United Automobile Insurance Company auto insurance

Overview

United Automobile Insurance Company (UAIC) is a Miami Gardens, Florida, auto insurer that sells low-cost and nonstandard policies through independent agents. It ranked #54 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $488.4 million, or 0.13% of the national market.

UAIC describes itself as a family-owned company and one of the largest privately held property and casualty insurers in the country. Its business is concentrated in one state. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) reported that 99.8% of the premium UAIC wrote in 2023 came from Florida, with small amounts in Georgia and Pennsylvania. Policies are produced by independent agents and managed by an affiliated managing general agent, United Group Underwriters (UGU). UAIC also reinsures Texas auto business that UGU writes on the paper of Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a Texas county mutual. Its website lists customer service contacts for Florida, Georgia, Texas and Indiana.

History

UAIC was incorporated in Florida on March 2, 1989, and began writing insurance on July 1, 1990. Its website says the company began in Florida and Illinois and later expanded to other states. Since 2007 it has operated under a management agreement with United Automobile Insurance Group and related companies, including UGU and a premium finance affiliate. A former subsidiary, Argus Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, was merged into UAIC on November 26, 2018.

The key ownership change came in 2018. UAIC's shares were moved from United Automobile Insurance Group to a new holding company, United Automobile Holdings, LLC, which then sold an interest to Victory Park Capital, a Chicago investment firm, to raise capital. The parent contributed $29.3 million to UAIC that year. OIR's examination report shows that at the end of 2020, four trusts controlled by members of the Parrillo family owned 85% of the holding company through intermediate companies. Richard P. Parrillo Sr. was president, chief executive officer and board chairman as of December 31, 2023, and two Victory Park Capital executives sat on the board.

Auto insurance coverage

UAIC is authorized to write private passenger auto liability and physical damage (collision and comprehensive) coverage, as well as commercial auto. Its website lists standard auto insurance, SR-22 filings, non-owner policies for people who drive but do not own a car, and commercial auto for small fleets. Coverage options and limits are set by state; UAIC directs customers to their local independent agent for the options offered where they live. Florida's required coverages and its high claim costs are explained in our guide to why Florida car insurance is so expensive.

Discounts and programs

The website promotes "money-saving discounts" but does not list them; your agent quotes the discounts available in your state. UAIC does not advertise a telematics program. A premium finance option is offered only in Georgia; the site says UAIC no longer finances premiums in Florida.

Claims

UAIC lets anyone, customer or not, file a claim online 24/7 through its claims portal, and check claim status online. By phone, Florida new claims go to 800-344-2150 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern); Texas claims go to 800-450-8247. Policyholders can use the UAIC mobile app or online portal for payments, ID cards and policy changes, and an automated 24-hour line (888-987-8242) handles policy status and payments.

Ratings and reputation

UAIC does not publish an AM Best rating on its website, and it does not appear in J.D. Power's auto insurance rankings. The most detailed public record of its finances comes from the Florida OIR's examination reports, which have repeatedly found that its loss reserves (the money set aside for claims already incurred) were too low:

• 2017: An examination as of December 31, 2015, found reserves deficient by $26.8 million. Under Consent Order 206348-17-CO, filed October 13, 2017, UAIC agreed to book reserves at or above the midpoint of its actuary's estimate. A limited follow-up exam as of 2018 found reserves $4.2 million below the minimum reasonable amount. OIR's next exam, reported in May 2022, considered the issue resolved but noted underwriting losses and adverse reserve development in every period it reviewed.
• 2025: OIR's examination as of December 31, 2023, dated February 19, 2025, estimated reserves were deficient by $90.9 million net of reinsurance. UAIC had already recognized $112.6 million of adverse development in its 2024 statements, so OIR did not require a refiled statement. Surplus was $86.4 million at the end of 2023, above the $14.5 million legal minimum but down from $100.9 million at the end of 2020.

An earlier consent order, in 2001, fined UAIC $2,500 for market conduct violations from 1998 and 1999, including failing to follow filed rates.

Who it suits

UAIC fits Florida drivers who want a basic, low-cost policy, an SR-22 or a non-owner policy from a local independent agent, and who accept that the main public information on its finances comes from state examination reports rather than a published financial strength rating.

• Strengths: Long Florida track record since 1990; SR-22 and non-owner policies; online claims open to anyone; app and 24-hour automated payment line.
• Weaknesses: Business concentrated almost entirely in Florida; regulators found significant reserve shortfalls in 2015 and 2023 examinations; no published AM Best rating; discounts are not listed publicly.

How to contact United Automobile Insurance Company