A study conducted by a customer intelligence company concluded that a key driver of customer satisfaction with auto insurance providers is how companies handle the claim process.

Overall, Market Force Information's report indicated that consumers have high satisfaction levels with their auto insurance companies. Of the 18 percent of survey respondents who reported filing a claim with their auto insurance provider in the past year, 85 percent said they were satisfied with the way the claim was processed.

The study also examined auto insurance preferences and trends and found that Allstate and State Farm Insurance nearly tied for insurers with the best reputation, with each earning about 21 percent of the votes. Geico ranked third with 14 percent, while USAA and Progressive each earned six percent to tie for fourth place.

The survey was conducted in August 2010 among a pool of 2,800 respondents ranging in age from 18-72, and reflected a broad spectrum of income levels, with 53 percent reporting incomes of more than $50,000 a year. Seventy-two percent work full- or part-time. Seventy-four percent were women, who generally make up the primary household consumer purchasers. Half of the participants said they have children at home.

The full report can be read here.