21st Century Car Insurance Review 2024

Like other auto insurance companies, 21st Century Insurance offers standard coverage options such as:

Liability coverage. Suppose you’re legally responsible for a collision that caused another person’s injuries or property damage. In that case, liability insurance will pay for expenses resulting from the incident, such as medical or car repair costs, and attorney fees if they bring a lawsuit against you. Liability insurance is required to drive legally in California and most other states.

Collision coverage. Let’s say you’re in an accident with another vehicle and your car is damaged or totaled. In this case, collision coverage will help pay to repair or replace the vehicle, regardless of who caused the crash.

Comprehensive coverage. If your vehicle is damaged by something other than a collision with another vehicle, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs or a replacement. For example, damage resulting from vandalism, fire, hail, flooding or a natural disaster like a tornado is covered under comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance also covers collisions with animals as well as vehicle theft.

Collision and comprehensive coverage are both optional and pay out up to the value of your car if it’s totaled or stolen, minus your deductible.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage pays for medical costs after an accident caused by a driver who is uninsured or has insufficient insurance coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional in California.

Also available in California is “uninsured motorist property damage” coverage, or UMPD. It pays for repairs to your vehicle if you’re hit by an insured driver. The UMPD coverage limit in California is $3,500 and state law says the uninsured driver must be identified in order for you to make a UMPD claim—meaning hit and runs aren’t covered under UMPD in California. Another option in these cases is to use your collision coverage.

Roadside assistance. As a 21st Century policyholder, you receive roadside assistance benefit free of charge. The 21st Century Roadside Assistance program offers 24-hour services such as towing and lock-out assistance.

Antique car insurance. In addition to personal auto coverage offerings, 21st Century sells antique or classic car insurance coverage. However, the vehicle must meet specific requirements to qualify for coverage. Some requirements include: The car must be over 19 years old, be in good condition and be kept in a fully enclosed, locked garage.

Rental reimbursement. If your car is undrivable because of an accident covered by your policy, this coverage helps pay for a rental or other transportation costs. It can compensate you up to a certain dollar amount per day, and up to an overall maximum amount.

SR-22. If you need an SR-22 insurance form filed, 21st Century can do it on your behalf. An SR-22 is a form an insurance company files with your state that proves you have the state’s minimum car liability insurance requirements.

To help drivers cut insurance costs, 21st Century offers several discounts, including:

• Good driver discount: If you go without getting into any collisions or receiving traffic violations for three consecutive years, you may qualify for a discount.
• Superior driver discount: If you sustain your good driving record for more than three years, you may qualify for savings.
• Mature driver discount: Drivers over age 55 who take a state-approved driving course can qualify for this price break.
• Good student discount: High school or college students can qualify for a discount if they are under age 25 and receive a “B” average or better in school.
• Multi-car discount: If you insure more than one vehicle with 21st Century, you can be eligible for a discount.
• Anti-theft discount: Drivers who have cars equipped with anti-theft features can cut their auto insurance costs.
• Paperless & autopay discount: If you enroll in electronic document delivery and sign up for autopay, you could receive a discount.

Related: Cheap car insurance of 2024

The 21st Century Refer a Good Friend Program helps you earn gift cards for referring your friends and family. For example, if you’re a 21st Century customer and you refer a friend or family member to receive a free quote, you can be eligible to receive a $25 gift card for companies like Walmart, Starbucks or Lowe’s.

In addition, if your friend or family member buys a 21st Century auto insurance policy, you can receive a $50 American Express card once the policy has been active for 60 days.

The level of auto insurance complaints against 21st Century is significantly higher than other auto insurers, according to complaints compiled by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

The industry average is 1.0, so a number lower than that means a company has fewer complaints than average. At 2.22, 21st Century checks in at nearly double the industry average. Most complaints concerned delays in paying claims and unsatisfactory claims settlements and offers.

For the past three years (which is the extent of data available), complaints about 21st Century auto insurance have been above the industry average. For this reason you should consider other auto insurance companies.

In 1958, Louis W. Foster founded 21st Century Insurance, known initially as 20th Century Insurance, to offer auto insurance throughout California. Starting from small beginnings, Foster became an insurance pioneer by using direct sales to his advantage. He believed that selling insurance directly to drivers (via the phone or mail) with good driving records would lower rates.

Farmers Insurance acquired 21st Century Insurance in 2009.