Auto-Owners Insurance: California Coverage And What You Need To Know

Auto-Owners Insurance is a regional insurance provider, offering standard car insurance policies and a range of add-ons for drivers. The company is based in Lansing, Michigan, and operates in 26 states. California is not one of these states, so Auto-Owners does not write insurance in California.

Auto-Owners Insurance Group is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, and offers insurance in 26 states

Auto-Owners Insurance Group is represented by 48,000 licensed agents and offers multiple lines of insurance, including life, home, auto, and business. The company is rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best Company, a nationally recognised independent insurance rating authority, and is also a Fortune 500 company. It has received numerous awards for customer service and quality and is certified as a Great Place to Work®.

Auto-Owners Insurance Group consists of several companies, including Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Auto-Owners Life Insurance Company, Owners Insurance Company, Home-Owners Insurance Company, Property-Owners Insurance Company, and Southern-Owners Insurance Company. In 2019, the group expanded further by acquiring Capital Insurance Group, which writes property and casualty insurance in California, among other states.

Auto-Owners Insurance offers a range of car insurance options, including liability, comprehensive, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and personal injury protection. The company also provides optional coverages, such as road trouble service, additional expense coverage, at-fault accident forgiveness, and diminished value coverage.

In addition to car insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance Group also offers homeowners insurance, life insurance, and other insurance products to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

California law requires drivers to carry auto insurance

The minimum amounts of liability coverage required under California law are:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person (another driver, passenger, pedestrian, etc.) in an accident the driver causes
• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person in an accident the driver causes
• $5,000 for damage to property in an accident the driver causes

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and show it when asked. Driving without insurance in California can result in fines, suspension of the vehicle's registration or license, and even impoundment of the vehicle. California's "no pay, no play" law also bars uninsured drivers injured in accidents from recovering non-economic damages, such as physical and mental pain and suffering, from the at-fault driver.

While most drivers in California choose to purchase liability insurance, the state offers a few other ways to comply with its "financial responsibility" laws. Instead of insurance, vehicle owners can make a $35,000 cash deposit with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), obtain a self-insurance certificate from the DMV, or get a $35,000 surety bond from a licensed issuer.

Auto-Owners Insurance Group is one of the nation's largest insurers, providing insurance to nearly 3 million policyholders. The company offers multiple lines of insurance, including auto insurance, in 26 states. However, it is unclear if California is one of those states.

Non-owner auto insurance is a type of insurance coverage that protects you from liability for injury and property damage if you cause an accident while driving another person's vehicle

Non-owner auto insurance typically includes liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, as well as some optional add-ons, such as personal injury protection, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and rental car liability coverage. It is important to note that non-owner insurance does not cover damage to the insured vehicle or the insured's injuries in the event of an accident.

The cost of non-owner auto insurance varies depending on factors such as age, location, driving history, and coverage limits. In California, the average cost of non-owner car insurance is $41 per month, slightly lower than the national average of $43. The cheapest non-owner car insurance in California is offered by Progressive, with average annual rates of $444. However, it's important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rate.

Non-owner auto insurance is a useful option for individuals who need to reinstate their driver's license after a suspension due to major infractions, such as DUI or multiple traffic violations. It allows them to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements and maintain continuous coverage, which can lead to lower insurance rates in the future.

Auto-Owners Insurance earns an 8.9/10 rating for its low-rate options, coverage, cost, availability, reputation and customer experience

Auto-Owners Insurance has been in the insurance business for over 100 years. It is rated 8.9/10 for its low-rate options, coverage, cost, availability, reputation, and customer experience. The company is represented by 48,000 licensed agents in 26 states and offers multiple lines of insurance, including life, home, auto, and business.

Auto-Owners Insurance costs an average of $1,619 per year for a full-coverage policy, while minimum coverage averages around $358 per year. The company's rates are generally below the industry average, and it offers a range of discounts, including multi-policy, good student, and paid-in-full discounts.

Auto-Owners Insurance has an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating that it has exceptional financial strength and stability. It is also a Fortune 500 company and has received numerous awards for customer service and quality.

The company's mobile app, which allows policyholders to pay bills, submit roadside assistance requests, and view their insurance ID cards, receives decent reviews, with a 3.0-star rating on the App Store and 3.3 stars on Google Play.

Overall, Auto-Owners Insurance is a strong option for those looking for low rates, robust coverage options, and personalized customer service through its network of local agents. However, it has limited availability, only operating in 26 states, and some customers have reported issues with the claims process and limited online presence.

California has a Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program for eligible drivers

California has a Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) for eligible drivers. The program was established in 1999 by the Legislature and exists pursuant to California Insurance Code Section 11629.7. It is designed to provide income-eligible persons with liability insurance protection at affordable rates, helping them meet California's financial responsibility laws.

The CLCA program is administered by the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP). It is not meant for those seeking cheap insurance in California, but for those whose income is below the federal poverty level. The income eligibility requirements vary based on household size. For instance, a one-person household must earn $37,650 or less per year, while a four-person household must earn $78,000 or less per year.

To be eligible for the program, you must meet several criteria. In addition to the income requirements, you must:

• Have a valid California driver's license.
• Own a vehicle worth no more than $25,000.
• Be at least 16 years old (applicants under 18 must be legally emancipated).
• Have a good driving record.

The CLCA defines a "good driver" as someone who has held a license for three consecutive years, has no felonies or misdemeanors on their record, and has earned no more than one point on their driving record in the past three years.

The base CLCA policies provide liability-only coverage with the following policy limits:

• $10,000 of bodily injury or death liability per person.
• $20,000 of bodily injury or death liability per accident.
• $3,000 property damage liability per accident.

CLCA policyholders can add the following coverages to their policies for an additional cost of around $43 to $82 per year:

• $1,000 of medical payments coverage per person.
• $10,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per person.
• $20,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident.

The annual cost of a CLCA policy ranges from $198 to $802, and drivers on the program can choose to pay all at once or put 20% down and pay the remainder in seven installments. However, each installment incurs a $4 transaction fee. The base price varies depending on the driver's age, county, and driving experience.

For more information on the CLCA program, visit www.mylowcostauto.com or call 1-866-602-8861.

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