AUTO INSURANCE

Dairyland Insurance Review: Rates, Coverage & Is It Worth It? [2026]

February 19, 2026
Dairyland Insurance Review: Rates, Coverage & Is It Worth It? [2026]

If you've been turned down by traditional insurance companies or need SR-22 coverage after a DUI, Dairyland Insurance might be on your radar. This Wisconsin-based insurer specializes in high-risk auto insurance and has been helping drivers get back on the road for over 60 years.

But is Dairyland the right choice for Texas drivers? In this comprehensive review, we'll break down Dairyland's rates, coverage options, customer reviews, and how it stacks up against other high-risk insurers.

Who Is Dairyland Insurance?

Dairyland Insurance is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance Group, a mutual insurance company founded in 1904 and headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. While Sentry focuses on business insurance, Dairyland specializes exclusively in non-standard auto and motorcycle insurance.

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What makes Dairyland different? Unlike traditional insurers that primarily serve drivers with clean records, Dairyland built its business around high-risk drivers—people who've had DUIs, license suspensions, coverage lapses, or multiple violations.

Dairyland operates in 38 states across the U.S., including Texas, and has earned an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, the highest possible rating. This means the company has strong financial backing to pay claims, which is reassuring when you're dealing with a specialty insurer.

Key Facts About Dairyland

  • Parent Company: Sentry Insurance Group (A+ AM Best rating)
  • Founded: 1904 (Sentry); Dairyland brand established later as specialty division
  • Headquarters: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
  • States Served: 38, including Texas
  • Specialty: Non-standard auto insurance, motorcycle insurance, SR-22 filing
  • Financial Rating: A+ (Superior) from AM Best

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Dairyland Rates in Texas

Let's talk numbers. Dairyland's rates are higher than standard insurers—but that's expected for a company specializing in high-risk coverage.

Average Dairyland Rates (National)

According to AutoInsurance.com (January 2026), here's what Dairyland customers typically pay:

  • Full coverage: $4,415 per year (vs. $2,399 national average)
  • Minimum coverage: $1,946 per year
  • Monthly rates: Starting at $85/month for minimum coverage, $165/month for full coverage

Your Rate Depends on Where You Live

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For drivers with a DUI conviction, NerdWallet reports that Dairyland's average rate is $5,248 per year ($437 per month), compared to the national average of $3,465 per year.

How Dairyland Compares to Other High-Risk Insurers

High-Risk Auto Insurance Rates Comparison

InsurerAvg. Full Coverage (Annual)Best For
Dairyland$4,415SR-22, DUI, motorcycle riders
The General~$4,500High-risk drivers, online quotes
ProgressiveVaries (often 70% less for standard)High-risk with decent records
Fred Loya~$3,800Walk-in service, local offices

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Important: These are national averages. Your actual Texas rate will depend on your location, driving record, age, vehicle, and coverage limits. Because Dairyland doesn't offer online quotes, you'll need to contact an independent agent to get personalized pricing.

Is Dairyland Worth the Cost?

For drivers with clean records, Dairyland is almost certainly more expensive than standard insurers like State Farm, GEICO, or Progressive. However, if you need high-risk auto insurance, Dairyland may offer competitive rates compared to other specialty insurers.

Dairyland is worth considering if you have:

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  • A recent DUI or DWI
  • An SR-22 or FR-44 requirement
  • Multiple accidents or violations
  • A suspended license you're trying to reinstate
  • Coverage lapses in your history

Coverage Options

Dairyland offers all the standard auto insurance coverage types you'd expect, plus some extras tailored to high-risk drivers.

Standard Coverages

  • Liability Insurance (bodily injury and property damage)
  • Collision Coverage (pays for damage to your car in an accident)
  • Comprehensive Coverage (theft, vandalism, weather damage, etc.)
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (required in some states)
  • Medical Payments Coverage

Additional Coverage Options

  • Rental Reimbursement – Pays for a rental car while yours is being repaired
  • Roadside Assistance – 24/7 towing, flat tire changes, battery jumps, lockout service
  • Towing and Labor – Covers towing costs after a breakdown
  • Gap Insurance – Covers the difference between what you owe and what your car is worth
  • Special Equipment Coverage – For custom parts and modifications
  • Non-Owner Insurance – If you don't own a car but need to meet SR-22 requirements

Dairyland Coverage Checklist

Coverage TypeAvailable with Dairyland?
Liability (BI/PD)✅ Yes
Collision✅ Yes
Comprehensive✅ Yes
Uninsured Motorist✅ Yes
Personal Injury Protection✅ Yes
Rental Reimbursement✅ Yes
Roadside Assistance✅ Yes
SR-22 Filing✅ Yes ($0 cost)
Homeowners Bundling❌ No
Renters Insurance❌ No

Note: Dairyland does not offer homeowners or renters insurance, so you can't bundle policies for multi-policy discounts like you could with State Farm or Allstate.

Who Dairyland Is Best For

Dairyland isn't for everyone—and that's by design. Here's who should consider Dairyland Insurance:

✅ Dairyland Is a Good Fit If You:

  • Need SR-22 or FR-44 filing – Dairyland offers same-day filing at no extra cost
  • Have a DUI or DWI on your record – Dairyland specializes in insuring high-risk drivers
  • Have had your license suspended – They understand the reinstatement process
  • Experienced coverage lapses – Many standard insurers will reject you; Dairyland won't
  • Are a young driver with limited history – Willing to insure drivers others won't
  • Own a motorcycle – Dairyland's motorcycle coverage is very competitive ($22/month average)
  • Need non-owner insurance – Perfect for SR-22 compliance without owning a vehicle

❌ Dairyland May Not Be Right If You:

  • Have a clean driving record – You'll likely find cheaper rates with GEICO, Progressive, or State Farm
  • Want to bundle home and auto – Dairyland doesn't offer homeowners insurance
  • Prefer online self-service – No online quotes or robust digital tools
  • Value extensive customer service – Mixed reviews and higher complaint ratios

Pros and Cons

Dairyland Insurance Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Accepts high-risk drivers (DUI, SR-22, violations)Higher rates for drivers with clean records
Free SR-22 filing with same-day processingNo online quotes (agent-only)
A+ AM Best financial strength ratingLimited digital tools and online self-service
Competitive motorcycle rates ($22/month avg)No bundling discounts (no home insurance)
Flexible payment options, no cancellation feesNot BBB accredited (despite A+ rating)
Available in 38 states including TexasHigher complaint ratio (1.49 vs 1.0 avg)

Customer Reviews & Financial Strength

Financial Ratings

  • AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (Superior) – The highest rating, indicating excellent financial stability and claims-paying ability (current as of June 2025)
  • BBB Rating: A+ (though not BBB accredited)

Customer Satisfaction Scores

  • J.D. Power Score: 820 out of 1,000 (AutoInsurance.org, January 2026)
  • The Zebra Rating: 3.3 out of 5 (February 2026)
  • WalletHub Rating: 2.6 out of 5 (2026)
  • InsuredBetter Rating: 3 out of 5 stars (February 2026)
  • NAIC Complaint Index: 1.49 – Slightly higher than the industry average of 1.0, meaning Dairyland receives about 49% more complaints than expected for a company its size (AutoInsurance.com, January 2026)

What Customers Say

Positive reviews often mention:

  • Fast SR-22 filing process
  • Competitive rates for high-risk situations
  • Helpful agents
  • Approval when other companies rejected them

Negative reviews cite:

  • Higher premiums than expected
  • Difficulty reaching customer service
  • Claims processing delays
  • Limited online tools

The Bottom Line on Customer Reviews

Dairyland's ratings are middle-of-the-road—not terrible, but not outstanding either. For a specialty insurer, this is fairly typical. High-risk insurers often have lower satisfaction scores because their customers are already in difficult situations.

The A+ financial strength rating is the most important factor here—it means Dairyland will be able to pay your claim if you need it.

Dairyland vs Other High-Risk Insurers

How does Dairyland compare to its main competitors in the high-risk insurance market?

Dairyland vs Progressive

Progressive is the largest high-risk insurer in the U.S. and won Bankrate's 2024 award for Best Auto Insurance Company for High-Risk Drivers.

  • Rates: Progressive can be 70% cheaper than Dairyland in some states (especially for drivers with moderately good records)
  • Online quotes: Progressive offers instant online quotes; Dairyland requires an agent
  • Snapshot program: Progressive offers usage-based discounts; Dairyland doesn't
  • Verdict: If you qualify for Progressive, compare rates—you might save significantly

Dairyland vs The General

The General is also owned by Sentry Insurance Group (Dairyland's parent company).

  • Rates: Very similar to Dairyland (both specialize in high-risk)
  • Online access: The General offers online quotes and faster approvals
  • Target market: Same—high-risk drivers, SR-22, DUI
  • Verdict: Check both, but The General may be more convenient if you prefer online service

Dairyland vs Fred Loya

Fred Loya is a regional insurer popular in Texas and the Southwest.

  • Rates: Fred Loya averages around $3,800/year (slightly less than Dairyland)
  • Service model: Emphasizes walk-in offices and local agents
  • Reputation: Has faced regulatory scrutiny and customer complaints in multiple states
  • Verdict: Fred Loya may be cheaper, but has a mixed reputation—read reviews carefully

High-Risk Auto Insurers Comparison

FeatureDairylandThe GeneralProgressiveFred Loya
Online Quotes❌ No✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ No
SR-22 Filing✅ Free✅ Free✅ Yes✅ Yes
AM Best RatingA+A+A+Not rated
Avg. Annual Rate$4,415~$4,500Varies~$3,800
Motorcycle Insurance✅ Strong❌ No✅ Yes❌ No
Available in TX✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes

How to Get a Dairyland Quote

Unlike many insurers, Dairyland does not offer direct online quotes. Here's how to get a quote:

Option 1: Call Dairyland

Phone: (800) 334-0090

Speak directly with a representative who can provide a quote over the phone.

Option 2: Find a Local Independent Agent

Visit Dairyland's website and use their agent locator tool to find independent insurance agents in your area who sell Dairyland policies.

Option 3: Use an Insurance Comparison Service

Sites like SlashMyAutoBill.com let you compare multiple high-risk insurers at once, including Dairyland, The General, Progressive, and others.

What You'll Need for a Quote

  • Driver's license number
  • Vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year)
  • Current insurance information (if applicable)
  • SR-22 or FR-44 requirement details (if applicable)
  • Driving history (accidents, violations, DUI dates)

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Is Dairyland Insurance Worth It?

For drivers with clean records: Probably not. You can likely find better rates with standard insurers like GEICO, Progressive, or State Farm.

For high-risk drivers: Dairyland is a solid option worth comparing. If you need SR-22 filing, have a DUI, or have been rejected by other companies, Dairyland offers:

  • Free SR-22 filing with same-day processing
  • A+ financial strength rating (reliable claims payment)
  • Competitive rates within the high-risk market
  • Acceptance when other companies say no

Best approach: Get quotes from multiple high-risk insurers—Dairyland, The General, Progressive, and Fred Loya—and compare. Make sure you understand Texas minimum insurance requirements and shop local agents to find the best deal in your area.

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