Updated: September 19, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
California Casualty ranks 25th for full coverage affordability and 22nd for minimum liability coverage with average rates of $146 and $58 monthly, respectively.
California Casualty earns 13th place nationwide for overall customer satisfaction, standing out due to strong agent service and positive forum reviews from policyholders.
California Casualty earns the 10th-best spot for coverage options, with offering features like accident forgiveness and new car replacement protection.
California Casualty ranks 22nd overall nationally, placing it outside the range of top car insurance providers. The company excels in coverage options and customer experience, earning 10th and 13th place rankings, respectively, in these categories.
These rankings are based on a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no violations. Your results will vary depending on your profile and coverage needs.
| Overall Score | 4.14 | 22 |
| Customer Experience | 4.45 | 13 |
| Coverage | 3.33 | 10 |
| Affordability | 4.12 | 25 |
California Casualty may work for drivers in specific professions such as teachers, firefighters and police officers who qualify for group discounts, though it generally ranks below average for affordability across most driver categories.
It’s not a good option for young drivers or those with accidents who value comprehensive service and broader coverage options over low rates.
Below, you can compare how California Casualty stacks up for your unique profile.
| Overall Score | 3.87 | 31 |
California Casualty car insurance costs range from $253 to $716 monthly, depending on your profile and coverage choices. To help you make the best decision, we've broken down national costs by age group, gender, coverage, credit score and driving record.
| $437 | $5,249 | 58% | 33 |
California Casualty is generally more expensive than average across all driver types, including young drivers, seniors and those with violations. It's not among the cheapest auto insurance companies for any driver category.
Below, you can review how affordable California Casualty is for your specific driving situation.
| Adult Drivers | $55 | $137 | 13% | 25 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $127 | $298 | 32% | 31 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $97 | $235 | 38% | 31 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $79 | $197 | 34% | 29 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $104 | $279 | 11% | 28 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $68 | $183 | 16% | 27 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $75 | $189 | 16% | 26 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $50 | $125 | 16% | 26 |
| Senior Drivers | $79 | $179 | 23% | 28 |
| Young Drivers | $151 | $373 | 38% | 29 |
*All profiles are modified based on a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violations, driving a 2012 Toyota Camry. Young drivers represent ages 25 and under, adults 26 to 64, and seniors 65+. Older vehicles change the vehicle age to 2007, and newer vehicles change it to 2025.
California Casualty offers 10 car insurance discounts, with average savings of up to 20% depending on your driving profile, involvement in programs and your area. Check out its offerings:
Multi-Policy Discount | Not specified | Have both auto policy and homeowners, renters or primary condominium unit-owners policy with California Casualty | Not specified |
Multi-Car Discount | Not specified | Insure two or more vehicles under the same customer policy | Not specified |
Good Student Discount | Not specified | High school and full-time college students (12+ academic units for undergraduates; 9+ academic units for graduates) who maintain a "B" average (3.0 GPA) or better in the most recent grading period. Copy of grades required annually | Not specified |
College Graduate Discount | Not specified | Unmarried, under age 25, graduated from a 4-year college/university with a "B" average or higher (3.0+ GPA on a 4-point scale). Copy of grades required | Not specified |
Driver Training Discount | Not specified | Successfully completed a certified safe driver course | Not specified |
Mature Driver Discount | Not specified | Age 55+ and successfully completed a Mature Driver Improvement Course | Not specified |
Good Driver Discount | Not specified | Insured drivers with 3+ years U.S. driving experience and a good driving record | Availability varies by state |
Persistency Discount | Not specified | Been insured with California Casualty for 3+ consecutive years with no accidents | Availability varies by state |
Anti-Theft Device Discount | Not specified | Vehicle equipped with an anti-theft device | Availability varies by state |
New Home Discount | Up to 20% | Home originally constructed within the past eight years (applies to homeowners insurance but part of multi-policy discount) | Not specified |
California Casualty placed 13th for customer experience in MoneyGeek's comprehensive customer satisfaction study. Customer reviews highlight the company's responsive agent service and user-friendly digital tools, though claims processing generates more complaints than other areas. Below, we break down the buying, policy management and claims process experiences based on our research.
California Casualty mainly serves public employees such as teachers, firefighters, police officers and healthcare workers, so its policies aren’t widely available to the general public.
Because of its smaller market share, the company is not part of major J.D. Power studies, which makes direct comparisons with larger insurers harder.
Customer feedback on the sales process is mixed. While many customers appreciate the specialized coverage designed for essential workers, others report less favorable experiences. Availability has also tightened since the company withdrew from 22 states in 2023 because of profitability problems. Today, the company serves customers in just seven states.
California Casualty offers limited digital tools. Phone support is still the primary service channel, and reviews are mixed. Some customers find the representatives helpful and attentive. Others, however, describe the communication as inconsistent.
The NAIC complaint ratio for California Casualty is 13.16, meaning it gets far more complaints than an average insurer of its size. Long-time customers often say they value the personalized service.
Newer policyholders, on the other hand, report frustration with rising premiums and the lack of easy online account management.
Customer sentiment around claims processing shows significant polarization, with Trustpilot showing an overall 4-star rating from 2,512 reviews, but individual experiences vary dramatically.
Recent BBB complaints reveal recurring issues, including prolonged claim processing times (customers waiting months without kitchen facilities), disputes over repair versus replacement decisions and communication breakdowns with adjusters.
Some customers report excellent claims handling with quick payments and professional service, particularly those with fire damage claims. However, negative reviews cite problems with deductible reimbursements, disputes over diminished value claims and inadequate adjuster responsiveness requiring multiple follow-ups.
California Casualty ranks well for financial strength from all industry rating agencies, but in J.D. Power studies, the company finishes average or below average in most areas. Here are California Casualty's scores from industry agencies.
AM Best Financial Strength | B (Fair) | A++ to D- | Downgraded from B++ (Good) in June 2023 due to deterioration in risk-adjusted capitalization and operating performance |
AM Best Long-Term Credit Standing | bb+ | aaa to d | Downgraded from bbb (Good) to bb+ (Fair) with negative outlook |
S&P Global Financial Strength | Not Rated | AAA to D | No rating available from S&P |
Moody's Financial Strength | Not Rated | Aaa to C | No rating available from Moody's |
Demotech Financial Stability | A (Exceptional) | A to S | Received A (Exceptional) rating from Demotech as of April 28, 2025 |
J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction | Not Rated | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power studies, likely due to smaller market share |
J.D. Power Digital Service Experience | Not Rated | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power studies; limited digital services available |
J.D. Power Auto Insurance Shopping Study | Not Rated | Out of 1,000 | Not included in J.D. Power studies |
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction | Not Rated | Out of 1,000 | Not included in J.D. Power studies |
NAIC Auto Complaints | 13.16 | 1.00 is average | Significantly higher than average — 13 times more complaints than expected for insurers of its size |
California Casualty customers on Reddit and other forums often point out the company’s focus on serving educators, firefighters and law enforcement. Many also mention the competitive group rates and profession-specific perks. This focus on public service workers tends to connect well with its target audience.
However, some concerns arise around limited availability outside their core professions and occasional service inconsistencies during peak periods.
Below, we've provided generated quotes based on actual customer reviews to summarize the general experiences from forums across the web.
General thoughts on pricing are positive among eligible professionals, with customers appreciating group discounts and profession-specific benefits according to forum users:
"As a teacher, California Casualty's rates beat everything else I could find. The educator discounts are real, and they understand our unique needs like summer break coverage adjustments."
Claims processing experiences vary, with some customers praising efficiency while others note delays during busy periods:
"Filed a claim after a parking lot fender-bender and it was handled pretty smoothly. They understood that as a firefighter, I needed my vehicle back quickly for commuting to the station."
"Had to wait longer than expected for my claim adjuster during wildfire season — I guess a lot of first responders were filing claims at the same time."
Agent service, while generally positive, also has mixed experiences, which likely can be attributed to variations in different areas:
“My experience has always been great. When I had to call to report that I had been in an accident, their first question was always ‘Are you okay? Have you been hurt?’”
"Getting through to California Casualty feels like a full-time job. Different reps tell you different things, nobody returns calls, and when they answer, they act like you're bothering them."
The digital platform gets moderate reviews. Customers appreciate the basic functions, but many also see room for improvement:
"California Casualty's website and app do what they need to do for checking policies and making payments, but the interface feels a bit dated compared to some of the bigger insurers I've used."
Trust levels are generally high among the target professions, and many customers highlight the company’s specialized focus and community connection:
"California Casualty gets the educator community - they sponsor our union events and actually understand our financial situation. When budget cuts hit our district, they worked with me on payment timing."
"Been with them for 15 years as a firefighter. They've always been there for our profession and understand the risks we face both on and off duty."
Customers appreciate the profession-specific coverage options and benefits, but some point out limits for family members or after a career change:
"The coverage options are great for my needs as a teacher — they even have specific protection for personal items I use in the classroom. Really thoughtful about what educators actually need."
"Love the coverage while I'm teaching, but when my spouse wanted to join my policy, the options were more limited since they're not in education. Would be nice if family members got more of the benefits too."
"When I retired from law enforcement, I had to shop around since California Casualty's benefits are really tied to active service. Great while you qualify, but transition planning could be better."
Negative reviews dominate forums and don't reflect overall service quality. For a complete picture, combine user reviews with industry resources like J.D. Power, independent agents, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Insurance Information Institute.
California Casualty provides standard coverage like other top insurers, including liability, comprehensive and collision protection. The company also offers additional add-ons such as:
Express Road Service | Towing, emergency roadside assistance, flat tire service, jump-starts, lockout service, gas/oil/water delivery | 24/7 service availability; starting at $1 per month; service on highways, deserted roads or off-road adventures |
Loan/Lease Gap Insurance | Pays the difference between vehicle value and loan/lease balance if totaled | Covers gap between actual cash value and outstanding loan obligation; certain loan/lease contract aspects excluded |
Pet Injury Coverage | Veterinary expenses for pets injured in auto accidents | Free coverage for law enforcement officers through PORAC partnership; available as add-on for others |
Personal Property Coverage | Coverage for personal belongings in vehicle | Up to $500 coverage for items damaged/stolen from vehicle; includes custom equipment coverage |
Custom Parts and Equipment | Coverage for aftermarket modifications and non-factory equipment | Covers custom/aftermarket parts and devices not from original manufacturer |
Turnout Gear and Firearms Coverage | Coverage for law enforcement and firefighter equipment stored in vehicle | Covers stolen, damaged or destroyed uniforms, gear and firearms; specific to qualified public service professionals |
Deductible Waiver Benefits | Reduced or waived deductibles for qualified professions | Special benefit for educators, nurses and public safety professionals; varies by profession and situation |
Fallen Officer Survivor Benefit | Special benefit for families of fallen law enforcement officers | Exclusive benefit through partnerships with law enforcement associations |
Rental Car Coverage | Coverage while operating rental vehicles in the U.S., its territories and Canada | Extends policy coverage to rental cars; may not cover U-Haul or similar moving vehicles |
Here are other insurance options you can bundle with auto coverage or buy separately:
Who Offers It? | Insurance Products |
|---|---|
California Casualty (Directly Offered) | Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Renters Insurance, Condo Insurance, Mobile Home Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Recreational Vehicle Insurance (RV, Boat, Snowmobile), Classic/Antique Car Insurance, Trailers Insurance, Campers Insurance, Golf Carts Insurance, Road-Registered Dune Buggies Insurance, Flood Insurance, Earthquake Insurance, Personal Umbrella Insurance, Pet Insurance |
Third-Party Partner | Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance (through Mexpro Insurance Professionals), Mexico Home Insurance (through Mexpro Insurance Professionals), Mexico Watercraft Insurance (through Mexpro Insurance Professionals) |
California Casualty excels in Affordability, Customer Experience and Coverage, ranking 25th for full coverage and 20th for minimum coverage overall.
However, we recommend you compare insurance options, do your own research and decide on coverage needs before buying.
Below are MoneyGeek's expert answers to frequently asked questions about California Casualty car insurance:
Yes, California Casualty is a legitimate car insurance company that ranked 22nd overall in our comprehensive car insurance provider study. The insurer particularly excels in coverage options, where it earned a strong 10th-place ranking among all providers we evaluated.
California Casualty doesn't rank in the top five for any of the four states in which it's ranked.
California Casualty's average annual cost for adults is $733 for state minimum and $1,791 for full coverage. Rates range from $518 to $9,366 for minimum and $1,424 to $22,543 for full.
Customer feedback suggests the company follows reasonable claim-handling practices and there are no signs of widespread denial issues. Online reviews point to standard claim processing, but detailed satisfaction data is limited, so a full evaluation isn’t possible.
Note: This represents limited information based primarily on forum reviews.
No, California Casualty isn't ideal for high-risk drivers, ranking poorly across categories like drivers with accidents (31st overall), drivers with DUIs (31st overall) and drivers with speeding tickets (29th overall).
Yes, California Casualty raises rates over time due to inflation, increased claims from distracted driving, higher repair costs and individual risk factor changes.
No, California Casualty isn't ideal for young drivers, ranking 29th for overall affordability with premiums significantly higher than what competitors offer.
MoneyGeek pulled auto insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services and compared prices from 79 insurers in every U.S. ZIP code.
Standard Driver Profile Used for Analysis
We used a baseline driver profile to ensure consistent rate comparisons. Our standard driver has these characteristics:
We then modified specific variables, including age, driving record, credit score and military status, to determine which insurers offer the best rates for different driver categories. Our minimum coverage rates represent policies meeting state-required minimums. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision coverage with $1,000 deductibles.
Company Rating System
Our evaluation process weighted three key factors:
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
