Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free
Question

Service vs. savings

I found a quote from American National that’s much cheaper than my current insurer, but when I dug into reviews and people keep complaining about no one returning their calls. Does the low price mean I’m sacrificing service?

Mar 18, 2026 Hot Springs, AR

Answer
Author profile picture
Beth Swanson
Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)

American National generally scores well for affordable rates and simple coverage options, especially for safe drivers. Where people get mixed feelings is customer service consistency—some policyholders say their local agent is great, while others report slow callbacks or delays once a claim moves to the corporate level.

That happens partly because American National uses a hybrid model; you have a local agent for sales and policy help, but claims often get routed through regional offices. When that handoff isn’t smooth, communication can lag.

Here’s how to make sure you get the best of both worlds

  • Ask how claims are handled in your area (some regions perform much better than others).
  • Keep your agent looped in—they can escalate when corporate communication stalls.
  • Try their client portal for payments and policy updates—it’s not fancy, but it helps track open requests.

If you’re getting a great quote, it’s worth considering—just know you’re trading a little digital convenience for local agent support. If you’d like to compare what other companies in Arkansas offer at that price point, The Zebra’s agents can help you see how American National stacks up.

Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare insurance rates today!

Pin
Shield checkmark No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

Mile Auto or regular insurance?

Mile Auto is still "real" car insurance, just billed differently. Instead of paying a flat premium like you do with traditional insurance, you pay a base monthly rate plus a per-mile fee. That’s why it can be such a good deal for low-mileage drivers.With regular insurance, you pay the same amount e…
Mar 19, 2026 Fort Myers, FL

Is there a grace period for buying car insurance in GA from private seller?

While all cars need to be registered and insured by law in Georgia, the amount of time you are allowed to drive a new vehicle before adding it to your car insurance policy depends heavily on who you are insured by: some companies give you 30 days, some don't even offer a grace period. Therefore, we…
Aug 3, 2023 Snellville, GA

How does Allstate handle claims in high-risk areas?

Allstate generally has a good reputation for customer service, but your experience during a claim can vary. Living in a high-risk area (like one prone to wildfires or hurricanes) doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim—but you might pay more for coverage.If standard home insurance isn’t available in yo…
Mar 2, 2026 Jonesboro, AR

Are the agents local and hands-on?

American Family Insurance does tend to emphasize a local agent model, so the experience can feel more hands-on than companies that sell policies mostly online. In fact, working with an agent is usually part of how you sign up for American Family home insurance in the first place.Instead of buying e…
Mar 10, 2026 Lexington, KY