By Expert Insurance reviews
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Michigan-based Frankenmuth Insurance sells a selection of personal insurance products as well as commercial coverage. They are a fairly large regional insurer, covering 15 states.
About Frankenmuth Insurance
Like many insurance companies in the late 19th Century, Frankenmuth was founded by a group of people looking for a shared method of protection against loss. In this specific case, it was a group of German immigrants that created Frankenmuth in 1868, naming it for the city in which it was created.
As cars become more popular, Frankenmuth responded with the creation of Frankenmuth Mutual Auto Insurance Company. In 1941 the original association became known as Frankenmuth Mutual Fire Insurance company, and within two decades the two companies had been merged into one.
Frankenmuth looked to expansion in the 1970s moving into several other surrounding states, including Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Further expansion came in the following decades, and in 2007 a merger with Patriot Insurance moved the company into New England.
Today Frankenmuth still operates largely in the Midwest, and Patriot continues to write insurance under its original name in the New England area. Not all of the company’s products are offered in all states; many have access only to commercial lines, with personal insurance products more limited in regional scope.
Frankenmuth Products
Frankenmuth’s personal lines offerings include the big three: auto insurance, home insurance, and life insurance, along with a selection of specialty products. They also have a variety of common commercial products.
Home Insurance
Frankenmuth has two levels of homeowner’s insurance available.
The Home Protector is their standard homeowner’s insurance program, covering structures, personal property, and personal liability. The policy includes replacement cost coverage for both the dwelling and for personal property, and a selection of other common coverage.
The Ultra Home Guardian is a higher-level policy that adds additional coverage not found on the more basic option. This includes coverage for sewer and drain backup, lock replacement, evacuation expenses, fire department service charges, and more items that are not included in most home insurance policies.
Frankenmuth also provides coverage for a range of other home needs. This includes a condo policy that provides walls-in coverage, and a renter’s insurance policy to protect tenants’ personal property. They also write policies specifically for rental properties.
Manufactured home insurance is available only in Michigan.
Auto Insurance
The auto insurance policy differs somewhat from state to state, but covers all of the basics as well as offering a variety of options. The list of options does not hold any surprises; they are all common choices such as roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and a business use endorsement as well.
Frankenmuth also has a collector car program that they underwrite directly. This is unusual, as many insurance companies – even the big ones – pass this offer to specialty insurance companies.
Specialty Insurance
Frankenmuth has insurance programs for watercraft as well as for recreational vehicles.
The watercraft program includes coverage for basic boats as well as a yacht program for crafts of 26’ or larger.
Recreational vehicle coverage includes snowmobiles, ATVs, travel trailers, motor homes, golf carts, and motorcycles (in Michigan only).
Life Insurance
Frankenmuth offers both term life insurance and whole life insurance policies but does not give much detail on the programs. Visitors to the site are directed to an agent for more information.
Commercial Insurance
Available in more states than the personal lines, commercial coverage is available in a wide range of options.
Two package policies are offered, the Business Owners for smaller companies that fit the requirements, and commercial package policies for those that cannot be insured with a BOP. These both include basics like liability and property coverage, and add on additional customized coverage as well.
Frankenmuth’s list of commercial options includes:
Commercial Umbrella
Employment Practices Liability
Equipment Breakdown
Cyber and Data Coverage
Professional Liability
Surety Bonds
Safety Services
Industry-Specific Solutions
Insurance Rates
Frankenmuth does not offer online quoting and firmly defends that decision by arguing that only an agent can help you to determine what you really need for coverage and create the policy that is right for your needs.
This point is a good one, but in the modern age online quoting is something many people expect, and it may deter people from considering a company among their options. This is particularly true when getting a quote results in solicitation attempts.
Insurance Claims
Frankenmuth does step into the modern age when it comes to claims submissions, allowing claims to be reported online. They also have a toll-free, 24/7 claims reporting line that can be used at any time.
Frankenmuth has a preferred vendor network for both auto and home repairs. These repair shops and contractors will guarantee all of their work and work directly with the claims department. Policyholders do not have to use these vendors, however, and can always select their own preferred shop.
The website provides a helpful and comprehensive overview of claims that is easy to locate and read and includes a straightforward FAQ section. Everything appears transparent and simple to understand.
Ratings and Consumer Reviews
Frankenmuth has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with only four complaints in the past three years. They became accredited only recently, in 2018. Six customers have left reviews, most of them very positive, giving the company 3.5 stars overall. That is all good news for a company this big.
There are 20 reviews on Consumer Affairs, with a two-star rating overall. While there are more negative reviews here, that is very common for this site. There are also some positive reviews, which helps to balance the negatives and is always a good thing to see.
Yelp shows a similar situation – six reviews for three stars overall. In general, this company appears to have a pretty good reputation, with very few complaints for such a large insurer.
The Bottom Line
Frankenmuth as a good range of products and a solid reputation. They are a good choice if you do not mind working with an agent and prefer a regional company. Since we are unable to obtain rates, we cannot compare them on value, but we have a positive impression overall
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