California Insurance

Californians purchase a broad range of insurance to protect themselves from risks that would cause them high out of pocket expenses. California insurance companies offer coverage for risks ranging from auto accidents, medical expenses, death, or disability, to earthquakes, floods, travel cancellations, or pet injuries or illnesses. Insurance can be purchased by the individual, or sometimes it is provided in full or in part by an employer or by the government.

Insurance Obtained by Individuals

Common insurances purchased by Californians are:

• Automobile Insurance in case of accidents
• Homeowners Insurance in case of fire or liability
• Health Insurance in case of high medical expenses
• Life Insurance in case of death

Other California Insurance can include:

• Accident Insurance
• Business Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Crop Insurance
• Cyber-Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Earthquake Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Renter’s Insurance
• Short Term Medical Insurance

Insurance Provided by Employers

Many California employers provide insurance to their employees as a competitive benefit in addition to wages. Sometimes employers are mandated by law to provide certain types of insurance. Check with your employer’s human resources department to find out qualifications and share of costs for the following possible insurance benefits offered to you:

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Workers Compensation Insurance

Insurance Provided by Government Agencies

Federal or state government agencies may provide Californians with insurance in certain situations, such as in the case of a disability or when income or age reaches certain limits.

• Through California State Disability Insurance, many employees who have paid into the SDI system through payroll taxes are able to receive a benefit check if they become disabled and are unable to work and their disability was not caused by their work.
• Through California Unemployment Insurance, individuals that meet certain qualifications can receive a benefit check if they become unemployed through no fault of their own.
• Through Government Health Insurance programs, qualified persons may receive free or subsidized health insurance like Medi-Cal, Covered California, or Medicare.

California Department of Insurance

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is a state governmental agency that regulates and oversees all California insurance companies, brokers, and agents. It exists to protect Californians from insurance fraud and to enforce California Insurance Codes. It is headed by the California Insurance Commissioner who is elected by popular vote.

• LicensingAll agents and brokers must have a California insurance license to transact insurance in the state of California. To verify someone’s information that is selling you insurance, you can do a California insurance license lookup here. For more information on the process of agent certification for health insurance, check out: Health Insurance Broker Certification in California.
• Insurance Company InformationThe CDI also provides a Company Profile Search to help consumers learn about a company’s location, complaint history, and financial strength
• ComplaintsIf you have a complaint about your insurance company, you can visit the website of this California insurance department at www.insurance.ca.gov and choose one of the two following options: file a complaint online or print and submit a complaint form by mailInformation or questions can be made by calling the California Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357.