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Welcome to Wawanesa Insurance, Oregon
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Company Information

Company History

The Company was established as a farmers' mutual insurance carrier in 1896 in Wawanesa, Manitoba under the laws of Canada and was subsequently incorporated by an Act of Parliament on May 1, 1929. The United States Branch was established under the laws of California on May 23, 1974. Initial funds were realized from a contribution of the Canadian parent corporation, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The first policy was written in the United States in April 1975.

Wawanesa U.S. Operation

Our U.S. Company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Marketing, underwriting, claims processing, and policyholder services are all conducted from the San Diego office. The company is currently licensed to write business in California and Oregon. The U.S. operation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company of Canada, one of the leading insurance carriers in Canada.

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Operating Philosophy

Wawanesa markets preferred Personal Lines Automobile and Homeowners insurance directly to the consumer through direct mail solicitations with strategic implementation of radio and newspaper advertising. It is estimated that 90-93 percent of new business is developed from referrals of existing policyholders. Wawanesa maintains expense levels well below industry averages. These costs savings are passed on to consumers in the form of lower insurance rates.

Lines of Business

Wawanesa underwrites full coverage Automobile, Homeowners, and Condominium Insurance. Private Passenger Automobile and Physical Damage coverages are written at preferred-risk rates ranging from 25% to 35% below standard manual rates. All policies are issued with a 12-month term, produced by direct mail marketing and are non-assessable. Wawanesa offers Homeowners insurance coverage for preferred risk single family dwellings at below standard rates. In 1991, the Homeowners line was expanded to include Condominium coverage. Based on direct premiums written, our U.S. company ranks among the top twenty auto writers in California.

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Eligibility Guidelines

Wawanesa's Automobile insurance program is designed to insure careful responsible drivers.

To qualify for a premium quotation all of the following eligibility guidelines must be met:

  1. No driver can have an at-fault accident on their driving record within the last 3 years.
  2. No driver age 25 or over can have more than 1 minor traffic conviction within the last 3 years.
  3. No driver under the age of 25 can have any traffic convictions within the last 3 years.

A driver is considered to be principally at-fault for a motor vehicle accident if the driver's acts or omissions were at least 51% of the proximate cause of the accident and total damages exceed $1,000.

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