- Lots of detailed coverage information online
- Many additional coverages
- An array of discounts offered, civil servants get 10% off
- Water backup and ordinance or law coverages included for no extra charge
- Customers report affordable premiums
- Some negative reviews when handling claims
- Only serves 9 states and D.C.
- No online quote tool available
CSE Insurance Group provides homeowners insurance in California, Colorado, Arizona, D.C., Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. They provide homeowners insurance policies and also offer a range of other products from rental insurance to umbrella and earthquake policies.
Despite the small operation of CSE Insurance Group, there are still several homeowners that rely heavily on the policies offered by this insurance company. Find out what makes CSE Insurance Group different from other insurance companies. Getting as much information as you can before purchasing homeowners insurance is always recommended. There are many different companies that are willing to insure your home, but you need to make sure you are selecting the best one with the most optimal level of coverage to suit your needs.
CSE Insurance Group is a subsidiary of the Covéa Insurance Group or the Société de Groupe d’Assurance Mutuelle Covéa that is based in Paris, France. CSE Insurance Company had begun its operations in the USA in 1949. They were based in San Francisco, California back when they were starting, but the company has now settled into its new headquarters in Walnut Creek, California in 2009.
CSE stands for Civil Service Employees because they started their operations by offering their policies to only firefighters, educators, police officers, postal workers, and other government employees.
However, they have begun offering their insurance policies to the general public in 1980, 30 years after they began their initial operations.
Types of CSE homeowners insurance coverage
When you choose a homeowners policy with CSE Insurance Group, they want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting. On their website, they have each coverage clearly labeled so you can verify what kind of protection comes with it.
- Dwelling and other structures coverages: This is the base of your policy, and it will cover your home and any other structures that are on the property. Some examples include a shed, detached garage, or in-ground pool.
- Personal property coverage: The contents of your home are your personal belongings. These are covered through the contents portion of the policy.
- Additional living expenses coverage: In case you need to make temporary living arrangements, this coverage will kick in to pay for these expenses.
- Personal liability coverage: When you are legally responsible for bodily injury to another person or property damage, this coverage is in place to protect you.
- Water backup coverage: In case the sewers or drains backup, you have protection from water backup with this coverage. This coverage is usually not included in standard home insurance, but CSE’s homeowners policy comes with it for no extra charge.
- Medical payments to others coverage: Medical expenses for your guests who are injured on your property are covered under this section of the policy.
- Ordinance or law coverage: If you must rebuild your home after a covered loss, this coverage pays for any additional work done for the necessity of complying with building codes. This coverage is also usually available from other insurers as an add-on, but CSE includes it for free.
Additional coverages available from CSE
Much like their policy information, CSE Insurance Group also offers a lot of detailed information about the additional coverages they have to offer.
- Extended replacement cost: If you feel you need more coverage for your dwelling, this endorsement will increase the coverage by 175% in the event you must rebuild after a covered loss.
- Valuables: When you have valuable items, this coverage can be purchased to protect these specific items.
- Equipment breakdown coverage: In case any of your household appliances break, this coverage will pay for the costs of repairs or replacements. It is applicable as long as the damage did not occur due to natural wear and tear.
- Contents all risk: When you get this endorsement, your personal property gets covered on a broader spectrum than they are with a standard homeowners policy. This endorsement is the equivalent of getting an HO-5 policy which also comes with all-risk protection for personal property.
- Identity recovery: In case you experience identity theft, this coverage will pay for any costs associated with recovering from this.
- Service line coverage: If a service line under your home breaks and cases damage, this endorsement will protect you.
- Earthquake insurance: This is a separate policy that can be purchased to protect you from damage caused by earthquakes.
- Umbrella insurance: This is an extension of personal liability that is applied to all policies you have in place. It is often set at a $1MM limit or higher.
CSE homeowners insurance discounts
If you are looking to save money on your insurance, CSE Insurance Group offers you four ways to do this.
- Multi-policy: If you purchase two or more policies through CSE Insurance Group, you will qualify for a multi-policy discount. They offer a 15% discount when you purchase homeowners and auto policies.
- Alarms: Another discount that is easy to obtain is by having burglar alarms or fire alarms installed in your home. You can save up to 18% by having these systems.
- Civil service: Those who are currently civil servants or retired civil servants get a 10% discount on their homeowners insurance through CSE Insurance Group.
- New home credit: Having a new home will get you credit, which will help you save money. A new home is considered one that was built up to 15 years ago.
CSE homeowners insurance premiums
Many customers who have left reviews on CSE Insurance Group praise them for having low rates. A lot of people are very happy with the rate they pay and state it often beats the competition. With the comprehensive level of coverage, it appears CSE Insurance Group offers great deals.
There is no way to compare their prices to the national average since you must contact an agent to get a quote, but the reviews appear promising when it comes to saving money on homeowners insurance.
CSE home insurance claims
There are two available ways to process claims with CSE. First, one can lodge the application by logging in to MyCSEPolicy.com. Policyholders can also check the status of their claims in their account. Second, policy owners can call the 24/7 claims hotline of CSE Insurance Group at 888-236-5584.
Reviews left by customers regarding claims appear to be mixed. Some people state they have had great experiences with the company and got their claims paid out in a timely manner. These people are satisfied with the way the experiences were handled.
The negative reviews suggest that CSE Insurance Group does not pay in a timely manner at all. Some are left waiting for a long time and have difficulties when it comes to dealing with their claims adjusters to get compensation.
CSE’s customer service
A majority of the reviews left by customers showcase CSE Insurance Group’s ability to successfully handle customer service inquiries. A lot of people find them to be helpful and efficient. They also state they are easy to communicate with.
The negative reviews argue that it is hard to get in touch with the company and that they do not return their calls. They find it difficult to contact CSE Insurance Group, even for simple requests.
CSE’s financial strength
BBB
CSE Insurance Group has earned an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau. This is a superior rating with a sign of stable financial strength. They currently do not have any complaints.
AM Best
As of August 2022, CSE Insurance Group has earned a B+ rating through AM Best. This is indicative of a good rating and shows decent financial stability as a company.
The verdict
CSE Insurance Group offers its customers a wide range of products to protect their homes. There are also several endorsements and additional policies that can be purchased to boost this coverage. They seem to make it a point to inform their customers as much as possible by offering detailed coverage information online.
They do offer discounts, and many suggest they have good rates that are often lower than other carriers. Since there is no way to get an online quote, contacting a local agent is the best way to get a personalized rate.
The company has mixed reviews overall. Many people have complained about the way CSE Insurance Group handles claims. They state the company is not easy to work with and that claims are not paid out in a timely manner.
CSE Insurance Group appears to be a good choice for some, with the mixed reviews showcasing their select strong points. Some customers are very happy with the coverage and remain loyal to the carrier.
