Although projections range wildly, from an increase of less than 1% to more than 5%, most insurance industry watchers are positive personal auto rates will increase during the coming year. The number of miles traveled by U.S. drivers during the first year of the pandemic dropped14%, resulting in a decrease of around 4% for auto insurance premiums in 2020, the Federal Highway Administration reported. However, drivers are starting to return to the roads and auto insurers have taken note. In addition to an increase in traffic, drivers picked up some dangerous habits during the pandemic as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an increase in instances of distracted motorists, speeding and impaired driving. The NHTSA estimates 20,160 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the first half of 2021, which is an 18.4% jump over the same period in 2020. "In 2021, drivers began taking their cars out of 'park' and returned to the roads," Nicole Beck, head of communications at The Zebra, said in a press release. "More drivers can lead to more potential accidents to occur. As soon as the number of claims filed increases, so will insurance rates. However, drivers aren't powerless — to lower rates, practice safe driving behaviors and take every precaution to protect your vehicles from damages caused by extreme weather." The above slideshow reveals the top-rated auto insurance companies, based on factors such as ease of use and number of complaints, according to NerdWallet.com. Complaint ratings are based on grievances received by state regulators and are relative to a company's size. Ease of use ratings include factors such as website transparency and the claim filing process. Related: |

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