Horace Mann auto insurance

Overview

Horace Mann is an insurance and financial services company built around one profession: teaching. Its auto policies are underwritten by Horace Mann Insurance Company and its affiliates, and it ranked #53 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $491.2 million, or 0.13% of the national market.

The parent, Horace Mann Educators Corporation, is a stock company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (HMN). Auto, homeowners and umbrella coverage form its Property & Casualty segment, alongside life insurance, retirement annuities and workplace benefits. At the end of 2025 the company had 326,040 auto risks in force, and it reports that educators make up at least 80% of its property and casualty risks. Coverage is sold by exclusive Horace Mann agents (captive agents the company describes as specialists in educators' finances), by phone through a Coverage Consultation Center and online. Educators are the focus, but the company says eligibility is not limited to teachers and varies by product and state.

History

According to its 2025 annual report, the business began in Springfield, Illinois, in 1945, when two schoolteachers set out to offer auto insurance to members of their teachers' association. It added life insurance in 1949, 403(b) retirement annuities in 1961 and homeowners insurance in 1965. Its main property and casualty company was incorporated as Swiss National Insurance Company, U.S.A., began business on December 23, 1963, and took the Horace Mann Insurance Company name in 1967.

Ownership changed several times:

• 1968–1975: INA Corporation of Philadelphia bought a 25% stake in 1968 and owned the whole company by January 1975. INA merged with Connecticut General in 1982 to form CIGNA.
• 1989: An investor group led by Gibbons, Green, van Amerongen and members of Horace Mann management bought the company from CIGNA in August 1989.
• 1991: Horace Mann went public on the NYSE in November 1991.
• 2019 and 2022: It bought NTA Life Enterprises (2019) and Madison National Life Insurance Company from Independence Holding Company (2022), expanding into supplemental and group benefits sold through school districts.

Marita Zuraitis is president and chief executive officer.

Auto insurance coverage

Horace Mann offers the standard coverages: bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, collision and comprehensive. Optional Emergency Road Service covers towing, tire changes, jump-starts and lockouts, and rental reimbursement helps pay for a rental while your car is being repaired.

The distinctive feature is Educator Advantage, a package of extras included at no added cost for eligible educators with a Horace Mann auto or home policy. According to the company, it includes:

• No deductible for covered vandalism or collision on or near school property or at a school-sponsored event, and for a collision with another vehicle Horace Mann insures
• Liability coverage when transporting students in an insured vehicle
• Up to $2,500 for teaching-related personal property stolen or damaged in your car
• Up to $2,500 for veterinary bills if your pet is hurt in a covered accident
• New car replacement if a new car is declared a total loss

Benefits vary by state and are subject to policy terms. For drivers it cannot place in its standard program, Horace Mann uses third-party higher-risk auto programs in a majority of states. RVs and collector cars are also placed with third-party carriers.

Discounts and programs

Horace Mann lists an educator discount for teachers and administrators, along with multiline (auto plus life, home or an annuity, with an extra discount for three or more products), multicar, payroll deduction and new customer discounts. It also offers discounts for driver safety, car safety and good students. Its auto pages do not list a telematics or usage-based program. See how occupation discounts work when comparing it with general-market carriers.

Claims

You can start a claim online or call 800-999-1030, which Horace Mann staffs around the clock for claims. Glass-only claims go through Safelite (888-321-9391), and you can still choose your own shop. Emergency Road Service works on a reimbursement basis: you choose the provider and submit the receipt through the online claim portal.

Ratings and reputation

Horace Mann's February 2026 annual report lists AM Best's rating for its property and casualty companies as A (Excellent) with a stable outlook, affirmed September 12, 2025. S&P rates them A (affirmed January 22, 2026), Fitch A (August 15, 2025) and Moody's A2 (March 26, 2025).

Prices have been rising. In 2025 Horace Mann's auto net premiums written grew $11.3 million, mainly from rate increases, while the number of auto risks it insures continued to decline. The average auto net premium written rose 7.6%. Auto retention was still 83.7%.

Who it suits

Horace Mann suits educators who value coverage designed around school life, such as driving students and keeping teaching supplies in the car, and who want an agent who knows the school market. Drivers outside education, or those focused purely on the lowest price, may find broader options and telematics savings elsewhere.

• Strengths: Educator Advantage extras at no added cost; educator, payroll and multiline discounts; A-range financial strength ratings from all four major agencies; licensed nearly nationwide.
• Weaknesses: No telematics program on its auto pages; higher-risk drivers are referred to third-party carriers; auto rates rose in 2025; built around educators, so others may get less value.

How to contact Horace Mann