California Casualty
Encyclopedia
California Casualty Management Company is in the business of providing individuals with insurance coverage, in particular those in the fields of education, law enforcement, fire fighting, and nursing.
in 1954. His son, Carl G. Brown, Jr. took over as Chairman in 1957 and, in 1965 codified his father’s principles in the California Casualty Code.
In 1951, California Casualty pioneered what is now an industry trend of affinity insurance programs when it received the endorsement of the California Teachers Association
(CTA) to provide auto and home insurance to its members. Sixty years later they still serve CTA and its members and expanded nationally with over 100 other endorsements including the National Education Association
(NEA); many police, state trooper, and firefighter associations; and universities and medical centers.
In 1978, after Carl G. Brown, Jr. retired, his son, Tom Brown, carried on the family tradition and moved up to Chairman of the Board. Under Tom’s leadership the business expanded across the country when it received the NEA endorsement.
In 2007, President and CEO Beau Brown continued as the fourth generation to head California Casualty. In 2010, he was also named Chairman of the Board.
California Casualty offers auto insurance in 43 states and the District of Columbia and property insurance in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
They also offer Personal Liability Umbrella, Earthquake, Flood, Boat, Recreational Vehicle, Snowmobile, and Pet insurance through business partners which include: Pet’s Best, Foremost, Progressive
, GeoVera, The Hartford
, RLI, etc.
- California Casualty Group teamed with the California Teachers Association
(CTA) and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) to launch a teen driver awareness program aimed at saving young lives.
The program is geared directly toward the newest drivers — 10th graders — and it focuses on making them aware of the dangers of distracted driving. The public information campaign officially launched in April 2008. The website, What do you consider lethal.com gives teens a chance to learn from others' experiences of the impact of bad driving judgments.
. The company operates three virtual call centers. The Colorado Springs, Colorado
location opened in 1994. The call center in Leawood, Kansas
opened in 1993. The center in Glendale, Arizona
opened in 1999.
The company fosters a culture of participation and volunteerism through a variety of programs in 41 states, including:
While not a complete list of activities, it illustrates the corporate citizenship of California Casualty and its employees.
Although many companies have such annual awards for top-performing employees, the Carl Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence has a unique theme. Tom Brown felt that the award should have a permanent exhibit in the California Casualty Group’s home offices. Edward J. Fraughton
, a well-known artist from Utah was commissioned to create a sculpture of a mountain man. Fraughton created two pieces, the first entitled "Edge of Silence," is the permanent exhibit and the second entitled “The Pathfinder” is given as the annual award. The Carl G. Brown, Jr. Award goes to an employee for excellence in their performance of business activities and involvement in the community.
group members.
California DOI's 2010 Consumer Complaint Study
California DOI’s 2007 Consumer Complaint Study
History
In 1914, Carl G. Brown, Sr. started California Casualty Indemnity Exchange as a customer-owned company offering workers' compensation insurance to California's new and growing industries. The company was based on Carl G. Brown, Sr.’s high ethical standards and business integrity. In 1917 California Casualty began offering auto insurance, followed by home insuranceHome insurance
Home insurance, also commonly called hazard insurance or homeowner's insurance , is the type of property insurance that covers private homes...
in 1954. His son, Carl G. Brown, Jr. took over as Chairman in 1957 and, in 1965 codified his father’s principles in the California Casualty Code.
In 1951, California Casualty pioneered what is now an industry trend of affinity insurance programs when it received the endorsement of the California Teachers Association
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
(CTA) to provide auto and home insurance to its members. Sixty years later they still serve CTA and its members and expanded nationally with over 100 other endorsements including the National Education Association
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
(NEA); many police, state trooper, and firefighter associations; and universities and medical centers.
In 1978, after Carl G. Brown, Jr. retired, his son, Tom Brown, carried on the family tradition and moved up to Chairman of the Board. Under Tom’s leadership the business expanded across the country when it received the NEA endorsement.
In 2007, President and CEO Beau Brown continued as the fourth generation to head California Casualty. In 2010, he was also named Chairman of the Board.
Products and markets
They provide personal insurance programs for affinity groups and their members.California Casualty offers auto insurance in 43 states and the District of Columbia and property insurance in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
They also offer Personal Liability Umbrella, Earthquake, Flood, Boat, Recreational Vehicle, Snowmobile, and Pet insurance through business partners which include: Pet’s Best, Foremost, Progressive
Progressive Corporation
The Progressive Corporation , known as the Progressive Casualty Insurance Company through its subsidiaries, provides personal automobile insurance, and other specialty property-casualty insurance and related services in the United States....
, GeoVera, The Hartford
The Hartford
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , usually known as The Hartford, is a Fortune 500 company and one of America’s largest investment and insurance companies...
, RLI, etc.
Programs
Impact Teen DriversImpact Teen Drivers
Impact Teen DriversPositive Teenager driving facts83% of all teenage drivers grow up to become good successful adult drivers78% of all accidents reported are not due to age but due to lack of experience is these situations...
- California Casualty Group teamed with the California Teachers Association
California Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
(CTA) and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) to launch a teen driver awareness program aimed at saving young lives.
The program is geared directly toward the newest drivers — 10th graders — and it focuses on making them aware of the dangers of distracted driving. The public information campaign officially launched in April 2008. The website, What do you consider lethal.com gives teens a chance to learn from others' experiences of the impact of bad driving judgments.
Financials
California Casualty’s policyholder-owned organization is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. California Casualty does not carry any debt on its balance sheet and has no liquidity issues. Their conservative investment philosophy prohibits exposure to the kinds of risks that have shaken Wall Street.Legal structure
California Casualty Group comprises California Casualty Indemnity Exchange (the “Exchange”), and its four wholly owned subsidiary insurance companies: California Casualty Insurance Company, California Casualty & Fire Insurance Company, California Casualty General Insurance Company of Oregon and California Casualty Compensation Insurance Company. The insurance business of the Exchange and its subsidiary insurance companies is managed, by contract, by California Casualty Management Company, a separate and independent company. The relationship between California Casualty Management Company and the Exchange has been in place since the founding of the Exchange in 1914.Advisory board
The Exchange is governed by a 17-person Advisory Board. The role of the Advisory Board is to supervise the finances of the Exchange and oversee the Exchange’s relationship with its attorney-in-fact, California Casualty Management Company.Locations
California Casualty’s home office is located in San Mateo, CaliforniaSan Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
. The company operates three virtual call centers. The Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
location opened in 1994. The call center in Leawood, Kansas
Leawood, Kansas
Leawood is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. The city is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri and is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 31,867.-History:...
opened in 1993. The center in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
opened in 1999.
Contributions to the community
California Casualty serves the broader community in many ways. Employees dedicate significant time and effort in a variety of activities to raise money for heart disease and cancer research, and to help those less fortunate with food and gifts during the holidays. California Casualty also allows customers to reduce their mail by opting for electronic payments and document delivery.The company fosters a culture of participation and volunteerism through a variety of programs in 41 states, including:
- NEA Read Across America
- Adopt A School
- Volunteering on local phone banks
- State affiliate charitable fund tournaments
- Help Your Classroom monetary donation program
- Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive
- Tsunami Relief Drive
- Haiti Relief Drive
- United Way
- Race For The Cure
- The Family Giving TreeThe Family Giving TreeThe Family Giving Tree is a charitable organization that strives to alleviate the consequences of poverty in the California Bay Area. The organization is based on the principle of helping those in need and inspiring philanthropy in the community...
- Back To School Backpack Drive
- JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Run
- American Heart Walk
While not a complete list of activities, it illustrates the corporate citizenship of California Casualty and its employees.
The Carl Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence
On January 1, 1980 the company established the Carl G. Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence, an annual award to be given to California Casualty Management Company employee for excellence in their performance of business activities and involvement in the community.Although many companies have such annual awards for top-performing employees, the Carl Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence has a unique theme. Tom Brown felt that the award should have a permanent exhibit in the California Casualty Group’s home offices. Edward J. Fraughton
Edward J. Fraughton
Edward J. Fraughton , American artist, sculptor and inventor is primarily known for his epic monumental works and individual collector editions that often relate to the history of the American West. Fraughton's stylistic goals follow the American Neo-classic/Beaux-Arts, impressionistic realism...
, a well-known artist from Utah was commissioned to create a sculpture of a mountain man. Fraughton created two pieces, the first entitled "Edge of Silence," is the permanent exhibit and the second entitled “The Pathfinder” is given as the annual award. The Carl G. Brown, Jr. Award goes to an employee for excellence in their performance of business activities and involvement in the community.
Competition
California Casualty does not serve the general public. They focus efforts on affinity niche marketNiche market
A niche market is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that is intended to impact...
group members.
Service ratings
AM BestCalifornia DOI's 2010 Consumer Complaint Study
California DOI’s 2007 Consumer Complaint Study