GUELPH, ON, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2012 Canadian Auto Insurance Study, which shows The Co-operators ranks second in the Customer Satisfaction Index ranking out of 20 insurers in the Ontario/Atlantic region, and fifth out of 13 companies in the Western region. In both regions, it had the highest score the Claims category.

The study measures drivers' overall satisfaction with their auto insurance providers by examining five critical factors that constitute the relationship between clients and their insurance company: Interaction, Policy Offerings, Billing and Payment, Price, and Claims. The rankings, based on responses from 11,620 insurance customers across Canada, are divided into the following regions: Ontario/Atlantic, Quebec and Western. The Co-operators scored in the High Satisfaction tier on all five factors in the Ontario/Atlantic region, and four out of five in the Western region. The company was not included in the Quebec region survey this year.

"The survey results are very encouraging, as our staff members and Financial Advisors have been working hard to improve the client experience," said Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "The true value of your insurance is realized when it comes time to make a claim. So it's particularly satisfying that we scored highly in the Claims category in both the Ontario/Atlantic and Western regions."

Since the inaugural study in 2008, detailed results of the J.D. Power and Associates surveys are used to identify strengths and areas in need of improvement. Results from previous years have helped The Co-operators focus in on specific areas to improve its client service. These efforts are producing positive results; The Co-operators overall Customer Satisfaction Index rating improved 20 index points compared to the results from the 2011 study.

For more information on the study, please visit www.jdpower.com.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $36 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada and Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. As a proud member and supporter of the co-operative sector, The Co-operators is pleased to celebrate 2012: The International Year of Co-operatives. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE: The Co-operators