Is California Casualty Good for Auto Insurance?
Last Updated on January 7, 2026
California Casualty can be a good car insurance company if you’re eligible for its member-focused program and live in a state where it currently writes policies. It’s best known for serving educators, nurses, and public safety professionals, but availability is limited compared to large national insurers.
Founded in 1914, California Casualty has a long operating history and is well-known in California through partnerships with educator and public-service organizations. Today, the company emphasizes affinity-group coverage and benefits for community heroes and their families.
Below is an updated look at how California Casualty auto insurance works, what it covers, where it’s available, and how to evaluate it against other insurers.
Our Rating of California Casualty
3.5
out of 5
★★★★☆
Summary
Bottom line: California Casualty can be a good fit for eligible educators and public safety professionals, but its limited footprint and lower financial-strength rating are important tradeoffs.
California Casualty is a long-established insurer that specializes in auto insurance for educators, healthcare workers, and public safety professionals through affinity-style programs. It offers standard auto coverages and occupation-based benefits in a limited number of states, with eligibility and discounts varying by location, while its financial strength is rated lower than many large national insurers.
Best for
- Eligible teachers, nurses, and public safety professionals
- Drivers who value affinity-group benefits and member-focused service
- Shoppers in states where California Casualty actively writes policies
Not ideal for
- Drivers outside the company’s current coverage states
- Shoppers who prefer large national insurers with broader reach
- Customers seeking higher financial-strength ratings
- Our Rating of California Casualty
- California Casualty at a Glance
- About California Casualty
- Where California Casualty Auto Insurance Is Available
- How California Casualty Auto Insurance Works
- Coverage Options You Can Expect
- Discounts and Member-Oriented Benefits
- California Casualty Reviews and Ratings
- Filing a Claim and Managing Your Policy
- Final Word on California Casualty
- FAQs on California Casualty Auto Insurance
California Casualty at a Glance
| Company | California Casualty (California Casualty Indemnity Exchange and related group companies) |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Best For | Educators, higher education employees, nurses/NPs, firefighters/EMTs, and law enforcement/peace officers (typically via associations or select employer groups) |
| Current Auto & Home Program Availability | AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, OR, WY (availability varies by state/underwriting) |
| Financial Strength Snapshot | AM Best: B (Fair) (most large national insurers are higher) |
| Customer Service Rating Snapshot | BBB: A+ (BBB ratings are not the same as claims satisfaction, but can be a helpful signal) |
About California Casualty
California Casualty is headquartered in San Mateo, California and markets its insurance through partnerships with education, healthcare, and public safety organizations. In recent years, the company has increasingly positioned itself as an affinity insurer for “community heroes,” with program benefits and service tailored to those groups.
Where California Casualty Auto Insurance Is Available
California Casualty’s current auto and home insurance program is available to qualified customers in a limited set of states. The company also notes that partner-carrier programs may be available in some areas for certain products, depending on eligibility and underwriting.
| Program Type | States Listed by California Casualty | What That Means for Shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Auto & Home Program | AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, OR, WY | If you live outside these states, you may not be able to buy a California Casualty-written auto policy even if you’re eligible. |
| Partner Options | Varies | In some situations, California Casualty may refer eligible customers to partner markets for certain lines. Ask whether the policy would be issued by California Casualty or a partner carrier. |
How California Casualty Auto Insurance Works
California Casualty functions like other auto insurers: you choose liability limits, add physical damage coverage if needed, select deductibles, and then pay a premium based on underwriting factors (driving history, vehicle, location, coverage choices, and more). A key difference is eligibility—many applicants are asked to confirm an occupation, employer group, or association affiliation during the quoting process.
How to Get a Quote
- Start with the online quote flow on CalCas.com or call the sales line listed in the contact table below.
- Be prepared to confirm your occupation (or eligible household status) and your state.
- Compare the quote against at least a few competitors with the same limits and deductibles for an apples-to-apples comparison.
Coverage Options You Can Expect
Coverage availability and optional add-ons vary by state, but California Casualty generally offers the standard building blocks of an auto policy.
| Coverage | What It Helps Pay For | Helpful Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | Injuries to others when you’re at fault, including medical bills, potential lost wages, and certain damages like pain and suffering (subject to claim facts and state law). | Choose limits based on your assets and risk exposure—not just state minimums. |
| Property Damage Liability | Damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property (fences, buildings, etc.). | Low property damage limits can become a problem quickly in multi-vehicle crashes. |
| Collision | Repairs to your vehicle after a crash, regardless of fault (minus deductible). | If you’re debating value on an older vehicle, see when it makes sense to drop collision coverage. |
| Comprehensive | Non-collision damage such as vandalism, theft, weather (including hail), and incidents like a fallen tree branch (minus deductible). | Comprehensive and collision are often required by lenders/lessors. |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist | Injuries (and in some states property damage) if you’re hit by a driver with little or no insurance. | Especially important in areas with higher uninsured-driver rates. |
| Medical Payments / PIP | Medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident (structure varies by state). | Coordination with health insurance can matter; check exclusions and subrogation rules. |
| Rental / Roadside (Optional) | Rental reimbursement while your car is in the shop; towing/roadside services. | Roadside benefits can overlap with auto clubs or credit card perks—avoid paying twice. |
| Mexico Auto Insurance (Separate Policy) | Liability and other selected coverages for driving in Mexico, where U.S. policies typically don’t apply. | California Casualty markets Mexico auto coverage—learn the basics at does U.S. auto insurance cover Mexico? If you’re towing, review how trailer coverage works before you travel. |
| Specialty Vehicles | Motorcycle, boat, and other specialty products, depending on state. | If you need specialty coverage, compare options like classic/collector car insurance or RV insurance based on how you actually use the vehicle. |
| Umbrella (Optional) | Extra liability limits over auto/home, after underlying limits are met. | High-asset households often consider umbrella coverage for added protection. |
Quick tip: If you plan to drive into Mexico, don’t assume your U.S. policy applies. Confirm your insurer’s rules and buy a Mexico policy before crossing the border.
Discounts and Member-Oriented Benefits
California Casualty advertises occupational discounts and profession-oriented benefits for eligible customers. Exact discounts, eligibility, and benefit triggers vary by state and underwriting rules, so treat any discount list as “possible” until it shows on your quote.
| Discount or Benefit Type | Who It Typically Applies To | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational / Affinity Savings | Many educators and education support staff (see teacher discounts), plus eligible healthcare and public safety professionals such as nurses (see nurse discounts). | Ask what proof is required (employer ID, association membership, pay stub) and whether household members qualify. |
| Good Driver | Drivers with a clean history may qualify for a good driver discount. | Lookback periods vary; see how your driving record impacts eligibility in your state. |
| Good Student | Students meeting GPA/enrollment requirements may qualify for a good student discount. | Confirm documentation requirements and renewal frequency (each term/each year). |
| First Responder Discount | Eligible public safety professionals may qualify for a first responder discount. | Ask whether dispatch/EMS/volunteer roles qualify and whether it stacks with other discounts. |
| Bundling / Multi-Policy | Drivers bundling auto with home or renters may see savings (see how bundling can lower premiums). | Verify whether bundling requires policies to be written by California Casualty or if partner-written policies also qualify. For renters, see renters + auto discounts. |
| Mature Driver | Some older drivers may qualify for senior discounts. | Ask whether a course is required and whether it changes your rating tier. |
| Multi-Car | Households insuring more than one vehicle may qualify for multi-car discounts. | Confirm whether all vehicles must be garaged at the same address. |
| Driver Training / Defensive Driving | Some drivers may qualify after completing a defensive driving course. | Confirm which courses are accepted and whether the discount applies to all drivers on the policy. |
| Profession-Based Perks | Some affinity programs include deductible or claim-related perks for certain professions. | Get the perk in writing on your declarations or policy forms. If you’re trying to reduce out-of-pocket costs, review how deductibles work and when they can be waived. |
California Casualty Reviews and Ratings
When evaluating any insurer, focus on three areas: (1) financial strength, (2) complaint patterns, and (3) your real quote for your specific risk profile.
- Financial strength: AM Best currently assigns California Casualty an FSR of B (Fair), which is lower than many large national insurers. That doesn’t automatically mean problems, but it’s a factor to weigh if you prefer higher-rated carriers.
- BBB rating: California Casualty is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
- Complaints: Complaint volume and “justified complaint” ratios vary by state and year. If you’re in California, the Department of Insurance publishes a consumer complaint study that lets you compare insurers’ justified complaint ratios.
Filing a Claim and Managing Your Policy
California Casualty allows customers to report a claim online or by phone. The company’s customer care line also provides support for policy changes and billing questions, with published hours that vary by day.
- Report a claim: Call 1-800-800-9410 and choose the claims option, or use the online claims center on CalCas.com.
- Policy or billing help: Call 1-800-800-9410 during published customer care hours.
- Roadside/towing: Use the roadside number listed on your ID card (also shown in the contact table below).
Final Word on California Casualty
California Casualty is most compelling for eligible teachers, nurses, and public safety professionals who want affinity-style service and potential occupational savings. The main limitation is availability—if you don’t live in a state where California Casualty currently writes policies, you’ll likely need to shop elsewhere.
As with any insurer, compare quotes using the same limits and deductibles, and weigh financial strength and complaint trends in your state before choosing a policy.
| California Casualty Insurance Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 39700 Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9700 |
| Get a Quote Phone Number | 1-866-680-5143 |
| Customer Service Phone Number | 1-800-800-9410 |
| Towing and Roadside Assistance | 1-800-331-7350 |
| Website URL | https://www.calcas.com/ |
