Occidental Fire & Casualty Company Insurance Review & Complaints: Home & Flood Insurance (2024)

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Based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, Occidental Fire & Casualty Company offers personal insurance in several states. They operate as a subsidiary of IAT Insurance Group.

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What is Occidental Fire & Casualty?

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company of North Carolina was founded in 1961 and has since expanded to cover a number of other states. The insurance provider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IAT Insurance Group, and also partners in some states with Insurance Manager SageSure.

Occidental appears to offer auto insurance, but the confusing nature of the website makes it difficult to determine if that is true. In fact, our search for information on Occidental brought back some of the most confusing search results we have ever encountered for an insurance company.

Occidental does not have a straightforward website that we could locate, although we did come across some other companies also using the Occidental name. None appear to be related.

The homeowner’s insurance website is a one-page site offering very limited information. For auto, we were able to find a website that goes straight to a login page for existing customers; while the web URL uses the Occidental name, only the IAT name appears on the page itself.

The IAT Insurance Group website, meanwhile, is much more comprehensive, but still tells us only that Occidental writes homeowners and flood for both commercial and individual needs. That website does not indicate that Occidental writes auto insurance; in fact, the only personal auto mentioned on the site is Mexico/Non-Resident Private Auto.

Occidental products do appear to be sold through independent insurance agents.

What types of insurance products are offered?

The only products we can confirm from Occidental at the time of this review are homeowners and flood insurance.

Information on these programs is limited to the fact that they offer standard homeowner’s as well as dwelling fire depending on the state of residence.

Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is offered for both personal and commercial properties.

Third-party company SageSure handles policy administration, but they do not handle claims processing for current homeowner policyholders.

SageSure provides all customer service, policy processing and other operating support outside the claims process.

What does flood insurance cover?

A flood insurance policy typically covers you if groundwater rises and floods your home a situation that isn’t usually covered by homeowner’s insurance policies. Generally, most of your house is covered by flood insurance.

Specifically, the core parts of your home, like the home foundation and the systems that keep it running, are typically covered. Built-in home appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves, are typically covered as well.

Are the company’s rates competitive?

Occidental only offers quotes through agents, therefore we are unable to provide a comparison to other companies. The lack of information available regarding this company’s products makes it difficult to make any sort of guess as to where their rates might fall.

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company’s Claims Handling Procedure

Ease of Filing a Claim

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company offers multiple avenues for filing claims, ensuring convenience for policyholders. You can file a claim through their online portal, over the phone, or via their mobile app.

This flexibility allows you to choose the method that suits you best, whether you prefer the ease of online submissions, the personal touch of speaking with a representative, or the convenience of mobile access.

Average Claim Processing Time

The average claim processing time with Occidental Fire & Casualty Company can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the claim. However, the company strives to expedite the claims process to provide prompt assistance to policyholders. For specific details on claim processing times, it’s advisable to contact their claims department or refer to your policy documents.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of an insurance company’s claims process. Occidental Fire & Casualty Company values customer input and continuously works to improve its claim resolutions and payouts.

While individual experiences may vary, the company aims to provide fair and satisfactory claim outcomes. For insights into customer experiences, you can refer to online reviews and testimonials.

Digital and Technological Features by Occidental Fire & Casualty Company

Mobile App Features and Functionality

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company offers a feature-rich mobile app that empowers policyholders with convenient access to their insurance accounts. The app provides various functionalities, including policy management, claims reporting, and bill payment. You can easily download the app from your preferred app store and enjoy the benefits of digital insurance management.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Managing your insurance policies and accounts online has never been easier with Occidental Fire & Casualty Company. Their online account management platform allows you to view policy details, make changes to your coverage, and access important documents. It’s a user-friendly interface designed to simplify the insurance experience for customers.

Digital Tools and Resources

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company offers a suite of digital tools and resources to assist policyholders in understanding their coverage and making informed decisions. These resources may include educational articles, calculators, and FAQs. Utilizing these digital tools can enhance your insurance knowledge and help you navigate your policy effectively.

Are the ratings and consumer reviews positive?

The insurance company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with six complaints on file in the past three years. There have been no complaints closed in the past 12 months.

There are ten complaints on Google, with an overall 1.6-star review. Of these, one is a 5-star review citing excellent claims service. The rest of the reviews are negative, mainly citing a poor customer service experience.

When it comes to customer complaints, Occidental  has performed worse than is typical within the insurance industry.

Occidental Fire & Casualty Company Insurance Review: What’s the bottom line?

Occidental Fire & Casualty’s online information is so scattered and confusing that we can’t help but worry that the customer experience will be similarly difficult. We were unable even to confirm whether the insurance company still writes auto insurance. Those in search of good value for personal insurance might be better off looking elsewhere.