Dairyland Auto Insurance: Our Take (2020)

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Dairyland Review

In Our Opinion:

Dairyland is worth looking into if you are seeking nonstandard or SR-22 insurance. It has a variety of discounts and is currently offering policies in 37 states.

Industry Standing:

75

Availability:

90

Coverage:

80

Affordability:

80

Customer Service:

90

Online Experience:

85

Pros:

Variety of discounts

Pay-as-you-go plans

Available in 37 states

Offers nonstandard policies for high-risk drivers

Cons:

Lacks online claims filing

Mixed customer service reviews

83

For over 60 years, Dairyland has been providing auto insurance and motorcycle insurance to drivers who can’t get standard coverage. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Dairyland auto insurance reviews, coverage options, discounts, and more to give you a full picture of the provider. 

Our team has researched the best auto insurance providers in the nation, rating them on factors such as coverage, discounts, and customer reviews. We recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so that you can choose the best deal. Get started by entering your zip code into the free quote tool below. 

Dairyland Auto Insurance Overview

Dairyland Insurance Company was formed in Wisconsin in 1953 and was later acquired by Sentry Insurance. Under its new parent company, Dairyland still sells insurance to drivers and motorcyclists who have poor driving records and thus have trouble getting coverage from the biggest car insurance companies.

Dairyland offers insurance in 37 states. The states that Dairyland does not offer coverage in are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Coverage

There are several types of Dairyland auto insurance to choose from. Most states require you to purchase at least liability insurance, but it’s a good idea to have a full coverage policy to make sure you’re protected after an accident.

Dairyland auto insurance options include: 

• Bodily injury liability: Pays medical expenses for other parties in an accident you cause
• Property damage liability: Covers property damage for other parties in an accident you cause
• Comprehensive: Covers your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged in an incident that’s not a collision
• Collision: Pays for your car to be repaired or replaced after an accident, regardless of who is at fault
• Medical payments (MedPay): Covers medical bills and funeral expenses for yourself and passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers certain medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses after an accident, regardless of who is at fault
• Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist: Helps cover medical and property damage expenses if you’re involved in an accident and the at-fault driver can’t be identified or does not have proper insurance coverage

You can add a number of extra benefits to your Dairyland auto insurance policy, including rental reimbursement while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident, towing and labor reimbursement, lienholder coverage if you’re financing your vehicle, and special equipment coverage for vehicle modifications.

Dairyland also offers the following nonstandard coverages:

• DUI insurance
• SR-22 insurance
• Non-owner insurance
• Teen driver insurance

Dairyland Auto Insurance Discounts

The cost of car insurance is different for everyone and is influenced by factors such as age, gender, vehicle, and location. If you’re looking to save on Dairyland car insurance, you may be able to do so by taking advantage of the following discounts:

Dairyland Auto Insurance Discount	Details
Multi-car discount	You can get a discount for having more than one car on your policy.
Advance quote discount	You can save by getting a quote at least a week before the date you start your Dairyland auto insurance policy.
Transfer discount	If you have been with a different provider for at least six months, you can get a discount for switching to Dairyland auto insurance.
Payment frequency discount	You can get a discount for making your payments quarterly, every six months, or annually instead of paying each month.
Homeowners discount	If you own a home that’s insured, you can get a discount on Dairyland auto insurance. Renters insurance discounts are also available in some states.
Defensive driving discount	If you take a defensive driving course, give proof of completion to Dairyland to get a discount on your auto policy.
Anti-theft discount	You can save money by having an anti-theft device installed in your vehicle.

Dairyland’s auto insurance discounts are fairly standard compared to those of other insurers. However, there are a few common discounts that the provider does not offer, including a good student discount and a safe driver discount.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Ratings & Reviews

Dairyland does not have a profile on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but taking a look at its parent company’s ratings may give an indication of what to expect with Dairyland auto insurance.

Sentry has an A+ rating from the BBB but only a 1.0 out of 5.0-star customer score, with most complaints mentioning poor customer service. A low customer rating is not uncommon for larger insurance providers, as customers are typically more likely to post a review after having a negative experience. Sentry also earned an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best, which means it has a superior ability to pay out customer claims.

Dairyland has its own Trustpilot reviews page, and it currently has a 4.4 out of 5.0-star customer rating with over 4,500 reviews. On Trustpilot, Dairyland auto insurance holders highlight positive customer service experiences and the insurer’s flexible payment plans. Here are some examples of reviews from customers:

“[Dairyland’s] process was easy and straightforward from start to finish, and [its] rates were better than several other website-based insurance companies. I would definitely recommend [it] to family and friends.” – Lemuel L. via Trustpilot

“This company is horrible. Their claim adjusters/agents do not do their job well and lack communication skills. Nothing but bad experiences with this company.” – Edwin E. via Trustpilot

Dairyland Mobile App

Dairyland has a mobile app available on Android and iOS devices that is designed to make managing policies easier. It allows customers to make payments, view ID cards and documents, get bill alerts, and review coverage. 

On Google Play, the app has a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars and over 600 customer reviews. A few negative reviews mention poor customer service experiences and the app being glitchy. On the App Store, it has 3.2 out of 5.0 stars based on about 70 customer reviews, with similar feedback about the app not working correctly. 

Our Verdict On Dairyland Auto Insurance: 83%

Our team rates Dairyland auto insurance 83 percent. It provides great options for nonstandard coverage and SR-22 certification, but it lacks an online claims process and has mixed customer ratings. If you are in need of nonstandard insurance, Dairyland could still be right for you. 

We recommend getting a quote for Dairyland auto insurance and comparing it to prices from other top providers so that you can get the best coverage at the best price. Fill out our simple, free form below to get started.

Our Recommendations for Car Insurance

Our review team has done extensive research on other top insurance providers to narrow down the best companies in the industry. We recommend taking a look at GEICO and Progressive.

GEICO: Best Overall

Our research team gives GEICO a 96-percent rating. The insurer has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ and a BBB rating of A+. GEICO has a variety of discounts available, such as for military members and students, and offers savings for bundling. It also has highly rated and convenient mobile applications. GEICO’s usage-based program, DriveEasy, rewards safe, distraction-free driving to help you save on car insurance.

For a closer look at the provider, read our full GEICO auto insurance review.

Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers

We give Progressive a rating of 95 percent. Progressive holds an A+ rating from both AM Best and the BBB. Its mobile app, Snapshot^®, offers customers usage-based insurance options by tracking driving habits and rewarding good behavior on the road. Progressive’s Name Your Price^®  tool allows customers to set a rate and see policies within their budget.
For more information about coverage, discounts, and customer reviews, read our full Progressive car insurance review.  To compare coverage from these two insurance providers, read our GEICO vs. Progressive review.

Original article: Dairyland Auto Insurance: Our Take (2020)

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2021 Ram HD Now Boasts Over 1,000 lb-ft. of Torque. But There’s Fine Print to Consider.

The truck wars continue here in the Motor City as new performance specs were recently announced for the 2021 Ram HD. As of this writing, the Ram 3500 with a Cummins 6.7-liter High Output Turbo Diesel has the most torque of any HD truck on the market at 1,075 lb-ft. Ram’s new torque number sneaks past Ford’s PowerStroke (1,050 lb-ft. of torque) and handily surpasses the current Duramax (910 lb-ft. of torque).  

Of course, torque numbers only tell part of the story. There is a lot more that determines how well a truck will handle heavy payloads and trailers. High torque numbers make headlines (hence this article) but remember to consider your truck as a whole rig and not rely on just one set of numbers. Aside from that, we still have to hand it to Ram. 

“Ram regains capability leadership by delivering the highest ever torque rating for a diesel pickup truck and heaviest gooseneck towing capacity,” said Mike Koval Jr., Head of Ram Brand. “We understand the attributes that are most important to our customers within the heavy-duty segment; they demand hardworking, long-lasting capability.” 

Difference Between High Output & Standard Output Cummins Engines

Ram and Cummins increased boost from the variable geometry turbocharger and upped the fuel delivery system’s flow rate. The changes for 2021 account for an additional 75 lb-ft. of torque versus a 2020 model. It’s worth noting the torque figure of 1,075 lb-ft. applies to the High Output version of the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, which is only available for the Ram 3500 HD. If you opt for a Ram 2500, the truck will come with the standard output Cummins engine with 850 lb-ft. of torque.

Another key difference is where the peak torque hits in the rpm band. The standard output Cummins provides peak torque at 1,700 rpm, while the High Output version will do so at 1,356 rpm. High Output engines benefit from a heavy-duty Aisin six-speed automatic with a 3.75 first gear, whereas the standard Cummins uses an FCA-built six-speed auto box (68RFE) with a 3.23 first gear.     

Horsepower will differ as well, although only slightly. The standard Cummins delivers 370 ponies while the High Output version pushes out 400 horsepower.  

Both engines feature a compacted graphite iron block, pushrod-operated overhead valves, and a high-pressure common rail fuel injection system in terms of internal, mechanical construction. Oil capacity (12 quarts) and coolant capacity (23.8 quarts) is unchanged between the two engines. 

Cummins 6.7-liter I-6 Turbo Diesel. Photo: FCA US LLC.

2021 Ram HD: Essential Foundations

Equally necessary is the foundation of the 2021 Ram HD. That High Output Cummins, though impressive, needs a solid backbone on which to reside. The 2021 Ram HD relies on a ladder-style frame with fully boxed rails and a unique structural crossmember specifically for fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing.

Ram can do the necessary fifth-wheel and gooseneck hardware installments at the factory. This includes the fifth-wheel pucks, gooseneck bolt plates, gooseneck center castings, 4/7-pin connector (bumper), and another seven-pin connector in the bed.

Upgrades across the chassis, along with the increased torque output, allow the 2021 Ram 3500 with the High Output Cummins to have a max fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity of 37,100 lbs. Conventional towing increases to 23,000 lbs.

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One Final Point of Clarification

Like the torque figure, these high towing numbers are only part of the story for the 2021 Ram HD. We definitely want to give Ram proper credit, but keep in mind these high towing figures are an exercise in marketing. When you see a high towing number like this, it’s reserved only for select models (usually regular cabs in a 4×2 configuration). Generally speaking, the more you add to the truck (like going up to a crew cab or having a 4×4), the more your towing capacity will decrease.

Trucks that look like the ones in the gallery below are the ones that are capable of hitting the “headline” towing numbers. Whenever you see high towing numbers, like the ones in this article, regardless of the automaker, remember the phrase “when properly equipped” will always apply.

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Ram isn’t the only one that does this. GM and Ford do it too. Just do your research before you buy and have a good idea of what your trailer will weigh when full. And no matter what these automakers say, never push your truck to those limits. Towing in a straight line is one thing, but braking and steering, especially in the mountains, are another.   

That digression aside, a digital rearview mirror will help when maneuvering the 2021 Ram HD. The digital rearview mirror displays video in real-time from a rear-facing camera (it can revert to a traditional mirror if a driver wants). The digital rearview mirror is available on all 2021 Ram HD trucks and provides an expanded view around the back end.   

Expect the 2021 Ram HD at dealerships later in December. 

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

Photos: FCA US LLC.

Original article: 2021 Ram HD Now Boasts Over 1,000 lb-ft. of Torque. But There’s Fine Print to Consider.

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The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Soon To Hit Dealerships

The Tiguan SUV is one of Volkswagen’s most successful vehicles in the market with over 6 million units sold since it came out in 2019. The historical triumphs of the Tiguan have led the German auto giant to release the 2021 model.

Exterior

The 2021 Tiguan gets a fresh redesign with a new front fascia. The front grille is wider and blends seamlessly into the attractive LED headlights.

The SUV looks more like its cousins the Touareg and the Atlas Cross Sport, now that it has a beautiful front end. The front bumpers have also been augmented to exude a dominant look, making the Tiguan look sporty as well as bulky. Last on the list of exterior upgrades is a fresh new design for the rims.

Interior

Inside the cabin, VW has introduced touch sliders and islands that allow you to navigate through the car’s controls by softly touching the buttons. These new buttons can be used to toggle the standard heated seats, the Climatronic automatic climate control, and rear window defrost.  The 2021 Tiguan also gets the MIB3 infotainment system that has an 8-inch screen as standard, but that gets bigger as you move up to the more executive trims. 

Performance Dynamics

The 2021 Tiguan SUV gets a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under its hood. The TSI engine packs a punch with its 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The SUV gets several driver-assist features as well to help drivers make the most out of any situation. 

Closing Thoughts

The 2021 VW Tiguan is an excellent offering for car enthusiasts. It checks all the right boxes when it comes to modern technology, driver-assist features, safety features, and relentless performance. There is a reason the Tiguan sold millions of units in just two years of being in production. If you are interested in buying one, see Orangewheels Leasing’s latest deals on a new Tiguan here.

The post The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Soon To Hit Dealerships first appeared on Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles.

The post The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Soon To Hit Dealerships appeared first on Automotorblog: Daily news on cars and motorcycles.

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Maserati Quattroporte: Full History, Generations & Timeline

The original Maserati Quattroporte first debuted at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. It instantly became a status symbol of wealth and prominence with its magnificent V8 engine and luxurious interior. Back then, the Tipo 107 Quattroporte was among an elite group of posh sedans that could travel at speeds up to 143 mph, equaled only by the Lagonda Rapide and the magnificent Facel Vega.

However, the Quattroporte was the first from an established exotic car manufacturer. And with that, the Quattroporte remains to be the original Italian exotic sedan.

Maserati Quattroporte (Tipo AM 107)

Quattroporte I (1963)

The first-gen Maserati Quattroporte was produced between 1963 and 1966. Unlike other vehicles at that time, the Quattroporte was built on top of a unibody steel platform. This made it lighter than the competition despite measuring over five meters (196.9 inches) long. It came with an independent front suspension and a De Dion tube rear suspension with a leaf-sprung rear axle.

Pietro Frua originally designed the Quattroporte for Prince Karim Aga Khan in 1962, drawing inspiration from the magnificent Maserati 5000 GT. But instead of having two fewer doors, the Quattroporte has four doors (Quattroporte means ‘four doors’ in Italian). And unlike the 5000 GT, the European model Quattroporte came with single rectangular headlights, but U.S. models came with twin round headlamps.

It also came with a fantastic 4.1-liter V8 engine capable of pumping out 260 horsepower to the rear wheels via a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic or five-speed ZF manual gearbox. All told, the Quattroporte could achieve a top speed of 143 mph. Maserati only made 230 units of the first-gen Quattroporte.

Series II Quattroporte (Tipo AM107/4700)

Maserati retained the U.S. model’s twin headlight design in the Series II Quattroporte. The new version also came with a leaf-sprung solid rear axle to replace the De Dion tube of the Tipo 107. This new model arrived in 1966, but the 1968 model came with a larger and more powerful 4.7-liter V8 producing 286 horsepower. This gave it enough muscle to achieve a top speed of 158 mph, effectively making it the fastest four-door sedan in the world back then.

Maserati made around 500 examples of Quattroporte Series II before ending production in 1969.

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Second Generation Maserati Quattroporte (AM123)

Perhaps the least popular Quattroporte among enthusiasts is the second-gen model. It debuted at the 1974 Paris Motor Show and the Turin Motor Show, but it didn’t come with a glorious V8 motor. French carmaker Citroën bought Maserati in 1968, but the second-gen Quattroporte came during a difficult time in the auto industry. And as such, Citroën downgraded everything good about the original first-gen Quattroporte in the name of cost-cutting.

It began with the chassis. The second-gen Quattroporte is built on an extended front-wheel-drive platform from the Citroën SM coupe. Marcello Gandini of Bertone designed the body, so it still came with some Italian flair. But instead of having a V8 engine, it came with a 3.0-liter V6 pumping out 207 horsepower. As expected, this didn’t resonate well with potential buyers as the smaller motor was barely enough for a top speed of 124 mph. Maserati built around 13 examples of the second-gen Quattroporte as production ended in 1978, and the development of a V8 engine was halted as both Citroën and Maserati declared bankruptcy in 1975.

Third Generation Maserati Quattroporte (AM330)

Alejandro de Tomaso was responsible for saving Maserati from bankruptcy, and the first order of the day was to restore the Quattroporte to its former glory. Produced between 1979 to 1990, the third-gen Quattroporte was also the last breed of exclusive, hand-built Italian automobiles. It came with rear-wheel drive, a V8 engine, and a wedge-shaped body designed by no less than Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign.

The third-gen Quattroporte was initially sold with two engine choices. Buyers could have either a standard 4.9-liter V8 with 276 horsepower or order a smaller 4.1-liter V8 motor with 252 horsepower. However, the smaller mill was discontinued in 1981.

de Tomaso commissioned a unique Quattroporte called the Royale in 1986 to celebrate Maserati 60th anniversary. It came with a higher compression 4.9-liter V8 and a revised fuel system, all of which were good enough for a higher 300 horsepower output. The Royale was befitting of the name with premium leather upholstery, a new dashboard with an analog clock, a custom mini bar, and four electrically-adjustable seats.

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Fourth Generation Maserati Quattroporte (AM337)

de Tomaso sold his stake in Maserati to Fiat in 1993, and the first car to be released under Maserati’s new owner was the fourth-generation Quattroporte. It debuted at the 1994 Turin Motor Show and was produced until 2001. From the onset, this Quattroporte is smaller than its predecessors being it was based on the compact-sized Maserati Biturbo. The wedge-shaped body style was penned by Gandini again and was considered one of the most aerodynamic cars in its era.

Initially available with a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter V6 from the Maserati Ghibli, export models got a larger 2.8-liter turbo V6 generating 280 horsepower, enough for a top speed of 158 mph. The fourth-gen Quattroporte received a 3.2-liter AM578 twin-turbo V8 in 1995 that produced 330 horsepower and a top speed of 168. All engines were connected to a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox, while a four-speed automatic was available upon request.

Ferrari acquired a 50 percent controlling stake of Maserati in 1997 and debuted the Quattroporte Evoluzione at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show.

Fifth Generation Maserati Quattroporte (Tipo M139)

The fifth-gen Maserati Quattroporte made its debut at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by its U.S. debut at the 2003 Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. Sitting on top of a new M139 platform, this Quattroporte was around 20 inches longer and had a 15.7-inch longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Maserati used the same platform for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio.

It initially came with a naturally aspirated, dry-sump 4.2-liter Ferrari V8 engine rated at 395 horsepower. The official numbers are mightily impressive as Maserati claimed a top speed of 171 mph and a zero to 60 mph time of 5.2 seconds. However, the Quattroporte S arrived in 2008 brandishing a larger, wet-sump 4.7-liter Ferrari V8 with 424 horsepower and 361 lb-ft. of torque. The Quattroporte Sport GT S debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show sporting a 4.7-liter V8 engine with 434 horsepower.

Maserati built over 5,000 units of the fifth-gen Quattroporte in 2006 before production ended in 2012.

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Sixth Generation Maserati Quattroporte (M156)

2021 Maserati Quattroporte SQ4 GranLusso

The current sixth-generation Maserati Quattroporte made its debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The Quattroporte GTS, in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, initially came with a twin-turbo V6 engine or a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 (both sourced from Ferrari). The sixth-gen model has a steel and aluminum unibody chassis with a 124.8-inch wheelbase, making it the largest Quattroporte among its predecessors.

New for 2021 is the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo. It comes with a re-tuned 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 580 horsepower and 538 lb-ft. of torque. Maserati claims the Quattroporte Trofeo is the fastest ever, with a zero to 60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.

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Original article: Maserati Quattroporte: Full History, Generations & Timeline

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