21st Century Insurance review 2024
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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.
- Offers complimentary roadside assistance
- Offers four different good driver discounts
- Offers SR-22s
- Only available in California
- Does not directly offer home or renters insurance
We want to know what you think about 21st Century
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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
- Regional carrier in tune with local market
- Free roadside assistance
- Premiums are below the California average
Cons
- Only available in California
- Mobile app lacks functionality
- Customer service and sales department only open during normal business hours
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 $2,410 per year. For minimum coverage, the average is $683 per year. These rates are similar to the national averages of $2,348 and $639, respectively. However, compared to California’s average cost of car insurance — $2,645 for full coverage and $631 for minimum coverage — 21st Century’s average full coverage policies are cheaper.
How much is 21st Century car insurance?
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.
|
Driver profile
|
21st Century full coverage premium
|
National full coverage premium
|
|---|---|---|
|
Driver with no activity
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$3,063
|
National full coverage premium
$2,348
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$4,154
|
National full coverage premium
$2,859
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$5,660
|
National full coverage premium
$3,378
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$7,652
|
National full coverage premium
$4,557
|
21st Century car insurance quotes by age
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.
|
Age
|
21st Century full coverage premium
|
National full coverage premium
|
|---|---|---|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$12,314
|
National full coverage premium
$5,080
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$10,382
|
National full coverage premium
$4,376
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$6,671
|
National full coverage premium
$4,817
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$4,177
|
National full coverage premium
$2,928
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$3,408
|
National full coverage premium
$2,522
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$3,063
|
National full coverage premium
$2,348
|
|
|
21st Century full coverage premium
$2,440
|
National full coverage premium
$2,134
|
Compare 21st Century car insurance rates
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.
|
Company
|
Avg. full coverage premium
|
Avg. min coverage premium
|
|---|---|---|
|
$2,410
|
$683
|
|
|
$2,591
|
$819
|
|
|
$2,018
|
$627
|
|
|
$2,866
|
$840
|
|
|
$1,962
|
$531
|
|
|
$1,856
|
$645
|
|
|
$2,421
|
$759
|
|
|
$1,811
|
$507
|
|
|
$1,899
|
$675
|
|
|
$1,739
|
$453
|
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:
- Good driver: Drivers who have been on the road for at least three years and have remained ticket-free could save 20 percent or more on their car insurance.
- Superior driver: Drivers who have maintained a clean driving record for four years or more could save between 10 to 20 percent on their car insurance.
- Anti-theft: If your vehicle is equipped with updated systems to deter theft, you may be able to save around 15 percent.
- Good student: You might save up to 15 percent on your car insurance if you are under the age of 25 and maintain a B average or better.
- Multi-car: Including more than one car or driver on your policy could lower your rate.
- Mature driver discount: Drivers over the age of 55 can save an average of 2 percent off their liability coverage by completing a state-approved safe driving course.
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
Read our full methodologyOur 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:
- For customer service, call 1-877-401-8181
- If you are looking for sales quotes or to start a new policy, call 1-800-807-9458
- To file a claim, call 1-888-244-6163 or submit your claim online at myclaim@21st.com
- Website: 21st.com
- For general correspondence, mail should be sent to 21st Century Insurance, 3 Beaver Valley Road, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19803
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:
- Mobile app: Although its reviews are not especially favorable, 21st Century Insurance does have a mobile app, which may be attractive to policyholders who prefer to handle their policy digitally.
- Free roadside assistance: Another feature not always offered by other insurers, 21st Century automatically signs up policyholders for roadside assistance, free of charge.
- Digital articles: The company’s website features how-to and informational articles to help readers navigate auto insurance and make informed decisions about coverage and policy limits.
- Toggle: Through 21st Century’s sister company Toggle, you have more insurance options and state availability for auto, home and renters insurance.
Frequently asked questions about 21st Century Insurance
Methodology
Auto
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze September 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 for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and coverage levels:
Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500Other profiles
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
