What Is An Insurance Company Code?

Key Points:

• Authorized U.S. insurance retailers receive codes from both the NAIC and state DMVs. 
• NAIC codes can track insurers across state lines to protect consumers and establish best practices.
• An insurance company might have more than one NAIC code if it includes multiple underwriting organizations.

When browsing for auto insurance, you want to be sure that any given provider is legitimate. One way to do that is by checking insurance companies’ codes, which can help you verify that companies are reliable and look at their financial data and complaints.

This article will discuss two types of insurance company codes: the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) code. We’ll tell you what these codes are for and how to look up your provider’s code.

When looking to buy car insurance, it’s always a good idea to compare rates. You can learn a lot from a NAIC report, but you should also read reviews dedicated to explaining coverage in common language. Start by reading our review of the best car insurance companies, and when you’re ready to look for a policy, use our quote comparison tool above.

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What Is An Insurance Company Code?

An insurance company code is a specific code assigned to authorized insurance retailers in the U.S. There are two types of insurance company codes: the NAIC code and the DMV code.

What Is A NAIC Code?

An NAIC insurance company code is a five-digit code assigned to an insurance company by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which is an organization created to conduct regulatory oversight of insurance practices in the U.S.

Because each state has its own insurance commissioner and insurance laws, the NAIC uses insurance company codes to track companies across state lines and establish standards and best practices. The NAIC also provides consumer productions and reports.

Insurance companies’ codes can be used on the NAIC database to do the following:

• View the number of closed complaints
• Report fraud
• Review enforcement actions taken against a company
• Read market conduct examination reports
• Download financial statement data

While you’re required to have liability insurance in your state, you don’t have to use a specific provider. If you have a complaint with your insurance company, contact your state insurance commissioner. These complaints will then be listed and searchable under the insurance company’s code.

NAIC codes don’t only apply to automobile insurance companies. Any American insurance company that underwrites coverage has a NAIC number, including health insurance, life insurance, and fire insurance companies.

As a disclaimer, a single insurance company may have more than one NAIC number. This happens when the parent company includes multiple underwriting organizations. When this is the case, the NAIC groups each organization into a group code under the parent company to keep things simple.

What Is A DMV Code?

A DMV code is a three-digit code assigned to insurance companies that are authorized to sell insurance in that state. While NAIC codes are standardized across the nation, DMV codes are specific to individual states and issued by a state’s insurance commissioner, as each state has different insurance laws and regulations.

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How Do I Find An Insurance Company Code?

Insurance company codes can be useful for looking up financial reports, complaints, and enforcement actions. DMV codes should be listed on your insurance card and may be needed in order to register your vehicle. Contact your car insurance provider for more information.

If you’re looking for a NAIC insurance code, you can visit the NAIC website for a full list, or look at the table below for some from the top car insurance providers:

Use these codes on NAIC’s consumer insurance search page to see a company’s complaint and financial information.

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Other Valuable Ratings For Car Insurance Companies

There are a number of helpful rating agencies and websites that review car insurance providers. Before purchasing auto insurance, consider checking the following ratings. These are not property and casualty insurance company codes, but are reliable numbers that can help you better understand a company.

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Insurance Company Codes: Our Take

Insurance codes are a helpful way to learn more about a select insurance company or to verify its authenticity. Shopping for car insurance can be complicated. With dozens of options, it is more important than ever to be an informed shopper.

The best piece of advice is to compare quotes and plans across multiple providers. Get started by using our quote comparison tool below and checking out some of our top recommended providers.

Our Recommendations For Auto Insurance

In our industry-wide review of some of the top insurance providers, we determined that Geico and USAA stand out from the rest. If you’re shopping for coverage, we recommend getting auto insurance quotes from these providers. Learn more about them below. 

Geico Insurance: Best For Basic Coverage

Geico is a top national insurance company, and its NAIC code is 41491. With Geico auto insurance, you are eligible for a wide range of discounts. Student drivers receive discounts for good grades, and safe drivers can track their driving to receive premium reductions. Geico boasts nationwide availability, affordable rates, and an easy claims process. Geico is low-cost and highly recommended. It’s a good place to start when comparing quotes.

USAA Insurance: Best For Military Members

USAA’s NAIC code is 25968. USAA auto insurance policies are both comprehensive and inexpensive. The insurer has one of the strongest customer service reputations in the industry as well as some of the lowest car insurance rates on the market for those who are eligible.

Keep in mind that USAA car insurance coverage is only available to military members and their families.

Compare these two providers head to head in our USAA vs. Geico insurance review. 

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Insurance Company Codes: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about insurance company codes:

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How We Rate Auto Insurers

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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