Wawanesa Auto Insurance Review: Top-Rated Coverage for Drivers in California, Oregon, and Canada

This auto insurer is a good fit for: Drivers who live in California, Oregon, or Canada -- and those who have a good driving history and are looking for low rates.

Pricing

Premiums costs vary significantly based on a motorist's vehicle and driving history. Wawanesa keeps premiums more affordable by only insuring good drivers (those who don't have more than one violation point or more than one at-fault accident within the last three years). This means that not every driver will qualify for an auto insurance quote.

Discounts

Wawanesa offers multiple discounts standard to the industry. Drivers in Oregon have more discount options than drivers in California. Discounts depend on state, but some include discounts for being a good driver, insuring multiple cars on one policy, or being a loyal policyholder. The longer a driver stays with Wawanesa, the bigger their discount becomes. Their website details how to qualify for each discount.

Perks

Wawanesa may offer cheaper rates for drivers in California and Oregon since they only insure good drivers. Good drivers in Oregon can save the most through Wawanesa’s auto insurance discounts and customer appreciation discounts.

Customer service

Wawanesa received the highest score in California in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study for two consecutive years (2021 and 2020). The study measured overall customer satisfaction in claims, coverage, pricing and more.

Pros

• Multiple discounts for drivers in Oregon
• Premiums for good drivers lower than many competitors
• No. 1 in customer satisfaction two years in a row

Cons

• Only in Canada, Oregon, and California
• Only insures good drivers
• Few optional coverages
• More customer complaints than other competitors
• No mobile app

Monthly premium costs:

• 35-year-old female with clean driving record: $1,319
• 35-year-old male with clean driving record: $1,319
• 35-year-old male with one accident: $1,863
• 18-year-old-male with clean driving record: $2,184

Coverage options:

• Bodily injury liability coverage
• Property damage liability coverage
• Medical payments coverage (California only)
• Personal injury protection (Oregon only)
• Comprehensive coverage
• Collision coverage
• Roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage
• Uninsured motorist collision waiver coverage (California only)
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (California only)
• Vehicle manufacturer replacement parts coverage
• Special vehicle equipment coverage

Affordable premiums for good drivers

Wawanesa may offer cheaper rates since they only insure good drivers. Wawanesa defines good drivers as those who:

• Do not have more than one violation point or more than one at-fault accident within the last three years
• Have been licensed to drive for at least three years
• Had no DUIs within the last 10 years

Wawanesa offers multiple discounts that can add up and make the premium more affordable. Drivers in Oregon can get driver discounts, vehicle discounts, and customer appreciation discounts.

High customer satisfaction ratings

Wawanesa was the top provider in California for J.D. Power’s 2020 and 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. The study examines customer satisfaction for billing process and policy information, claims, interaction, policy offerings, and price.

Limited geographic locations and policies in the U.S.

Wawanesa is a Canadian auto insurance company that is available in only two states: California and Oregon. Wawanesa may be one of the largest auto insurers in Canada, but the company’s operation in the U.S. is very small compared to other auto insurers. Only auto and renter’s insurance are available in Oregon, further limiting availability.

No mobile app

Many auto insurance companies have mobile apps to meet customer needs. There is a link on Wawanesa’s website to their mobile insurance app for iOS and Android devices, and the site states that Wawanesa launched the app in 2015. However, the links lead to error pages, and there is no app listed in either of the app stores.

Limited optional coverages

Wawanesa offers few optional coverages in the U.S. Large national insurers have a broader suite of coverages to choose from. Wawanesa offers motorcycle and recreational vehicle coverage in Canada, but their website does not specify that they offer them in California or Oregon.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers a larger network with affordable rates: Progressive is a large national insurer that offers multiple ways for good drivers to save on premiums. Its unique Snapshot option allows motorists to download a mobile app that tracks their driving habits and reduces their rates if they're safe drivers. Progressive also offers unique coverage options such as pet injury and custom auto parts.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers a robust mobile app: Geico offers a full-featured mobile app. Plus, the insurer stands apart on emergency roadside assistance. A driver can share their location using their Geico mobile app so they're easier to find, and they can monitor where the service technician is using this same app.

Commentary on general pricing based on our research

Discounts vary based on state. Here's an overview of what's available.

Wawanesa offers six auto insurance discounts in California:

• Good Driver
• Multicar
• Loyalty (Insured with Wawanesa for at least one year)
• Multi-policy
• Mature driver course
• Affinity groups membership discount

Wawanesa offers more auto insurance and customer appreciation discounts in Oregon:

• Driver training
• Insurance score
• Mature driver course
• Multicar
• Vehicle recovery system
• Autopay and paperless statement discount
• Loyalty
• Military
• Multi-policy
• Persistency (prior Wawanesa policyholder)

Policy types

• Auto
• Renters
• Homeowners
• Condominium
• Motorcycle (Canada only)
• Commercial vehicle (Canada only)
• ATV (Canada only)
• Snowmobile (Canada only)
• Motorhomes and camper (Canada only)
• Utility trailers (Canada only)

Private passenger automobiles are the only types of vehicles covered in California or Oregon. Wawanesa is one of the biggest car insurers in Canada and offers significantly more coverage options in Canada compared to the U.S. Availability of other policy types varies by state.

Coverage types

• Bodily injury liability
• Property damage liability
• Medical payments (California only)
• Personal injury protection (Oregon only)
• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury
• Uninsured motorist property damage
• Uninsured motorist collision waiver (California only)
• Underinsured motorist bodily injury (California only)
• Vehicle manufacturer replacement parts
• Special vehicle equipment

Wawanesa’s auto insurance coverage types are standard among insurers. Their coverage type options vary based on whether a driver lives in California or Oregon.

Wawanesa has been ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction for auto insurers in California and best in price by J.D. Power two years in a row. The insurer also has A+ rating with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but their BBB customer reviews are 1.8 out of 5. Wawanesa also has more customer complaints than the average competitor with a National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index of 3.82.

• A good driver who lives in California or Oregon, is looking for affordable rates, and doesn’t need extra coverage policy types.
• A good driver who can take advantage of each of the available discounts and doesn’t need a full-service mobile app.
• Wawanesa may be a good option for drivers living in California who value the J.D. Power survey ratings.

Drivers may want to consider Progressive if they want a large national insurer that offers affordable rates or Geico if they want a full-service mobile app.