Utica National auto insurance

Overview

Utica National Insurance Group is the trade name for Utica Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, headquartered in New Hartford, just outside Utica in upstate New York. It is a mutual best known in the industry for commercial specialties, including coverage for schools, volunteer fire departments, contractors, auto dealers and insurance agents' errors and omissions, but it also sells personal auto, homeowners, renters, umbrella, boat, motorcycle and snowmobile insurance. All of it is sold through independent agents.

The Utica group ranked #79 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $229.1 million in personal auto premium (about 0.06% of the U.S. market). That is a fraction of the group's total business; Utica passed $1 billion in direct written premium in 2017. Personal auto availability depends on the state and the member company, and Utica does not publish a list of states where it sells personal auto, so check with an agent.

Kristen H. Martin, who became president and chief operating officer in 2019, was named CEO and president in November 2023. In July 2026 the company named Abel Travis chief operating officer and announced a partnership making Utica National an official home, auto and business insurance partner of the Buffalo Bills.

History

The Utica Mutual Compensation Insurance Corporation was founded on February 13, 1914, as a workers' compensation insurer. The company credits Merwin K. Hart as its founder; Delos DeWolf Smyth was its first president and John L. Train its secretary, treasurer and general manager. It quickly broadened its coverages, and in 1928 it began appointing independent agents to sell automobile insurance in parts of New York State that its branch offices could not easily reach, the start of its shift to the independent agency system.

The company built its New Hartford home office in the early 1950s and added a tower complex that opened in 1971. It celebrated its centennial in 2014 and reached $1 billion in direct premium three years later. Richard P. Creedon became chairman and CEO in 2019 and announced his retirement in 2023, when Martin succeeded him.

Policies are issued by several member companies: Utica Mutual Insurance Company, Graphic Arts Mutual Insurance Company, Republic-Franklin Insurance Company (Ohio), Utica National Assurance Company, Utica National Insurance Company of Ohio, Utica National Insurance Company of Texas, Utica Specialty Risk Insurance Company, Utica Lloyd's of Texas, and Founders Insurance Company and Founders Insurance Company of Michigan, which focus on liquor liability and special events. Utica Mutual itself is licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Auto insurance coverage

Utica's personal auto policy provides the standard liability, physical damage, medical and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages, with options that vary by state. Features the company highlights include:

• A vanishing deductible and a diminished deductible, which reduce your deductible over time; see how disappearing deductibles work and whether they are worth it
• Value Paks (packaged coverage options)
• Pet coverage of up to $750 per pet for vet care after an auto accident, on some policies
• Coverage questions Utica suggests raising with your agent, such as protection when you ride as a passenger in a ride-sharing vehicle and liability for damaging public property like guardrails

Utica says one auto policy can include more than cars: boats, ATVs, motorcycles and scooters can be added to the same policy.

Discounts and programs

Utica lists a long set of credits and discounts:

• Annual mileage credit for vehicles driven less; see low-mileage discounts
• Multi-vehicle and home bundle discounts
• Pay in full: up to 10% off for paying the annual premium at once
• Air bags and motorized seat belts: up to 30% off personal injury and medical payments premiums
• Anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, daytime running lights and several anti-theft device credits on fire and theft coverage
• Good student and away at school discounts
• Company car credit of up to 25% on a single-vehicle policy if an employer-provided car is available for your personal use
• Electronic funds transfer, which eliminates billing service charges
• Occasional operator and educator discounts

Utica does not advertise a telematics or usage-based program.

Claims

Claims can be reported 24/7/365. Utica's claims staff work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. You can report a claim online through the Customer Care Center, by email to [email protected], by phone at 800-216-1420, by fax at 888-538-2018 or by mail. Have your policy number, your agent's name and the date and details of the incident ready.

Registered policyholders can also use the online Customer Care Center to view policies and make payments.

Ratings and reputation

On November 13, 2024, AM Best upgraded the long-term issuer credit ratings of Utica Mutual and its affiliates, citing balance sheet strength it assesses as strongest. As of October 2026, Utica reports a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and long-term issuer credit ratings of "a+," both with stable outlooks.

The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents gave Utica Mutual its 2023 Company Award of Excellence. Utica was not among the regional leaders named in J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study; Travelers led the New York region. Complaint records for each Utica member company are available on the NAIC's Consumer Information Source.

Who it suits

Utica National suits drivers, especially in New York, who prefer working with an independent agent, want home and auto with one company and can use its deductible-reduction features, mileage credit or company-car credit. Its long discount list and A (Excellent) rating are real advantages. Because personal auto is a small part of a commercial-focused group and availability varies by state, shoppers need an agent to confirm whether Utica writes auto where they live.

• Strengths: A (Excellent) rating with "a+" issuer ratings upgraded in 2024; vanishing and diminishing deductible options; long discount list including annual mileage, company car and educator credits; boats, ATVs and motorcycles can share the auto policy.
• Weaknesses: No published list of personal auto states; no telematics program; agent-only with no online quotes; claims staff available only on weekday business hours, although reporting is 24/7.

How to contact Utica National