First Chicago Auto Insurance Review: Ratings and Quotes (2025)
First Chicago Insurance Company offers competitive insurance rates but receives many negative reviews for its customer service.
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First Chicago Insurance Company has been in the insurance industry for more than a century. It offers insurance in seven states, mostly in the Midwest, but it’s part of the Warrior Insurance Network, which has licenses in 21 states.
While the auto insurance company offers its policies at lower-than-average rates, its subpar ratings and poor customer reviews may overshadow these relatively cheap rates. Here’s what you need to know about First Chicago Insurance Company’s reviews, average costs, and coverage options.
What is First Chicago Insurance?
Founded in 1920, First Chicago started as Chicago Ice Producer Mutual Liability Company, selling insurance through its internal agents. Today, the auto insurance company works with external insurance agents and brokers to sell policies.
The company is based in Bedford Park, Illinois, and currently offers personal auto insurance in seven states. It also sells commercial auto insurance and public transportation insurance.
First Chicago pros and cons
Average cost of First Chicago auto insurance
The average cost of First Chicago insurance is $136 a month for full coverage and $83 a month for liability only. These average costs are less than the national averages of $182 a month for full coverage and $103 a month for liability only.
First Chicago car insurance coverage
First Chicago Insurance Company offers the minimum liability insurance that states require, as well as collision and comprehensive coverages. You can also include the following coverages on your First Chicago auto insurance policy:
First Chicago car insurance costs by state
Car insurance rates vary by state due to different car insurance requirements, weather risks, and overall claims in an area.1 The table below illustrates the average monthly cost of a First Chicago car insurance policy in a few states.
First Chicago auto insurance rates by driving history
Your driving history heavily influences your policy’s costs. For example, drivers with a clean record will likely see significantly cheaper rates than drivers with speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, or at-fault accidents. Incidents on your driving record signal to insurers that you’re at a higher risk of filing a claim, so they increase rates to offset the risk.2
These are the average monthly costs for a First Chicago auto insurance policy with the following driving records.
First Chicago car insurance cost by age
Teen drivers tend to pay the highest rates for their insurance policies, as they pose the most risk on the road. Senior drivers, on the other hand, pay less than teens — but rates still increase as they age because of higher car accident mortality rates.3
Below are First Chicago average monthly costs by age.
First Chicago car insurance discounts
Discounts related to your driving history, vehicle type, affiliation, driver profile, and policy payments can significantly curb the cost of your policy. When you complete the questionnaire to apply for a policy, First Chicago will automatically apply these discounts:
Advanced quote discount: Get a discount by obtaining a quote well ahead of your policy’s start date.
Anti-theft discount: Receive a rate reduction by equipping your vehicle with an anti-theft device, like a GPS tracker or a steering-wheel lock.
Defensive driver discount: Lower your premium by completing an approved defensive driving program.
Good driver discount: You can earn this discount by having at least three years of driving experience with no violations or accidents.
Good student discount: You can qualify for car insurance savings if you’re a full-time student with good grades.
Homeowners discount: While the company doesn’t offer homeowners insurance, you can get this discount if you own a home.
Multi-car discount: Lower your overall policy cost by insuring two or more vehicles.
Paid in full discount: Receive a discount by paying your annual premium up front.
Renewal discount: Get this discount if you renew your policy with First Chicago Insurance Company.
Prior insurance discount: You can save money on your policy by being previously insured.
First Chicago insurance bundling options
Most insurance companies offer bundles for insuring two or more insurance products with them. Since First Chicago doesn’t provide other personal insurance lines, like homeowners or life insurance, you can’t bundle your policies.
First Chicago insurance reviews and ratings
When reviewing car insurance companies, it’s important to know what other customers are saying about an insurer. In First Chicago’s case, many customers report unsatisfactory experiences.
First Chicago customer reviews
First Chicago’s Achilles’ heel is its poor customer service. Policyholders found it challenging to get a response from representatives of the company, and when they did, their experience was generally unsatisfactory.
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Another glaring issue was with claims payout. The company took a long time to investigate an incident with little follow-up.
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It’s worth noting that some customers in the past have commented on their positive experiences with the company.
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First Chicago ratings
Rating agencies help consumers determine if an insurance company is financially strong, acts ethically, and provides quality customer service. Here are the First Chicago ratings from several consumer agencies.
AM Best: B
Better Business Bureau (BBB): B+
NAIC Complaint Index: 4.90
First Chicago vs. other insurance companies
With tons of car insurance companies to choose from, finding the right one can be challenging. If you’re considering buying a policy from First Chicago, here’s how the company stacks up to its competitors.
First Chicago vs. State Farm
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State Farm works with independent and internal agents to sell its auto insurance policies. The company has consistently received high marks for claims satisfaction and customer service.
The average cost of a State Farm car insurance policy is $56 a month for liability insurance, which is similar to a liability policy with First Chicago. So State Farm may be right if you want to work with a nationwide company with competitive rates, a host of discounts, and excellent customer service.
First Chicago vs. Erie
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Like First Chicago, Erie is a regional insurance company with more than a century of experience serving its policyholders. It works with independent and captive agents to write its insurance policies.
At an average cost of $86 per month for a liability policy, Erie Insurance offers similar pricing for car insurance. Erie may appeal to shoppers looking for an insurer with excellent ratings and the ability to customize their policy from a menu of coverage options.
On the other hand, First Chicago may be the more suitable option if you prefer to buy a policy and file your claims online.
First Chicago vs. GEICO
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GEICO is the third-largest auto insurance company in the United States and is known for its reliability and affordability.
The average cost of a liability-only GEICO auto policy is $97 a month, similar to a First Chicago policy. Unlike First Chicago, GEICO exclusively sells its policies through its employees, lowering its overhead costs. However, the company’s limited agent network may reduce accessibility, resulting in longer response times.
GEICO may be the superior choice for its nationwide availability, low rates, range of coverage options, and a wide array of discount opportunities. In contrast, since First Chicago works with independent insurance agents, you may be able to reach a local agent sooner.
How to file an auto insurance claim with First Chicago
An auto insurance claim is a request for compensation after a loss resulting from an event covered in your policy. You can call First Chicago at 1 (888) 262-8864 to start the claims process or fill out an online form. Here’s what you need to file a claim online with First Chicago:
Navigate to First Chicago’s online claim form.
Fill out the information, including your name, address, policy number, and more.
Provide details about the vehicle, drivers, and accident.
Indicate whether there were damages, injuries, witnesses, or vehicle occupants.
Wait for the next business day, when a claims representative will contact you.
First Chicago insurance FAQs
These are answers to some of the most asked questions on the internet about First Chicago insurance and its offerings.
Is First Chicago legitimate?
Yes, First Chicago is a legitimate insurance company. The company has been in the industry since 1920, comparable in longevity to some of the largest insurance companies. First Chicago is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau, meaning it has the proper licensing and conducts its business ethically.
Is First Chicago car insurance worth it?
While First Chicago car insurance offers affordable prices, its limited coverage and discount options, lack of bundling opportunities, and poor customer reviews may concern some shoppers.
What is the average cost of First Chicago car insurance?
The average cost of First Chicago insurance is $136 a month for full coverage and $83 a month for liability only.
Who owns First Chicago insurance?
First Chicago Insurance Company is a subsidiary of J&P Holdings Inc., an insurance holdings company.
Is First Chicago good at paying claims?
First Chicago received a B (Fair) rating from AM Best, meaning it’s generally competent at paying claims. However, many customers have complaints regarding the company’s claims processing.
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