In a world where most car insurance companies use credit scores, education levels, and occupations to calculate rates, CURE Auto Insurance does things differently. Since its founding, CURE — short for Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange — has positioned itself as a company built on fairness. It doesn’t believe a driver’s profession or financial background should determine how much they pay for coverage.
That approach has attracted thousands of customers who’ve grown tired of being penalized for things that have little to do with how they drive. But does that philosophy translate into a dependable insurance experience when you need it most — after an accident, during a claim, or when renewing a policy?
Understanding whether CURE is dependable means looking beyond the price of the premium. It requires a closer look at how they treat their customers, how their coverage holds up in real scenarios, and what drivers are actually saying after months — or years — with a CURE policy.
A Focus on Driving, Not Data
CURE’s underwriting model is straightforward: they care about how safely you drive, not how wealthy or educated you are. When you apply for a policy, they don’t ask about your job title or look at your credit report. Instead, they review your:
- Driving record
- Vehicle type and mileage
- Number of years insured
- History of claims and violations
This approach has made CURE especially popular in places like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, where high insurance rates are common and many drivers have struggled to find affordable coverage elsewhere.
For those with clean records but limited credit history, CURE often offers a much more affordable quote than traditional insurers. Many drivers say it’s the first time they’ve felt “seen” by an insurance company — judged for their driving, not their financial situation.
Availability and State Regulations
CURE only operates in three states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. These states all have unique insurance regulations, and CURE tailors its policies to meet each one’s legal standards.
- In New Jersey, for example, CURE offers both Basic and Standard policies, depending on how much protection a driver wants and how much flexibility they want if they need to sue after an accident.
- In Pennsylvania, drivers can choose between limited tort and full tort options — a key decision that affects legal rights after a crash.
- In Michigan, the state’s reformed no-fault insurance system allows for different levels of personal injury protection (PIP), and CURE lets drivers customize coverage based on health insurance status and risk preference.
This ability to fit the state’s legal and pricing structure without overcomplicating coverage is part of what makes CURE attractive to people who want something simple and fair.
Policy Options and What’s Actually Covered
Despite its simplified pricing model, CURE offers all the major types of auto insurance that most drivers need. A standard policy can include:
- Bodily Injury Liability – Covers injuries to others in an at-fault accident
- Property Damage Liability – Pays for damage to another vehicle or property
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Required in NJ and MI, optional in PA
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – For when someone else causes an accident and lacks enough insurance
- Collision Coverage – Optional coverage for your own vehicle damage
- Comprehensive Coverage – For non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, weather damage, and more
Optional add-ons like towing, roadside assistance, and rental reimbursement are available but not automatically included. This helps CURE keep premiums low — you’re not forced to pay for services you don’t use.
However, some drivers have noted that this à la carte approach requires close attention when building a policy. If you’re used to insurers bundling everything in automatically, you’ll want to double-check your declarations page to make sure you’ve got what you need.
What Happens When You File a Claim
The real test of any insurance company is how it behaves when the unexpected happens. A fender bender, a deer on the highway, a parked car side-swiped — these are the moments when a customer finds out if their insurance provider is actually dependable.
With CURE, the claims process is direct, but not necessarily fast.
Filing a claim starts the usual way: you call CURE or begin the process online. They assign a representative who gathers documentation, reviews the accident report or photos, and begins investigating liability. The difference becomes clear after that. CURE doesn’t have a high-tech app with real-time claim updates, and there’s no digital dashboard to track your repair process.
Many customers report having to call repeatedly for updates, especially during busier times of year. Those who are persistent and organized — drivers who take detailed notes, follow up consistently, and push for answers — tend to have smoother experiences. Those who expect an “Amazon-style” customer experience may find the process frustrating.
It’s not that CURE avoids paying claims. In fact, most customers report that once the claim moves forward, the payout is fair and within policy limits. The issue is usually in the wait time and lack of communication in between steps.
Customer Service: A Trade-Off
CURE operates with a leaner staff than national insurers. It’s part of how they keep costs down. But that lean model also leads to longer wait times on the phone, especially during high-volume months like winter (when accidents spike) or renewal season.
Several customers describe spending 30–60 minutes on hold, or receiving callbacks a day or two after leaving a message. That lag can be nerve-wracking, particularly if your car is in a shop or you’re dealing with medical bills after a crash.
The upside? When customers do connect with a rep, most describe the people as knowledgeable and respectful, especially when you speak to someone assigned directly to your case. There’s no aggressive sales pitch, no upselling. Reps seem to understand their customers are calling for clarity, not pressure.
Still, if you’re used to insurers with mobile chat, SMS reminders, or instant email updates, CURE’s more traditional communication approach can feel outdated.
Dependability in Renewal and Billing
Another major marker of dependability is what happens at renewal time. With some companies, drivers open their renewal packet only to find surprise rate hikes, sneaky fees, or coverage changes they didn’t approve. With CURE, that kind of behavior is rare.
Most customers who maintain a clean driving record see small, consistent rate increases, usually tied to inflation, cost of living, or state-wide adjustments. Some even report lower premiums after two or more years without a claim or ticket.
Billing is similarly straightforward — but again, requires close attention. If you choose monthly payments, it’s important to know that CURE may not offer a grace period for late payments. A missed payment can result in cancellation notices with very short turnaround windows. While this is legal and stated in the policy terms, it’s caught some policyholders off guard, especially those used to more flexible national providers.
If you sign up for auto-pay and monitor your billing dashboard, problems are rare. But if you forget to update a credit card or assume a late fee will cover you for a few days, you may find yourself needing to reapply from scratch.
Is CURE the Right Fit for Everyone?
This is where expectations really matter. CURE doesn’t claim to be the flashiest insurer. There’s no mobile app, no rewards program, no bundled home-and-auto discounts. What it offers is something simpler and more transparent: a policy built on driving behavior, not on your background.
For drivers with a clean record, no recent claims, and limited credit history or formal education, CURE often delivers one of the lowest quotes in the region. And once you’re covered, there’s no guessing what your premium is based on — the structure is clear and predictable.
But the trade-off is real: fewer digital tools, slower claims processing, and less automation overall. If that’s a dealbreaker, CURE might not be the ideal fit.
