Central Insurance auto insurance

Overview

Central Insurance is a property and casualty insurer headquartered in Van Wert, Ohio, that has operated as a mutual since 1876. Its chairman, president and CEO, Evan Purmort, addresses the annual report to "policyholders and owners." The Central Mutual Insurance Co Group ranked #97 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written, with $147.7 million and a 0.04% market share, according to NAIC market share data.

Central writes through two companies, Central Insurance Company and its companion All America Insurance Company, and reports more than $2 billion in assets. It sells only through independent agents in 27 states, managed from regional offices that serve the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin), the Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York), the Southeast (Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia) and the Southwest and Mountain West (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah). Commercial lines, especially construction, transportation and workers' compensation, are its main growth focus; its Midwest region, for example, writes about 65% commercial and 35% personal business.

History

Central began as the Van Wert County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, chartered on April 17, 1876. Its managers chose to sell through independent agents rather than salaried salesmen, and the first agency they appointed, Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency, still represents Central under the name Advanced Insurance Group. The company crossed state lines in 1883 and in 1884 renamed itself The Central Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company. It kept growing through the Depression, opened a Boston branch in 1940, and by its 75th anniversary in 1951 had $25 million in assets and the name Central Mutual Insurance Company. Branches followed in Dallas in 1951 and Atlanta in 1956.

In April 1961 Central incorporated a companion stock company, All America Insurance Company, to compete with insurers that priced below manual rates; its first policy went to golfer Jack Nicklaus. The Northeast regional office was formed in 1975, and a technology office near Columbus opened in 2015. Central celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2026. The company calls 2024 the worst catastrophe year in its history; 2025 was much calmer.

Auto insurance coverage

Central sells three tiers of personal auto coverage, all including liability, medical payments, uninsured motorists, collision and other-than-collision (comprehensive) options:

• Personal Auto Policy: the standard policy, which can be upgraded with the Auto Plus endorsement (up to $100 towing, collision deductible waived when a hit-and-run driver damages your legally parked car, and doubled medical payments limits). Auto Plus is not sold in Kentucky or Texas.
• Central Mutual Summit Auto Policy: repair or replacement with a new car if a car you have owned less than a year is damaged in a covered collision, no-deductible windshield replacement, up to $1,000 for a rental company's loss-of-use charges, plus loan/lease gap, parked-auto collision, lockout, transportation expenses, doubled medical payments, personal effects, pet injury and child safety seat coverage.
• Central Signature Auto Policy: the premier policy, with towing, transportation expenses, worldwide rental car coverage, lease and loan gap coverage, original equipment parts and short-term replacement cost settlement.

Policy features vary by state. Every Central personal auto policy includes 24/7 roadside assistance through Agero, and you can add agreed value coverage that pays the declared amount on a total loss. Central also insures motorhomes, snowmobiles, trailers, golf carts and classic cars.

Discounts and programs

Central lists a package credit for insuring home and auto together, a $5 annual e-credit per policy for e-billing and e-policy, a customer loyalty credit that grows to 10% after ten years, discounts for excellent insurance scores, a payment timeliness credit, higher deductible credits, 5% for paying in full, and credits for passive restraints, anti-theft devices and approved accident prevention courses. For families with young drivers it offers a discount when a teen completes the teenSMART driver safety program and a new teen driver discount based on how long the family has been with Central. Central does not advertise a telematics program.

Claims

Claims can be reported 24 hours a day online through the myCentral website or app, by phone at 888-263-2924, or by email. Glass claims go to Central's glass network at 800-988-9808. Claim payments can be taken by direct deposit (one to two business days), PayPal or Venmo (minutes), or mailed check. Central says 85% of policyholders and claimants used its text messaging service in 2025, and its auto damage team holds I-CAR Gold Class status. Roadside service is available at the same 888-263-2924 number; most services are complimentary when your policy has at least $100 of towing and labor coverage, which the Signature and Summit policies include.

Ratings and reputation

In May 2018 AM Best affirmed the A (Excellent) financial strength rating of Central Mutual Insurance Company and All America Insurance Company and upgraded their issuer credit ratings to "a+" from "a," citing a balance sheet it assessed as strongest and five straight years of combined ratios below break-even. That is the most recent AM Best press release on the group; Central's website still cites an A (Excellent) rating in 2026. Central is not among the insurers ranked in any region of J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

Who it suits

Central suits drivers who want a feature-rich auto package, with roadside assistance included and upgrade options such as new-car replacement, no-deductible windshields, OEM parts and worldwide rental coverage, and who are happy to buy through an independent agent. Families adding a teenager can benefit from the teenSMART and family loyalty discounts. Commercial lines drive most of Central's growth, so availability depends on whether a local agent places personal auto with Central.

• Strengths: 150-year-old mutual with an A (Excellent) AM Best rating; roadside assistance on every personal auto policy; Summit and Signature tiers with OEM parts, gap and new-car replacement; fast claim payments by direct deposit, PayPal or Venmo.
• Weaknesses: Sold only through independent agents; coverage and endorsements vary by state, and Auto Plus is unavailable in Kentucky and Texas; no telematics discount; growth focus is on commercial lines.

How to contact Central Insurance