/2020-04-13-Chubb-Announces-Premium-Credit-for-U-S-Auto-Policyholders-to-Reflect-Changing-Driving-Habits-Due-to-the-COVID-19-Pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Chubb</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 35% discount on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://cincinnatifinancialcorporation.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cincinnati-insurance-company-offers-stay-home-discount-personal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Cincinnati Insurance and Casualty</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 15% credit on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://csaa-insurance.aaa.com/content/aaa-ie/b2c/en/primary-nav/press-room/press-release-apr-10.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">CSAA</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 20% refund on two months’ premium</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.encova.com/news/encova-insurance-to-issue-policy-credit-for-personal-auto-insurance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Encova</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% discount on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://newsroom.farmers.com/2020-04-08-Farmers-R-and-21st-Century-R-Branded-Automobile-Customers-Will-Receive-a-25-Reduction-in-Their-April-Premium" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Farmers Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 25% credit on premiums in April</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.geico.com/about/coronavirus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Geico</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 15% percent credit for auto and motorcycle customers whose policies renew between April 8 and Oct. 7 and new policy purchases between that time frame.</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://investors.hanover.com/news/news-details/2020/The-Hanover-Responds-to-Coronavirus-Pandemic-with-Initiatives-to-Support-Policyholders-and-Local-Communities/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Hanover Insurance Group</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% discount on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://newsroom.thehartford.com/newsroom-home/news-releases/news-releases-details/2020/The-Hartfords-COVID-19-Personal-Auto-Payback-Plan-To-Provide-Customers-With-Relief-During-Pandemic/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">The Hartford</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% refund on April and May premiums, only for policies in effect as of April 1</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.libertymutualgroup.com/about-lm/news/articles/liberty-mutual-insurance-announces-personal-auto-customer-relief-refund-help-customers-during-pandemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Liberty Mutual</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 15% refund on two months of premiums, refunds begin starting April 7</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="http://investors.kemper.com/file/Index?KeyFile=403578537" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Kemper</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% credit on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2020/april/metlife-provides-relief-to-auto-insurance-customers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">MetLife</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% credit on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://newsroom.mercuryinsurance.com/2020-04-09-Mercury-Insurance-Announces-Giveback-Program" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Mercury Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 15% credit on April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://blog.nationwide.com/news/nationwide-covid-19-refund/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Nationwide</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">$50 one-time refund per policy as of March 31; refunds will be credited automatically within 30 days to the current payment method on file</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.next-insurance.com/blog/a-message-from-our-ceo-the-insurance-industry-needs-to-take-action-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Next Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">25% discount on April premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://progressive.mediaroom.com/2020-04-08-Progressive-provides-1-billion-to-customers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Progressive Insurance</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 20% credit for April premiums for each car insured as of April 30; 20% reduction on May premiums for cars insured as of May 31; credits will be applied automatically in May and June</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://www.libertymutualgroup.com/about-lm/news/articles/liberty-mutual-insurance-commits-15-million-crisis-grants-community-partners" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Safeco</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 15% refund on April and May premiums starting April 7</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://newsroom.statefarm.com/covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">State Farm</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> Most customers will receive, on average, a 25% credit between March 20 through May 31; exact percentages vary by state; credits will be applied automatically as early as June</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="http://investor.travelers.com/file/Index?KeyFile=403557655" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Travelers</a><span style="color: #000000;">: </span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">15% credit for April and May premiums</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong><a href="https://communities.usaa.com/t5/Press-Releases/USAA-to-Return-520-Million-to-Members/ba-p/228150" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">USAA</a><span style="color: #000000;">:</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> 20% credit on two months' premiums; credits will be applied automatically</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"></span></p>
<h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><span style="color: #000000;">When will I receive my car insurance relief?</span></h2>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">It depends. Based on the type of refund program offered by your auto insurer, which can include refunds, credits or a one-time payment, drivers can expect to receive relief anywhere between April and June. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">"Most consumers can expect to see refunds arriving from late April/early May to June, depending on their insurer. Those who are receiving a one-time check will likely see refunds by the end of April, while those receiving credits toward April and May policies will see credits in May and June," said Michelle Megna, editorial director of </span><a href="https://carinsurance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">carinsurance.com</a><span style="color: #000000;">. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">For insurance companies sending a one-time check, refunds could arrive before the end of April, Megna says, as state regulators have to sign-off before checks can be mailed. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong class="gnt_ar_b_al"><span style="color: #000000;">Coronavirus relief:</span> </strong><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/10/state-farm-progressive-latest-auto-insurers-return-money/5128875002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">State Farm, Progressive latest auto insurers to return money to policyholders</a></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong class="gnt_ar_b_al">Coronavirus impact:</strong></span><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2020/04/12/coronavirus-covid-19-online-car-sales/5129667002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-t-l="|inline|intext|n/a" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Coronavirus has dealerships moving to online sales — and car buying may never be the same</a></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"></p>
<h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><span style="color: #000000;">How can I request a refund if I’ve prepaid my premium months in advance?</span></h2>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">Typically, policyholders who have prepaid premiums will more than likely receive credits for the same months' that are being issued to policyholders with monthly premiums. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"></p>
<h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2"><span style="color: #000000;">What are other ways I can save money on my auto insurance right now?</span></h2>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">Relief programs aren't the only ways that drivers can cut their auto insurance costs down during these unprecedented times. Experts suggest that policyholders looking for more ways to save can shop around for other insurers offering better rates, review their coverage levels, inquire about eligible discounts and change their driving status. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Shop around: </strong>Policyholders who are up-to-date on premium payments may be able to save hundreds of dollars by shopping around for companies offering better rates for certain rating factors. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">"If you're waiting for a refund, then you may want to hold off on switching until that comes through," said Megna. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Review your coverage levels: </strong>Reassess if coverages and deductibles that accompany your comprehension and collision coverage still fit your needs. For example, if you have a policy with liability, comprehensive and collision on an old car with low value, you could drop both the optional comprehensive and collision coverages. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Check for eligible discounts: </strong>Auto insurers may offer discounts ranging from driver history, training, affiliations and demographics. You may even be able to reduce your rates by bundling both your home and auto insurance with the same company. Policyholders should ask an insurance agent about eligible discounts and opportunities to save.</span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Change your driving status: </strong>"Besides getting this relief, you can call your insurance company and ask them to change your status," said Hunter. </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;">There are two ways drivers can do this. If you were driving to work and no longer are, you can change your driving status from commuter to non-commuter for lower rates. Drivers can also reduce their monthly mileage. Typically, the fewer miles you drive annually, the lower your rate. Policyholders should contact their insurer directly to do this.  </span></p>
<p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><span style="color: #000000;"></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="color: #000000;">To read the full article, </span><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2020/04/16/coronavirus-relief-how-get-your-car-insurance-refunds/2990448001/">click here</a>.</span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]