A Wisconsin mutual carrier with century-long roots, 97% claims satisfaction, and one of the broadest commercial appetites in the Midwest for contractors and trucking. Here's what we've learned since 2024.
Acuity Insurance was founded in 1925 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin — originally as Mutual Auto Insurance Company of the Town of Herman. Today Acuity is a mutual insurance company (meaning policyholders are the owners) with $2 billion in annual premium, $6+ billion in assets, and coverage available in over 30 states. AM Best rates Acuity A+ Superior and S&P assigns an equivalent A+ — both reflecting strong capitalization, conservative investment practices, and consistent profitability. Acuity's NAIC complaint index of 0.66 means they receive about one-third fewer complaints than expected for a carrier of their size.
Acuity sells exclusively through independent agents — over 30,000 agents nationally. There is no direct channel and no captive agent force. Every policy is placed through an agent who has compared Acuity against alternatives, which aligns perfectly with how Options Insurance works. Their commitment to the independent agent model is genuine and long-standing, reflected in Dane's experience: a genuine underwriting relationship with flexibility to get things done.
We began placing clients with Acuity in 2024 across both personal and commercial lines. On personal lines, their guaranteed replacement cost homeowners coverage is a genuine differentiator. On the commercial side, they are a first-look carrier for contractors and trucking — two of the most complex and important commercial classes in the southwest metro market. Their commercial appetite is broad, their underwriting relationship is accessible, and their 97% claims satisfaction rate across both lines backs up what we see in practice.
Since 2024, here's what has consistently stood out — both on the personal lines side and in the commercial arena where Acuity really shines.
This is Acuity's standout personal lines feature. Guaranteed replacement cost means that if your home is destroyed, Acuity covers the full cost to rebuild — even if that cost exceeds your policy's stated limit. Most carriers offer extended replacement cost (typically 125–150% of dwelling limit), but guaranteed replacement cost is the real promise: no cap, no coverage gap. For clients who want to know their home is fully covered regardless of construction cost inflation, Acuity's GRC is as good as it gets.
Contractors are one of the most complex and important commercial classes in the southwest metro — and Acuity is consistently our first-look carrier when a contractor approaches us for commercial coverage. Their contractor appetite is broad across trades: general contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, roofers, concrete, landscaping. Their underwriting team understands the class, prices it competitively, and communicates clearly. When Dane reaches for Acuity for a contractor, it's because the relationship and the product work.
Trucking is a specialty class that many carriers approach cautiously. Acuity writes trucking with genuine appetite — owner-operators, small fleets, for-hire carriers, and specialty haulers. Their trucking product covers primary auto liability, physical damage, motor truck cargo, and non-trucking liability. For a metro agency serving the businesses that keep Minnesota moving, having a reliable trucking carrier with flexible underwriting is a meaningful operational advantage.
Acuity's underwriting relationship is one of the best in our commercial portfolio. Their underwriters are accessible, responsive, and willing to work with us on risks that don't fit perfectly into a standard box. That flexibility matters for commercial accounts where the facts are nuanced — a contractor with a single prior claim, a trucking operation with an unusual cargo class, a business that's grown quickly and needs coverage to keep pace. Dane's experience over two years reflects a genuine partnership, not a transactional submission process.
Acuity's internal claims satisfaction survey reports 97% positive experience — an exceptionally high number for any carrier. Their NAIC complaint index of 0.66 corroborates this: one-third fewer complaints than expected for a carrier of their size. For a commercial carrier writing complex contractor and trucking risks where claims can be significant and contentious, those numbers reflect genuine operational quality. Trustpilot at 4.4 stars from 2,300+ reviews adds third-party confirmation.
Acuity uses a single phone number — 800-242-7666 — for claims, payments, and customer service. That's a small operational detail that reflects a larger philosophy: make it easy for policyholders to get help without navigating a phone tree designed to route them away from people. For clients who value straightforward service access, this matters more than it might seem.
Acuity is a first-look commercial carrier for contractors and trucking. Their commercial appetite across trades and transportation classes is one of the strongest in our portfolio. Here's what we write.
Acuity is our first-look carrier for contractors across all trades. General contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, roofers, concrete, landscaping — their contractor appetite spans the full range of trades that define the southwest metro market. Competitive pricing, flexible underwriting, and a claims team that understands the class. Their contractor package bundles GL, property, commercial auto, and workers comp under one account for simplified management.
Acuity writes trucking with genuine depth — owner-operators, small fleets, for-hire carriers, and specialty haulers. Primary auto liability, physical damage, motor truck cargo, and non-trucking liability are all available. For businesses in transportation and logistics where a single claim can be catastrophic, having a carrier that understands the class and has the financial capacity to handle it is not optional.
Acuity's commercial property product brings the same replacement cost discipline as their personal lines — accurate valuations, replacement cost coverage, and business income protection. For contractors and trucking businesses with significant equipment, tools, and commercial space, their property product is well-suited to protect what makes the business run.
Workers comp for contractors and trucking operations is a complex, high-stakes coverage line. Acuity's workers comp product is built for these classes — with risk management resources, accessible claims handling, and the financial strength to back up large workers comp claims without hesitation. Their competitive pricing for clean-loss-history contractors is a meaningful differentiator.
Contractors depend on their tools and equipment. Acuity's inland marine coverage protects tools, equipment, and materials on the job site and in transit — filling the gap that general property policies often leave for items that move. For contractors whose tools represent thousands of dollars in assets that travel between job sites daily, this is coverage that matters.
Commercial note: Acuity's contractor and trucking appetite is the strongest reason to reach for them on commercial lines. Their underwriting relationship is accessible and flexible — if a risk is close but not perfect, Dane's experience shows they'll work with us to find a solution.
No carrier is perfect. Here are the honest gaps to know about before placing with Acuity.
Acuity's personal lines underwriting is selective, particularly in the metro area. Older roofs — especially those showing wear or past a certain age — are a real challenge under their standards. This is the most consistent limitation we encounter when placing personal lines with Acuity. Clients with roofs approaching 15–20 years, or homes with deferred maintenance, may not qualify or may face significant pricing pressure. We identify this upfront during the quoting process and pivot to other carriers when needed.
Acuity has taken significant rate increases in 2024 and 2025 — some customers reporting increases of up to 25%, even on clean records. This reflects broader market conditions (weather claims, inflation, reinsurance costs), but it's worth flagging honestly. Acuity's rates had been competitive for years; the recent trajectory has made them less so in some segments. We monitor renewal pricing carefully and will move business if another carrier offers materially better value.
Acuity's personal lines value proposition is built around bundling. Clients who only need homeowners insurance — without auto — typically won't find Acuity competitive. Their guaranteed replacement cost and other personal lines features are most accessible and most compellingly priced when home and auto are placed together. Monoline or specialty-only situations are better served by other carriers in our portfolio.
Acuity operates in about 30 states. They are available in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which covers our core market. For clients with properties or operations in states outside their footprint, we need a different carrier for those locations. In practice, this rarely affects our southwest metro clients — but it's worth knowing for households or businesses with a multi-state presence.
Since 2024, here's an honest picture of who belongs with Acuity — and who we'd steer elsewhere.
"We place clients with Acuity when coverage and claims service matter. Great relationship with underwriting and flexibility to help my clients meet their needs. On the commercial side, contractors and trucking operators get a carrier that genuinely understands their business. On the personal side, guaranteed replacement cost gives clients real peace of mind. After two years of placement, Acuity has earned its place as a first-look carrier for the commercial classes that define our market."
— Dane Roti, Commercial Lines Agent, Options Insurance
Already an Acuity client through Options Insurance? Here are the resources you need.
One number for everything — claims, payments, and customer service, available 24/7. Acuity intentionally uses a single number to make it easy to get help without navigating a complex phone tree. You can also file claims online at acuity.com.
Manage your policy, make payments, view ID cards, file and track claims, and access policy documents. Acuity's online portal is well-designed and easy to navigate for both personal and commercial policyholders.
Download on the App Store (4.7 stars) or Google Play (4.6 stars). Policy management, payments, digital ID cards, and claims filing. One of the better-rated carrier apps in our portfolio — consistently praised for ease of use.
For commercial accounts — contractors, trucking, and other business lines — your Options Insurance agent handles direct communication with Acuity underwriting. Dane's established underwriting relationship means faster responses and more flexibility on complex risks than a direct submission would typically get.
Dane is Options Insurance's lead commercial lines agent and the primary placement agent for Acuity. He specializes in contractor and trucking commercial accounts — two of the most complex and important classes in the southwest metro market. "Great relationship with underwriting and flexibility to help my clients meet their needs."
Tell us a little about what you need. One of our agents will follow up — usually same business day.
No obligation. We'll compare Acuity against our other top carriers and give you an honest recommendation.
We'll compare Acuity against our other top carriers — and for contractor and trucking accounts, Acuity is almost always our first call.
Start Your Free Quote →The opinions expressed on this page reflect the experience of Options Insurance agents based on policies placed and client feedback received over 15 years. Individual results may vary. Options Insurance has a commercial relationship with Acuity as an appointed independent agent. This review is not sponsored, approved, or endorsed by Acuity Insurance. AM Best, J.D. Power, and NAIC data are sourced from publicly available reports and are cited for informational purposes. Ratings are subject to change. Acuity is available in approximately 30 states. Availability in specific states and the specific coverage features described may vary. Rate information reflects published market data and may not reflect current pricing for your specific situation. Comparison data is based on publicly available third-party research. Coverage availability and terms vary by state, risk profile, and underwriting criteria. This page does not constitute a coverage guarantee or binding commitment.