For many drivers, auto insurance isn’t just about finding the cheapest policy — it’s about fairness. That’s where CURE Auto Insurance steps in. Known officially as Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, CURE has made a name for itself by challenging how insurance companies calculate risk. Instead of pricing premiums based on credit scores, education level, or job title, CURE bases its decisions on how you drive — and little else.
This approach appeals to a wide range of people: students who haven’t built credit yet, skilled drivers in high-risk zip codes, or working-class families trying to keep costs down. But price is only part of the picture. The question remains: is CURE actually dependable when it matters most?
To understand that, we need to dig deeper into what the company offers, how it operates, and what real policyholders experience day to day.
The CURE Philosophy: Driving Behavior First
Unlike most large insurers, CURE doesn’t use socioeconomic data to determine your rates. They won’t ask if you went to college or what you do for a living. They don’t pull your credit report. Instead, their pricing is based almost entirely on:
- Your driving record
- Length of driving experience
- Vehicle type and age
- Mileage
- Prior claims or violations
This can make a huge difference in how much you pay — especially if you’re a safe driver who’s been punished by traditional underwriting models. For example, someone with a perfect driving history but poor credit could see a much better rate at CURE than from a national carrier.
CURE has taken a stance that many consider ethical and long overdue in the industry. Their belief is simple: people shouldn’t be financially punished for circumstances unrelated to their behavior behind the wheel.
Where CURE Operates
As of now, CURE is available in just three U.S. states:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
While its reach is limited, this regional approach allows CURE to focus on specific markets and tailor its services to meet local legal requirements and customer expectations. In New Jersey, for example, CURE has built a strong presence, particularly in densely populated areas like Newark, Trenton, and Camden. In Michigan, the company entered the market after recent no-fault reforms, giving residents a lower-cost alternative in a state known for high premiums.
If you live outside of these three states, CURE isn’t an option — at least not yet. But if you’re within those borders, it’s one of the few insurers that may reward you based solely on your actual risk profile, not your resume.
Coverage Options and Customization
CURE offers the basic set of auto insurance protections that most drivers need, along with a few customizable options.
Standard coverages include:
- Bodily Injury Liability
- Property Damage Liability
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – required in NJ and MI
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Collision Coverage
- Comprehensive Coverage
Optional add-ons like towing, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance are also available but aren’t automatically included. This helps CURE keep its base premiums low. You’re not paying for bells and whistles unless you want them.
One important thing to know: CURE doesn’t offer bundled policies (like home and auto), nor do they cover motorcycles or RVs. Their focus is strictly on personal passenger vehicles — which makes sense given their size and underwriting model. If you’re looking for a multi-policy discount, this isn’t the insurer for you. But if you want simplicity and clarity, CURE delivers.
Digital Experience and Customer Access
CURE is not a digital-first insurance company, and they don’t pretend to be. They don’t have a flashy mobile app or a 24/7 live chat portal. Instead, they operate a straightforward website where you can request a quote, file a claim, or contact customer service.
For some, this might feel outdated. But for others — especially those who prefer speaking with a real person or working directly with agents over the phone — CURE’s approach is refreshingly personal.
They do provide access to online payment systems, basic account management tools, and downloadable ID cards. But if you’re someone who expects instant claims tracking or app-based photo uploads, CURE may feel like a step back in terms of tech.
Still, their approach lines up with their pricing philosophy: strip out the extra costs and keep things simple.
The Claims Experience with CURE
When it comes to claims, speed and clarity are everything. Most policyholders don’t expect perfection — they just want to know that when something goes wrong, their insurer will handle it fairly and without added stress.
CURE’s claims process is fairly traditional. If you’re in an accident, you report the claim either online or by phone. A claims representative is assigned to your case, and from there, the communication becomes more direct and personal.
One thing that stands out is the absence of automation. Don’t expect a mobile app to guide you step-by-step or real-time claim status updates. Instead, most of the communication happens by email or phone. That might not appeal to every driver, but for those who prefer to speak to a person — or who find apps confusing or impersonal — it’s not necessarily a negative.
As for claim outcomes, reviews show that CURE tends to process straightforward claims efficiently, especially for property damage. Where things slow down is with injury claims or multi-party incidents, where documentation, police reports, and fault investigations can cause delays.
Patience and persistence go a long way. Customers who stay in regular contact and follow up when needed tend to have smoother experiences. Those expecting tech-driven ease or one-click resolution may find the process a bit slower than they’d like — but not unmanageable.
What Drivers Say About CURE
Online reviews and customer feedback about CURE paint a complex picture. On one hand, many drivers express real appreciation for being treated fairly, especially those who were used to being overcharged by bigger insurers based on non-driving factors. On the other hand, there are consistent complaints about slow service, especially when it comes to waiting for claim updates or policy documents.
Positive comments often highlight:
- “Fair pricing based on how I drive.”
- “No credit check — finally someone who gets it.”
- “I saved more than $400 per year compared to what I was paying before.”
Less satisfied drivers mention:
- Long hold times when calling customer support
- Delays with claims involving injuries
- Basic website features and no mobile app
Still, even among critical reviews, many customers say they renewed anyway because the price difference was too large to ignore. CURE seems to know its audience well — drivers who care more about fairness and affordability than flashy features or digital polish.
Rate Stability and Long-Term Value
One of the underrated aspects of working with CURE is the consistency in its renewal pricing. Unlike many large insurers that offer low first-year premiums only to spike them later, CURE tends to stick to a more predictable pricing model.
Drivers with clean records and no new claims often see small, reasonable adjustments — often tied to inflation or regional changes in claims data. Those with a new at-fault accident, however, will see increases, as with any insurer. But even then, CURE doesn’t appear to punish drivers with sudden jumps unless the incident was significant.
Because CURE’s rating system avoids things like job changes or credit dips, many policyholders feel less penalized by factors out of their control. For drivers who’ve grown tired of arbitrary pricing shifts with other insurers, that consistency can be a welcome relief.
Who Gets the Most from CURE?
CURE isn’t trying to be all things to all people — and that’s part of what makes it appealing. Its best fit is for drivers who:
- Have clean driving records but poor or limited credit
- Are younger and just building an insurance history
- Live in urban areas where major insurers hike rates due to ZIP code risk
- Drive used or modest vehicles and don’t need luxury policy features
- Prefer to communicate by phone rather than relying on a digital app
- Want bare-bones policies without being pushed into extras they don’t need
On the flip side, drivers looking for advanced tech, policy bundling, or multi-vehicle discounts across home, RV, and auto will find more comprehensive options elsewhere. CURE is very much a focused, no-frills insurer — but it knows its lane and stays in it.
Staying Informed as a Policyholder
One of the smartest things you can do as a CURE customer is stay actively involved with your policy. That means reviewing your declarations page once a year, keeping an eye on your renewal notices, and reaching out if anything feels unclear or out of place. Since CURE doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary add-ons, it’s easy to overlook what might be missing unless you double-check. Drivers who take the time to read their coverage details tend to get the most value — and avoid surprises when the unexpected happens.
