Amica Mutual was rated the top auto insurance provider in the United States for the 10th consecutive year, according to a customer satisfaction survey from J.D. Power.

The company scored 851 points out of a possible 1,000, and was followed closely by State Farm (831), Shelter (828), Auto-Owners (825), and Erie Insurance (823).

Notables like the Automobile Club of Southern California (813) and Geico (806) scored above the industry average of 801, but other big names like Farmers (797), Progressive (796), and Allstate (794) did not.

AIG was the worst auto insurance company in terms of customer satisfaction, scoring just 719, with its closet competitor being GMAC (751).

Overall, auto insurance customer satisfaction reached a five-year high in 2009, largely because auto insurance premiums have decreased.

In 2009, 42 percent of customers said their auto insurance premiums decreased without the need to switch to another insurer, nearly twice the rate seen in 2008.

Direct insurers are also winning out over traditionally more favorable independent agents, as better technology and greater hours of operation (interactive websites) have given them the edge.

One key behavior that tends to lower dissatisfaction is engaging customers when speaking about rate increases and discussing ways to mitigate any price changes (how to lower your auto insurance rate).

All that said, take a look at the “top auto insurance companies in the United States,” and also the worst…and remember to do your own research and rate comparison to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

So you were caught speeding, and subsequently issued a ticket.  Bummer.  I know, the car next to you was going faster, why didn’t they get pulled over?

Now you’re stuck paying a fine and you may need to go to traffic school to ensure the ticket doesn’t stay on your record.

But what if you’ve already taken traffic school or you fail to take advantage of such an offer?

Well, I can tell you that the speeding ticket will have a lasting impression…on your wallet.

Aside from the fine associated with the ticket itself, you’ll be paying a higher auto insurance premium for years to come.

While the cost may vary based on your driving history and the company you’re insured with, the cost won’t be insignificant.

I got a speeding ticket a few years back, and because I wasn’t eligible for traffic school, the ticket wound up on my record.

As a result, my insurance company charged me an extra $100 every six months, for three years (until it fell off my record).

So not only did I have to pay the speeding ticket, which was around $200; I also paid $600 over the course of three years for the infraction.

That’s about $800 lost thanks to a lousy speeding ticket.  So next time you think about speeding, think twice; it may not be worth it.

Keep in mind “preferred carriers” typically look back 5 years for tickets and accidents, whereas “non-standard” insurance companies only go back three years.

Tip: There’s some leeway when it comes to how long a ticket will bump up your rate, especially if you’re shopping for a new insurance provider.  Ask your current provider to drop the demerit a little earlier than normal to keep you on board (even if you’re not shopping around!).

When it comes to getting good customer service in the insurance industry, the old expression, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” comes to mind.

Sure your car accident may have been life-threatening or extremely severe, but to insurance companies, it’s just another day in the office.

You have to understand that claim adjusters are dealing with much more work than they can truly handle, so if you sit back and don’t make any fuss, they’ll likely drop your case to the bottom of the proverbial pile.

Sure you might have concerns, but if you aren’t vocal about it, the adjuster may just assume you’re low priority and work solely with those “rude” customers who tend to scream.

Now you don’t necessarily need to be rude or raise your voice, but you do need to make it clear to your insurance company that you mean business and demand quality customer service.

To give you an example, after getting into a car accident myself, I worked patiently with my auto insurance company in an attempt to make the process as painless as possible.

But my laid back approach actually came back to bite me, as it was month after month of the same “we’ll let you know” song and dance.

I finally decided to change my approach and demand satisfaction, whereby the adjuster sent me a check for some of my outstanding bills immediately.

My case was also subsequently “escalated,” so now I’m hoping to have the whole issue resolved in a matter of weeks.

Looking back, had I continued to take the complacent approach, I’d have less money in my pocket and a whole lot of frustration.

So speak up!