Is the Automobile Club of Southern California Good for Auto Insurance?

Last Updated on January 24, 2022

The Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC) is an affiliate of AAA and is based out of Costa Mesa, CA. Initially opening its doors in 1900, this club offers auto insurance to residents in California only. If you are thinking of using the auto club for your insurance in the state, it could be a viable option – but it will depend on the coverage you need and your overall budget.

Looking at the Coverage Options and How it Compares to Other Leading Insurers

The first step is to review what the Auto Club of Southern California has compared to other leading insurance companies in the state (and nationwide firms too).

Some offerings that ACSC can offer to insurance policyholders are:

• 24/7 Phone Support
• Free Cancellations
• Agents available Locally
• Emergency Roadside Service Add-Ons
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Policy Discounts

As an auto club, they do not have all the features of other big names in insurance, and this could be a deal-breaker for you if you were hoping to unlock all discounts. Some options not available to you include:

• No digital claim reporting option
• No ridesharing discounts or coverage
• No transportation coverage
• No accident forgiveness plans

Does the Company Offer all Insurance Required by the State along with Additional Coverage Options?

Yes, Automobile Club of Southern California does offer the standard coverage required by the state, but they also have add-ons that you can use to improve coverage in your policy further.

Some coverage that you would get from the club include:

• Bodily Injury: This coverage handles legal defenses and any costs when there are injuries to others in an accident inside your vehicle.
• Property Damage: This portion of your coverage handles the property damage caused to other vehicles and property if you are at-fault for the incident.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: When the party at-fault for the accident doesn’t have enough auto insurance to cover – or no insurance at all – this part of your coverage will pick up the costs of your repairs and medical expenses to supplement where the at-fault party’s insurance fails.
• Collision Coverage: Collision is optional, but pays for any costs to replace or repair your vehicle if it were damaged in an accident.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage outside of an ordinary crash, such as weather damage, theft, or vandalism.
• Medical Coverage: If injured in an accident, this portion of your policy would then help pay for any medical costs regardless if you or another person caused the incident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers medical costs and a portion of your lost wages while you recover from an accident, but only within reasonable amounts and only up to your policy maximum.

What Add-On Policy Options Does the Company Offer?

In addition to the above standard options, you have extras that you can add to your policy with the club, including:

• Modified Vehicle Insurance, which covers custom parts and add-ons you make to your vehicle after buying it. Without this coverage, you only receive compensation for the manufacturer-installed and nothing aftermarket.
• Travel Expenses or Interruption coverage, which will refund expenses if your trip is delayed from an accident.
• Rental Car Coverage, which pays for your rental car usage while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired.
• Non-Owner Liability, which covers anyone driving your vehicle that doesn’t own the car – it can also help protect business owners.
• GAP and Loan Coverage, which will pay off any remaining balance post-market value. When you total a vehicle, insurance pays for market value only, which may be less than what you owe. By having GAP and loan coverage, you can then get the remaining balance paid off so you do not have to pay it out-of-pocket.
• Emergency Roadside service, can include everything from towing to lockout and tire replacement and battery jumpstarts.
• Breakdown Coverage, which will handle mechanical repairs necessary to get your vehicle running, but does not cover routine maintenance.

Are there any Discounts?

Auto Club of Southern California’s auto insurance program does offer discounts, but not as big of a list as other insurance companies. Some discounts you could unlock are:

• Internal Safety Features of the Vehicle: You are rewarded discounts based on safety features pre-installed in the vehicle, including airbags, seatbelts, automatic braking systems, and more. You will need to give the insurance company a full list of safety features on your vehicle to see which discounts apply.
• Lower Annual Usage: The fewer miles you put on your car each year, the more money you will save. If you drive under 15,000 per year, you should qualify for a discount.

How Do their Rates Compare to Other Leaders in the Area?

When looking at the company’s insurance rates in comparison to other brands, including national, they are competitive. They also use the same factors as others to determine how much you will pay annually for insurance, such as your driving record, credit history, and age. In California, however, companies cannot base rates off a credit score, so you can still unlock a great price despite poor credit.

Conclusion: They are a Great Insurer if You Live in the Area

If you live in California and you want insurance, Automobile Club of Southern California is a viable contender. However, if you want accident forgiveness and other premier programs, they may not be the one for you. You have only a few options for lowering your annual premium compared to other brands, so you may pay more in the long run than with another.