Bear River insurance review 2024

For Utah drivers looking for a local insurance solution, Bear River may be worth considering. The company sells car insurance only in the Beehive state, and that suggests that its agents have solid on-the-ground knowledge of the challenges facing drivers in the state.

Bear River car insurance offers all the basic types of coverage you would expect to find at a full-service company, including liability, comprehensive and collision, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. There are a few possible endorsements: roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, and a number of discounts to help you save money on your policy. Although the company isn't featured on Bankrate's list of the best car insurance companies, that is largely due to its limited availability, and not to any major deficiencies in its products.

Pros and cons of Bear River car insurance

Like any company, Bear River Mutual has its perks and drawbacks. It can be helpful to understand these while shopping for coverage, especially if you are getting car insurance quotes from multiple carriers. Knowing the pros and cons of each company could help you make a more informed coverage decision.

Utah homeowners may find Bear River home or condo insurance one of the best home insurance companies in the state. It offers standard coverage options including dwelling coverage, coverage for personal belongings and loss of use coverage, which can help pay for hotels and meals if you are required to leave your home while it is being repaired. There are also a few options for customization, including equipment breakdown insurance and service line coverage.

Although average rates are not available for Bear River home insurance, the company does offer a fairly extensive list of discounts, so you may be able to save money on your policy by taking advantage of a handful of them. The company also offers coverage for renters, landlords, multi-family units and second homes.

Pros and cons of Bear River homeowners insurance

Just like its car insurance, Bear River’s home insurance product has its upsides and downsides. Comparing home quotes from several companies, including Bear River Mutual, might help you get a better idea if the company is right for you.

If you are in the market for home or auto insurance in Utah and looking to compare quotes from more than one insurer, here are some other providers to consider that are comparable to Bear River Mutual.

Bear River vs. Electric Insurance

Electric Insurance offers similar coverage types to Bear River, like home, auto, renters and umbrella insurance. However, Electric Insurance is available nationwide and you can get quotes online. As a larger insurance company, Electric may have more perks and offer more digital tools than Bear River.

Learn more: Electric Insurance review

Bear River vs. GAINSCO

GAINSCO is a smaller insurance company that sells auto policies in Utah and several other states with a focus on personalized customer service. High-risk drivers may be able to get coverage with GAINSCO, too. Unlike Bear River, GAINSCO offers a mobile app which could be appealing to those looking to handle their policies digitally.

Learn more: GAINSCO Insurance review

Bear River vs. National General

National General offers robust home and auto insurance policies. National General provides a wealth of information on its many savings opportunities, which can save you a considerable amount on your premium. The company is owned by Allstate, which could be appealing if you prefer to work with a larger carrier.

Learn more: National General Insurance review

Bear River may be a good option for Utah residents who prefer a company that has local agents with a deep understanding of the needs of drivers and homeowners in the state. As a smaller company, it does not offer some of the bells and whistles of the larger carriers, however. It offers a limited menu of endorsements to allow individuals to customize their policies, and its digital abilities are less robust than some other insurers.

Having said that, Bear River seems to excel in customer management, based on its excellent ratings with the NAIC's complaint index. If you are interested in a company that places a high value on its relationship with its customers, Bear River may be worth a look.

What are real-life customers saying about Bear River?

To get a better picture of customers’ experience with Bear River, we look at some real-life reviews on Reddit. In general, reviews tended to be mixed. Some customers had positive things to say, citing cheaper premiums and no issues. Others said the company raised their rates and that they preferred coverage from other companies.

Bear River company details

Bear River's physical headquarters are in Murray, Utah, and there are several ways to reach the company, including the following:

• Call: (800) 925-5177 
• Text or call: (801) 267-5000
• Fax: (801) 267-5033
• Online contact form
• Website: https://www.bearrivermutual.com/
• Payment mailing address:
  Bear River Mutual
  P.O. BOX 936761
  Atlanta, GA 31193-6761
• Claims mailing address:
  Bear River Mutual
  PO BOX 571310
  Murray, UT 84157-1310
• Claims physical address:
  Bear River Mutual
  778 East Winchester St.
  (6600 South)
  Murray, UT 84107

State Availability

Bear River Mutual is only available in the state of Utah.

Bear River tools and benefits

Bear River Mutual Insurance Company advertises fewer perks and insurance policies than some of its competitors. However, the company does list a few other policies and benefits you may be interested in considering, which include:

• Renters insurance: Covers your personal property and provides liability protection if you rent your home.
• RV/motorhome/trailer insurance: If you have a recreational vehicle or mobile home, Bear River can write you a policy to protect your investment.
• Dwelling insurance for rental properties: This type of policy covers the structure of your home as well as other structures on the property that are not directly attached to the main dwelling.
• Umbrella insurance: An umbrella policy provides additional liability coverage for you if you file a claim on your auto or home insurance that exceeds the limits of your policy. Bear River writes umbrella policies up to $2 million.
•  Bear Care Direct Repair Program: If your car is damaged in a covered claim, you have the option to choose from one of the Bear Care program’s vetted auto body shops to provide repairs. You do not have to choose one of these shops — you have the right to have your car repaired at the shop of your choice — but work that is completed by a Bear Care Direct Repair shop is guaranteed by the insurance company for as long as you own your vehicle.
• Bear Care Home Repair Program: Bear River’s Bear Care Repair Program is also available for home insurance claims, which is a fairly unusual feature among home insurance companies. If your home is damaged in a covered loss, you could hire a contractor through the Bear Care Home Repair Program to get repairs backed by a three-year guarantee. Just like with the auto insurance program, you do not have to choose a Bear Care-vetted company, but there are perks if you do.

Frequently asked questions about Bear River

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Additional profiles:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $350,000, $450,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $35,000, $45,000
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $175,000, $225,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $70,000, $90,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.