California Casualty Insurance Review

California Casualty Insurance review

California Casualty has provided insurance for more than 100 years. Based in San Mateo, California, the company offers a wide range of coverage types in a number of U.S. states. However, eligibility is limited to those who work in the professions of education, nursing, law enforcement or who work as a first-responder. With its relatively limited scope, the company aims to provide special perks and benefits to its customers that wouldn’t otherwise be available.

While these occupation-focused perks may appeal to some, the company suffers from a higher complaint ratio for both home and auto insurance. Below you’ll find an overview of the different policy options provided by California Casualty Insurance.

California Casualty reviews — table of contents:

1. Who is eligible for California Casualty Insurance?
2. California Casualty auto insurance review
3. California Casualty bundling options
4. California Casualty home insurance review
5. How to cancel a California Casualty Insurance policy
6. California Casualty online features and apps

Who is eligible for California Casualty insurance?

California Casualty is not available to everyone. In order to be eligible, you must work in one of the following sectors:  

• Educators
• Law enforcement professionals
• Firefighters
• Nurses

California Casualty auto insurance review

California Casualty auto insurance offers the same standard coverage options found through all major insurance companies, but there are a few things that set the company apart. Along with a few standard discount options, California Casualty guarantees its premiums for a full year, protecting clients from unexpected rate hikes. However, the company does suffer from a higher number of customer complaints and a less-than-perfect financial rating.

Read on to find out more about California Casualty's coverage options and availability. 

• Customer service (J.D. Power) — Not rated 
• Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated
• Financial strength — Good: According to AM Best, Cal Casualty's financial standing is significantly lower than many top carriers. The company was given a B++ rating.
• NAIC Rating — Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners received more complaints than the national average regarding California Casualty in 2020.

Where is California Casualty car insurance available?

California Casualty offers personal auto insurance policies in 44 states and the District of Columbia. In North Carolina, Cal Casualty policies are fulfilled by a partner company.

Is California Casualty car insurance for you?

California Casualty auto insurance coverage options 

Policyholders can expect standard auto policy options including liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (where applicable) and medical payments. However, the company also offers some unique coverages that aren't widely available elsewhere. See below some of the additional car insurance options available through California Casualty.

Roadside assistance

For an added premium, you can add roadside assistance which can help in the event that your vehicle breaks down. This coverage includes towing and more.

Car insurance in Mexico through Cal Casualty

California Casualty partners with Mexican car insurance company Mexpro to provide coverage for international journeys south of the border. Learn more about getting coverage in Mexico.

Unique coverage perks

California Casualty customers can expect features unique to the company, including optional coverages like the following:  

• $500 in personal property coverage
• Non-factory/custom equipment coverage
• Pet injury coverage
• Premium waiver for survivors of those killed in the line of duty
• Loan or lease payoff coverage
• Deductible waivers for nurses, educators and public safety professionals

Coverage designed for educators

• Foreign exchange program
• Sabbatical return benefit

Coverage designed for firefighters and peace officers

• Turnout gear and firearm coverage
• Fallen Hero/Fallen Officer benefit

California Casualty car insurance discounts

California Casualty offers many ways to save on your car insurance. Below is a list of some of the more common car insurance discounts available through Cal Casualty: 

• Multi-car: Save money by insuring multiple vehicles on your policy.
• Multi-policy: Bundling multiple policy types can lead to discounts.
• Mature driver: With age comes wisdom — and better driving that leads to savings.
• Good student: Students with higher grades cost less to insure.
• College graduate: Save on your premiums with a college degree.

California Casualty insurance bundling options

California Casualty offers many different insurance products, many of which can be bundled together for possible savings. Bundling allows you to combine your auto policy and homeowners insurance through the same company. Bundling insurance policies can also remove hassles by having all of your insurance needs under one roof instead of through multiple different companies. Bundling discounts also apply to renters, condo or any other Cal Cas policy — although the insurance premium savings might be smaller with less-expensive insurance bundles. Contact an insurance agent to find the best home and auto insurance bundles or to learn more about the benefits of bundling.

While some of the following coverage types may not be available in every state, the following are some of the more popular insurance types offered by California Casualty:

California Casualty homeowners insurance review

Customers can expect the standard coverage options from a California Casualty homeowners insurance policy. Because of its eligibility requirements, there are a number of specialized perks or coverages that are offered depending on your career. Similar to its car insurance offering, the company suffers from a higher amount of customer complaints than average. Read on to see our full review of the Cal Casualty homeowners insurance.

• JD Power Rating — Not rated 
• Financial strength — Good: According to AM Best, Cal Casualty's financial standing is significantly lower than many top carriers; the company received a a B++ rating.
• NAIC Rating — Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners received significantly more complaints than the national average regarding California Casualty homeowners coverage in 2020.

Where is California Casualty home insurance available?

California Casualty offers homeowners insurance policies in the following states:

Is California Casualty homeowners insurance the right option for you?

California casualty homeowners insurance options

California Casualty offers standard homeowners insurance options for your dwelling, other structures, personal property, medical payments, personal liability and additional living expenses. Coverage limits for these options are customizable based on your individual needs. Below are a few of the more unique home insurance coverages offered by Cal Casualty.  

• $500 coverage for lost luggage
• $1,000 coverage for protection against the unlawful use of a debit or credit card
• No deductible for loss of use and additional living expenses

Special homeowners coverage for educators

• $3,000 for personal property used in teaching (no deductible, except in NH)
• $500 for theft of fundraising money and goods (no deductible)
• Educator liability coverage
• School violence death benefit for survivors

Special home insurance offerings for firefighters and peace officers

• Fallen Hero benefit for those killed in the line of duty
• Turnout gear coverage
• Theft coverage for personally owned off-duty weapons (up to $5,000)
• Coverage for personally owned uniforms 

Earthquake insurance

The company offers earthquake insurance directly or — in some cases — through GeoVera Insurance Company. You can add this coverage as an endorsement in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon and Rhode Island. GeoVera coverage is available in California, Oregon and Washington.

Flood coverage

California Casualty lists flood insurance as one of its offerings, though the policy is fulfilled through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

Cal Casualty home insurance discounts

There are a variety of ways to save on your home insurance premiums through California Casualty. Have a look at the following discounts: 

• Retiree discount (55+)
• Multi-policy discount (auto and home, etc.)
• Automatic sprinkler system discount
• Non-smoker discount
• Home alarm system discount
  
  

Other perks

Among the many standard coverage options California Casualty provides, the following perks could make using the company worthwhile and provide extra peace of mind.

Payment options

The company offers a number of options for payment, which can be helpful to those on a budget. These include the following:

• EZ Pay automated payments
• Annual pay
• Five-pay installment plan
• Payroll deduction
  
  

Identity theft coverage with California Casualty

Included with every policy is identity theft coverage. This coverage offers a number of benefits, including:

• Support against tax fraud 
• Assistance if your social media or email is compromised
• Support for child identity theft 
• Break-in recovery
• Support for employment identity theft 
• Support for assisted living fraud 
• Support for travel identity theft 

How to cancel a California Casualty Insurance policy

To cancel a California Casualty Insurance policy, simply call 1-800-800-9410 to speak with a representative.

Can I cancel my California Casualty policy online?

You cannot cancel a Cal Casualty policy online at this time.

California Casualty online features and apps

California Casualty has limited online features when compared to most major or mid-sized insurance carriers. Customers are able to create an online account to access policy documents online. Similarly, you can make payments and file claims through the online portal, but there aren't many other online features to speak of. California Casualty does not currently have a mobile app. 

Learn more at calcas.com.

Is California Casualty the right company for you? 

When looking for an insurance policy — home, auto or otherwise — it’s important to find a company that offers the coverage options that you need at a price that is affordable. Along with an insurer’s financial and customer service ratings, seeking out customer reviews can be another great option to get a sense of what others have experienced.

California Casualty may offer unique benefits for those eligible, but is the combination of cost and customer service correct for you? A good way to start is by clicking below to view insurance quotes and find out which policies are in your price range.