California Casualty Auto Insurance Review: Coverage, Rates, and Ratings

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California Casualty Auto Insurance specializes in insurance for public service employees, including nurses, firefighters, teachers, higher education professionals, peace officers, and EMS workers. Much like USAA, it offers discounted rates for workers deemed heroes. However, unlike other auto insurance companies, California Casualty provides coverage centered around these careers.

For example, teachers enjoy extra coverage and waived deductibles if something happens at school or on school errands. California Casualty also offers survivor benefits for the loved ones of peace officers, teachers, and others killed in the line of duty.

It has been around since 1914, and despite the name, it is available to some non-California residents. However, it does not sell auto insurance in AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, or WI. Residents in eligible states can also buy auto insurance through its partnership with Mexpro to extend coverage to travelers south of the border.

Types of Auto Insurance Plans from California Casualty

California Casualty auto insurance policies meet state minimums to cover your liability insurance needs. It also offers standard auto insurance options like comprehensive and collision coverage and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. In addition, buyers may be eligible for $500 in personal property coverage, loan/lease payoff coverage, custom/non-factory equipment coverage, pet injury coverage, and ID Defense.

Because California Casualty targets public service employees, additional benefits are built into every policy. Buyers’ entitlements are determined based on their careers. For example, a teacher or nurse might enjoy waiving deductibles if something happens while at work. In addition, peace officers get extra coverage for turnout gear, firearms, and the fallen hero/fallen officer survivor benefit.

These are just a few benefits available to public service employees with California Casualty auto insurance.

Additional Coverage Options

California Casualty auto insurance customers can purchase additional coverage for 24-hour emergency towing and roadside assistance for an additional fee.

California also covers unique vehicles, including antique/classic autos, trailers/campers, snowmobiles, motorcycles/mopeds, RV/motor homes, golf carts, and dune buggies registered for road use only.

California Casualty’s snowmobile coverage includes bodily injury and property damage liability, comprehensive and collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, roadside assistance, and accessory coverage. Accessory coverage may be included at no additional charge with comprehensive or collision coverage. Up to $30,000 in additional coverage can be purchased in some states. As you might expect, multi-snowmobile discounts are available.

Motorcycle insurance includes broad policy protection, $500 personal property coverage, and ID Defense, all free to policyholders. ID Defense can help safeguard information during life transitions, including connecting you to a CyberScout fraud specialist if your identity is compromised. Its complementary service also replaces personal documents that may be destroyed or lost. Tax fraud support, social media and email compromise assist, break-in recovery, and travel identity theft support are among the many benefits of California Casualty motorcycle insurance.

Discounts for motorcycle coverage include

• A good driver discount (only available in CA)
• A mature driver discount
• A motorcycle training discount

California Casualty also sells RV and motorhome insurance. As mentioned, it also offers Mexican auto insurance via its partnership with Mexpro. California Casualty has diverse insurance options for hitting the open road or covering all your toys with one carrier.

How Much Does California Casualty Auto Insurance Cost?

California Casualty Auto Insurance offers quotes only if you submit a short application with information including name, date of birth, address, phone, and email. Because it specifically serves public service workers, you may also be asked for employment-related documents.

You can start your auto insurance quote on its website. The link is the same whether you’re looking for basic auto insurance, bundled policies for all your toys, or Mexican auto insurance. Based on what we’ve seen, rates are comparable to many big names in auto insurance, like Progressive or Liberty Mutual. However, California Casualty’s unique coverage enhancements make it a better bang for the buck for many eligible drivers.

How to File a Claim

California Casualty customers can file auto insurance claims online or over the phone. If you call 1-800-800-9410 and select option 4, agents are available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Phone agents can also assist with identity theft, roadside assistance, and other benefits included with California Casualty coverage.

Online claims can be filed by filling out California Casualty’s claims form. Policyholders should be prepared with contact information, the date/time of the incident, details of what happened, and if anyone contacted the police/fire or had any injuries. After completing the form, a phone call, email, or the policy declarations page will confirm the claim order is effective.

Based on the customer reviews we read, California Casualty’s systems need to be updated to catch up with competitors. So while it has some online management, filing a claim may require more time and engagement. If you take advantage of California Casualty’s extra coverages or deductible waivers for certain professions, the extra effort may be well worth it. However, many complaining customers would prefer more automation.

California Casualty Auto Insurance FAQs

Methodology: How We Reviewed California Casualty Auto Insurance

Factors like price are easy callouts. Many drivers also look for a lot of automation for easy policy management via websites and mobile apps. However, we understand many things go into a positive policyholder experience. When rating auto insurance, we also look at customer reviews, coverage options, including riders, discounts, where the company is licensed to sell auto insurance, and more.

California Casualty offers excellent options for designated workers in the public service sector. However, there may be better choices for the tech-savvy buyer looking for more control or people in other non-eligible careers. Everything we factor in allows us to help drivers find the solutions that fit their needs.

Compare California Casualty vs. Allstate

JD Power did not include California in its Auto Insurance Study. We can only assume its exclusivity is a deciding factor (as USAA is also not ranked specifically because it’s only available to military members and their families). Allstate, on the other hand, ranks above the region’s average for overall customer satisfaction.

California Casualty offers homeowners and car insurance for cars and homes in certain US states and Mexico. Allstate offers auto, home, life, business, and pet insurance. However, its products are exclusive to the United States. Allstate also has retirement solutions with financial planning tools available.

California Casualty is quoted online or via agents. Allstate Auto Insurance offers online quoting. But when we requested quotes, the site told us an agent would call us back. The website took our application, but we have yet to get an instant quote, as you might expect with many online auto insurers.

This said, Allstate’s captive insurance agents are highly knowledgeable. More importantly, agents can quote the policy you want with all applicable discounts to ensure you get the best rate Allstate offers. The downside is that Allstate’s process can be time-consuming and used to promote products some buyers don’t want. California Casualty’s more limited products make its process a bit simpler.

Compare California Casualty vs. USAA

USAA Auto Insurance is similar to California Casualty because it offers unique benefits to military members and their families. USAA is known for deeply discounted insurance premiums. Regardless of driving record, the number of insureds, etc., eligible customers won’t find lower rates elsewhere. In addition, USAA offers military members discounts for things such as storing their car on base or if a vehicle is stored while it is not being used.

It also has an app to manage accounts and claims. The app and website make managing many financial products easy for USAA members. In addition to auto, motorcycle, RV, boat, and classic car insurance, USAA offers aviation insurance. Those who are both military members and public service employees may want to compare these companies to see which provides cheaper coverage.

Both companies restrict coverage to specific groups. California Casualty is not as competitive on pricing, but both USAA and California Casualty offer extra coverage and riders not provided by competitors. From what we’ve seen in online reviews, USAA’s systems are more automated, and customer satisfaction is also higher with USAA.

Compare California Casualty vs. Root Insurance

Unlike California Casualty, Root Auto Insurance is a digital auto insurance company using technology to gauge your driving and provide a quote after a few weeks of driving. A user must download the Root app and drive with their smartphone. Renewal premiums will be determined the same way. As a result, your rates should stay low if you’re a “good driver.”

Online reviews indicate this can result in unpredictable rates rising each time policyholders renew. Most importantly, some of these reviewers complained there was no clear explanation for these rate increases. Theoretically, it could be suitable for drivers with a few blemishes who are responsible now. Root looks at current driving behaviors instead of how many tickets you have.

On the other hand, quoting is slow, and it can be confusing for drivers who assume they’ll be rewarded for avoiding tickets or accidents. In addition, financial reports indicate as a young auto insurance company, Root Insurance has yet to make significant profits. The last report from S&P Global showed Root Insurance suffered substantial losses on all quarterly reports.

Customers expecting roadside service, specialty coverage for work-related belongings, etc., won’t find comparable coverage with Root Insurance. Root premiums may start lower, but California Casualty’s annual premiums are more stable, giving policyholders a greater sense of security and predictability. At this point, it’s hard to tell what the future holds for Root or if it will be around in the coming years. However, California Casualty will likely continue to serve its target demographic for the foreseeable future.