American Family vs Kemper: which is better for car insurance in 2026?
Across our six scoring categories, American Family comes out ahead in 4, Kemper in 1, with 1 too close to call. American Family edges the weighted overall score by 0.9 of a point, on the strength of complaint record, financial strength, discounts, digital experience. That is not a reason to skip Kemper: it scores higher on price, and a quote that comes in lower beats a review that scores higher. American Family is the safer default; Kemper is worth a quote if you are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
American Family vs Kemper, side by side
Sources: average premiums from NerdWallet's August 2026 rate analysis (Quadrant Information Services), for a 35-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit in a 2023 Toyota Camry LE at 12,000 miles a year, 100/300/50 limits with $1,000 deductibles — national average $2,356. Claims satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (segment average 700). Complaint record from NerdWallet's analysis of NAIC complaint data, 2022–2024. Financial strength from AM Best. Discounts and app data from each carrier's published pages and the Apple App Store / Google Play, retrieved August 2026. Updated August 2026.
Category by category
Price
Kemper aheadKemper averages $2,422/yr for full coverage against American Family's $2,785/yr — about $363 a year, or 30.3 dollars a month, in Kemper's favor for this profile.
$2,785 a year for full coverage, 18% above the national average. American Family is priced above the market.
$2,422 a year for full coverage on our standard benchmark, 3% above the national average — but Kemper's actual customers are drivers who would pay far more, or be refused outright, almost anywhere else.
Claims satisfaction
Too close to callNeither pulls ahead on claims satisfaction: American Family posts 702/1,000 and Kemper Not rated, a difference too small to choose on.
702 out of 1,000, two points above the segment average. Essentially average.
Not in the J.D. Power claims study, which samples only the largest insurers.
Complaint record
American Family aheadAmerican Family takes complaint record on Fewer than expected against Kemper's Far more than expected.
Fewer complaints than expected for its size — its strongest measure.
Far more complaints than expected for its size. Non-standard carriers tend to run high on this measure, which is context rather than an excuse.
Financial strength
American Family aheadAmerican Family takes financial strength on A against Kemper's A-.
AM Best A (Excellent).
AM Best A- (Excellent). Parent Kemper Corporation is publicly traded.
Discounts
American Family aheadAmerican Family takes discounts on 14 published against Kemper's 6 published.
Fourteen published discounts, including several unusual ones — a loyalty discount that rewards a parent's tenure, and a young-volunteer discount.
A shorter list than standard-market carriers, plus Kemper Co-Pilot telematics with a 10% signup discount.
Digital experience
American Family aheadAmerican Family takes digital experience on 4.72 iOS / 3.0 Android against Kemper's 2.44 iOS / 3.6 Android.
4.72 on the App Store but 3.0 on Google Play. That Android score is among the lowest in this review and hard to overlook.
2.44 on the App Store and 3.6 on Google Play. The current app relaunched in mid-2026, so those scores reflect a new listing rather than a settled one.
So which one?
Pick American Family if…
- You are among midwest drivers who bundle and use telematics.
- You want the lower complaint record — American Family sits at Fewer than expected.
- Financial strength is a priority; American Family holds A from AM Best.
- You expect to stack discounts — American Family's lineup is the broader of the two.
Pick Kemper if…
- You are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
- Price is your first filter — Kemper averages $2,422/yr for full coverage on our benchmark profile.
- Availability fits: 38 states, specialising in non-standard auto.
American Family vs Kemper, answered
The questions people ask before switching between these two.
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