Shopping for business coverage and keep seeing one name pop up? Great American Insurance appears on a lot of commercial policies, and there is history behind it. The company has been writing coverage since 1872, and today it focuses almost entirely on specialty and commercial insurance for businesses rather than everyday car or home policies.
This review covers who Great American Insurance is, what it protects, how strong it is financially, how to reach a real person, and the honest trade-offs. By the end you should know whether it fits your business or whether you want to compare a few other specialty carriers like Chubb Insurance or Markel Insurance first.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1872 (flagship Great American Insurance Company) |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Parent company | American Financial Group (AFG) |
| Main focus | Specialty and commercial property and casualty |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior), affirmed December 2025 |
| Customer service | 1-800-545-4269, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Mon to Fri |
| Claims line | 844-424-4669 (844-GAIG NOW) |
Who is Great American Insurance?
Great American Insurance Group traces its roots to 1872, which makes it one of the oldest property and casualty insurers still active in the United States. It is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and operates as part of American Financial Group, a publicly traded company.
The group is not a single company. It runs more than 35 specialty businesses, each built around a specific industry or risk. That structure lets underwriters specialize instead of trying to cover everything. As of July 2026, the company continues to concentrate on commercial customers rather than personal auto or homeowners policies.
What Great American Insurance covers
Great American writes specialty commercial coverage across many industries. Common lines include:
- Commercial property and general liability
- Commercial and trucking auto
- Workers' compensation
- Environmental and pollution liability
- Ocean and inland marine
- Fidelity and crime
- Agricultural and equine coverage
- Surety and executive liability
Because the group is organized into niche divisions, a nonprofit, a trucking fleet, and a farm would each work with a different unit. That focus is a strength if your business fits a niche, since you get people who understand your risks. It can feel narrow if you want one simple policy for a small shop.
How financially strong is Great American?
Financial strength matters because it signals whether an insurer can pay large claims. Great American Insurance Company holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, affirmed in December 2025. The company has earned an A (Excellent) or higher rating for more than a century, which is a long track record by any measure.
A high rating is a good sign, but it does not guarantee your specific claim experience. Service can vary by division and by the agent who handles your account. Rates and terms vary too, so always read your policy.
If you also carry personal auto or home coverage, it pays to see how your rate stacks up. Insurify compares quotes from 120-plus providers in one place and helps drivers save up to 50%, so you can benchmark your price in minutes.
Insurify
Insurify
Finding the best insurance shouldn't feel overwhelming. Insurify compares personalized quotes from 120+ top-rated providers in minutes — so you can save up to 50% on auto, home, renters, and pet insurance without the hassle.
Standout feature
Compare 120+ insurance carriers instantly. Save up to 50% on premiums.
Fees
Free
Pros
Compares 120+ carriers in real-time. Save up to 50% on premiums. BBB A+ rated.
Cons
Some users report unwanted communications from third-party providers.
How to contact Great American Insurance
Keep these numbers handy so you can reach the right team quickly.
- General customer service: 1-800-545-4269, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
- Report or check a claim: 844-424-4669 (844-GAIG NOW), option 1 for new claims and option 2 for existing ones
- After-hours claims: 866-354-0148, answered by Crawford & Company overnight and on weekends
- Cyber or identity theft claims: 877-209-2009, available 24/7
Have your policy number, the date of the incident, and a short description ready before you call. That helps the representative pull up your account and move faster. You can also start many claims and service requests through the company website.
Want something simpler and fully digital? Lemonade is an AI-powered insurer that handles renters, home, pet, and car coverage through an app, which is a nice alternative if a traditional agent-first process feels slow.
Lemonade
Lemonade
Insurance that's fast, affordable, and actually feels good. Lemonade uses AI to process claims in seconds and donates leftover premiums to causes you care about. Get renters, home, pet, life, or car insurance — all from one app.
Standout feature
AI claims in seconds. Giveback program donates unused premiums. 2.9M+ customers.
Fees
Varies by policy (renters insurance from ~$5/mo)
Pros
Lightning-fast AI claims processing. Social impact through Giveback program. Beautiful, easy-to-use app (4.9★ App Store).
Cons
Limited home insurance availability (28 states + DC only).
Pros and cons of Great American Insurance
Every insurer has trade-offs. Here is a balanced look.
Pros:
- Long history and an A+ AM Best rating
- Deep specialty knowledge across many industries
- Strong fit for niche commercial risks
Cons:
- Not built for personal auto or home shoppers
- You usually buy through an agent, not online in minutes
- Service hours are business hours, not around the clock for every line
Who Great American Insurance is best for
Great American tends to fit businesses with specialized needs: trucking fleets, nonprofits, farms, environmental contractors, and companies that want an insurer who knows their industry, much like Zurich Insurance and AIG Insurance serve large commercial accounts. If that sounds like you, it is worth a quote.
If you are an individual shopping for car or renters coverage, this group is probably not your match. Comparing personal-lines carriers such as Erie Insurance or Auto-Owners Insurance will likely serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great American Insurance a real, established company?
Yes. Its flagship company dates back to 1872 and it operates from Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of American Financial Group. It holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best as of December 2025.
What kind of insurance does Great American sell?
It focuses on specialty and commercial property and casualty coverage. That includes commercial auto, workers' compensation, environmental, marine, agricultural, surety, and more, spread across 35-plus specialty businesses.
What is the Great American Insurance claims phone number?
You can report a claim at 844-424-4669 (844-GAIG NOW). For after-hours help, call 866-354-0148, and for cyber or identity theft claims, call 877-209-2009, which is available 24/7.
Does Great American offer personal car or home insurance?
Not really. The group concentrates on commercial and specialty coverage for businesses. If you need personal auto or homeowners insurance, you will want to compare carriers that focus on individuals.
