Kemper Auto Insurance Review 2026: Rates, Pros, Cons
Kemper auto insurance. This is where older articles trip people up. Kemper used to sell standard and preferred auto and home policies too. In August 2023, Kemper Corporation announced it was canceling and nonrenewing its preferred personal policies, according to Bankrate’s Kemper review. Today, the main personal product is nonstandard (also called specialty) auto insurance, plus life insurance.
Kemper is the brand you’ll see now. Its Infinity brand, which Kemper acquired in 2018, has been folded in, with Infinity’s California business transitioning to Kemper Auto. Details on brand names and state availability shift over time, so confirm on Kemper’s official site what’s offered where you live.
If you’ve seen glowing reviews of Kemper’s old home-and-auto bundles, ignore them. That product is gone for new customers.
Who Nonstandard Auto Insurance Is For
Nonstandard coverage exists for drivers whose history makes them expensive or unattractive to mainstream carriers. Think multiple at-fault accidents, a DUI, a recent lapse in coverage, or a very young driver with no history.
One thing worth flagging is that “high risk” doesn’t mean “bad driver” in an everyday sense. A single lapse of a couple of months can push you into this market, and in my experience that catches people off guard. They’ve driven carefully for years, let a policy slip during a move or a job change, and suddenly their quotes double.
Kemper also files SR-22 certificates, which are proof-of-insurance forms some states require after serious violations. If you need one, the SR-22 overview on Wikipedia explains how they work in general terms, and your state’s DMV tells you exactly what you must file and for how long.
What It Covers
Coverage looks like what most auto insurers sell: liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist protection, and add-ons in many states. Medical payments coverage is available in some places, though not where personal injury protection is already mandatory.
Options vary by state, so don’t assume a feature exists just because a review mentions it. Ask the agent which coverages are offered in your state before you commit.
A good habit with any nonstandard policy: look closely at your deductibles and limits instead of just the monthly price. Bare-minimum limits might satisfy the law but leave you exposed after a serious crash.
How Much Kemper Auto Insurance Costs
As of April 2026, NerdWallet’s analysis put Kemper’s average at about $206 a month ($2,467 a year) for full coverage and $87 a month ($1,044 a year) for state minimum coverage. NerdWallet also notes Kemper’s rates run higher than average in the states where it has data.
The Zebra reported a roughly $1,408 average for a six-month policy versus about $1,162 nationally. Different methods give different figures, but the direction is the same: Kemper costs more than the typical insurer, which is normal for this segment.
Compare Kemper to other nonstandard insurers, not to GEICO or State Farm. A $206 monthly premium is high against a clean-record quote and may be quite competitive for someone with a DUI. Your rate depends on your state, record, vehicle, coverage limits and, in most states, a credit-based insurance score.
Discounts Worth Asking About
Kemper offers a long list of discounts, though availability depends on the state. The one that stands out is a discount for maintaining continuous prior coverage, which rewards exactly the habit that nonstandard drivers are trying to rebuild. It also has a usage-based insurance program that can lower rates if your driving data looks good.
I’d treat these as bargaining tools, not guarantees. Ask the agent to run quotes with and without each discount so you can see what it’s really worth.
How You Buy It
Kemper’s nonstandard products have typically been sold through independent agents, which is a double-edged sword. A good agent can shop multiple carriers and explain your options. A bad one pushes whatever pays the best commission.
Customer service gets mixed reactions, as it does with most nonstandard insurers. Claims experiences vary a lot by state and adjuster. Before buying, check your state’s insurance department complaint data and read recent claims-related reviews instead of relying on marketing pages. The Insurance Information Institute has useful background on how claims work and what your rights are.
Pros and Cons
Kemper auto insurance will insure drivers many companies reject, it files SR-22s, and it operates broadly across the country. Those are real strengths if you need them.
The downsides are cost and narrow focus. Rates are above average, and the carrier no longer offers standard or preferred auto or home policies, so you can’t bundle. If your record improves, you’ll likely want to move to a standard carrier, which means shopping again.
My honest lean is that Kemper is a bridge product. Use it while you rebuild a clean history, then reshop.
Alternatives to Compare
Kemper competes with other nonstandard specialists and with larger insurers that have nonstandard arms. Mercury is one name that comparison sites often mention for similar customers. Progressive also writes policies for drivers with imperfect records and is worth a quote in most states.
Get at least three quotes, and make sure each has the same limits and deductibles. A cheaper quote with lower liability limits isn’t cheaper; it’s just less protection.
Who Should Choose Kemper, and Who Should Skip It
Choose Kemper if you’ve been declined elsewhere, need an SR-22, or have a record that makes standard quotes unrealistic. It’s also worth a look if your state has few nonstandard options.
Skip it if you have a clean record and decent credit. You’ll almost certainly pay less with a standard insurer. And if you were hoping Kemper would still handle your home and auto together, that option has been discontinued.
One more practical tip. Keep your coverage continuous after you sign up, because gaps are what pushed many drivers into this market in the first place. And set a calendar reminder to reshop after a year or two of clean driving.
