The Personal’s Rating
Financial Strength
Services Offered
Customer Service
Insurance Rates
Carsurance Verdict:
Reliable customer service, good financial strength, and great value for your money—these make The Personal an all-round winner. However, its products are not available to everyone. But if you qualify, it’s a terrific choice.
4.8
Pros
- Affordable rates
- High-quality customer service
- A wide range of optional coverages and discounts
- Available nationwide
Cons
- Not available to everyone
- Average mobile app
The Personal Insurance was founded in 1974 and operates under parent organization Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc. It specializes in offering dependable home and auto insurance to Canadians at group rates.
To purchase insurance from The Personal, you must be associated with a member group. With more than 700 such organizations, corporations, post-secondary institutions, and guilds present in Canada, this is not a daunting task.
To explore the quality of car insurance offered by The Personal, we studied its reviews from industry experts and customers alike. We also analyzed how The Personal Insurance ranks in Canada in customer service and financial stability. Finally, we checked its website to discover what optional coverages and discounts it provides.
Read on to discover how The Personal stacks up against the best auto insurers in Canada and if it’s the right choice for you.
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Product Overview
The Personal Insurance Company operates throughout Canada, presenting itself as an affordable auto insurer, something which its rates wholly confirm. It has a solid track record in customer service and offers all of the standard features you expect from an insurer of its size and reputation, plus more.
Features
Online Services
Are you looking to replace your car but would first like to compare premiums for different models? Or maybe you want to make changes to your insurance policy without calling an agent?
Well, as more than one The Personal Insurance review shows, this insurer has you covered. All you have to do is sign up for The Personal’s Online Services.
The company gives you the freedom to make changes to your policy from anywhere, at any time. Additionally, you can use it to get a quick insurance estimate and even file a claim.
Easy, Hassle-Free Claim Process
Submitting a claim with The Personal is fast and easy. You can speak with a claim advisor by calling The Personal Insurance phone number, which is 1-888-785-5502. Alternatively, you can file a claim online or through its mobile app.
Website and Mobile App
The Personal’s online tools are capable but not the best in the business. For instance, while its mobile app allows you to view and manage your insurance policy on-the-go and participate in a usage-based discount program, it holds an average rating of only 2.5 out of 5 in Google Play and 2 out of 5 in the App Store. Its website, on the other hand, is pleasing to the eye and easy to use, and it makes a good impression overall. You can utilize the website for The Personal Insurance to get a quote online, pay bills, or file a claim.
Signature Feature – the Worry-Free Option
The Personal offers a special package that blends the most popular coverages for optimal protection. It includes the following:
Transportation Replacement Coverage
This optional protection plan reimburses you for the cost of alternate transportation, such as a rental car, in case your car is no longer in a drivable condition after a loss or damage covered by your insurance with The Personal.
Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobiles
Also known as rental car insurance, this optional coverage extends your car insurance policy coverage to a vehicle rented for personal use in Canada or the US.
Emergency Road Services
This coverage helps you when your vehicle breaks down or has been disabled. The Personal reimburses up to $50 per incident for towing and emergency services.
Financial Strength
Financially, The Personal Insurance is on a solid financial footing. Its parent company, Desjardins, got the excellent “AA1” rating from Moody’s and solid “A+” from S&P. Best. In simple words, it means that you can rely on the insurer to pay claims when the time comes.
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Types of Insurances Offered
The Personal provides all coverages standard in the Canadian auto industry: third-party liability coverage, collision or upset coverage, comprehensive coverage, accident insurance coverage, direct-compensation property damage (DCPD) coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. In addition to these, The Personal Insurance Company of Canada offers a range of optional coverages:
5-Year New Vehicle Protection Coverage
This optional coverage can ease your financial pain if your new car is damaged in an accident. In case of a total loss within the first 5 years of ownership, the insurer will replace your car with a brand new one having the exact specifications and equipment. In case of a partial loss, The Personal auto insurance company promises to have your vehicle repaired with new and original parts.
Zero-Deductible Car Insurance
Having no-deductible auto insurance means you don’t have to meet a certain balance before your insurer steps in. For example, let’s say you’ve taken comprehensive coverage with zero deductible. If you file a claim for $1,500 worth of repairs, the insurer will reimburse you the full amount. However, if you opted for comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, The Personal car insurance will pay only $1,000 (covered repairs minus the $500 deductible).
Naturally, since the insurer takes all the risk in the case of zero-deductible coverage, its premium is higher than coverage that includes a deductible.
Accident-Free Protection Coverage
If you buy this coverage, the insurer will act like your first at-fault accident never happened, as long as you stay with them. In other words, The Personal group insurance won’t bump up your car insurance premium after your first at-fault accident.
Family Protection Coverage
This optional coverage offers protection from uninsured or underinsured motorists. If you or someone in your family is injured or killed in a road accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver and there’s a shortfall in their coverage, the family protection endorsement covers the difference between your medical and damage expenses and the at-fault driver’s coverage.
For instance, you were involved in a no-fault car accident that caused $700,000 in damage. However, the guilty party was covered only up to $500,000. Fortunately, if you took family protection coverage of $1,000,000 from The Personal Insurance, the latter will cover the $200,000 shortfall.
Customer Service
Across the board, The Personal’s customer satisfaction ratings are pretty solid. According to J.D. Power’s 2019 Overall Satisfaction Study the company scored four stars in the Ontario and full five stars in Quebec.
The insurer also enjoys a better-than-average rating of B+ with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-profit organization that analyzes whether a company handles disputes fairly or not.
However, The Personal Insurance reviews on InsurEye, an independent auto insurance review website, is less than flattering. The company could manage a score of only 1.9 out of 5, with many customers voicing dissatisfaction over its claim-handling process. That said, a low score on these websites isn’t atypical for a business of its size. Statistically speaking, customers are more likely to take the time to share a negative experience about The Personal insurance claims processing, customer service, or mobile app than a positive one.
Discounts
You can save on car insurance in a number of ways with The Personal. Here’s a brief overview of all the discounts on offer.
- Multiple Vehicle Discount – Insuring two or more cars with The Personal can help you lower your auto insurance premium by as much as 15%.
- Bundling – Combine The Personal home and auto insurance and win handsome discounts, like up to 20% on property insurance and up to 5% on auto insurance.
- Safe Driving – Are you a reliable driver? Sign up for Ajusto, a telematics program that rewards customers for driving safely. You can save up to 25% on your premium through this score-based program. The higher your score, the more you save.
- Conviction-Free Discount – The Personal Insurance Company offers a rebate of up to 15% to all drivers who haven’t had a single traffic violation in the past three years.
- Eco-Friendly Discount – Insuring an electric or hybrid vehicle will score you a discount of up to 5%.
- Loyalty Discount – The Personal rewards loyalty, even if it was toward another auto insurer. If you’ve been with the same insurer for a while, you can net a sizeable discount on your Personal vehicle insurance quote during the switchover. Ask your broker or agent if you qualify.
- Student Discount – Full-time university or college students or recent graduates under the age of 25 get a discount of up to 10%.
- Winter Tire Discount – Did you know that winter tires keep you safe on the road by reducing braking distances by over 25%? What’s more, they also result in a lower car insurance premium. You can save up to 5% with The Personal if you equip your car with four winter tires during the cold season.
The Personal Insurance Rates Comparison
The Personal website claims that it will put you on an easy road to saving if you buy auto insurance from them, but the real question is, how does it stack up against the competition?
Very well, indeed. According to our research, its premium is the second-lowest in Calgary at $139 a month. Desjardins, which, incidentally, happens to be the parent company of The Personal, came up as the cheapest option, with a monthly premium of $136.
The Personal car insurance quote we got was for a 40-year old single male with a clean driving record. Our reference vehicle was a Honda Civic SE averaging 15,000 km.
The Personal Compared to Its Main Competitors
The Personal vs. The Co-operators
The Co-operators is a notch above The Personal in the customer service department, earning the first spot in J.D. Power’s 2019 study for Canada.
However, the latter beats it to the punch on price. At $139 a month, The Personal Insurance offers Calgary quotes at a whopping 36% cheaper than The Co-operators. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, maybe it’s time your company considers switching over to The Personal, which also boasts superior financial strength.
Its parent company, Desjardins, has an “A+” A. M. Best rating – the second highest possible. This indicates you can count on The Personal insurance to honor its part of the bargain when the time comes to pay a claim. In comparison, The Co-operators could only manage an “A-.”
Overall, place The Personal above The Co-operators in your list if you’re looking for low rates and below it if you’re prepared to pay a little extra for the absolute best customer service.
The Personal vs. Intact
With a monthly premium nearly 40% lower than Intact’s, The Personal offers drivers better value for the money in Calgary. In fact, this is true for much of Canada. If anything, the price difference is even more striking in other provinces. For instance, The Personal Insurance in Ontario costs $196 per month, whereas Intact charges $349, which is roughly 80% more!
The Personal fairs much better in customer service as well. On average, it earned average 4.5 stars, compared to Intact’s 3.0 stars.
As far as financial strength is concerned, there’s no way to choose between the two, with both earning an “A+” from A. M. Best.
Nevertheless, The Personal car insurance offers a better deal overall, thanks to its more affordable premiums and superior customer service.
The Personal vs. TD Insurance
The Personal is a much more affordable option in Calgary. Its premiums are 30% cheaper than TD Insurance. This is a tad surprising, since its rates are just as pocket-friendly as The Personal’s in many cities and even better in some places.
However, when it comes to customer service, The Personal Insurance Company of Canada emerges as a clear-cut winner. It’s ranked above TD Insurance everywhere in appeared in J.D. Power Canada study.
In short, if you value customer service, consider The Personal. On the other hand, if affordability is the most important factor, go with the insurer that’s cheaper in your city.
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Best Alternatives
Some people want the best customer service, even if that means paying a little extra. Sound like you? Then go with The Co-operators, the leader in J.D. Power’s 2019 Customer Satisfaction Study for Canada.
On the other hand, if you want the cheapest option, you might want to have a look at TD Insurance or Desjardins, depending on your location. But mind you, both are way behind The Personal Insurance group in customer service.
Our Expert Verdict
The Personal offers almost everything you could want in an auto insurer: affordable rates, top-of-the-line customer service, a wide range of optional coverages, and robust financial health.
However, its limited availability could play spoilsport. You must belong to a member group to purchase car insurance from The Personal. However, with more than 700 such organizations in Canada, there’s a decent chance you might qualify. If you do, you’re in for a treat.
People Also Ask
The Personal is owned by the Desjardins Group, one of the largest federations of credit unions in North America and considered one of the strongest banks in the World. The Desjardins Group was founded way back in 1900 in Levis, Quebec. While the group is headquartered in Levis, its CEO and much of the rest of its executive management is in Montreal.
Car insurance is mandatory across Canada. However, there are times when you may want to terminate your auto insurance. For instance, you may be moving to a new place or want to switch over to a new provider.
Regardless of the reason, if you can cancel mid-policy, you may have to pay a penalty, which can be as low as $20.00 or as high as a percentage of your annual premium. We recommend you check the fine print of your auto insurance policy, and contact your insurer, before making the final decision.
This is a special package offered by The Personal, and it includes the following three popular optional coverages:
Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobiles – It extends your car insurance policy coverage to a vehicle rented by you for personal use anywhere in Canada or the US.
Transportation Replacement – It pays for alternate transportation if you can’t drive your car because of loss or damage covered by your insurance policy.
Emergency Road Service – It pays for emergency services if your car breaks down or is disabled.
