Wawanesa Insurance Review

If you live in California or Oregon, you may have noticed “Wawanesa Insurance” television commercials recently and wondered who they are. You may also be wondering where their name was invented.

No fear, TTAI is here to give you the rundown on this very old and established, yet relatively unknown insurance company. If you’re looking for Wawanesa auto insurance reviews, we have you covered.

First thing first, how’d they get a name like Wawanesa? The answer is simple…they’re Canadian, and the company planted its roots in Wawanesa, Manitoba all the way back in 1896! A lot of seemingly strange named towns north of our border, and this is one of the many.

Over 120 years, they serve two million customers and are recognized for their excellent customer care, customer loyalty, outstanding claims reputation, financial stability and fair pricing.

Wawanesa Insurance started the way many insurance companies did back in the day; as a farmer’s mutual insurer. Farm and crop insurance has been around for a long, long time, before the advent of the automobile.

It is a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company of Canada, which is one of the largest insurance carriers in Canada.

Where does Wawanesa Insurance operate?

• Wawanesa is a Canadian insurance company
• That expanded to the United States in the mid-1970s
• Today they write policies in California and Oregon
• Including auto, home, condo, and renters insurance

Eventually, Wawanesa was incorporated in 1929 and began issuing insurance policies in places like California as far back as 1975, but only recently began advertising on television, to the best of our knowledge.

This insurance company is a “direct marketing company,” which means they solicit clients without using either captive (chain insurers) or independent insurance agents to attract customers. This is similar to the Geico model of insurance. Though it’s hard to say much about a Wawanesa vs. Geico situation at the moment.

Wawanesa’s US headquarters are in San Diego, California. And most insurance related operations on this side of the border are also handled in “America’s Finest City.”

Oregon is the second, and only other, U.S. state in which Wawanesa offers their insurance products. Perhaps they will expand to others in the near future? We’ll let you know if and when that happens.

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Does Wawanesa offer low auto insurance rates?

• Their biggest draw is low rates
• Which they claim can be 25-35% below standard rates
• But they only go after the very best drivers
• And their offerings are pretty basic (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing)

Wawanesa’s claim to insurance fame is that their prices are significantly lower than prices offered by their competitors. You might expect to see auto insurance premiums 25-35% below “standard manual rates.”

Their auto policies are written at preferred-risk rates and they appear to only go after the very best drivers.

It’s unclear if their car insurance rates are lower because they only insure good drivers, thus lowering the average premium price, or if they’re actually that much lower than rates for preferred drivers at other companies.

Their home insurance products (standard dwelling and condo insurance) are also purported to be below the standard manual rates available in each state.

However, we don’t see any claims of 25-35%, so expect their property insurance to be less competitive than their auto – which is likely the bread-and-butter for Wawanesa Insurance here in the United States.

Tip: Standard manual rates do not necessarily include discounts you can obtain through other insurers, so the 25-35% discount may not actually be your exact savings.

How does Wawanesa do it?

• One reason they might be able to keep premium costs down
• Is their lack of advertising
• They aren’t spending millions on celebrity endorsements
• So they might be able to extend the savings to you

First, they probably save a few hundred million dollars each year on their advertising costs, or lack thereof.

Most of the chain insurers including State Farm and Farmers, typically offer much higher insurance premiums as a result of spending a large portion of their revenue on advertising. Or by hiring LeBron James. Naturally this means that these expenses are passed on to the customers. There’s no way around it, though by their mindset you have to spend money to earn money.

Wawanesa claims to get a huge portion of their new business sales through existing client referrals. How huge you ask? They say 90-93% of their new customers come from existing ones.

So, instead of bombarding you with advertising about how great they are, they let word of mouth advertising do the legwork, which is much less expensive.

They apparently maintain expense levels “well below industry averages” to come up with better pricing. And their existing policyholders seem to be happy about that, if the referral stats are any indication.

Of course, their referral numbers might have been so high because they didn’t advertise (up until recently), so there was really no other way to find out about them other than via a referral.

What coverage options does Wawanesa offer?

• They offer home and auto policies, along with renters insurance
• With a wide range of deductibles to choose from
• And a variety of possible discounts to drive your cost down even further
• You can also submit claims online via their website

Currently, Wawanesa offers automobile insurance, homeowners, renters, and condominium insurance.

Their underwriting appetite appears to be for standard/preferred clients only. This is considered the upper echelon of insurance consumers, or those who a company does not expect to have to pay a lot of claims for.

Auto Insurance

Full coverage auto insurance is available, including liability and physical damage coverage.

All Wawanesa auto insurance policies are for a 6-month term, which can benefit those with tickets or accidents because premiums may decrease sooner than they otherwise would on a 12-month policy.

Tip: As discussed, drivers that do not fit the “preferred” profile need not apply. Wawanesa will not offer an auto insurance policy to drivers with more than 1 point on their MVR or more than one at-fault accident within the past 36 months.

And an at-fault accident involving bodily injury with total damages exceeding $1,000 counts as two points, so it’s easy to not qualify here.

They have a wide variety of deductibles to choose from, including:

• $100, $200, $300, $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,500

The company allows for monthly payments, full pay, or two pay, with installment fees assessed when you don’t pay in full.

Wawanesa also offers a so-called, “Claim Service Guarantee” in which they will guarantee the workmanship of your claim repairs for as long as you own the property if you use one of the repair services they recommend.

However, you are also given the opportunity to select your own repair shop in the event of a loss.

You can earn a multi – policy discount if you’re a Wawanesa auto insurance policyholder and add a Wawanesa’s homeowners policy.

They also offer a good driver discount, multi-car discount, mature driver improvement course discount, and driver training discount.

And if you’re with some for one full year with continuous coverage, you can take advantage of their loyalty discount as well.

Home Insurance

Sticking with the preferred coverage tier, Wawanesa is looking to insure single-family primary residences and condos (ones you live in only).

They offer Home Systems Protection for as little as $31 a year, which covers sudden and accidental breakdown and electronic circuitry impairment. This applies to air conditioning systems, heat pumps, pool equipment, home security systems, and more.

Additionally, you can tack on Service Line Coverage to protect underground pipes and wires for as little as $23 annually.

Discounts are available for those with a burglar alarm, sprinkler system, or water alarm, and to those who have multiple products with Wawanesa. There is also a non-smokers discount.

Tip: The condition of your home, your previous claim history (C.L.U.E. report) and your proximity to brushfire prone areas will all be taken into account when seeking coverage from this insurer.

Condominium Insurance

Simply re-read the home details we mentioned above. The condo guidelines are identical and must be owner-occupied. The same discounts are possible for condo owners as well.

Renters Insurance

Same deal, exclusively for private residential purposes and dwelling condition and loss history may affect eligibility.

Renters can get a discount for having a fire/smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, or a burglar alarm. There’s an additional discount for those who rent in secured buildings and/or those with a guard on duty.

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Is Wawanesa Insurance a clear winner?

• While they sound like a solid insurance company
• We never recommend one specific company over another
• Since rates and coverage can vary widely
• And what works for one individual might not work for another
• But they’re highly-rated so it might be worth getting a quote

If you frequent our website, you already know the answer. It is certainly worth a shot to call Wawanesa and obtain insurance quotes, assuming you’re a good driver or a good homeowner who lives in California or Oregon.

After all, insurance quotes are free and don’t really take that much time to complete. And if their claim of 25-35% off holds up, you could save a pretty penny with Wawanesa.

They’re also a fairly high-rated company, with their parent company (The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company) receiving a financial strength rating of A (Excellent), per A.M. Best Company.

You can pay your insurance premium by credit card, though only Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted, and there is a non-refundable $4.99 fee.

Read More: Pay Your Insurance Bills with a Credit Card to Earn Lots of Miles and Points

An In-Depth Examination of the Wawanesa Insurance Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim

Wawanesa Insurance offers multiple convenient methods for filing insurance claims, ensuring a hassle-free experience for policyholders.

You can file a claim online through their user-friendly website, over the phone by speaking with their dedicated claims representatives, or via their mobile app for added convenience. This flexibility allows you to choose the method that best suits your preferences and needs.

Average Claim Processing Time

One of the key factors that sets Wawanesa Insurance apart is its commitment to efficient claim processing. On average, they strive to process claims promptly, reducing the waiting time for policyholders. This commitment to timely claims resolution ensures that you receive the support you need when you need it most, contributing to a positive overall customer experience.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Wawanesa Insurance has built a reputation for its exceptional customer service and fair claim resolutions. Customer feedback consistently highlights their satisfaction with the company’s claim handling.

Whether it’s for auto, home, renters, or condominium insurance, Wawanesa’s dedication to providing fair and efficient claim payouts is reflected in the positive reviews and testimonials from policyholders.

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Wawanesa Insurance offers a robust mobile app that empowers policyholders with a range of features and functionalities. Through the app, you can access your policy details, make payments, and, most importantly, file and track claims with ease.

The app’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive capabilities enhance the overall customer experience, making it a valuable tool for managing your insurance needs on the go.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Managing your insurance policies has never been easier with Wawanesa’s online account management system. You can log in to your account on their website to view and update policy information, track claims, and access important documents.

This digital platform provides policyholders with the convenience of handling their insurance affairs from the comfort of their own homes, 24/7.

Digital Tools and Resources

Wawanesa Insurance recognizes the importance of providing policyholders with valuable digital tools and resources.

From educational materials to help you understand your coverage options to calculators that assist in assessing your insurance needs, Wawanesa’s commitment to digital resources ensures that you are well-informed and empowered when making insurance-related decisions. These resources contribute to a seamless and informed insurance experience for their customers.

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The Bottom Line

Hopefully this Wawanesa review has helped provide you with a better insight into this particular company. Gain as much information from Wawanesa reviews as you can, though that goes for any other company you’re interested in, so that you feel more comfortable about the company you might end up choosing. Always be sure to shop with more than one insurance company, or it’s not really “shopping.”

Get quotes online and speak with an independent insurance agent to ensure the quote you eventually go with is the best available.

You never know, Wawanesa may be significantly less expensive than your current coverage. Especially if you are with a national chain insurer. However, you might still be leaving money on the table if you don’t get multiple quotes.

The company has very affordable rates, so if you live in California or Oregon and have a clean driving record, we recommend getting a quote from Wawanesa.

If cheap insurance is your top priority, Wawanesa will offer you the best deal. J.D Power ranked it as the top insurer in California for overall customer satisfaction.

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