Below is a list of the top auto insurance companies in California, based on written premium. Keep in mind that these companies aren’t necessarily the top rated, just the most frequently used.

As you can see, State Farm was the top auto insurance provider in California in 2008 (the most recent data available), according to the California Department of Insurance.

The company grabbed 12.9% market share with $2.54 billion in written premium, followed by The Automobile Club, which raked in 8.9% market share with $1.76 billion in written premium.

The California State Automobile Association grabbed the third spot with 6.8% market share and $1.34 billion in written premium, followed closely by Mercury, with 6.6% market share and $1.3 billion in written premium.

Rounding out the top five was Allstate, with 6.4% market share and $1.26 billion in written premium.

A number of other notables are in the top 25, including Farmers, 21st Century, Progressive, Geico, and Esurance.

Perhaps rather surprisingly, Geico held only a 1.8% share of private passenger insurance in California in 2008, despite their strong advertising push; Esurance held less than 1% market share.

FYI, this report looks at total insurance written for both private passenger liability insurance and physical damage coverage.

Also note that many insurance companies have subsidiaries and are listed multiple times.

Insurance providers often write through multiple “companies” with the same name, which is referred to as the “holding company.” The reasons can be many.

For example, it is darn near impossible for an insurer to raise rates in California, so “another company” may be formed to introduce a new, more expensive product line.

Or a company may sell both direct to the public and through independent agents. That’s what Mercury, Allstate, and others are doing here.

Also, a company may serve two markets, such as a non-standard, non-credit auto program, and a more standard in nature credit scored program.

One product cannot have both credit and non-credit lines, so each would need to be written under a different company.

As I mentioned before, this isn’t necessarily a gauge of quality, but more about market share, and the names an independent agent may throw your way.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this week unveiled sample legislation that can be used as a starting point for states looking to craft laws to prohibit texting while driving.

There is an ongoing concern about texting while driving because it combines three types of distraction: visual – taking your eyes off the road, manual – taking your hand(s) off the wheel, and cognitive – taking your mind off the road.

“Texting while driving, like talking on cell phones while driving, is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening practice,” said Secretary LaHood, in a press release.

“This language, which we created with a variety of safety organizations, is another powerful tool in our arsenal to help the states combat this serious threat.”

Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have a ban on texting while driving.

Additionally, federal employees are not allowed to text while driving government-owned vehicles or government-owned equipment.

And just last month, LaHood announced federal guidance to prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles, including large trucks and buses.

Truck and bus drivers who text while driving may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

Of course, a recent study found that texting was not the biggest distraction while driving; it turned out to be road rage and screaming children.

However, another study found texting drivers were six times more likely to get into an accident, which could lead to even higher insurance rates for teens, who seem to be the biggest texters out there.

(photo: d3sanfrancisco)

Think you don’t need uninsured motorist coverage? Think again.

A study released by the Insurance Research Council revealed approximately one in six drivers in the United States may be driving without insurance this year.

The group said the estimated percentage of uninsured drivers fell from 14.9 percent in 2003 to 13.8 percent in 2007, but is expected to reach an all-time high thanks to the economic downturn, which is causing more than its fair share of unintended consequences.

Apparently a one percentage point increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a more than three-quarters of a percentage point increase in the uninsured motorist rate.

So based on current unemployment rate projections, the percentage of uninsured motorists is expected to rise to a staggering 16.1 percent in 2010.  That said, the need for uninsured motorist coverage is clearly growing.

In 2007, New Mexico had the highest percentage of uninsured drivers (29 percent), followed by Mississippi (28 percent), Alabama (26 percent), Oklahoma (24 percent), and Florida (23 percent).

The five states with the lowest estimated percentage of uninsured drivers were Massachusetts (1 percent), Maine (4 percent), North Dakota (5 percent), New York (5 percent), and Vermont (6 percent).

If you happen to be one of the many uninsured drivers out there, consider picking up at least minimum liability insurance.

The IRC study examined data collected from nine insurers, who represent roughly half of the private passenger auto insurance market in the United States.

Amica Mutual was rated the top auto insurance provider in the United States for the 10th consecutive year, according to a customer satisfaction survey from J.D. Power.

The company scored 851 points out of a possible 1,000, and was followed closely by State Farm (831), Shelter (828), Auto-Owners (825), and Erie Insurance (823).

Notables like the Automobile Club of Southern California (813) and Geico (806) scored above the industry average of 801, but other big names like Farmers (797), Progressive (796), and Allstate (794) did not.

AIG was the worst auto insurance company in terms of customer satisfaction, scoring just 719, with its closet competitor being GMAC (751).

Overall, auto insurance customer satisfaction reached a five-year high in 2009, largely because auto insurance premiums have decreased.

In 2009, 42 percent of customers said their auto insurance premiums decreased without the need to switch to another insurer, nearly twice the rate seen in 2008.

Direct insurers are also winning out over traditionally more favorable independent agents, as better technology and greater hours of operation (interactive websites) have given them the edge.

One key behavior that tends to lower dissatisfaction is engaging customers when speaking about rate increases and discussing ways to mitigate any price changes (how to lower your auto insurance rate).

All that said, take a look at the “top auto insurance companies in the United States,” and also the worst…and remember to do your own research and rate comparison to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

A new study from researchers at the University of Utah found that texting drivers were six times more likely to be involved in a car crash than those who do not text.

The researchers used vehicle simulators and identical traffic scenarios to assess risk and study the behavior of texting and non-texting drivers.

During the study, 20 pairs of self-described “experienced text messengers” (using their own cell phones) got in seven simulated collisions, with six occurring while the drivers were texting.

The participants, aged 19 to 23, were about 20 percent slower to react to brake lights and much more likely to drift into neighboring lanes if they texted while driving.

The researchers also found that texting was significantly more dangerous than simply speaking on a cell phone; talking on the phone while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by just four times, according to University of Utah researcher Frank Drews.

The scary thing here is teenage drivers are probably the most likely to text while driving, increasing their already high risk of getting into an accident.

That could drive up teenage car insurance rates, which are astronomical to begin with (why is car insurance so high for teenagers?).

Some U.S. Lawmakers have pushed for a nationwide ban of texting while driving, but it has yet gain widespread support.

Interestingly, a recent study found that texting was actually not the biggest distraction while driving.

There were 5,800 distracted driving deaths and 515,000 injuries in 2008, according to figures released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(photo: ydhsu)

Insurance is all about measuring risk, and believe it or not, certain occupations are more prone to car accidents than others.

The reason behind it remains a mystery, but because of these stats, compiled by Quality Planning Corp. and digested by Insure.com, you may be charged a higher car insurance premium.

While occupation certainly isn’t the driving force behind your car insurance rate (how are car insurance rates determined), it may be factored in.

Keep in mind, however, that it’s not all bad; some occupations are actually eligible for discounts.

So who gets in the most car accidents?  Well, though “student” isn’t exactly a profession, this group is by far the worst, with an average of 152 accidents and 87 speeding tickets issued annually for every 1,000 drivers (why is car insurance so high for teenagers?).

Not far behind are doctors, averaging 109 accidents and 44 speeding tickets annually per 1,000 drivers; this one makes sense because they’re typically driving late at night and in a hurry.

Lawyers hold the second spot, with 106 accidents and 37 speeding tickets per 1,000 drivers, followed by architects with 105 accidents and 72 speeding tickets.

Which begs the question, “What’s the hurry Mr. Builder?”

Top 10 Crashers by Occupation

1. Doctors – 109 accidents, 44 speeding tickets
2. Lawyers – 106 accidents, 37 speeding tickets
3. Architects – 105 accidents, 72 speeding tickets
4. Real estate brokers – 102 accidents, 39 speeding tickets
5. Enlisted military personnel – 99 accidents, 78 speeding tickets
6. Social workers – 98 accidents, 33 speeding tickets
7. Manual laborers – 96 accidents, 77 speeding tickets
8. Analysts – 95 accidents, 40 speeding tickets
9. Engineers – 94 accidents, 51 speeding tickets
10. Consultants – 94 accidents, 51 speeding tickets

Nurses, librarians, insurance agents, firemen, politicians, dentists, accountants, law enforcement and salespeople also ranked high, though not in the top ten.

Wisconsin is best known for the Packers, cheese and now…for joining the ranks of states with the highest mandatory minimum liability limits on car insurance policies in the country.

So it may be a good time to get some online quotes to shop your rate; the new minimum liability requirement will become law January 1, 2010.

Insurance companies likely already began selling these limits for new policies and offering renewal policies (how to renew your car insurance), as it’s common practice for insurance companies to offer renewals 60 days in advance.

The new liability limits of 50/100/15 are slightly below those of Alaska and Maine, who currently require 50/100/25.

And you can expect the cost of your car insurance to increase if your current limits are below 50/100/15.

Pay close attention to your car insurance renewal after the January 1, 2010 cut-off.

It is possible your insurer will adjust your policy and not charge you for increased limits until your policy renews if it happens within a short time of the cut-off date, potentially up to 30 days.  Don’t expect a freebie however, as this is rare.

It is more likely your policy limits will automatically increase on January 1, 2010 and you will be charged a higher insurance premium accordingly.

Don’t bother calling your insurance company or independent agent to complain, as it’s simply state law.

So who’s to blame for your car insurance rates going up?  It depends who you ask.   Your legislators, who passed the bill, will tell you they are not at fault because they didn’t vote for an increase in insurance rates…just an increase in limits.  It’s the insurance companies that raise the rates.

The insurance companies will tell you they are selling a product and need to make a profit to stay in business.   If the government voted to force restaurants to serve bottled water versus tap water, you could probably expect to pay more for your dinner!  So that’s that…

Even though talking on cell phones and text messaging while driving have become lightening rods for legislation, other more traditional distractions are apparently more significant issues.

A survey of 3,000 drivers conducted by car leasing company Leasetrader.com found that texting while driving was very low on a long list of other, seemingly more dangerous distractions.

For male drivers, road rage frustration ranked number one in the danger department with 18.3% of respondents, followed by eating/drinking at 14.7%, and checking out other drivers at 10.9%.

Meanwhile, text messaging while driving was the top distraction for just 7.6% of males, less so than other passengers’ conversations (9.5%) and reading the paper (9.3%).

For women, kids in the car was the top distraction, with 26.3% of respondents ranking it number one, followed by putting on makeup at 16.6%, and messing with the radio at 10.4%.

Only 4.2% of women felt texting while driving was the most dangerous distraction, less so than driving in inclement weather or eating and drinking while driving.

So there you have it; whether it’s true or not, drivers don’t seem to think text messaging while driving is in the issue, though they could be wrong.

The survey also points out some interesting differences between male and female driving behavior.

Patterns like these determine how car insurance rates are determined, and explain why car insurance is cheaper for women (the lack of road rage is a biggie).

File this under bizarre:  If you or your children use a social media network such as Facebook or Twitter, your homeowners insurance premium could rise, according to the The Digital Criminal report.

The survey, conducted by UK insurance firm Legal & General, found that social media users share all types of personal information with basic strangers that could help would-be criminals.

A third of these users have divulged vacation plans, telling anyone who follows them that they’re away, while 70 percent felt social media sites were a great place to tell people about their new purchases.

Couple this with tools like Google Maps Street View and you’ve got a potential problem on your hands, especially when the burglar knows your name and other vital details about you.

For example, a burglar could tell neighbors that he/she is house sitting while casually removing valuable items from your home.

On the other side of the coin, the whole thing could be looked at as just another bogus reason for insurance companies to unfairly raise premiums.

After all, there are a ton of dangers facing homeowners and their possessions, but it’s not quite that simple to pinpoint what might be behind the theft or break-in.

Only time will tell if this actually catches on, but I’m sure we could all agree to be more careful sharing personal information online.

Unknown to many, women are often charged more for health insurance than men, as they generally use more health care services in a given year.

However, the gap in usage versus price seems to be a bit out of whack, with the average 30-year self-employed woman paying as much as $420 more for individual health care coverage than a man.

As a result, some women may be deterred to purchase health insurance, as the costs are simply too high.

This so-called gender gap, also known as a “gender rating,” has been the subject of recent legislation in the Golden State, which is centered on outlawing the controversial and perhaps outdated practice.

Both Assembly Bill 119 and California Senate bill 54 have recently been approved, and are now set to go back to the Assembly for consideration.

However, the worry is that a lack of gender pricing will just raise health insurance premiums across the board to make up for the perceived loss of revenue.

Insurance companies have also appealed for mandatory health insurance for the uninsured as a compromise, though that seems like a stretch.

The legislation doesn’t apply to group health insurance plans, which are prohibited from charging women more than men.

The health insurance gender rating is currently permitted in 40 states throughout the nation.

Related to this subject, men are often charged more than women for car insurance because they tend to get into more accidents, though that rule is unlikely to change anytime soon.

(photo: flyingkites)