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21st Century Insurance review 2024

Shannon Martin is a licensed insurance agent and Bankrate analyst with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She enjoys helping others navigate the insurance world by cutting through complex jargon and empowering readers to make strong financial decisions independently.

Natasha Cornelius, CLU, is an insurance editor for Bankrate, specializing in auto, home and life insurance.

Natasha Cornelius, CLU, is an insurance editor for Bankrate, specializing in auto, home and life insurance.

The Bankrate promise

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure.

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure.

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Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.

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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

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Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

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Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you.

All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first.

At a glance

Bankrate's take

California drivers looking for plenty of discount opportunities and free roadside assistance might find 21st Century to be an attractive auto insurer. However, the company doesn’t sell its own home insurance policies; instead, it partners with Farmers.

Auto

Avg. annual premium for full coverage

$2,348

Avg. annual premium for min coverage

$712

21st Century car insurance review

21st Century is a smaller insurer, only servicing California. However, it may be a good choice for Golden State drivers looking for coverage with a local provider. Although 21st Century is unrated by J.D. Power and AM Best — and therefore, wasn’t awarded a Bankrate Score — the company that owns 21st Century, Farmers, has a relatively high financial strength rating, indicating its historical ability to pay out claims. However, it is worth noting that 21st Century’s mobile app is rated poorly per the App Store and Google Play.

21st Century offers the standard auto insurance coverage types: liability-only policies and full coverage insurance. As a bonus, 21st Century offers complimentary roadside assistance coverage for eligible policyholders.

Its website also offers additional policy coverage types such as antique auto insurance, motorcycle and ATV insurance, boaters insurance and personal watercraft insurance. However, customers are redirected to Farmers and Foremost for these products.

Pros and cons of 21st Century car insurance

When shopping for car insurance, it’s essential to look at a company holistically by considering specific benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

Cons

21st Century car insurance cost

According to rate data obtained from Quadrant Information Services, the average full coverage premium for 21st Century car insurance is $2,348 per year. For minimum coverage, the average is $712 per year. These rates are similar to the national averages of $2,299 and $637, respectively. However, compared to California’s average cost of car insurance — $2,663 for full coverage and $647 for minimum coverage — 21st Century’s average full coverage policies are cheaper.

Several rating factors determine your auto insurance premium, such as the climate you live in and the type of vehicle you drive, to name a few. However, your driving record can be the most significant and drivers with activity tend to pay much more for car insurance. Additionally, 21st Century will accept drivers with DUIs and offers SR-22 filings, which is not always an option with other insurance companies.

Since 21st Century only offers car insurance in California, it is worth noting that, unlike most other states, California does not allow credit-based insurance scores. The rates below are based on a 40-year-old driver and show how various driving activity can impact your premium.

Your age can have a considerable impact on how much you pay for car insurance. Typically, insurance is more expensive for new and teen drivers due to their lack of driving experience and maturity level. Teen driving statistics show that 79 percent of single-vehicle car accidents involving drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 involve speeding, and young drivers are more likely not to wear a seat belt and participate in distracted driving. While these risk factors are reflected in a youthful operator's premium, new drivers can find cheaper car insurance rates by staying on their parents' policy for as long as they are eligible to do so.

When comparing car insurance rates, keep in mind that premiums between insurance companies can vary significantly. Each carrier creates its rating structure and underwriting criteria that weigh rate factors to benefit its business model. For example, some carriers may have more discounts and policy features geared to high-risk drivers, whereas another company may have better rates and benefits for more established drivers with clean records. 21st Century premiums tend to be middle-of-the-road when compared to other carriers within its market.

21st Century customer satisfaction

Like many insurance carriers, 21st Century auto policies are underwritten by several different companies, making it difficult to assess customer satisfaction. 21st Century does not have a J.D. Power score since it is a super-regional carrier. Those interested in reviewing how the company fares in terms of customer complaints could turn to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index. However, you’ll need to browse complaints recorded with the individual underwriting companies. For this reason, it may be easier to search customer reviews online or talk to friends and family insured with 21st Century to get an idea of what it’s like to be a policyholder.

21st Century car insurance discounts

21st Century Insurance offers several discounts for auto insurance savings, especially for a regional provider. Customers are typically allowed to stack as many discounts as they are eligible to receive. The company’s available car insurance discounts include a few that may be particularly easy to qualify for:

Get personalized auto insurance quotes

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Compare 21st Century with other insurers

21st Century Insurance isn’t for everyone. If your needs don’t align with what it has to offer, this list of car insurance providers may help you find the right carrier for you.

21st Century vs. State Farm

State Farm is one of our 2023 Bankrate Awards winners for best car insurance for high-risk drivers. The company boasts national availability, high customer satisfaction scores and excellent financial strength ratings. If you’re looking for multiple product lines, State Farm could also be a good choice as one of the 2024 Bankrate Awards winners for best term life insurance.

Learn more: State Farm Insurance review

21st Century vs. Geico

If you’re a tech-savvy shopper, you may want to request a quote from Geico. It has a highly rated mobile app and a full-service website, allowing hands-on policy management. Additionally, Geico was one of the 2024 Bankrate Awards winners for best auto insurance. It offers coverage to high-risk drivers, provides dozens of discount opportunities and scores well for customer satisfaction with J.D. Power. However, like 21st Century, Geico does not write its own homeowners insurance policies.

Learn more: Geico Insurance review

21st Century vs. Wawanesa

If you live in California and are looking for a highly rated provider, you may want to consider Wawanesa. This insurer received the highest rating in California per J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, marking its fourth consecutive year at the top. Unlike 21st Century, it also offers home insurance. However, customers don’t have access to perks like 21st Century’s complimentary roadside assistance, which may be important for some.

Learn more: Wawanesa Insurance review

Why you can trust Bankrate

Our insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth 21st Century insurance review.

46

years of industry expertise

122

carriers reviewed

34.5K

ZIP codes examined

1.2M

quotes analyzed

Is 21st Century a good insurance company?

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed agents, is committed to helping drivers choose the coverage that fits their needs and budgets best. The company’s rates are lower than the California average, and it offers a respectable list of discounts that could help you save even more.

To find out more about the company’s quality of service, it may be worth asking friends or family with 21st Century Insurance about their experience — especially since you can’t turn to J.D. Power ratings.

What are real-life customers saying about 21st Century?

If you are considering signing up with an insurance carrier that is not reviewed by an independent customer satisfaction company, finding customer reviews may be a crucial step in your research. To help you with the process, Bankrate has scoured reviews from social media platforms to give an accurate synopsis of what you may find.

The common theme among 21st Century reviews is the frustration around the lack of customer service and agent availability. From customers trying to make changes or pay their bills to drivers involved in an accident with 21st Century policyholders, there is trouble connecting with claims and customer service. Notably, reviews dated before 2017 are positive, but they take a downward turn after Farmers bought 21st Century.

21st Century company details

For those considering 21st Century for their insurance needs, here are some key contact details and resources to help you get started or manage your existing policies:

State availability

21st Century is only available in California. However, its sister company Toggle, another subsidiary of Farmer's, offers auto, home and renters in several other states.

21st Century tools and benefits

21st Century Insurance offers the following perks that may be of interest to drivers looking for insurance in California:

Frequently asked questions about 21st Century Insurance

How do you file a claim with 21st Century Insurance?

You can submit a claim with 21st Century Insurance online using the company’s claims portal or by calling 1-888-244-6163. The claims department is open 24/7, and an adjuster will contact you within 72 hours to start working through the process.

You can submit a claim with 21st Century Insurance online using the company’s claims portal or by calling 1-888-244-6163. The claims department is open 24/7, and an adjuster will contact you within 72 hours to start working through the process.

Who owns 21st Century Insurance?

21st Century Insurance is owned by Farmers Insurance Group.

21st Century Insurance is owned by Farmers Insurance Group.

Why doesn’t this company have a Bankrate Score?

21st Century is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Group and only offers auto insurance in California under this name. While we attempt to score every carrier that we review, it can be difficult to tie an accurate score to smaller insurers that utilize additional products and underwriting from third parties. The quality of service, along with other factors, from other companies, could potentially impact 21st Century policyholders in a way that can not be justly quantified.

21st Century is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Group and only offers auto insurance in California under this name. While we attempt to score every carrier that we review, it can be difficult to tie an accurate score to smaller insurers that utilize additional products and underwriting from third parties. The quality of service, along with other factors, from other companies, could potentially impact 21st Century policyholders in a way that can not be justly quantified.

To cancel a new policy, you can call 21st Century at 1-800-241-1188 before it goes into effect. Otherwise, you must send the request in writing by regular mail or fax. You’ll need to provide the name of the policyholder, the address of the policyholder, the policy number and the date of cancellation. The company’s mailing address is 21st Century Insurance, P.O. Box 15510, Wilmington, DE 19886-9252. In California, the fax number is 1-800-842-3057; outside California, it’s 1-866-447-2611.

To cancel a new policy, you can call 21st Century at 1-800-241-1188 before it goes into effect. Otherwise, you must send the request in writing by regular mail or fax. You’ll need to provide the name of the policyholder, the address of the policyholder, the policy number and the date of cancellation. The company’s mailing address is 21st Century Insurance, P.O. Box 15510, Wilmington, DE 19886-9252. In California, the fax number is 1-800-842-3057; outside California, it’s 1-866-447-2611.

Though it does not advertise many community programs, 21st Century’s parent company, Farmers, has strong corporate citizenship initiatives and supports nonprofits that focus on disaster recovery, youth fostering and financial support for low-income military families.

Though it does not advertise many community programs, 21st Century’s parent company, Farmers, has strong corporate citizenship initiatives and supports nonprofits that focus on disaster recovery, youth fostering and financial support for low-income military families.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze May 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.

The rates for drivers ages 16-18 added to their parents' policy reflect the good student and driver's training discounts applied. The rates for drivers aged 16-20 on their own policy do not include the good student and driver's training discounts. Additionally, 25-year-old rates are based on the driver as a renter and 30+ on the driver as a homeowner.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes will differ.

Shannon Martin is a licensed insurance agent and Bankrate analyst with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She enjoys helping others navigate the insurance world by cutting through complex jargon and empowering readers to make strong financial decisions independently.

Natasha Cornelius, CLU, is an insurance editor for Bankrate, specializing in auto, home and life insurance.

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