The SimpleScore is a proprietary scoring metric we use to objectively compare products and services at The Simple Dollar.
For every review, our editorial team:
- Identifies five measurable aspects to compare across each brand
- Determines the rating criteria for each aspect score
- Averages the five aspect scores to produce a single SimpleScore™
Here’s a breakdown of the five aspect scores and their rating criteria for our renters insurance reviews.
Why do some brands have different SimpleScores on different pages?
To ensure the SimpleScore is as helpful and accurate as possible, we developed unique criteria for every category we compare at The Simple Dollar. Since most brands offer a variety of financial solutions, their products and services will score differently depending on what we’re scoring on a given page.
However, it’s also possible for the same product from the same brand to have multiple SimpleScores. For instance, if we compare State Farm’s home insurance according to our criteria for the best home insurance, it scores a 3.8 out of 5. But when we compare State Farm according to the criteria for the best auto insurance, it scores higher, since the features the company offers can vary by the type of insurance.
Discounts
We awarded higher scores to insurance providers with more discounts available on their website.
| Aspect Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discounts | 1 or less | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Coverage Options
We gave providers with more renter insurance coverage options a higher score because they’re more likely to have a policy that best meets your needs.
| Aspect Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Options | Just the basics | Basic + 1 extra | Basic + 2 extras | Basic + 3 extras | Basic + 4 or more extras |
Support
We awarded higher scores to renters insurance providers with the most channels for customer support.
| Aspect Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Office-only support | 1 + phone support | 2 + web-based support | 3 + mobile app support | 4 + tools |
Customer Satisfaction
We leveraged the J.D. Power Home Insurance Satisfaction Study℠ to see how customers rated their experience with each insurance provider. (If a provider wasn’t included in J.D. Power’s study, we skipped this aspect and averaged the four remaining aspect scores.)
| Aspect Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Satisfaction | 1 circle | 2 circles | 3 circles | 4 circles | 5 circles |
Accessibility
We awarded higher scores to insurance providers that have more online and mobile features to easily manage your policy and claims.
| Aspect Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Website with coverage options | 1 + custom quote online | 2 + online claims | 3 + mobile app claims | 4 + more resources |
