Cincinnati insurance review 2024
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At a glance
Score breakdown
Auto
4.1
Cost & ratings
4.5
Coverage
3.5
Support
4.0
Home
0.0
About Bankrate Score
Bankrate's take
Policyholders who value affordable insurance for high-value assets over robust coverage options might consider Cincinnati as their company of choice.
- Policies sold by local agents
- Auto Plus Endorsement
- Earthquake coverage
- Life insurance available in 49 states
- No J.D. Power ratings
- No online quotes
Cincinnati car insurance review
Drivers with higher-end lifestyles may particularly benefit from Cincinnati car insurance, especially when the coverage is combined with other product lines. Auto insurance coverage is available in most states and Washington, D.C., but Cincinnati does not sell auto insurance in Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma or South Dakota. If you’re shopping for the best car insurance company, it may be worth getting a quote from Cincinnati to see how well its coverage fits your situation.
Cincinnati Financial — sometimes called CinFin — offers all the standard auto insurance coverage types common with most car insurance carriers plus several endorsements to help you build a policy that works for your situation. Drivers looking for a coverage boost might be interested in the Personal Auto Plus endorsement, which adds numerous optional financial protections to your policy, including trip interruption coverage, air bag replacement and lock replacement — although the specifics of the endorsement vary by state. The helpful endorsements, plus Cincinnati’s high financial strength rating and low level of complaints, contributed to its Bankrate Score of 4.1 out 5.0.
Pros and cons of Cincinnati car insurance
Cincinnati car insurance could be a good choice for some drivers, but it’s not likely to be the best choice for everyone. If you’re in the process of getting car insurance quotes and comparing rates, you may want to think about comparing other aspects of insurers too. That way, you get a better understanding of how a company will fit your needs. Here are some pros and cons that we identified in our Cincinnati Insurance review for the company’s car insurance product:
Pros
- Robust Auto Plus endorsement
- Local agents may better understand the needs of policyholders in your area
- Has insurance options for antique and collector cars
Cons
- No J.D. Power customer claims satisfaction ratings
- Not available nationwide
- No online quotes
Cincinnati car insurance cost
Based on Bankrate’s analysis of premium data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of full coverage car insurance with Cincinnati is $1,633 per year, while minimum coverage costs an average of $432 per year, as of November 2024. For comparison, the national average cost of car insurance is $2,458 per year for full coverage and $678 per year for minimum coverage. Your unique rating factors, such as the make and model of your car and where you live, will impact how much you pay, and your rate with Cincinnati could be higher or lower than the averages we show here.
How much is Cincinnati car insurance?
Your driving history has a large impact on how much you pay for your car insurance. Drivers with at-fault accidents or moving violations on their records may find it harder to find cheap car insurance. Below, we compare Cincinnati’s average rates to the national average for a few different driver profiles.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Good driver, good credit
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$1,633
|
National full coverage premium
$2,388
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,923
|
National full coverage premium
$4,372
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$1,916
|
National full coverage premium
$2,893
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,263
|
National full coverage premium
$3,396
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$5,138
|
National full coverage premium
$4,586
|
Cincinnati car insurance quotes by age
In most states, your age is also a major car insurance rating factor. Younger drivers usually pay higher rates but may be able to save on car insurance by staying on their parents’ policies until they have established their own households. We compare Cincinnati’s average rates to the national average for several ages below, and we’ve included young drivers both on and off their parents’ policy (note that drivers under 18 are not legal adults and generally cannot own a car insurance policy). These drivers have clean driving records; keep in mind that driving incidents will likely increase rates.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,990
|
National full coverage premium
$5,080
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,689
|
National full coverage premium
$4,376
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$4,992
|
National full coverage premium
$4,818
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,941
|
National full coverage premium
$2,929
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$2,527
|
National full coverage premium
$2,523
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$1,633
|
National full coverage premium
$2,388
|
|
Cincinnati full coverage premium
$1,447
|
National full coverage premium
$2,135
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Compare Cincinnati car insurance rates
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$1,633
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$432
|
|
$2,743
|
$874
|
|
$2,254
|
$694
|
|
$2,023
|
$555
|
|
$3,054
|
$919
|
|
$1,921
|
$565
|
|
$1,905
|
$688
|
|
$2,688
|
$886
|
|
$2,001
|
$545
|
|
$2,036
|
$750
|
Cincinnati customer satisfaction
Analyzing a company’s customer satisfaction scores and other third-party ratings is an important part in choosing the best insurer for your needs. Cincinnati earns an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, the second-highest level available. This indicates that Cincinnati has been a historically strong company and has been able to pay claims, even when faced with a large influx. When analyzing auto insurance satisfaction, consumer data analytics company J.D. Power rates insurers for both overall satisfaction and claims satisfaction. Unfortunately, Cincinnati wasn’t rated in any studies, likely because it is a smaller insurer.
Cincinnati auto insurance customer complaints
Cincinnati's rating with the NAIC went up slightly in 2022, but they fell again in 2023. Over the last three years, the company's complaints have been far fewer than the average or baseline for a company of its size. The National Complaint Index is 1.00, where this score represents the average. Private passenger insurance has a separate index from home and life insurance. CinFin’s low scores indicate that the company is responsive to customer needs and handles customer management and claims swiftly and efficiently.
Cincinnati car insurance discounts
Making use of your insurer's discounts is one way to lower your rate. Almost all insurers offer a few discounts, and many are easy to earn. Here are a few discounts available from Cincinnati for your auto insurance policy.
- Bundling: The company rewards you with a discount on each policy if you insure your home and vehicle.
- Multiple vehicles: Save on each vehicle you insure with Cincinnati.
- Claims-free: If you’ve gone a certain period of time without filing a claim, Cincinnati will issue you a discount.
- Student: Students enrolled in high school or college who earn at least a 3.0 GPA or B average can earn a discount.
- Telematics: If you participate in Cincinnati’s RideWell program, the company’s telematics program, you could earn discounts for driving safely.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Get personalized auto insurance quotes
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Cincinnati home insurance review
While Cincinnati home insurance stands out for its high-value home features, the carrier insures homes of any value. Coverage is available in the same states as auto insurance. Homeowners have a couple different programs to choose from, including the Executive package (for homes of any value) and the Executive Capstone package (for homes valued at $1 million or more). Each package comes with its own set of endorsements, but Cincinnati’s home policies commonly offer identity theft coverage, earthquake coverage and golf cart coverage. Package availability varies by state, but based on the carrier’s qualities and coverage options, Cincinnati may be one of the best home insurance companies for high-value homes.
Pros and cons of Cincinnati homeowners insurance
Just like with auto insurance, it may be helpful to compare home insurance quotes as well as other aspects of each insurer as you shop. We identified the following perks and drawbacks of Cincinnati home insurance; you may want to keep these in mind as you shop for coverage:
Pros
- Two levels of coverage to choose from depending on the value of your home
- Several endorsements available
- Sold by local agents
Cons
- No J.D. Power customer or claims satisfaction ratings
- Not available nationwide
- Fewer discounts advertised than many competitors
Cincinnati home insurance cost
Nationally, home insurance costs an average of $2,304 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. Cincinnati Insurance’s average annual premium for the same amount of coverage is $1,613 per year, which is 29 percent less. Remember that the cost of home insurance will vary based on a number of factors, though, including the specific features of your home, your claims history, your state and the coverage limits on your policy. Below, we compare Cincinnati’s average rates to the national average for several dwelling coverage amounts.
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---|---|---|
$150K dwelling
|
Cincinnati average premium
$930
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National average premium
$1,394
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$300K dwelling
|
Cincinnati average premium
$1,613
|
National average premium
$2,285
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$350K dwelling
|
Cincinnati average premium
$1,829
|
National average premium
$2,550
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$450K dwelling
|
Cincinnati average premium
$2,289
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National average premium
$3,091
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$750K dwelling
|
Cincinnati average premium
$3,643
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National average premium
$4,525
|
Compare Cincinnati homeowners insurance rates
Home insurance rates for the same home may vary by company. Each insurer has its own formula for calculating rates and discounts, so comparing policy quotes is important.
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|
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---|---|---|
$1,613
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- $691 |
|
$1,955
|
- $349 |
|
$2,288
|
- $16 |
|
$1,448
|
- $856 |
|
$2,411
|
+ $107 |
|
$1,699
|
- $605 |
|
$3,524
|
+ $1,220 |
|
$1,691
|
- $613 |
|
$2,935
|
+ $631 |
|
$1,871
|
- $433 |
Cincinnati customer satisfaction
Cincinnati’s A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best also applies to home policies. Consumer data analytics company J.D. Power did not rate Cincinnati home insurance in any customer satisfaction studies, likely because it is a smaller insurer.
Cincinnati home insurance customer complaints
Cincinnati's complaint index rating for homeowners insurance is even lower than its auto policy rating. The company is responsible for very few complaints, and clearly places a priority on a high quality of customer care.
Cincinnati home insurance discounts
Taking advantage of discounts may help you find cheaper home insurance, but just like with auto insurance, Cincinnati doesn’t advertise many home discounts. However, you could save by:
- Bundling your auto and home policies
- Insuring a newer home
- Being claims-free
- Having a central alarm system installed
Discounts may vary by state, so talking with a local Cincinnati agent may be the best way to learn about your savings options.
Cincinnati life insurance review
Cincinnati offers three types of life insurance policies — term, whole and universal — to suit the financial considerations of potential policyholders. Although Cincinnati’s products don’t particularly stand out as unique, it could still be one of the best life insurance companies depending on your circumstances. Unlike auto and home insurance, Cincinnati offers life coverage in 49 states and Washington, D.C. New York residents unfortunately don’t have access to Cincinnati life insurance.
Pros and cons of Cincinnati life insurance
As you shop for and compare life insurance quotes, you may want to take even more care to look at factors other than price. The cost of life insurance is based primarily on your age, health and the type of policy you choose. Identifying the pros and cons of different life insurance companies can help you find a carrier that meets your needs. Here are some areas where Cincinnati excels and falls short:
Pros
- Sells three types of life insurance: term, whole and universal
- Offers a wide range of term life insurance policy lengths, from one to 30 years
- Sold by local financial professionals to help guide you to the right policy type
Cons
- Not available in New York
- Few riders advertised
- No J.D. Power life insurance satisfaction score
Cincinnati life insurance riders
The endorsements or riders that are available to add to your Cincinnati life insurance policy will depend on the type of policy you buy, the state you live in and your eligibility qualifications. If you’re looking for cheap life insurance, remember that riders will increase your premium, but the extra coverage could be a worthwhile tradeoff. Cincinnati offers the following riders, among others, for its term and whole life policies:
- Accelerated benefit rider: If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness or are expected to reside in a nursing home or assisted living facility for the remainder of your life, you may be able to access some of your death benefit before you pass.
- Children’s term rider: This rider could allow you to add coverage for a qualifying child on your own policy, rather than buying separate life insurance for your child.
- Disability waiver of premium rider: If you’ve been disabled for four consecutive months, you may have your premium payment waived for the duration of your disability.
Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily
See which provider is right for you.
Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare Cincinnati with other insurers
While Cincinnati Insurance may be a great fit for some, you may also have other needs to consider. If you are gathering quotes from multiple insurers, you might want to consider these carriers as well:
Featured
Cincinnati
4.1
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 4.5Coverage 3.5Support 4.0 |
Auto-Owners
4.5
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 4.8Coverage 4.2Support 4.2 |
Chubb
4.3
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 4.0Coverage 4.8Support 4.2 |
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OVERVIEW
Bankrate identified key carrier features, coverage offerings, discounts and more
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Policyholders who value affordable insurance for high-value assets over robust coverage options might consider Cincinnati as their company of choice.
Read More
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Auto-Owners has an impressive list of endorsements and discounts that you might find helpful if you value personalizing your policies. Combine that with a low overall NAIC complaint index and several helpful discounts, and you may find that Auto-Owners is a great choice for your needs.
Read More
|
Chubb specializes in this market. The company’s coverage offerings and policy extras are specifically geared toward clients with a high net worth. Because of that, Cincinnati could be a better option for shoppers with a more standard portfolio of assets.
Read More
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STANDOUT FEATURES
These features are some of the carrier’s most impressive
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Auto Plus endorsement
Local agents
Three types of life insurance
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Guaranteed home replacement
Identify left coverage
Sewer backup coverage
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24/7 customer service
Masterpiece auto insurance
Free consulting service
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AVG FULL COV. AUTO RATE
Average national annual cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy
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$1,633 | $1,756 | $3,542 |
J.D. POWER AUTO SCORE
J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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Not Scored | 865/1000 | Not Scored |
AVG HOME RATE
Average national annual cost of a home insurance policy with $300K in dwelling coverage
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$1,613 | $1,681 | $3,524 |
J.D. POWER HOME SCORE
J.D. Power’s Property Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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Not Scored | 634/1000 | 688/1000 |
AM BEST RATING
AM Best ratings assess companies’ financial strength based on historical ability to pay out claims, among other financial obligations
|
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A++(Superior) | A++(Superior) | A++(Superior) |
Why you can trust Bankrate
Read our full methodologyOur insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Cincinnati insurance review.
46
years of industry expertise
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
Is Cincinnati Insurance a good insurance company?
Cincinnati could be a good insurance company for many drivers and homeowners. The company offers a wide range of products and options and has a low level of complaints about its service. Cincinnati could be a particularly good choice for homeowners with high-value homes, due to the unique Executive Homeowner and Executive Capstone policies. Cincinnati doesn’t have the most robust digital tools, though, and it isn’t available nationwide. The best way to know if Cincinnati is the right company for you is to reach out to a local agent, get a quote and evaluate the coverage offerings and service for yourself.
What are real-life customers saying about Cincinnati?
To provide a clearer picture of the customer experience with Cincinnati Insurance, we've sourced real-life takes from two popular online platforms: Reddit and Bogleads.org, where users share honest reviews and offer personal experiences. Similarly, Bogleheads offers a space for users to request personal anecdotes and opinions from other users.
From the Reddit community, opinions on Cincinnati are overwhelmingly positive. For the most part people are happy with how quickly claims are paid out and the level of coverage offered. However, there are a few negative experiences about inconsistent service or denied claims.
Bogleheads.org
Bogleheads.org also had positive reviews of Cincinnati. Customers particularly praised the ability to talk to a local agent instead of getting a different customer service rep every time they call. Some customers mentioned that Cincinnati rates are only marginally better than alternatives.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
While anecdotal experiences suggest that Cincinnati has good customer service, it’s worth noting that once in a while the company doesn’t have a great record with communication. You may need to reach out to your local agent to track down an adjuster or claim.
Cincinnati company details
- Auto and home insurance customer service: 1-888-242-8811
- Auto and home insurance claims: 1-877-242-2544
- Life insurance customer service: 1-800-783-4479
- Life insurance claims: 1-888-212-6970
- Automated pay-by-phone: 1-800-364-3400
- Payments and online support: 1-888-242-0888
- Mailing address:
- P.O. Box 145496
Cincinnati, OH 45250-5496
State availability
State availability: Available in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Cincinnati does not sell auto or home insurance in Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma or South Dakota. Cincinnati life insurance is available nationwide, with the exception of New York.
Cincinnati tools and benefits
In addition to its core businesses of auto, home and life insurance, Cincinnati offers a number of other types of insurance as well as some tools that can help policyholders manage their financial business easily. Here are a few of the tools and benefits that are available:
- Business insurance: If you own a business, you may want to take advantage of Cincinnati’s commercial options, including business auto, commercial property and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Personal articles coverage: This policy type, also called scheduled personal property coverage, is designed to insure high-value items like fine jewelry, collectibles or antiques.
- Boat insurance: If you own boats or personal watercraft that are both over or under 20 feet long, you can insure them through Cincinnati Financial.
- Personal umbrella insurance: Umbrella insurance provides additional liability coverage that can help further protect your finances.
- Antique and collector car coverage: Insure your collector cars on the same policy as your other vehicles, making policy management simple and easy.
- Mobile app: You can access your Cincinnati account through the mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. Android users give the app a rating of 3.7, while iOS users rate the app 4.7.
- Executive Capstone program: If you have a home with a replacement cost value of $1 million or more, the Executive Capstone program could help you financially protect your home and could also extend to your auto, collector cars, boat or yacht policy and your personal umbrella policy
- Annuities: If you’re trying to save for retirement, you may be interested in the variety of annuities that Cincinnati provides its customers.
Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati Insurance
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region.
Auto
Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.
The rates for drivers ages 16-20 added to their parents' policy reflect the good student and driver's training discounts applied. The rates for drivers aged 16-20 on their own policy do not include the good student and driver's training discounts. Additionally, 25-year-old rates are based on the driver as a renter and 30+ on the driver as a homeowner.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket, single at-fault accident and single DUI conviction.
Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.
Homeowners
Quoted rates are based on married male and female homeowners with a clean claim history, good credit and the following coverage limits:
- Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $300,000, $350,000, $450,000, $750,000
- Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $30,000, $35,000, $45,000, $75,000
- Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $150,000, $175,000, $225,000, $375,000
- Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $60,000, $70,000, $90,000, $150,000
- Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
- Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000
The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible, a $500 hail deductible and a 2 percent hurricane deductible (or the next closest deductible amounts that are available) where separate deductibles apply.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes will differ.
Bankrate Scores
Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
What policyholders are saying about Cincinnati
Cincinnati has 24 reviews
Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about Cincinnati.
To help serve you with relevant information, the customer reviews shown are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
recommend this insurer
In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with market research firm SliceMR to survey over 1,500 insurance customers nationwide, asking policyholders to rate their insurer’s cost, coverage, customer support and overall experience on a five-point scale. Bankrate and SliceMR collected and analyzed these customer ratings, along with website analytics and responses to three open-ended questions regarding customer experience. Responses are based on individual policyholders’ policy details and personal experience, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Users received an incentive for their feedback. All ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by insurance carriers. User-generated ratings are separate from carrier Bankrate Scores — which are calculated based on our proprietary methodology — and may not match.