Explorer Insurance: Providing Policies for High-Risk Drivers in California
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Explorer Insurance Review
Overall, Explorer has some mixed reviews. Financially, they seem to be a sound company. As recently as September of 2016, A.M. Best was still rating them as A-, or “excellent”, on financial strength. As far as customer satisfaction goes, however, Explorer scores above the national median with the amount of complaints they received from the NAIC. They also have multiple 1-star reviews on Yelp dating all the way back to 2012. The Better Business Bureau, however, considers them to be an A+ company.
| Ratings Agency | Rating |
| AM Best Financial Strength (2016) | A- (Excellent) |
| NAIC Complaint Index (2012) | 3.17 (National Median 1.00) |
| Better Business Bureau (2016) | A+ |
| Yelp | 1/5 Stars (Average) |
Explorer Insurance Discounts
Explorer Insurance doesn’t necessarily offer discounts to drivers, per se. They incentivize potential clients through their doors through less direct means. For starters, Explorer insures those drivers whose driving history puts them in the “high risk” pool of drivers. Things that might put someone in the high-risk pool include poor credit, having a license revoked, getting a DUI or DWI, or being under the age of 25, just to name a few scenarios. Because such drivers are often rejected for coverage by most companies or charged exorbitant rates, Insurers like Explorer are more likely to get their business.
Explorer Auto Insurance Options
The coverage options available from Explorer are limited, but adequate to meet all California laws as far as driving legally is concerned. More specifically, they offer:
- Liability Bodily Injury
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Comprehensive and Collision
- Towing and Rental Reimbursement
- Glass Repair Deductible Waiver
- Permissive Driver
- Salvaged Vehicles
- 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance
- Out-of-State Licenses
- multiple convenient payment options to choose from
- Free online automatic payment services – pay by credit card or check
However, since Explorer is a network of independent insurance agents, plans and coverages will vary from one office to another. The best thing you can do is to call your local agent and discuss exactly what they are willing to provide. Many of their offices can help customers in Spanish as well as English.
Comparing Explorer Insurance Quotes
Getting a quote online from Explorer is confusing compared to other insurers. Your best bet is to contact an agent in your area – if you can find one in your local yellow pages, that is. In addition to not offering help with online quotes, the company website fails to help connect potential customers with any “find an agent near you” option.
When you call your local Explorer agent, keep some of the following numbers in mind (especially those for average rates in California). But since you may be applying for Explorer coverage because other companies see you as “high risk”, the quote you get might be slightly higher. However, if it is immensely higher, be sure to compare quotes from other companies as well.
Pros and Cons of Explorer Insurance
| Pro | Con |
| Flexible Eligibility Guidelines for “high-risk” drivers | Many poor customer service reviews |
| Bilingual customer service support |
If you’re having trouble getting traditional coverage from major insurance companies in California, then providers such as Explorer may be able to help. They have relaxed regulations as far as who is/isn’t too risky to insure. They can also help you better if your native language isn’t English. But regardless of who you purchase insurance coverage from, you should always compare quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal in your area.
Corporate Headquarters25152 Springfield Court
Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA
www.explorer-insurance.com
Local: 661.294.8980
Toll Free:800.788.8984