Prudential Car Insurance Review [2024]: Coverage + Cost

Prudential Financial is worth getting a quote from if you are in one of the four states it covers: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania. Since Prudential offers unique discounts for drivers in these areas, especially for New Jersey educators, it is important to talk with an agent directly so no discount is missed.

While Prudential’s standard coverage options are similar to competitors, the company really shines in its add-on packages that include special coverage for pet injuries, GAP insurance, glass replacement and more.

How we evaluate products

To complete my review of Prudential, I compared the company with top competitors, including Geico, Farmers, and Progressive. I also researched Prudential’s policies, coverage, and discounts thoroughly to establish if this company was a good fit for the reader. Here are a few specific things I focused on:

• Availability: While Prudential’s competitors are available nationwide, Prudential is only available in four states. In Prudential’s case, this works as an advantage to those drivers, since Prudential is able to offer state-specific perks and discounts that you wouldn’t find with other companies.
• Rating: Prudential did not rank in J.D. Power’s studies, but Plymouth Rock did rank lower than average for customer satisfaction in two regions. Prudential’s strong A+ AM Best rating was also considered.
• Discounts: Setting itself apart from its competitors, Prudential offers discounts and policy perks that you will not find with other companies. This was especially true when it came to New Jersey educators and motorcyclists.

Prudential Auto Insurance pros and cons

Prudential Auto Insurance: Is it worth it?

Prudential doesn’t sell auto insurance directly but does distribute car insurance policies under Plymouth Rock Assurance. With only 21 agents serving drivers in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, you can get personal, focused attention to your claims, especially if you live near a Prudential office. However, smaller auto insurance companies can also mean limited policy options and online services.

I recommend requesting a quote from Prudential, especially if you are a New Jersey educator — this includes active and retired teachers, as well as substitute teachers and school staff. New Jersey educators receive lower rates and special perks like free roadside assistance and additional coverage on school property.

Who is Prudential Financial car insurance a good option for?

If you live in one of the four states Prudential Financial is available in, it is worth calling for a quote. For drivers associated with different memberships and associations, such as New Jersey educators, Prudential Financial offers additional discounts. When I filled out the online quote form, I was able to indicate which discounts I qualified for upfront. Unfortunately, the online quote form always prompts you to call an agent for an exact quote, so save time by calling the company directly.

The company is definitely best for New Jersey educators and motorcycle riders, since both parties will receive more perks from Prudential than other insurance companies in the area. For example, New Jersey educators will receive free 24/7 roadside assistance with their policy, as well as waive your comprehensive and collision deductibles if an incident happens on school property.

Motorcyclists can opt for accessory coverage up to $30,000 and First-Party Med-Pay coverage for riders and passengers up to $25,000. Some other perks with Prudential’s motorcycle insurance that I haven’t seen with other companies include $500 helmet coverage, $500 safety riding apparel coverage, and replacement cost coverage up to $45,000 if your bike is totaled within the first year of purchase.

Types of coverage	Auto insurance coverage options: Bodily injury liability Property damage liability Comprehensive Collision Uninsured/underinsured motorist Additional a la carte coverages may include: Accident forgiveness Waiver of deductible Loan/lease gap coverage Full glass coverage New car replacement $100 glass deductible *Plymouth Rock Assurance may offer additional coverages and included benefits based on the Assurance package a customer selects.
Discounts available	Advance shopper Anti-theft devices Away at school Bundling Driver Training eDocuments Good student Motor Club or other affiliate groups Multi-car New driver Paid in full Safe driver
Customer support	If you purchased directly through Plymouth Rock Assurance: Call: 800-437-5556 Text “Care” to 22022 Email: rockcare@plymouth.com If you purchased a policy from an independent agent: Call: 833-511-7625 Text “Service” to 22022 Email: policychanges@plymouthrock.com Claims: Email: claimssupport@plymouthrock.com Text “Claims” to 2022

What types of insurance does Prudential offer?

Prudential offers a wide range of insurance services and insurance products, including several different types of life insurance. Assurance, a Prudential company, is also a provider of health insurance policies.

Auto insurance coverage options

If you live in Prudential's coverage area, you can select from a variety of insurance options distributed through Plymouth Rock Assurance. The required specifics vary depending on which state you live in.

• Bodily injury liability insurance: This helps pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages in case you accidentally hit someone else. It doesn't generally cover you or any passengers in your own car.
• Property damage liability: This insurance helps pay for any damage that you cause in an accident, such as fixing someone's car that you rear-ended, replacing a fence you hit, etc.
• Comprehensive insurance: This coverage covers non-car crash damage to your vehicle. Comprehensive could cover damage from theft, storms, animals, and more.
• Collision insurance: This insurance can help cover damages to your car if you collide with another car or an object.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Uninsured motorist coverage can help cover car accident expenses if the at-fault driver doesn’t have any coverage or doesn't have enough to cover your expenses.
• Medical payments: This can help cover your medical expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Full coverage car insurance — a policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage — may be worthwhile if you have an expensive car or spend a lot of time driving. Some lenders even require full coverage if you finance a car.

The company throws in some fun policyholder perks as well. The Prudential Pinstripe Perks Package can provide access to Yankees tickets, discounts on purchases from MLBShop.com, invitations to exclusive events, and more. Some benefits are subject to availability, and some restrictions apply.

Add-on insurance packages

In addition to the coverage options above, Plymouth Rock Assurance offers exclusive Assurance Packages that provide extra benefits, such as car rental coverage, roadside assistance, waiver of the deductible for windshield replacements, and more.

Essential Assurance packages are included with every policy. Some limits and restrictions apply, so refer to your policy or speak with an agent for full details.

Essential Assurance

• Guaranteed repairs: Plymouth Rock Assurance recommends auto repair shops where the company guarantees work performed.
• Door-to-door valet claim service: Plymouth Rock Assurance will pick up your car and deliver it to the repair shop and return it after work is complete.
• Car watch repair monitoring: Plymouth Rock Assurance will follow up on the progress of repairs with the auto repair shop to keep you informed of what’s happening.
• Get Home Safe®: If you’re unable to drive, Plymouth Rock Assurance offers a one-time, one-way taxi fare reimbursement.
• Crashbusters® mobile claim service: Plymouth Rock Assurance has a mobile claim service where a representative travels to handle the claim process.
• Online services: Customers can receive access to QuickPay, an online claim reporting tool, and eDocuments to help them file claims quickly and easily.
• Pledge of Assurance®: If Plymouth Rock fails to meet customer care standards, they will make a donation to your choice of select charities.

Other Assurance Packages

Along with the benefits that come with Essential Assurance, Plymouth Rock offers three upgrades: Assurance Plus, Assurance Preferred, and Assurance Premier.

Again, some limits and restrictions apply to each package, so refer to your policy or speak with an agent to make sure you understand what your policy provides. Some of the features include:

• Assurance Plus: Includes additional rental car coverage, pet injury coverage, mobile device replacement, laptop replacement, and loss of earnings coverage
• Assurance Preferred: Includes roadside assistance, pet injury coverage, and waiver of deductible for windshield replacement
• Assurance Premier: Includes roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, GAP coverage, and electronic key replacement
• A la carte coverages: You can add any of these to your insurance coverage: accident forgiveness, full glass coverage, $100 glass deductible, new car replacement, GAP coverage

How much does Prudential cost?

The cost of Prudential will depend on which state you live in and how much insurance coverage you need. When I started the online quote process as a New Jersey driver, I was able to fill out the form and see which discounts were available. Ultimately, the form prompted me to call an agent to receive the final quote. This is frustrating when you are trying to compare multiple car insurance quotes quickly.

Prudential is clear who will benefit most from its coverage, including the following:

• New Jersey educators: Prudential claims it offers these educators lower prices than other insurance companies.
• New York Yankee fans: While not clear if Yankee fans will save with Prudential, they will receive special perks with the Pinstripe Perks Package. Benefits include 20% off Yankees merchandise on MLBShop.com, exclusive invitations, and a subscription to Yankees Magazine. Additionally, insurance coverage includes up to $50 in taxi or car service reimbursement to get from the stadium to your home safely.
• Motorcycle riders: Prudential offers more discounts and coverage for motorcyclists, especially for riders with military status. Riders also receive discounts for taking and/or teaching safety courses.

Prudential does warn that it has the right to refuse to quote any Pennsylvania resident for a premium rate. This warning can mean that some Pennsylvania drivers might not be eligible for a policy with Prudential.

Getting discounts (ask for these when you get a quote)

Prudential offers multiple discounts based on your chosen policy. You may be eligible for:

Discount type	How to get it
Anti-theft	Have anti-theft devices installed, such as a car alarm or GPS location unit
Good student discount	For full-time students with a 3.0 or better GPA
Away at school discount	For full-time students who live at school more than 100 miles from their home without their vehicle
Paid in full discount	For customers who pay their policy total upfront rather than monthly
Bundle and save	Either bundle your car and home insurance policies or add more than one vehicle or motorcycle to your policy.
Defensive driver course	Drivers who have completed a Motor Vehicle Commission-approved Defensive Driver Course within the last 3 years get a discount.
eDocuments	Opt in to receive your policy documents by email for an additional discount.
Motor Club membership	Be a member of one of the following Motor Clubs: Paragon, Pinnacle Motor Club, Sam’s Club, Seven, or Signature Nationwide
Affinity group connections	If you are employed or a member at select companies or clubs, you can receive an additional discount.

How to maximize savings

There are many factors that affect car insurance rates, such as your age, gender, location, and even your credit score and credit history. To maximize your potential savings, consider the following:

• Raise your deductible. Raising your deductible, or the amount you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss can help you save. Because you share more risk with the insurance carrier, they may lower your premium policy. New Jersey educators have an additional advantage of a higher deductible since their deductible is waived if the incident occurs on school property.
• Use YUBI, a telematics program for safe driving. For most Prudential drivers, YUBI is a voluntary opt-in, usage-based insurance. If you prove you have safe driving habits, your policy discount can go up to 29%. However, there are disadvantages to this program. Your premium can increase or be canceled for poor driving. Additionally, some Pennsylvania drivers are required to use YUBI as part of their policy.
• Use Road Rewards, another safe driving program. Road Rewards is another safe driving app Prudential policyholders can use. Unlike YUBI, this program will not affect your premium. Instead, your good driving habits can earn you safe driving points which are then redeemed for Amazon.com purchases, Apple Gift Card, and Spotify Gift Cards, Fuel Rewards from Shell, Starbucks Cards, and movie tickets from Showcase Cinemas. This program will not save you money on your car insurance, but it can help you reduce costs elsewhere, such as your gas budget.
• Improve your credit. Not every state allows insurers to consider your credit score, but maintaining a good credit history can improve your car insurance savings if your state does allow it. Paying your bills on time, maintaining a good credit balance, and checking your credit report for mistakes or fraud can help you save.
• Compare quotes and discounts. When researching how to save money on car insurance, it’s wise to compare at least three quotes and each company's discounts. It can also be a good idea to compare quotes between insurance agents and companies that sell directly to the end user to see if one is significantly lower.

FAQs

Bottom line

Prudential car insurance through Plymouth Rock Assurance is not available to everyone. If you live outside of the four states where Prudential is available (CT, NY, NJ, and PA), you’ll have to shop around for other insurers. Fortunately, FinanceBuzz makes it simple to compare quotes from the top car insurance companies online.

Even if you do decide to shop for Prudential Insurance, you could still benefit from comparing rates and terms from other insurance providers to see what’s out there. Choosing auto insurance is important — carrying more coverage than you need can be a waste of money, and having too little coverage can be hard on your wallet if you get into an accident. With multiple auto insurance quotes on the table, you’re in a better position to determine which coverage is right for you.