CURE Auto Insurance, formally known as Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, stands out in an industry saturated with generic coverage options and credit-based pricing. Where many auto insurers assess risk through financial status, education level, and ZIP code, CURE breaks away from that model, offering policies based almost entirely on how safely you drive.
For people who have felt overlooked or unfairly rated by traditional companies, this approach is a game changer. But understanding exactly what CURE offers — and what their auto insurance policies include — requires a closer look at how they’re structured, what’s included, and what to expect when signing up.
This guide explains the different types of coverage available through CURE, what makes their policies unique, and how to select options that best match your needs if you live in one of the states where they operate.
The Foundation of a CURE Auto Policy
All of CURE’s policies are built on the same base principles: simplicity, fairness, and transparency. While they don’t advertise as aggressively as the big national brands, CURE has developed a loyal customer base in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan because of their straightforward offerings and driver-focused pricing.
Every standard policy starts with:
Liability Coverage
This is the core of any auto insurance policy and is required by law in every state. CURE provides:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Covers medical costs and legal expenses if you cause injury to someone else in an accident.
- Property Damage Liability: Covers repairs or replacement costs for another person’s vehicle or property if you’re at fault.
Drivers can customize these limits, but most choose at least the state-required minimums, with many opting for higher limits to protect themselves in case of a serious accident.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In states like New Jersey and Michigan — both no-fault states — PIP coverage is mandatory, and it can be one of the most complex elements of your policy. CURE simplifies this by offering tiered PIP options.
- You can choose basic coverage for affordability or extended protection for peace of mind.
- In Michigan, CURE allows drivers to coordinate PIP with their health insurance to reduce premiums.
- In New Jersey, you can select between standard and basic policies, depending on how much medical coverage you want and how much right to sue you retain in case of injury.
These options allow for flexibility while still complying with legal requirements — something many traditional carriers overcomplicate or upsell.
Optional Coverages You Can Add
CURE keeps optional features separate from their base policy. That means you only pay for what you actually want — no hidden add-ons or pre-bundled extras. Common add-ons include:
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle after an accident — regardless of who was at fault. If your car is leased or financed, this may be required by your lender. For drivers who own their car outright, it’s optional but strongly recommended.
Comprehensive Coverage
Protects your vehicle from non-collision events such as:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Falling objects
- Fire or natural disasters
- Hitting an animal (like a deer)
This is another optional coverage, often chosen by drivers with newer or higher-value vehicles.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)
CURE also offers protection for situations where another driver either has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages. While not mandatory in all states, it can be critical — especially in areas with a high number of uninsured drivers.
Deductible Choices
One of the advantages of CURE’s policies is flexibility in choosing deductibles. Whether you opt for a $500 or $1,000 deductible, it will impact your premium. Higher deductibles typically mean lower monthly payments, while lower deductibles reduce out-of-pocket costs after a claim.
You can customize your deductible for:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- PIP (in some states)
This allows drivers to build a policy that matches both their budget and risk tolerance, without having to compromise on essentials.
How CURE Policies Differ by State
While the core structure of CURE’s auto insurance remains consistent — with fair pricing based on driving history — each state has its own legal and regulatory framework that shapes how policies are designed.
New Jersey
New Jersey residents can choose between a Basic or Standard auto policy through CURE.
- The Basic Policy includes minimal liability and PIP coverage, often chosen by low-income or occasional drivers.
- The Standard Policy is more comprehensive, allowing for customizable liability, UM/UIM coverage, and expanded PIP limits.
- Drivers can also choose between limited and unlimited right to sue, which affects how medical claims and legal damages are handled after a crash.
Because New Jersey has high average premiums statewide, many drivers with good records find CURE’s simplified options especially competitive here.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s insurance market allows drivers to select either limited tort or full tort auto insurance.
- Limited tort lowers your premium but restricts your ability to recover non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) after an accident unless the injury is serious.
- Full tort costs more but gives you full legal rights to sue for all types of damages.
CURE makes these distinctions clear and allows for full customization. Drivers in cities like Philadelphia or Allentown — where many carriers raise rates due to zip code — often benefit from CURE’s credit-free, job-neutral pricing model.
Michigan
Following major reforms to Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws in 2020, drivers now have more choice in how much Personal Injury Protection (PIP) they want. CURE offers:
- Unlimited PIP (the most expensive option, and previously required by law)
- Capped PIP limits, such as $500,000 or $250,000
- Opt-out or coordinated PIP, if you have qualifying health insurance
Michigan drivers can also select bodily injury liability limits and property protection insurance, all while customizing deductibles. CURE’s model is especially appealing in areas like Detroit where traditional insurers charge high rates based on zip code and socioeconomic factors.
Policy Renewals and Rate Stability
Once you’re insured with CURE, policy renewals occur every 6 or 12 months, depending on your state and selected plan. CURE doesn’t automatically increase rates like some larger insurers unless:
- You’ve had a claim or at-fault accident
- Your driving record changed (e.g., speeding tickets, license points)
- Your vehicle usage changed (e.g., more miles driven annually)
CURE is known for offering transparent renewal notices, typically sent out at least 30 days in advance. This gives drivers time to review, compare, and make adjustments before renewing.
To maintain your eligibility and keep your rates stable, it’s important to:
- Drive safely and avoid traffic violations
- Keep your mileage accurate and up to date
- Notify CURE of address or usage changes promptly
Drivers who maintain clean records often report that CURE’s renewal increases are minimal — and in some cases, rates actually decrease after a year or two of claim-free driving.
How CURE Handles Claims
CURE’s claims process is straightforward. While they don’t advertise a flashy mobile app or virtual adjusters, they focus on clarity and responsiveness. Here’s what to expect if you need to file a claim:
Filing a Claim
You can file a claim via:
- CURE’s website
- Customer service hotline
- Your assigned agent (if applicable)
Initial Review
An adjuster is typically assigned within 24–48 hours. They’ll contact you to:
- Confirm what happened
- Request photos, police reports, or repair estimates
- Coordinate an inspection, if needed
Repairs and Resolution
If you’ve included collision or comprehensive in your policy, you can usually use your preferred repair shop, or choose from CURE’s network if you want a faster process.
Most minor claims are resolved within 10–15 days, while more complex situations — like multi-vehicle accidents — may take longer depending on investigation and liability determination.
Flexible Payment Options
One of the practical features of CURE’s approach to auto insurance is how they allow policyholders to choose how and when they pay. This flexibility helps drivers better manage their cash flow while maintaining continuous coverage — which is essential for both legal and financial protection.
CURE offers:
- Monthly Payments – Spread your premium over time with manageable installments.
- Quarterly Payments – Pay every three months to reduce administrative fees.
- Annual Pay-in-Full – Paying upfront for the entire policy term often comes with a small discount and eliminates installment charges.
- Auto-Pay Setup – You can set up automatic payments via bank draft or credit card to avoid lapses.
While CURE doesn’t penalize you with extreme fees for installment plans, drivers who want to maximize savings are usually encouraged to pay in full at the start of the policy.
Optional Add-Ons for Extra Protection
CURE keeps its standard policies lean — but that doesn’t mean you can’t expand your coverage. The company offers a variety of optional endorsements that you can add at any time during the policy lifecycle.
Popular add-ons include:
- Towing and Roadside Assistance – Covers emergency towing, flat tire changes, battery jumps, and lockouts.
- Rental Reimbursement – Helps pay for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after a covered accident.
- Glass Coverage – Replaces or repairs chipped or shattered windshields without needing to pay a full deductible.
- Custom Equipment Coverage – For drivers who’ve installed non-factory stereo systems, rims, or aftermarket parts.
These options are particularly helpful if you rely heavily on your vehicle or want to reduce financial stress after a breakdown or accident. Since they’re not included by default, they give you the flexibility to build a policy tailored to your lifestyle.
How to Stay Covered and Eligible
Because CURE’s eligibility is based heavily on driving behavior and claim frequency — not your credit score or profession — it’s important to treat your auto policy as a partnership built on safe habits.
Here are key tips to remain eligible and lock in better premiums year after year:
- Avoid moving violations: Speeding tickets, failure to yield, and red-light infractions can all affect your renewal.
- Keep claims minimal: Only file a claim when the cost significantly exceeds your deductible. Small repairs might be better handled out-of-pocket.
- Monitor your annual mileage: Overestimating or underreporting your usage could lead to billing issues or canceled policies.
- Update your contact and vehicle info: Let CURE know if you move, get a new vehicle, or add a driver.
- Stay continuously insured: Gaps in coverage may lead to disqualification or higher rates when you return.
Policyholders who follow these steps often enjoy long-term affordability with CURE — and are less likely to face unpleasant surprises at renewal.
Getting the Most Value from a CURE Policy
To make sure you’re taking full advantage of what CURE offers:
- Customize your deductible wisely – A higher deductible can reduce monthly costs if you rarely file claims.
- Review your policy annually – Ensure your limits, endorsements, and usage details are still accurate.
- Ask about mileage-based savings – If you work from home or drive less than 7,500 miles a year, you may qualify for additional discounts.
- Use your own repair shop when possible – CURE lets you choose, which can save time and ensure quality.
- Compare PIP tiers in Michigan and NJ – Don’t automatically default to the highest coverage if your medical insurance can offset costs.
CURE’s value comes not just from fair rates, but from the ability to build your policy around your real-world needs, not what an algorithm guesses based on your job title or zip code.
