Our Methodology
EcoSmartInsurance.com rates insurance companies on a good, better, best scale. The method of rating these organizations is part subjective, part objective. Insurance companies that achieve the benchmarks prescribed are awarded the EcoSmart Insurance Green Thumbs-Up Award (awarded bronze, silver and gold accordingly).
To be eligible for a Green Thumbs-Up, an insurer must excel in one or more of the following aspects:
- The company must be a reputable insurance company (A.M. Best rating).
- It must offer paperless invoicing/payment options for policy holders. Offering paperless policy is also a plus.
- Pay-as-you-drive or graduated mileage products should be available or be considering a future offering.
- Discounts for hybrid drivers are appreciated.
- Special "green" auto policies that have additional benefits for green consumers are considered, but not required.
- Awards from environmental organizations certainly do not hurt an insurer's cause for a Green Thumbs-Up. However, not all of the best have received awards.
- Most importantly, the company must have a strong environmental policy that directs its efforts. Further, the company must follow the policy and really practice what it preaches.
Put several of the above components together and you get an insurance provider that most eco-citizens would be proud to do business with. See below for a snapshot of how some of the biggest names in car insurance fair.
Graphic of the highlight matrix
Best
At the top of the green thumbs-up scale is the gold tier. Best insurers embody all the good and better requirements and then have a little something more. There are many companies that espouse a good stance on the environment, and then there are ones that really make their environmental policy a strategic piece of their business. Many, but not all, best insurers have received awards and accolades for their outstanding eco-efforts. Awards are not a requisite as a handful of the best eco-smart insurance companies do not go after these awards. Several of them practice green simply because it is the right thing to do. We applaud these gold level organizations for leading the way in reducing waste and carbon.
Better
Better recipients take the good step one further. On top of a strong environmental policy, better insurers offer discounts for hybrids/alternative fuel vehicles, encourage its customers and it agents to be green, and/or offer special green insurance policies.
Good
For an insurer to get a bronze thumbs-up, the company must have a strong environmental policy that shapes how the organization acts in accordance to the environment. Not only must the policy be strong, they must practice what they preach.