California Casualty: Auto & Home Insurance Review

California Casualty Auto & Home Insurance is a company that provides insurance coverage for individuals in the fields of education, law enforcement, firefighting, and nursing. It was founded in 1914 by Carl G. Brown, Sr. as a customer-owned company offering workers' compensation insurance. The company now offers auto insurance in 44 states and property insurance in 38 states, as well as other types of insurance such as pet insurance and Mexico auto insurance. California Casualty is known for its exclusive benefits and rates for community heroes and their families. However, its customer service has been reported to be slow at times, and its average home insurance rates are higher than the national average.

California Casualty's insurance options for educators, firefighters, law enforcement officers and healthcare workers

California Casualty is a company that provides auto and home insurance designed for America's community heroes and their families. They have been in business since 1914 and are the endorsed insurance partner to hundreds of education, higher education, public safety, and healthcare member/employee groups across the country.

Insurance Options for Educators

California Casualty has been providing auto and home insurance for teachers and educational support professionals for over half a century. They offer educator-specific benefits and exceptional service to make their customers' lives easier. Some of the benefits include:

• Waived deductible if your vehicle is hit or vandalized while parked at school or a school administrative office.
• Identity theft resolution with a personal fraud specialist.
• Broad policy protection that extends to others driving your vehicle.
• Waived rental vehicle deductible if you’re driving a rented vehicle that isn’t a substitute for your own vehicle.
• Waived collision deductible if the accident was caused by an uninsured motorist or involved another California Casualty customer.
• Up to $2,000 coverage for custom vehicle parts.
• $500 personal property coverage for non-electronic items stolen from your vehicle.
• Up to $1,000 in vet bills if your cat or dog is injured in a covered loss while in your car.
• 24-hour roadside assistance and towing.
• Summer or holiday payment skip option for home insurance.
• $3,000 personal property coverage for laptops and other teaching materials with no deductible.
• Up to $500 coverage for fundraising money with no deductible.
• Locked-in rates for 12 months.
• Excess personal liability coverage that extends to the classroom and school functions.
• Lost luggage reimbursement of up to $500.
• Coverage for theft of firearms and related equipment.
• Coverage for unauthorized use of debit or credit cards of up to $1,000.
• Coverage for loss of use, including living expenses with $0 deductible if your home becomes uninhabitable.

Insurance Options for Firefighters

California Casualty also provides auto and home insurance for firefighters and EMTs. They have been serving fire service professionals since 1974 and offer special benefits and services designed for their unique needs. Some of the benefits include:

• $500 coverage for non-electronic personal property damaged in a collision or stolen from your vehicle.
• Coverage for custom furnishings, lights, and sirens on pickups and vans.
• Reduced deductible if your vehicle is hit or vandalized while parked near the fire station.
• Up to $1,000 in vet bills covered if your pet is injured in a car accident while riding in your vehicle.
• Assistance with paying auto and home insurance premiums for families of firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty.
• Free ID theft coverage for all customers.

Insurance Options for Law Enforcement Officers

California Casualty offers auto and homeowners insurance specifically designed for peace officers, including officers, troopers, deputies, and patrolmen. They understand the dangers faced by law enforcement professionals and provide custom-made coverage for their unique needs. Some of the benefits include:

• Coverage for stolen uniforms and off-duty weapons for homeowners insurance customers.
• Flexibility to increase coverage for firearms.
• Free coverage for custom furnishings on pickup trucks or vans.
• $500 coverage for non-electronic personal property if stolen from your vehicle or damaged in an accident.
• Assistance with paying auto and home insurance premiums for families of officers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
• Free ID theft coverage for all customers.

Insurance Options for Healthcare Workers

California Casualty also provides insurance options for healthcare workers, including auto and home insurance designed to meet their unique needs. While specific benefits for healthcare workers are not outlined, the company's focus on serving community heroes and their families extends to healthcare professionals as well.

The company's history and values

California Casualty Auto & Home Insurance has a long and esteemed history of serving America's community heroes and their families. Founded in 1914 by Carl G. Brown, Sr., the company initially offered workers' compensation insurance to California's burgeoning industries, guided by Brown's high ethical standards and business integrity. Over the decades, the company expanded its offerings to include auto insurance in 1917 and home insurance in 1954. The company has been passed down through the Brown family, with Carl G. Brown, Jr. taking over as chairman in 1957, followed by his son, Tom Brown, in 1978, and then Beau Brown in 2007, who became president and CEO in 2013. In 2022, Jonathan Adkisson joined as the new president and CEO, with Beau Brown continuing as chairman of the board.

California Casualty is not a general insurance provider; instead, it focuses on serving specific niche markets, particularly those in the fields of education, law enforcement, firefighting, and nursing. This specialization allows them to offer exclusive benefits, services, and savings to their policyholders. The company was one of the first to pioneer affinity insurance programs, receiving the endorsement of the California Teachers Association (CTA) in 1951 to provide auto and home insurance to its members. They have since expanded nationally, partnering with over 100 organizations, including the National Education Association (NEA), various police, state trooper, and firefighter associations, universities, and medical centers.

The company's values are deeply rooted in community involvement and giving back to those who serve. They have a strong culture of participation and volunteerism, contributing to numerous charitable initiatives across 44 states. Their policyholder-owned organization is rated B++ (Good) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best Company, and they maintain a strong financial position with no debt or liquidity issues. California Casualty is committed to delivering value and peace of mind to its policyholders, many of whom they consider part of their extended family.

Pros and cons of California Casualty's car insurance

California Casualty Auto and Home Insurance is designed for America's community heroes and their families. This includes teachers, firefighters, nurses, law enforcement officers, and other qualifying public service workers. The company has been in business since 1914 and is the endorsed auto and home insurance partner to hundreds of education, higher education, public safety, and healthcare member/employee groups across the country.

Pros of California Casualty Car Insurance

California Casualty car insurance offers several benefits, including:

• $500 in personal property coverage for belongings in the vehicle
• Coverage for custom or aftermarket additions to the vehicle
• Unique coverage options based on qualified professions, such as turnout gear and firearms coverage for law enforcement officers
• Competitive rates and excellent service for members of education, healthcare, and public safety associations, and select employer groups
• Additional benefits for peace officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses
• Discounts for good driving records, good grades, mature drivers, college graduates, multi-car policies, and good students
• Availability of Mexico auto insurance and recreational vehicle insurance

Cons of California Casualty Car Insurance

There are also some drawbacks to consider when it comes to California Casualty car insurance:

• Strict eligibility requirements: Policies are only available to public service employees and are not offered to the general public.
• Limited state availability: California Casualty car insurance is only available in seven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, and Wyoming.
• Not all coverage selections are available in every state.
• Higher than average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for home and auto insurance.
• Customer service is not available 24/7.
• Average home insurance rates are significantly higher than the national average.
• Lack of a mobile app.

Pros and cons of California Casualty's homeowners insurance

California Casualty Auto & Home Insurance is a company that provides insurance services to America's community heroes and their families. The company was founded in 1914 and has since partnered with hundreds of education, higher education, public safety, and healthcare member/employee groups across the country. The company offers a range of insurance products, including auto, homeowners, renters, and motorcycle insurance.

When it comes to homeowners insurance, California Casualty offers a comprehensive policy that covers damage to the home and belongings, provides living expenses if the home is uninhabitable, and protects against lawsuits and legal claims. The company also offers various benefits, such as broad policy protection, reimbursement for lost luggage, coverage for unlawful credit or debit card use, and a $0 deductible for loss of use. In addition, California Casualty provides industry-specific perks for teachers, firefighters, peace officers, and nurses. For example, teachers can deduct the use of their personal property for work, while firefighters and peace officers receive additional benefits such as coverage for off-duty weapons.

Pros:

• Discounted rates for nurses, firefighters, peace officers, teachers, and other "heroes".
• Offers specialty earthquake and flood coverage through partnerships.
• Provides industry-specific perks and discounts for eligible professionals.
• Comprehensive coverage for home, belongings, and additional living expenses.
• Protection from lawsuits and legal claims.
• Various benefits, such as lost luggage reimbursement and unlawful card use coverage.
• Online account management and convenient billing plans.
• Highly-rated for satisfaction by teachers, police officers, firefighters, and nurses.

Cons:

• Limited availability to specific professions and occupations.
• Coverage is not available in all states.
• Expensive items such as jewelry, fine art, or furs require an additional rider for coverage.
• Home insurance is unavailable in AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, or WI.
• Flood insurance is not included in the standard homeowners insurance policy.

Customer reviews of California Casualty

California Casualty Auto and Home Insurance is a company designed for America's community heroes and their families. The company was founded in 1914 by Carl G. Brown, Sr. as a customer-owned business offering workers' compensation insurance to new and growing industries in California. In 1917, the company began offering auto insurance, and in 1954, it expanded to include home insurance. Today, California Casualty is the endorsed auto and home insurance partner to hundreds of education, higher education, public safety, and healthcare member/employee groups across the country.

When it comes to customer reviews, California Casualty has received mixed feedback. On one hand, many customers appreciate the company's affordable prices and solid customer service. Some people have praised the company for being cheap, with quotes that are significantly lower than those of competitors. They also appreciate the willingness of the staff to help and their polite and to-the-point attitude.

On the other hand, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company's slow response times. There have been complaints about emails and phone calls not being returned promptly, and some have experienced delays in resolving claims. Additionally, multiple Trustpilot users have reported steep car insurance rate increases upon policy renewal.

It is worth noting that California Casualty has a higher-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for home and auto insurance. This suggests that there is room for improvement in the company's insurance services.

Frequently asked questions