With so many insurers vying for new customers in the online marketplace, it's sometimes hard to determine the best car insurance company of the lot. Read on for the telltale signs of the best auto insurance companies.

• National presence. The best car insurance policy and lowest premiums will usually come from a carrier that has a strong presence throughout the United States. That is not to say that small, local auto insurers cannot meet your needs. In most cases, though, larger carriers have better networks of agents, offices, and repair shops to better serve policyholders. Just remember to verify that the insurer you select is licensed to issue auto insurance policies in your state.
• Strong customer base. If a carrier truly is the best car insurance company, it stands to reason that it would also have a very large number of policyholders. In other words, the carrier will likely have millions of policyholders across the nation. The carrier doesn't necessarily have to have the most customers, but a strong customer base is still important.
• Clean complaint record. The best car insurance providers should have very few complaints lodged against them through your state's insurance department. The department of insurance Website for your state should indicate how many complaints a carrier received for every 10,000 claims filed. The carrier with the lowest percentage of complaints is very likely to be the best car insurance company for you.
• Customer service awards. Every year, J.D. Power and Associates surveys American policyholders to assess their satisfaction with their current auto insurance provider. Insurers are ranked on several factors, including availability, affordability, and so on. J.D. Power gives the best auto insurance companies for customer satisfaction an award every year based on the survey's results. Check out our resource section to find information on different car insurance companies.
• Financial stability. The best car insurance company is one that has healthy and stable financials. Any financial instability with an auto insurer is disconcerting because it might mean that the company will no longer have enough cash to pay out claims. The best car insurers will have strong ratings from organizations like Moody's and A.M. Best.
• Friendly personnel. Before you become a policyholder, call an agent or representative of every car insurer you're considering. Ask questions and note how you're treated. The representatives of the best car insurance carriers will be attentive to your needs and treat you considerately, whether you're a potential customer or a policyholder filing a claim.