2024 21st Century Review

21st Century is an adequate car insurance provider in California but relies on affiliates to provide other coverages, so there may be better options if you’re looking for a one-stop insurance shop.

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21st Century Insurance should be appealing to California drivers since it offers free roadside assistance coverage and discounts that can make its car insurance policies especially affordable. In addition, it boasts the financial backing of a reliable parent company, Farmers.

However, 21st Century has poor customer satisfaction ratings and can merely direct you to a partner company for most types of coverage other than auto insurance, meaning there could also be plenty of reasons to consider shopping for coverage elsewhere altogether.

Check out the rest of our 21st Century Insurance review to find out what the company’s greatest strengths are and what kinds of coverage it can help you acquire.

21st Century auto insurance review summary: 21st Century specializes in California auto insurance coverage, with some of the perks of its policies including no-cost roadside assistance and multiple helpful discount opportunities. That said, the company offers a fairly limited range of car insurance coverage types on its own.

21st Century home insurance review summary: Though it doesn’t underwrite home insurance itself, 21st Century can help its customers obtain homeowners coverage thanks to its partnerships with companies like Farmers and Foremost. In particular, the 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program underwritten by Homesite can provide numerous add-ons beyond what’s included in a standard home insurance policy.

21st Century Insurance Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Backed by Farmers Insurance

Relies on other companies to provide coverage other than California car insurance

Car insurance policies include complimentary roadside assistance

High rate of complaints according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Rewards good driving with sizable auto insurance discounts

 

About 21st Century Insurance

21st Century Insurance was founded by Louis W. Foster in Los Angeles, California, in 1958. Fittingly, the company was then known as 20th Century Insurance. Foster aimed to keep insurance coverage prices low by marketing to customers directly via phone and mail.[1]

AIG acquired 21st Century Insurance Group in 2007 and the two companies’ auto insurance units merged.[2] However, the business was sold to Farmers in 2009 and 21st Century remains a part of the Farmers Insurance Group to this day.[3]

Availability

21st Century Insurance Company principally sells car insurance coverage directly to residents of California. However, it has affiliates operating in every state plus the District of Columbia.[4][5][6] As a result, the availability of coverage and the specific company that underwrites your policy will vary from state to state.

Coverage

21st Century Insurance exclusively underwrites auto insurance policies. That said, it has partnerships with companies that offer other kinds of insurance products. As a result, 21st Century may also be able to help you secure the following types of coverage:

  • Home
  • Renters
  • Condo
  • Motorcycle
  • ATV
  • Boat and watercraft
  • Commercial
  • Umbrella
  • Flood
  • Pet

Consumer Experience

Line of Business

NAIC Complaint Index[7]

NAIC Share of Complaints in U.S. Market[7]

Auto

2.27

0.34%

Customer Service

If you’re in need of support related to your 21st Century Insurance policy, you can call 1-877-401-8181 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time from Monday through Friday.[8] However, you may not be able to count on receiving high-quality customer service considering 21st Century Insurance Company received more complaints than expected given its market share within the auto insurance industry in 2022 according to data presented by the NAIC.[7]

Pricing

While 21st Century doesn’t list its starting auto insurance rates online, it does advertise the fact that its sister company, Toggle, offers renters insurance coverage for as low as $5 per month.[9] In general, your insurance premiums will depend on factors like your zip code, personal traits, claims history and policy details.

Claims

You can file an insurance claim with 21st Century Insurance by calling the company’s 24/7 claims line at 1-888-244-6163. Alternatively, you have the option to file auto, home and business insurance claims through the company’s online claims management portal. Once you have filed your claim, you can then log in online to view its status.[8]

21st Century Car Insurance

21st Century’s bread and butter is insuring drivers in California. The company can generally provide all of the coverage types you would expect from a basic full coverage car insurance policy along with a small number of optional add-ons.

What’s Covered

Notably, 21st Century auto insurance policies come with complimentary roadside assistance.[9] In addition, the company advertises the following major coverage types:[10][11]

21st Century can also help you get antique and classic car insurance underwritten by Foremost Insurance Company.[12] Meanwhile, Toggle advertises additional coverage types such as these:[13][14]

What Isn’t Covered

While 21st Century doesn’t publicly share its car insurance exclusions online, examples of damages and situations that generally aren’t covered by a standard auto insurance policy include the following:

  • Wear and tear
  • Routine maintenance
  • Intentional damages
  • Items stolen from or damaged inside of your car
  • Racing, off-roading and similar high-risk activities
  • Mechanical breakdowns

21st Century Home Insurance

Even though 21st Century Insurance doesn’t underwrite its own home insurance policies, it can still help customers obtain policies through other companies like Farmers, Foremost and Homesite.[15]

What’s Covered

21st Century may be able to get you a homeowners insurance policy that includes coverage types such as the following:[15][16][17]

What Isn’t Covered

Homesite lists the following exclusions for the 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program, although you should note that these exclusions specifically apply to renters insurance policies and may not be directly representative of the program’s home insurance exclusions:[18]

  • Flooding and water backup damage
  • Power failure
  • Neglect
  • War
  • Nuclear hazard
  • Intentional loss
  • Business activities
  • Transfer of disease
  • Rental units

Additional Policies 21st Century Offers

As mentioned previously, 21st Century Insurance only directly provides car insurance. Nevertheless, the company may be able to help you get other important coverages such as those described below.

Renters

You can get renters insurance through the 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program underwritten by Homesite or through 21st Century’s sister company, Toggle. Toggle’s renters insurance policies can include unique add-ons like worldwide personal property coverage, coverage for damage caused by pets, yearly declining deductibles, commercial coverage, identity theft coverage and more.[19]

Condo

The 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program also offers condo insurance policies. These policies include basic condo coverage types like personal property, loss of use, personal liability and medical payments coverage along with coverage for the internal structure of your unit. In addition, condo insurance from Homesite can include up to $1,500 worth of coverage for loss assessments.[20]

21st Century Insurance Discounts

If you’re looking to save money on auto or homeowners insurance, consider taking advantage of the following discounts that are available through 21st Century Insurance.[21]

Auto Insurance Discounts

Discount Name

Discount Description

Average Discount Amount

Good Driver

This discount applies to drivers who have had a license for at least three years and have received no more than one point for moving violations over the past three years

20% and up

Superior Driver

Similar to the good driver discount, this provides extra savings if you go four or five years without incurring additional moving violations

10% to 20%

Good Student

To qualify for this discount, you must be younger than 25 and maintain at least a B average in school

15%

Mature Driver

Drivers who are at least 55 years old can lower their premiums by taking an approved defensive driving course

2%

Multi-Car

You can get a discount by adding multiple cars and drivers to the same policy

Varies

Anti-Theft

Installing anti-theft devices to lower your exposure to theft can also make you eligible for lower car insurance rates

15%

Home Insurance Discounts

If you already have a 21st Century auto insurance policy, you could receive a 10% bundling discount on home insurance by buying coverage from one of 21st Century’s partner companies.[15] In addition, Homesite offers discounts to qualified retirees and anyone who installs burglar alarms, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, deadbolt locks and other safety features.[22]

FAQs

Who is 21st Century Insurance best suited for?

21st Century insurance reviews suggest coverage is best for California drivers who are fine with having their auto insurance underwritten by a different insurance carrier than their other insurance policies.

How can I contact 21st Century Insurance?

You can call 1-877-401-8181 to receive customer service or 1-888-244-6163 to file a claim with 21st Century Insurance.[8]

How do I buy 21st Century home and car insurance?

California residents can call 1-877-310-5687 to get car insurance quotes from 21st Century or 1-877-834-7532 to get a quote for the 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program from Homesite.[9][23]

Are there penalties if I cancel a 21st Century Insurance policy?

21st Century doesn’t advertise any cancellation fees but you may want to contact the company before canceling your policy to verify whether you will have to pay a penalty.

Where does 21st Century Insurance provide coverage?

21st Century Insurance predominantly operates in California but it has affiliates that sell insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.[4][5][6]

How Does 21st Century Compare to Other Car Insurance Companies?

21st Century vs Ameriprise 21st Century vs Arbella
21st Century vs Grinnell 21st Century vs Hartford
21st Century vs Meemic 21st Century vs National General
21st Century vs Pemco 21st Century vs Plymouth Rock
21st Century vs Utica National  

Sources

  1. 21st.com. “21st Century Insurance Celebrates 60 Year Anniversary.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  2. Los Angeles Times. “AIG Buys 21st Century Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  3. Farmers News & Media Center. “Farmers Insurance Acquisition of 21st Century Insurance Finalized.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  4. 21st.com. “21st Century Insurance Affiliated Companies.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  5. Farmers Hawaii. “About Farmers Insurance Hawaii.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  6. Massachusetts Division of Insurance. “Licensed Auto Liability Companies Designation 6G,” Page 1. Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  7. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “21st Century Ins Co National Complaint Index Report.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  8. 21st.com. “Car Insurance Quotes Online - Contact Us.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  9. 21st.com. “California Car Insurance | Online Quotes.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  10. 21st.com. “5 Types of Car Insurance Coverage Explained.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  11. 21st.com. “21st Century Security Advantage,” Page 1. Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  12. 21st.com. “Classic & Antique Car Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  13. Toggle. “Auto Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  14. Toggle. “Discover the Modern Car Insurance Difference With Toggle.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  15. 21st.com. “Homeowners Insurance | 21st Century Car Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  16. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Homeowners Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  17. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Homeowners Coverages.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  18. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Available Coverages - Renters.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  19. Toggle. “Toggle Renters Insurance | Covered. Anytime. Anywhere.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  20. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Condominium Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  21. 21st.com. “Car Insurance Discounts |Good Driver, Student & Senior.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  22. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Saving Money on Your Homeowners Insurance.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
  23. 21st Century Homeowners Insurance Program. “Contact Us.” Accessed Jan. 16, 2024.
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