Wawanesa Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes (2024)

Wawanesa offers competitive policy rates, superior financial strength, and high industry ratings for customer satisfaction. But it’s only available in California and Oregon.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken
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Emily is a widely recognized expert on personal finance and has authored several personal finance books. She’s a frequent guest on national and regional media.

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Sara Getman
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Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated November 26, 2024

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Drivers in California and Oregon may be interested in coverage from Wawanesa. With a lower average monthly rate than California, Oregon, and national averages, many drivers may be able to save money with Wawanesa. Additionally, AM Best rates the company highly in financial strength and J.D. Power rates it highly for customer satisfaction.[1][2]

But Wawanesa does have a higher-than-average customer complaint score on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index and low ratings on customer review sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).[3][4]

Here’s what you need to know about Wawanesa so you can decide if it’s the right insurer for you. But don’t forget the importance of comparing quotes from multiple insurers before choosing a policy. Here’s what you need to know about Wawanesa General Insurance.

Quick Facts
  • The Automobile Club of Southern California purchased Wawanesa from its Canadian parent company in 2023.

  • The insurer has halted sales of new car insurance policies in Oregon while determining whether to continue offering insurance there.

  • In addition to car insurance, Wawanesa also offers home, condo, renters, and pet insurance.

How Wawanesa compares to other insurance companies

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JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
879
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
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Wawanesa offers lower average monthly rates than many companies operating in the same location, although you may see higher rates depending on your specific circumstances.

This super-regional company is only offered in two states, so its availability is much lower than that of other insurers. It also offers only seven discounts, so you don’t have as many ways to save on a policy.

But for being such a small company, it has an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), indicating superior financial strength.[1] It also has a J.D. Power score of 889 for customer satisfaction.[2] Check out the table below to see how Wawanesa stacks up against competitors.

Factor
How Wawanesa Insurance Compares
RatesLower than competitors
Customer serviceBetter than competitors
DiscountsLess than competitors
AvailabilityLess than competitors
Financial strengthStronger than competitors
  • Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1-to-5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.

    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.

    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.

    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer’s transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.

    • Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.

How Wawanesa rates compare to competitors

Wawanesa has fairly affordable rates. On average, it offers full coverage for $116 per month and liability insurance for $56 per month.

The bar graph below shows how Wawanesa compares to its competitors.

Full-Coverage Rates by Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Average cost of Wawanesa auto insurance

Drivers with clean records typically secure the cheapest rates. Drivers with an incident on their record — such as a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a DUI — pay higher rates. Insurance companies consider high-risk drivers as more likely to file a claim and charge higher rates to make up for the possible financial loss.

Similarly, teen drivers pay high rates because they’re more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors and have less experience. Senior drivers pay the lowest rates because they have the most experience.

The table below illustrates how Wawanesa’s monthly liability rates compare to the national average liability rates for various driver profiles.

Driver
Wawanesa Average Quote
National Average
Drivers with a clean record$56$104
Drivers with a speeding ticket$80$145
Drivers with an at-fault accident$83$151
Drivers with a DUI$94$171
Teen drivers$97$193
Senior drivers$41$80
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Wawanesa car insurance cost by state

Several things affect the cost of your car insurance, including your home state. While Wawanesa is currently only available in California and Oregon, premiums might vary in each state due to mandated insurance requirements and location-based risks for drivers.

While Wawanesa’s average premiums are lower than the California state average, the cost of your coverage will depend on your driving record and other factors. Check out the average monthly cost of liability coverage from Wawanesa by state.

State
Wawanesa Average Quote
State Average
California$68$140
Oregon$54$100
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Wawanesa car insurance discounts 

A savvy way to help keep your car insurance premiums low is to take advantage of any discounts your auto insurer offers. Here are some of the best discounts available to Wawanesa drivers:

  • Good driver discount: If you’ve had a license for three years, no more than one violation or accident in the past three years, and no DUIs in the past 10 years, you’re eligible for a good driver discount from Wawanesa in California.

  • Mature driver improvement course discount: Drivers older than 55 who complete a DMV-approved defensive driving course may be eligible for this discount.

  • Multi-car discount: If you have more than one car on the same Wawanesa policy, you’ll get a price break.

  • Multi-policy discount: Also known as “bundling,” this is a great example of a win-win scenario. You can save money on your home, renters, or condo insurance when you purchase a policy and your auto insurance from Wawanesa.

  • Loyalty discount: Drivers who stay insured by Wawanesa for a full year are eligible for a loyalty discount of up to 22%.

  • Affinity discount: Your affiliation with one of Wawanesa’s affinity groups can score you savings on your car insurance.

  • Insurance score discount: Insurance companies base their own credit scores on your credit report and the likelihood that you’ll file a claim. You can save money on your Wawanesa coverage if you have a favorable insurance score.

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How customers feel about Wawanesa insurance

Customer recommendations, complaints, and analyses of an insurer can provide important information to potential customers.

Wawanesa’s individual ratings from industry review sites like J.D. Power and AM Best are quite good, but the situation is a little different on third-party review sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau website.[1][2] Customers often cite difficulty with claims and insurance adjusters.

Wawanesa has a star rating of 1.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 18 reviews, and a rating of 1.12 out of 5 on the BBB website, based on 17 reviews.[3] But it does have an A+ rating from the BBB.[4]

Wawanesa insurance ratings

Rating agencies like AM Best, J.D. Power, and the NAIC can help potential Wawanesa policyholders understand the company’s financial strength and customer satisfaction. Check out Wawanesa’s ratings below to help you decide if it’s the right company for your auto insurance needs.

Rating
Score
What This Means
AM BestA+ (Superior)Superior ability to meet financial obligations
J.D. Power889 out of 1,000Above-average ranking for auto claims satisfaction
NAIC Complaint Index2.06More than two times the number of complaints compared to the national average for the industry

Wawanesa car insurance coverage options

Drivers who choose Wawanesa may opt for the standard state-minimum required car insurance coverage, which protects you from bodily injury liability and property damage liability. You can also purchase full-coverage auto insurance — which includes comprehensive coverage and collision coverage on top of the state-mandated liability coverage — from Wawanesa.

Additional auto insurance coverages Wawanesa offers include these optional endorsements:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers your damages if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have adequate (or any) insurance. While this is an optional rider in some states, other states, like Oregon, require all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Roadside assistance coverage

    Roadside assistance will help if your car is disabled due to a dead battery, empty gas tank, flat tire, or minor mechanical problem.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/c939068e05/miles.svg

    Special vehicle equipment coverage

    If you have custom equipment that’s lost or damaged, this coverage offers compensation to repair or replace the special equipment.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/502eb94f2a/car-and-driving-96x96-orange_032-rearview-mirror.svg

    Vehicle manufacturer replacement parts coverage

    This coverage pays to replace damaged parts with parts made by the original equipment manufacturer rather than third-party products.

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Other options for Wawanesa insurance customers

In addition to car insurance coverage, Wawanesa also offers these coverages to its customers:

  • Renters insurance: This coverage can pay for loss or damage to your belongings, liability, and medical payments if you experience a covered peril in your rented housing.

  • Homeowners insurance: A home insurance policy will protect your dwelling itself, as well as the contents of your home if you need to make a claim.

  • Pet insurance: Veterinary care can be expensive, but pet insurance can help you pay for your pet’s healthcare needs.

  • Condo insurance: The insurance coverage condo owners need differs from the products homeowners and renters need. Wawanesa offers this coverage to protect your home and property.

Wawanesa insurance FAQs

Here’s some additional information about Wawanesa insurance to help you decide if it’s the right insurance company for you.

  • Is Wawanesa insurance legitimate?

    Yes. Wawanesa General is a legitimate insurance company. AM Best gives Wawanesa a financial strength rating of A+, so the company is in good financial standing and can easily pay its financial obligations.[1] 

    But while Wawanesa is entirely legitimate, individual customers may not be satisfied with their policies or customer service. The BBB website gives this insurer an A+ rating, but customer reviews tell a different story. Based on 17 reviews and complaints, Wawanesa only has a rating of 1.12 out of 5 stars on the BBB website.[4]

  • What is the average cost of Wawanesa car insurance?

    The average cost of Wawanesa car insurance is $116 per month for full coverage and $56 for liability coverage. Keep in mind that these are average costs. You’ll pay more or less depending on your specific circumstances.

  • Is Wawanesa good at paying claims?

    Wawanesa General has an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), which means it has a superior ability to meet its financial obligations, including its ability to pay claims.

    In addition, Wawanesa’s parent company, Auto Club of Southern California Insurance Group, received a J.D. Power score of 889 (out of 1,000) in its auto claims satisfaction survey, putting it above the average score of 878.[2] These two rankings make it clear that Wawanesa auto insurance customers can feel confident their claims will be handled appropriately.

  • How do I cancel my Wawanesa insurance policy?

    Wawanesa works with insurance agents, so you’ll have to contact your Wawanesa agent to cancel your insurance policy. There’s no option to cancel online.

  • Who is Wawanesa owned by?

    The Automobile Club of Southern California recently purchased Wawanesa General from its parent company, the Canadian-based Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. Under its new ownership, Wawanesa is committed to continuing its service in California, but it’s re-evaluating its presence in Oregon this year.[5]

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Best's Credit Rating Center. "Company Profile."
  2. Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
  3. Trustpilot. "Wawanesa Insurance."
  4. Better Business Bureau. "Wawanesa Insurance."
  5. Wawanesa. "Oregon car insurance."
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Sara Getman
Edited bySara GetmanAssociate Editor
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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