Who 21st Century Insurance Is and What They Offer
21st Century Insurance is a regional auto insurance company owned by Farmers Insurance Group, operating in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. They sell standard auto insurance products — liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage — along with bundling options for home and renters policies in some states.
The company markets itself as a direct writer, meaning you buy from them rather than through an agent. They handle quotes, policy changes, and claims through their website, phone line, and mobile app. Their pricing model emphasizes discounts for bundling, safe driving records, and completing online transactions.
21st Century is not the same as 21st Century Insurance Group (which operates in different states) or other carriers with similar names. When comparing quotes, confirm you are looking at the right company and that they operate in your state.
Key Takeaways
- 21st Century operates only in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, so availability depends on your location.
- They offer standard auto coverage types plus bundling discounts, but the actual rates and discounts available to you vary based on your driving history, age, and location within their service area.
- You can get a quote online, by phone, or through their app without committing to anything, and comparing their quote to others takes the same time as comparing any other carrier.
- Claims are filed through their website or app, and response times depend on your specific claim type and local adjusters, not on a company-wide standard.
- Customer service quality and claims handling vary by individual experience, so reading recent reviews specific to your state can show you what others have encountered.
Coverage Types and Bundling Options
21st Century sells the coverage types required or available in each state where they operate. Liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage) is mandatory in all states. Collision and comprehensive are optional but often required by lenders if you finance or lease a vehicle. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if hit by someone without insurance or without enough insurance.
The company offers discounts for bundling auto with home or renters insurance, though the size of the discount and which combinations are available depend on your state and what you already own. A bundling discount does not automatically mean their combined price beats separate policies from other carriers, so compare the total cost rather than assuming bundling saves money.
Deductible options, coverage limits, and add-ons like roadside information vary by state. Your quote will show what is available where you live and what each option costs.
How to Get a Quote and What Information You Will Need
You can request a quote through 21st Century's website, by calling their phone line, or through their mobile app. The process is the same as getting a quote from any other carrier: you provide your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), current coverage (if you have it), and driving history.
Have your driver's license and vehicle registration handy before you start. If you are switching from another insurer, having your current policy handy speeds things up. The quote itself takes 10 to 20 minutes and does not require you to buy anything.
21st Century will ask about safety features on your vehicle, whether you have completed a defensive driving course, and how you use the vehicle (commute distance, annual mileage). These details affect the price they show you. If your circumstances change after you get the quote, the final premium may differ.
Discounts and What They Actually Cost
21st Century advertises discounts for bundling, good driving records, completing online transactions, paying in full, and completing a defensive driving course. The size of each discount is not published and varies by state and individual risk profile. A discount that saves one person $200 per year may save another person $50 or nothing at all.
The only way to know what discounts explore to you is to get a quote and see the breakdown. When you receive a quote, ask the company or agent to itemize which discounts are included and what the premium would be without each one. This shows you which discounts actually matter for your situation.
Discounts can change when you renew your policy, so the price you pay in year one may not be the price in year two even if nothing about your driving changes. This is normal across the insurance industry.
Filing a Claim and What to Expect
You can file a claim through 21st Century's website, mobile app, or by calling their claims line. For accidents, you will need the other driver's information (name, phone, address, insurance details, vehicle details) and a description of what happened. For theft or weather damage, you will need photos and a police report if applicable.
After you file, an adjuster will contact you to schedule an inspection of the vehicle damage. The timeline for this contact and the inspection itself depends on claim volume in your area and the complexity of your claim. straightforward claims may move faster than complex ones.
21st Century uses a network of repair shops but typically allows you to choose your own repair facility. The adjuster will estimate the damage and either approve repairs or deny the claim based on your coverage and the policy terms. If you disagree with the estimate, you can request a second opinion or hire an independent appraiser.
Comparing 21st Century to Other Carriers
21st Century is one option among many, and whether they offer the best rate for you depends on your age, driving history, vehicle type, location within their service area, and coverage needs. A quote that is lowest for one person may be highest for another.
To compare fairly, get quotes from at least two or three other carriers in your state and request the same coverage limits and deductibles from each. This shows you the actual price difference, not just the advertised discount. Some carriers offer lower base rates but fewer discounts; others offer more discounts but higher base rates.
Customer service and claims handling quality are harder to compare from a quote alone. Reading recent reviews from people in your state who have filed claims with each carrier can show you what to expect if you need to use your insurance.
State Availability and Service Limitations
21st Century operates in California, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico only. If you live outside these states, they cannot sell you a policy. If you move to a state where they do not operate, your policy will not transfer, and you will need to find coverage elsewhere.
Within their service area, they may not insure all vehicle types or all drivers. High-risk drivers, commercial vehicles, and specialty vehicles may be declined or quoted at rates that reflect higher risk. The company's underwriting guidelines determine who they will insure and at what price.
If you are declined by 21st Century, you can still obtain coverage through other carriers or through your state's assigned risk pool (a last-resort option for drivers who cannot find coverage in the standard market).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 21st Century offer usage-based insurance or telematics discounts?
21st Century does not prominently advertise a usage-based program like some competitors do. Ask them directly when you get a quote whether they offer any program that monitors your driving and adjusts your rate based on actual driving behavior. Availability may vary by state.
What happens to my rate if I get a ticket or accident?
Your rate will likely increase at your next renewal if you have a recent ticket or at-fault accident on your record. The amount of the increase depends on the severity of the violation and your state's rating rules. Some states limit how much insurers can raise rates; others do not. Ask 21st Century for a rate quote after a violation to see the actual impact.
Can I change my coverage or deductible mid-policy?
Yes, you can request changes to your coverage or deductible between renewals. Contact 21st Century through their website, app, or phone line to make changes. The new coverage takes effect on the date you request (or a future date you choose), and your premium adjusts accordingly.
How do I cancel my policy if I want to switch to another carrier?
Contact 21st Century and request cancellation. Provide an effective cancellation date. Some states require a notice period (often 10 to 30 days), so ask when your cancellation will take effect. Make sure your new policy with another carrier starts on or before the cancellation date so you are never without coverage.
What if I disagree with a claims decision?
If 21st Century denies your claim or offers a settlement you believe is too low, you can request a formal review of the decision. Ask the company for their appeal process. If you remain unsatisfied, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner, who can investigate whether the company violated state insurance law.