Is 21st Century Good for Auto Insurance Coverage?
Last Updated on January 9, 2026
21st Century Insurance sells personal auto insurance in California and is part of the Farmers Insurance Group. For many California drivers, it can be a practical option if you prefer an online-first experience and want access to common coverages and discounts—but it’s not available outside the state, and service experiences can vary.
Below is an updated, detailed look at 21st Century’s coverage options, discounts, customer service, and how to evaluate whether it’s a good fit for your situation.
Our Rating of 21st Century Insurance
4.1
out of 5
★★★★☆
Summary
Bottom line: 21st Century can be a practical pick for California drivers who prefer online management, but availability is limited to the state and service experiences can vary.
21st Century Insurance sells personal auto insurance in California and is part of the Farmers Insurance Group, with some online quotes routed through Farmers’ Toggle brand depending on how you start. Coverage options are the standard California menu (liability plus optional collision and comprehensive, among others), and discounts depend on driver profile and eligibility under California rules, including the state’s “good driver” pricing requirements.
Best for
- California drivers who want an online-first, direct-to-consumer experience
- Shoppers who want common coverages and standard discount categories
- Drivers comparing multiple CA quotes with the same limits and deductibles
Not ideal for
- Drivers who need auto insurance outside California
- Shoppers who strongly prefer a local agent relationship for service and claims
- People who want highly consistent service outcomes regardless of company entity
- Our Rating of 21st Century Insurance
- What Is 21st Century Insurance?
- What Does 21st Century Auto Insurance Cover in California?
- What’s Unique About 21st Century in California?
- 21st Century Auto Insurance Discounts
- Pros and Cons of 21st Century Auto Insurance
- 21st Century Insurance Reviews and Ratings
- How to Decide if 21st Century Is Right for You
- Other California Insurers to Compare
- Final Word on 21st Century Auto Insurance
- FAQs on 21st Century Auto Insurance
What Is 21st Century Insurance?
21st Century Insurance is a direct-to-consumer auto insurer that writes policies in California and is affiliated with Farmers. While the 21st Century name is long-established in the state, new quote requests may be presented through Farmers’ online-focused “Toggle” brand depending on where and how you start your quote.
If you’re comparing Farmers-related companies, this background can help: Farmers Insurance review.
21st Century Insurance at a Glance
| Availability | California (direct-to-consumer auto insurance) |
| Parent/Group | Farmers Insurance Group of Companies |
| Underwriting Company (CA DOI Listing) | 21st Century Insurance Company |
| Main Website | https://www.21st.com/ |
| Sales / Quotes (Phone) | 1-800-807-9458 |
| Policy Service (Phone) | 1-800-241-1188 |
| Claims (24/7 Phone) | 1-888-244-6163 |
Tip: When comparing quotes, always check the “underwritten by” or “issuing company” name shown on the quote/policy documents. Large insurance groups often use multiple affiliated companies, and consumer complaint data can be reported by company name.
What Does 21st Century Auto Insurance Cover in California?
21st Century offers the core coverage types most California drivers expect: liability coverage (required for legal driving), plus optional coverage like collision and comprehensive for drivers who want broader protection.
California’s minimum liability requirements increased starting January 1, 2025. The current minimum limits are 30/60/15 (bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage per accident). For the most accurate state guidance, refer to the California Department of Insurance: California’s minimum auto liability limits update.
| Coverage Type | What It Pays For | Required in CA? | When It’s Especially Useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability Coverage | Injuries to other people when you’re at fault (medical bills, lost wages, legal defense) | Yes (minimum required) | Any accident with injuries can exceed minimum limits quickly |
| Property Damage Liability Coverage | Damage you cause to someone else’s car or property | Yes (minimum required) | Modern repair costs (especially for newer vehicles) can make minimum limits feel tight |
| Collision Coverage | Repairs to your own vehicle after a collision (regardless of fault, subject to deductible) | No | Often required by lenders/lessors; helpful if you can’t comfortably pay for repairs out of pocket |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Non-collision damage such as theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, weather events (subject to deductible) | No | Helpful in higher theft/vandalism areas and for protecting vehicle value outside of crashes |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage | Protection if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage | No | California has an estimated uninsured motorist rate of about 17% (2022 estimate); adding UM/UIM can reduce the chance you’re stuck paying for someone else’s mistake (IRC/III uninsured motorist estimates) |
What’s Unique About 21st Century in California?
Most of what you’ll buy from 21st Century looks like “standard” California auto insurance, but there are a few practical differentiators:
- Direct-to-consumer model: You can quote, buy, and manage policy details online, which may appeal to drivers who prefer fewer in-person steps.
- California focus: Since 21st Century markets auto coverage in California, its discount and coverage approach is aligned with CA-specific underwriting rules and rating regulations.
- Optional roadside program advertised as included: 21st Century states that policyholders are automatically enrolled in its roadside assistance program, with terms and limits described on its site (21st Roadside Assistance details).
- Multiple ways to manage a claim: The company provides phone and online options for claim reporting and claim status updates (21st contact options).
21st Century Auto Insurance Discounts
Discount availability and eligibility vary by driver, vehicle, location, and underwriting company. For a full breakdown of discounts discussed on InsurancePanda, see: 21st Century auto insurance discounts.
One important California-specific rule: if you qualify as a “good driver” under California standards, insurers must price that coverage at least 20% lower than comparable non-good-driver rates at the same company (see the California Department of Insurance’s consumer guide: CA DOI auto insurance basics).
| Discount Type | Who It’s For | What to Confirm Before You Rely on It |
|---|---|---|
| Good Driver Discount | Drivers who meet California’s definition of a good driver | Whether you qualify under CA rules and whether your quoted rate reflects the discount |
| Clean Driving Record | Drivers with few or no recent violations/at-fault accidents | How far back your insurer looks and which violations/accidents count |
| Multi-Vehicle Discount | Households insuring more than one vehicle | Whether vehicles must be garaged at the same address and which drivers must be listed |
| Good Student Discount | Teen/young drivers meeting academic requirements | Accepted documentation, renewal timing, and minimum GPA/test score rules |
| Defensive Driving Course Discount | Drivers who complete an approved course (often older drivers) | Which courses count and whether the discount applies to all drivers or only the course-taker |
| Safety Features Discount | Vehicles with qualifying safety/anti-collision features | Which features qualify and whether verification is required |
| Anti-Theft Discount | Vehicles with qualifying theft deterrent systems | Whether factory vs. aftermarket systems are treated differently |
Pros and Cons of 21st Century Auto Insurance
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21st Century Insurance Reviews and Ratings
Insurance ratings and reviews can be confusing because they come from different places—and they measure different things. For 21st Century, there are two practical categories to pay attention to: financial strength and consumer complaint trends.
Financial Strength
21st Century is part of the Farmers Insurance Group. AM Best has affirmed Farmers Insurance Group’s Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) (see AM Best’s announcement: AM Best rating affirmation for Farmers).
California Consumer Complaint Data
The California Department of Insurance publishes an annual complaint study for large auto insurers. In the 2025 California Consumer Complaint Study (Automobile) (complaint years 2024–2022), “21st Century” appears under multiple company names, including 21st Century Insurance Company and 21st Century Casualty Company.
Complaint ratios can move significantly from year to year, so it’s best to use the report as a trend check—not the only deciding factor. To interpret the results correctly, compare the exact company name on your quote or policy documents to the company name used in the complaint study.
How to Decide if 21st Century Is Right for You
When comparing 21st Century to other California insurers, focus on the parts of the policy that actually drive protection and cost:
- Choose liability limits first (don’t default to the minimum if you can’t afford the out-of-pocket risk).
- Compare deductibles for collision and comprehensive—raising a deductible can reduce premium, but increases your share of repair costs.
- Confirm discount eligibility before buying (especially student, multi-vehicle, safety/anti-theft, and California good-driver status).
- Check claims support options (online claims vs. phone-based claims, repair shop networks, and roadside assistance terms).
Quick tip: If your premium feels unusually high in California, it’s often a market/underwriting issue—not just “you.” This guide explains common CA pricing drivers: why car insurance is so expensive in California.
Other California Insurers to Compare
Rates and underwriting can vary dramatically in California, so it’s smart to compare multiple companies using the same coverage limits and deductibles.
Final Word on 21st Century Auto Insurance
21st Century can be a reasonable choice for California drivers who want a direct-to-consumer insurance experience backed by a larger insurance group. The best way to know if it’s “good” for you is to compare quotes using the same coverages and to verify that your discounts and deductibles match your real-world needs.
For policy questions, billing, claims, or other support details, see: 21st Century customer service contact number.
