If you’ve ever gone shopping for car insurance, you’re probably familiar with a few dozen auto insurance companies. Depending on where you live, one of those companies might be

Dairyland

. Dairyland auto insurance is available in all 50 states and in Washington, D.C., and repeatedly receives high scores from consumers, many of whom appreciate the coverage, prices, and customer service.

Dairyland doesn’t have the big name of the car insurance companies that you might see advertised on your TV, but it’s well respected and has many strong reviews, so it might be the right car insurance company for you.

To help you figure out if Dairyland is the right insurer for you,

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The history of Dairyland car insurance

Dairyland has been around for more than 60 years. It was first formed as the

Dairyland Mutual Insurance Company of Wisconsin

in 1953, by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Stuart Struck.

The company got its start by primarily focusing on drivers who had a difficult time finding coverage with more traditional companies. The Dairyland insurance company provided coverage to drivers who had limited driving experience or poor driving records.

In 1966, Dairyland was acquired by a larger car insurance company, Sentry, though Dairyland kept its name.

From the early stages, Dairyland not only focused on drivers who had a hard time getting coverage, but on motorcycle drivers as well. This helped them carve out a niche in the insurance landscape.

In 2005, Sentry also acquired Viking Insurance, which they merged with Dairyland, thus increasing the size of their coverage.

Today, Dairyland and Viking are often referred to as Dairyland car insurance, or as Sentry car insurance.

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How to Tell if You'll Be Given a High-Risk Auto Insurance Rate

What does Dairyland car insurance cover?

Dairyland offers fairly straightforward car insurance, in terms of packages. They provide coverage in all 50 states, with some of the best

motorcycle insurance

in the country supplementing their strong car insurance.

They offer

bodily injury liability

property damage liability

, and

uninsured/underinsured motorist protection

. The company focuses on providing the cheapest rates possible no matter what type of machine you drive, and what

your driving record

is.

Dairyland has stayed true to its roots throughout the years. Just as the company started by providing coverage to drivers who had a hard time finding insurance packages from mainstream providers, it still provides coverage to those demographics. The company has some of the best insurance packages available to drivers who have been arrested for

driving under the influence

, and also for those who have a history of accidents or traffic infractions.

This can be a good car insurance company for anyone seeking insurance, but it's especially good if your automotive history isn’t great, and you’re in need of some coverage that some car insurance companies might not be willing to provide.

While Sentry provides everything from property insurance, to life insurance, to workers’ compensation, Dairyland specifically covers car and motorcycle insurance.

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The 5 Most Costly Situations That Affect Car Insurance Premiums

Dairyland insurance reviews

NerdWallet

NerdWallet gives Dairyland 3 out of 5 stars, pointing to the company’s philosophy by stating, "Dairyland Insurance specializes in auto and motorcycle insurance for drivers who typically can’t get coverage anywhere else, such as those with serious or repeated traffic-related offenses or DUI convictions. If you’ve been pegged as a high-risk driver, Dairyland might be right for you."

Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs claims that "By working with brokers and online services, Dairyland and its subsidiaries offer lower prices and coverage than other insurance companies can. Happy customers appreciate the company’s excellent customer service and competitive prices."

Value Penguin

Value Penguin suggests that those with a

clean driving record

might be best off looking elsewhere, but that Dairyland is great for drivers with a prior history:

"Dairyland offers auto insurance coverages geared toward high-risk drivers, such as those with a history of driving violations, DUIs, or no prior insurance coverage. To mitigate the risk of insuring such drivers, Dairyland's car insurance rates for safer drivers are substantially higher than those of competitors. Given Dairyland's expensive rates, as well as its weaker-than-average customer reviews, low-risk drivers who don't require a specialized non-owner car insurance policy or have a history of driving violations should definitely look elsewhere for more cost-effective options."

Wallet Hub

Wallet Hub covers some of the pertinent details: "Dairyland offers auto insurance policies for high-risk drivers who may have trouble securing coverage with major auto insurers. Dairyland has all the basic coverage options that are commonly required by most states. These include liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage; medical coverage for personal injury protection and medical expenses; and coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists. Collision and comprehensive coverage options are available as well."

Dairyland is the perfect car insurance company for some people, though it’s not the perfect company for all drivers. If you have a complicated driving record, you should check out this insurance provider.

MORE:

How Vehicle History Affects Car Insurance Rates

Finding the best rate for Dairyland

Regardless of the quality of your driving record, or which insurer you're currently working with, there's likely a better deal out there somewhere. To find the best insurance package for you, try

Jerry

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