In a market saturated with insurance giants offering rewards for safe driving apps and bundling discounts, CURE Auto Insurance (Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange) has taken a different route. Their message is simple: insurance should be based on how you drive, not who you are. No credit checks, no education discrimination, no career-based pricing. For many, that philosophy is a breath of fresh air.
CURE doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It doesn’t operate nationwide. It doesn’t offer flashy commercials or celebrity spokespeople. Instead, it quietly provides auto coverage to drivers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and more recently, Michigan — focusing on fairness and stripped-down simplicity.
So what does that really mean for someone shopping for auto insurance? And what can you expect if you choose to insure your car through CURE?
A Unique Philosophy: Fairness in Rating
The backbone of CURE’s model is how it underwrites risk. Unlike traditional insurers, CURE refuses to factor in:
- Credit score
- Education level
- Occupation or employment status
- Homeownership status
Those details, while routinely used by larger insurers to predict the likelihood of filing a claim, have long been criticized for discriminatory outcomes. People with excellent driving records were sometimes quoted higher premiums simply because they lacked a degree or lived in a low-income zip code.
CURE flips that script. Their rating formula is built around:
- Driving record
- License type and history
- Number of years insured
- Type of vehicle
- Estimated annual mileage
By keeping the focus on driving behavior and risk exposure, CURE appeals to a wide range of policyholders — especially those who may have been penalized elsewhere due to life circumstances unrelated to the road.
Where CURE Operates — and Why That Matters
As of now, CURE only offers auto insurance in three U.S. states:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
This regional approach allows CURE to stay lean, keep overhead low, and focus on compliance with each state’s regulatory environment. However, it also limits availability. If you’re outside these areas, you won’t be able to purchase a CURE policy — and there’s currently no word on expansion into other states.
For drivers in these states, though, the company’s presence is significant. In New Jersey, where high insurance costs are common, CURE has developed a loyal base among urban drivers and young professionals. In Pennsylvania, it provides a welcome option for working-class drivers frustrated by credit-based pricing. In Michigan, a state infamous for high premiums, CURE’s post-reform entry has provided a more affordable alternative to legacy carriers.
Policy Options and Coverage Structure
CURE’s auto insurance offerings are streamlined. That doesn’t mean they’re bare-bones, but they aren’t padded with unnecessary extras. Most customers start with a basic liability package, then build up based on personal needs and state requirements.
Standard coverages include:
- Bodily injury liability
- Property damage liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
- Personal injury protection (PIP) — required in NJ and MI
- Collision and comprehensive (optional, based on vehicle value or lease terms)
Drivers can adjust coverage limits and deductibles to match their comfort level. For example, some may opt for higher bodily injury limits to protect assets in a lawsuit, while others might stick to minimum legal requirements to save on premiums.
Unlike major insurers that push “add-ons” at every turn, CURE keeps extras like rental reimbursement, towing, and roadside assistance optional. If you don’t want them, you don’t have to pay for them.
How Pricing Really Works at CURE
The biggest draw to CURE is its fair pricing model, but it’s not always the cheapest quote on the market. For safe drivers with a clean history, it often is. But for those with recent claims or violations, CURE can be just as expensive as traditional carriers — sometimes more so.
One key pricing element is mileage. Drivers who use their vehicles sparingly (under 7,500 miles per year) may see significantly lower premiums. But those with longer commutes or delivery jobs could pay more. That makes CURE especially appealing to remote workers, city dwellers, and low-mileage households.
Customers who’ve switched from major insurers like Allstate or Progressive often note savings of $200 to $600 annually, especially if their credit score had been weighing down their old premium.
What Happens When You File a Claim with CURE
One of the key areas where CURE differs from national carriers is in its claims infrastructure. Unlike the big names with expansive in-house networks, mobile apps, and 24/7 chat features, CURE takes a more traditional, manual approach.
Claims can be initiated online or by calling the company directly. Once a claim is opened, a representative is assigned to your case. From that point, communication is largely handled by phone or email.
CURE doesn’t have a sleek app with instant upload capabilities or real-time claim tracking. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it can be frustrating for drivers who are used to digital self-service platforms. The process tends to move at a slower pace — and that’s something mentioned repeatedly by customers online.
It’s not unusual for a claims process with CURE to take a few weeks from start to finish. Policyholders who stay proactive — calling regularly and following up on document submissions — tend to have smoother experiences. Those who expect hands-off automation may find the wait frustrating.
However, once the claim is processed, settlements are typically fair, and the company rarely pushes back without justification. CURE’s internal standards focus on no-nonsense payout guidelines, which can be a relief compared to insurers known for aggressive claim denials.
Who Really Benefits from CURE’s Model
CURE is not for everyone, and the company doesn’t pretend to be. Where it shines is in very specific situations — and for a very specific type of driver.
Here’s who typically finds the most value:
- Drivers with clean records but low credit scores
- People without college degrees who face high premiums elsewhere
- Young adults just starting out with minimal insurance history
- Urban residents living in areas usually penalized by zip-code-based pricing
- Low-mileage drivers who don’t commute long distances
For someone in their late 20s, working a retail job, living in Newark, and driving under 10,000 miles a year — CURE might offer one of the most competitive quotes they’ll see. That’s because the company ignores the factors that many other insurers lean on to justify inflated prices.
On the flip side, CURE isn’t always ideal for drivers with:
- Recent accidents or multiple tickets
- High-value vehicles requiring specialized coverage
- A preference for app-based service and digital file management
- A need for full commercial or rideshare coverage (which CURE doesn’t provide)
Understanding this up front helps manage expectations. CURE is best viewed as a values-driven, no-frills insurer — not a one-stop-shop.
Real-World Customer Feedback
While official advertising keeps the brand message focused on fairness, the real conversation about CURE happens in user reviews and forums. From Reddit threads to Trustpilot pages, customer feedback paints a nuanced picture.
The praise often includes:
- “I saved $500 per year after switching.”
- “They don’t care about your credit score — finally.”
- “Everything was straightforward. I called, got a quote, and was insured that day.”
The criticism tends to focus on:
- Long hold times for customer service
- Lack of a mobile app or self-service features
- Delays during the claims process
- Confusion around billing or due dates
That said, many customers accept these trade-offs as the price of fair pricing. One user wrote: “They’re not fancy. But they gave me a quote no one else would match — and I’ve had no problems since.”
