California Casualty Insurance Company Review

Is California Casualty a good insurance company?

Fireman kneeling amongst flames, directing hose upwards. Photo: Getty Images/Justin Pumfrey

If you are a professional law enforcement officer, firefighter, teacher or a medical professional, there is an insurance company that provides coverage, especially for these industries. California Casualty is a specialty insurance company providing coverage to these targeted industries. The company is endorsed by the NEA (National Education Association) and the California Teachers’ Association. In spite of the name “California Casualty,” the company actually offers coverage in over 40 states.

Key Takeaways

  • California Casualty Insurance Company provides multiple types of coverage for “American heroes,” those who serve in a variety of public service jobs.
  • Despite its name, the company offers coverage in more than 40 states and not just in California.
  • California Casualty has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited by the BBB since 2011.
  • California Casualty gives back, helping to raise money for cancer and heart research, as well as other community needs.
  • The company’s rates are competitive, neither off-the-charts expensive nor rock-bottom cheap.

California Casualty Insurance Overview

The company was founded in 1914 by Carl G. Brown, originally known as the California Casualty Indemnity Exchange and is operated by the four-generations running of the Brown family in California.  In its beginnings, the company provided worker’s compensation insurance to California businesses and has since expanded to offer many lines of coverage in all states with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New York, and Wisconsin. California Casualty prides itself in being known as the insurance company that “protects American heroes.”

California Casualty actively serves the community in a variety of fundraising activities including raising money for cancer research, heart disease and other community support such as helping fund local food banks. The company also is a founding sponsor of “Impact Teen Drivers Program” which was started in 2007 as a way of reducing teen automobile accidents around the nation.

Financial Stability and BBB Rating

A.M. Best has given California Casualty its "B++" Good rating. In addition to the A.M. Best financial strength rating, California Casualty has an "A+" rating with the BBB. California Casualty has been a BBB accredited company since 2011. The Better Business Bureau file for the company was opened in 1994.There are two negative reviews and eight customer complains with the five complaints filed under the category of problems relating to products/services.

Insurance Products

Consumers can receive quotes for the following California Casualty insurance products:

  • Auto
  • Motorcycle
  • Home
  • Condo
  • Renters
  • Mobile Home
  • Boat & Watercraft
  • Recreational Vehicle
  • Snowmobile
  • Earthquake
  • Flood
  • Personal Umbrella
  • Pet

Note:

Pet health insurance is offered and administrated by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC. California Casualty members receive a 5% discount. Coverage available in most states.

Policy Features and Benefits

One of the pluses of being insured through California Casualty is that the company takes the special needs of its targeted groups into consideration. For instance, if you are a teacher who has a car damaged at school, the deductible is waived for you. There is also a premium waiver available for public safety officers’ survivors who have been killed in the line of duty. Nurses may also be eligible for a collision and vandalism deductible reduced by $500 while working or volunteering as a health care professional.

California Casualty customers may opt to have their statements received electronically. This reduction in paper is one way the company is becoming more environmentally friendly. A comprehensive website is available with resources where customers can find resources to help with identity theft, a glossary of insurance terms, driving tips for teens and senior drivers as well as a listing of Department of Motor Vehicles by state.

There is a 24-hour claim reporting service including the ability to report and track your claim as well as a listing of participating repair shops in the repair network. You can change your policy through forms available on the website and sign up for E-Z pay plan options for your policy premium.

An additional perk available to educational professionals is a campaign called “Help Your Classroom” where NEA members are eligible for a monthly $200 drawing to help with school supplies for their classrooms.

These discounts are available to California Casualty auto insurance customers:

  • Good Driving
  • Good Student
  • Mature Drivers Discount
  • Multi-Car
  • Multi-Policy
  • Driver’s Training Discount

Tip:

Did you know your U.S. auto insurance policy doesn't cover you in Mexico? If you are planning a trip to Mexico, California Casualty offers a Mexico tourist auto policy.

The Bottom Line

With the Better Business Bureau, there were only a few complaints against California Casualty During a 12-month period, there were only a total of eight complaints, which is low for a company as large as California Casualty.

Rates are competitive for targeted employment groups, if you fall inside of this niche, you may find California Casualty is a good fit for your insurance needs.

Contact Information

To contact California Casualty for more information about its insurance products or to receive a quote, you can visit the California Casualty website or call 866.680.5143, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., MST; or on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MST.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. California Casualty. "Who We Serve" https://www.calcas.com/who-we-serve.

  2. California Casualty Insurance. "Our History https://www.calcas.com/our-history."

  3. California Casualty. "Celebrating 100 Years https://www.calcas.com/100years/Carl_Brown_Sr.html".

  4. California Casualty. "Auto Insurance Get a Quote Today https://www.calcas.com/auto-insurance."

  5. AM Best Company, Inc. "AM Best Downgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of California Casualty Group Members http://news.ambest.com/presscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=28085."

  6. Better Business Bureau®. "California Casualty Better Business Bureau® Profile https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-mateo/profile/auto-insurance/california-casualty-group-1116-64156."

  7. California Casualty. "Insurance Options https://www.calcas.com/insurance-options."

  8. California Casualty. "Special Benefits for NEA Members https://www.calcas.com/neamb."

  9. California Casualty. "Special Benefits for Peace Officers https://www.calcas.com/peace-officers."

  10. California Casualty. "Nurses Car Insurance https://www.calcas.com/web/ccmc/nurses-car-insurance."

  11. California Casualty. "Go Paperless New https://www.calcas.com/go-paperless-new."

  12. California Casualty. "Resources https://www.calcas.com/web/ccmc/resources."

  13. California Casualty. "California Property Insurance Coverage https://www.calcas.com/web/ccmc/claims."

  14. California Casualty. "Customer Service https://www.calcas.com/customer-service."

  15. California Casualty. "Help Your Classroom https://www.calcas.com/web/ccmc/help-your-classroom."

  16. California Casualty. "Auto Insurance Discounts https://www.calcas.com/discounts1."

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