Wawanesa Auto Insurance And Your Driving History: What You Need To Know

Wawanesa auto insurance offers a range of coverage options, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. An at-fault accident and/or traffic conviction surcharge will remain on a Wawanesa auto insurance policy for 3 years from the date of renewal after the incident. This means that if a customer has an at-fault accident or is convicted of a traffic violation, their Wawanesa auto insurance rates may be affected for the next three years.

Wawanesa auto insurance discounts

Wawanesa auto insurance offers a range of discounts to its customers. The availability of these discounts varies by state, and they include:

Good Driver Discount

If you have a clean driving record, you may be eligible for a good driver discount. To qualify, you must have been a licensed driver for at least three years, with no more than one violation point or at-fault accident (with only property damage) within the last three years, and no DUIs within the last 10 years.

Mature Driver Improvement Course Discount

Drivers aged 55 or over who have completed a California DMV-approved defensive driver course within the last three years are eligible for this discount. The course must not have been undertaken as part of a court order.

Multi-Car Discount

If you have multiple cars in your household, you can bundle them under a single Wawanesa policy and receive a discount.

Loyalty Discount

Wawanesa offers loyalty discounts to customers who renew their policies after being continuously insured with the company for a full year. The longer you stay, the higher the discount, with the maximum discount amount reached after 15 years.

Multi-Policy Discount

If you bundle your Wawanesa auto policy with one of their property policies (home or condo), you can receive a discount on your property insurance.

Affinity Discount

Wawanesa also offers discounts to members of Affinity Groups they are partnered with.

Wawanesa auto insurance cost

Wawanesa auto insurance is available in Oregon and California in the US, and various provinces in Canada. The company does not publish its prices online, but a 30-year-old male driver in California with good credit and a clean driving record was offered a rate of $1,872 per year or $156 per month for full-coverage car insurance. The same driver was quoted $600 per year or $50 per month for minimum coverage.

The price of your Wawanesa auto insurance premium is based on the risk the company assigns to your profile. This is influenced by several factors, including age, location, credit score, driving record, and the type of car you drive.

Wawanesa auto insurance is a Canadian insurance firm that only offers policies in the US to states such as California and Oregon. The company only insures drivers with relatively clean records, meaning not everyone will qualify for a quote.

Factors that influence the cost of your Wawanesa auto insurance premium

Age

Drivers between the ages of 30 and 60 tend to get the best rates. Younger drivers pay more because they are more likely to be involved in an accident due to their lack of experience. After age 25, rates go down until you become a senior (age 65) when higher rates come into play again.

Location

If you live in an area with a high population density, you will pay more because there are more accidents in these areas. Where you park your car at night will also influence your rate. Garaging your car can get you a discount, but if you live in an area with high crime rates and/or crowded roads, you will pay more than a driver in a rural area.

Credit score

Having no credit or a very poor credit score can increase your premium in Oregon (but not in California).

Driving record

Wawanesa weeds out bad drivers, but an average driver will still pay more than a driver with a perfect history. If you get into an accident, your insurance rate will increase for the next three policy years. If you have multiple infractions, you will be considered a high-risk customer and will have to pay more for insurance. A clean record can get you safe-driving discounts. Additionally, the number of years you have held a license affects your rate, with new drivers paying more.

The type of car you drive

Certain cars cost more to insure than others. If your car has high safety ratings, you will likely pay less. But if your vehicle model is popular with car thieves, it will cost more to insure. Family-oriented SUVs are among the cheapest to insure.

Ways to keep your Wawanesa auto insurance costs down

Contact your broker if your vehicle usage has changed

If you are driving less, you may be eligible for a reduced premium. If a user of your vehicle has taken training, a discount may apply. If you do not plan on using your vehicle for an extended period, contact your broker as you may be eligible for savings.

Revise your coverage or deductibles

You can increase your deductible to reduce your annual costs, but this is something to consider only if you have a strong driving record and are deemed less likely to experience an at-fault accident. You can also purchase an Accident Waiver to protect against any premium increase related to an at-fault accident. This will increase your costs in the short term but will offer significant savings if you need to file a claim.

Remove coverage you don’t want or need

For example, you can remove glass or hail coverage if you don't think you will need it.

Multi-vehicle discount

If your family has more than one insurance policy with Wawanesa, you may be eligible for a multi-vehicle discount. This can apply to all vehicles in your household, even if they are in different names or through a different broker.

Multi-product discount

Ask your broker if it’s possible to bundle your policies, such as those for your home, condo, or rental.

Recreational vehicle discount

If you’re insuring an All-Terrain Vehicle, Snowmobile, Motorhome, and/or Motorcycle in addition to your car, you may be able to decrease your overall insurance costs.

Safe driving tools

Safe driving tools, like the Wawanesa Drive Change telematics program, can provide objective insights to improve your driving habits and make you eligible for discounts.

Consent to a credit check

In some regions, Wawanesa offers guaranteed auto insurance premium discounts to members who consent to a credit check. Ask your broker for details.

Practice safe driving

Strong advice on many levels; convictions and license suspensions can increase premiums.

Protect your vehicle

Theft or damage can increase your insurance costs. Park in a covered garage if possible, keep doors locked at all times, or install an alarm system if your vehicle does not have an immobilizer.

Choose the right car

The make, model and year of your car influence your insurance costs, as some are safer than others or are stolen more frequently.

Add new drivers to your policy

As soon as a driver becomes licensed, they begin building their driving history, which pays off in the long run. The longer the insurance history – particularly when crash-free – the less the driver will have to pay in the future. While this will cost more in the short term, it will benefit the new driver in the long run. In some regions, young drivers may also qualify for a Drivers Training Credit and/or Away at School Discount.

Report the use of snow tires

In some regions, this may qualify you for a discount.

Advise your broker if you are retired

You may be eligible for a discount.

Wawanesa auto insurance eligibility

Wawanesa auto insurance is only available in two US states: California and Oregon. The company offers standard types of auto insurance as well as some optional coverage items.

Eligibility

Wawanesa auto insurance is not available to everyone. The company insures drivers with relatively clean records, meaning not everyone will qualify for a quote.

You will not qualify for a policy if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You have had your license for under three years.
• You have had an at-fault accident within the past three years.
• You have committed a traffic violation in the past three years if you are under the age of 25.
• Any driver on your insurance policy, besides students away at school, does not live in your home (this disqualifies Californian drivers).
• You have been convicted of an alcohol, drug, or manslaughter offense in the past three years (Oregon) or 10 years (California).

Applying for a Policy

To apply for a policy, you will need to provide personal information, information on other drivers in your household, and your driving history. You can apply for a quote online or over the phone.

Factors Affecting Your Rate

The rate you pay for car insurance depends on several factors. These include:

• Your state's minimum limits and coverage requirements.
• Your age. Younger drivers pay more because they are more likely to be involved in an accident. After age 25, rates decrease until you become a senior (65+), when they increase again.
• The type of car you drive. Certain cars are cheaper to insure, such as those with high safety ratings.
• How much you drive. The more time you spend on the road, the more likely you are to get into an accident.
• Your driving record. Traffic violations and accidents will increase your rates. A clean record can get you safe-driving discounts.
• Where you park your car at night. Garaging your car can get you a discount, but if you live in an area with high crime rates or crowded roads, you will pay more than a driver in a rural area.

Wawanesa auto insurance claims

Wawanesa auto insurance is a Canadian insurance firm that offers policies in the U.S. in states such as California and Oregon. The company serves drivers with relatively clean records, which means not everyone will qualify for a quote. Wawanesa auto insurance offers standard types of auto insurance as well as a few optional coverage items.

How to File a Claim with Wawanesa Auto Insurance

Policyholders can submit a Wawanesa auto insurance claim 24/7 online at wawanesa.com or by calling its toll-free claims number, 800-640-2920, to speak directly to a customer service representative. An appraiser can usually inspect your vehicle within 48 hours. You are free to choose any repair shop you want. However, if you opt for a repair shop that Wawanesa recommends, they will guarantee the repair shop's work for as long as you own the car.

Wawanesa Auto Insurance Coverage

Wawanesa offers standard types of auto insurance coverage, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Optional coverage includes roadside assistance, rental expense coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Wawanesa Auto Insurance Discounts

Wawanesa offers a number of discounts to make auto insurance more affordable. Discounts may vary by state, but some examples include mature driver improvement course discounts, multi-policy discounts, and continuous coverage discounts.

Wawanesa auto insurance customer reviews

Wawanesa auto insurance has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have praised the company for its affordable rates and comprehensive coverage options, others have complained about long wait times to speak with an agent and unexpected increases in premiums.

In J.D. Power's 2023 Auto Insurance Study, Wawanesa was ranked as the top provider in the California region, scoring 843 out of 1,000 points. The study evaluated customer satisfaction in areas such as interaction, policy offerings, pricing, billing process, and claims. However, Wawanesa has received twice as many complaints as expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The majority of these complaints relate to the claims department, with customers expressing dissatisfaction with the amount paid out and the length of the claims process.

Customers have also reported mixed experiences with Wawanesa's mobile app, Wawanesa Life, which has received ratings of 3.3 out of 5 stars on the App Store and 3.6 out of 5 stars on Google Play. While some users have praised the app for its ease of use, others have claimed that it does not work at all.

Overall, Wawanesa auto insurance has received an average rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars from Bankrate and 1.5 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet. The company's strengths include its affordable rates, strong customer service ratings from J.D. Power, and a solid range of discount opportunities. However, it is limited by its availability, as it is currently only offered in California, and its lack of a mobile app for policy management.

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