Continental Western Group Insurance Company Review

Christine Lacagnina Written by Christine Lacagnina
Christine Lacagnina
Written by Christine Lacagnina

Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.

Updated

Continental Western Group at a Glance

  • Founded in 1886
  • Specializes in business coverage
  • Coverage offered in 13 states
  • Offers coverage solutions for specialty businesses
  • A member of the W.R. Berkley Corporation
  • “A+” (superior) rating by AM Best
  • “A+” (excellent) rating by Better Business Bureau
  • Wide network of independent insurance agents
  • Affordable coverage rates
  • Strong financial stability
  • 24/7 claims reporting

Continental Western Group Pros: This is a well-established carrier with more than a century’s worth of history in the insurance industry. It provides a wide ride of coverages for businesses, including property insurance, general liability insurance, crime insurance, inland marine insurance, and more. It has high ratings through both A.M. Best and the BBB. Continental Western offers 24/7 claims reporting and affordable rates. It is highly accessible to customers, has strong financial stability and a strong parent company.

Continental Western Group Cons: This is not a BBB accredited company. Coverage is not available in every state.

What Type of Insurance Does Continental Western Group Offer?

Continental Western Group is a specialty insurance company with a focus on coverage for businesses. The carrier’s insurance is typically sold as a package with several types of coverage tailored to the needs of a specific type of business, such as a fire department. Their individual products include:

  • Property insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Business auto insurance
  • Inland marine insurance
  • Crime insurance
  • Contractual liability insurance
  • Voluntary property damage liability

This list of insurance products offered by Continental Western Group is not exhaustive. An independent insurance agent can help you find even more insurance options offered by Continental Western Group.

What to Know about Continental Western Group

Continental Western Group (CWG) was founded in 1886, giving the carrier more than a century’s worth of experience within the insurance industry today. The insurance company is a part of the W.R. Berkley Corporation, which is a leading commercial lines property and casualty insurance provider. W.R. Berkley Corporation is also a Fortune 500 company.

The W.R. Berkley Corporation is known for its financial strength across all its company members, including CWG. While CWG currently only offers coverage in 13 states in the northern and central regions of the US, its wide range of business products appeal to many types of professionals in these locations. CWG’s LinkedIn page reports that the insurance company has between 501 and 1,000 employees currently. The carrier reportedly draws $7.22 million in annual revenue. A.M. Best also ranks CWG as belonging to the $2 billion or greater financial size category.

Thanks to its extensive history, strong and well-known parent company, and financial strength, CWG has earned a reputation as a stable insurance provider that’s projected to be around for many years to come. A.M. Best, the leading global credit rating agency monitoring the insurance industry, gives Continental Western Group an “A+” rating, indicating the carrier is a superior choice for insurance customers. A high rating from A.M. Best assures customers that Continental Western Group is capable of offering guaranteed, secure coverage from a trustworthy and reputable carrier.

Established in 1899, A.M. Best is one of the oldest rating companies in the world. Reviews from A.M. Best indicate an insurance company’s financial strength and creditworthiness, and are based on comprehensive evaluations of the company’s operating performance, business profile, and balance sheet. For customers who aren’t as familiar with insurance companies’ respective reputations, A.M. Best’s ratings system allows them to make an informed decision about who they can trust to meet their needs in the short term, and also to remain a strong, financially sound company in the long term.

What Discounts Does Continental Western Group Offer?

While CWG does not make information about their specific discounts readily available, many modern insurance carriers offer common discounts on comparable coverages. These discounts may include:

  • Sprinklers systems discount: This is offered to commercial property insurance customers who install sprinklers systems in their workspace to prevent fire damage. 
  • Proximity to fire station discount: This is offered to commercial property insurance customers whose office is located close to a fire department. 
  • Fire-resistant construction discount: This is offered to commercial property insurance customers whose office buildings were constructed using fire-resistant materials. 
  • Protected vehicle fleet discount: This is offered to commercial auto insurance customers who protect their vehicle fleet by storing them in gated areas or garages while not in use. 
  • “How’s My Driving?” discount: This is offered to commercial auto insurance customers who enforce the placement of “How’s My Driving?” stickers on company vehicles. 

Your independent insurance agent can help you find more information on exact discounts offered by Continental Western Group and other ways to save through the insurance company, helping you to get the most bang for your buck on coverage.

Continental Western Group Customer Service

Continental Western Group allows customers to file claims over the phone or online, any time of the week. The carrier also provides the following customer service options:

  • 24/7 claims reporting via phone or online
  • Email contact options available
  • Snail mail contact option available
  • Fax contact option available
  • Main customer service hotline has the following hours restrictions


Hours (EST)


Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Continental Western Group sells insurance through a wide network of independent insurance agents. Independent insurance agents can help make customer service easier for you by handling claims and other concerns.

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Continental Western Group FAQ

What is CWG's average claim response time frame?

Continental Western Group offers 24/7 claims reporting for their customers, via phone or through the official website. However, they do not have an official claims response time frame promise.

What is CWG's customer service availability?

Continental Western Group offers separate phone lines for general customer inquiries and claims filing. Their claims reporting hotline is available for customers 24/7, and the customer service hotline is available at restricted hours, Monday through Friday. The carrier also has a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, making them more even accessible to customers.

What is CWG's claims process?

Continental Western Group provides several options for customers to file their claims. Customers can get in touch with their independent insurance agent, call the 24/7 hotline, or email their claims. Claims can also be reported online right through the official website. The carrier provides all necessary forms for customers to complete their claims reports, and they are separated by claim type. CWG’s website outlines their claims process as follows:

Filing a Claim

Having the following information available will assist in expediting the claim reporting process

  • Policy Number
  • Names, contact phone number for all involved parties and witnesses
  • Date, location and time of loss
  • Any police, fire or other authorities involved or who responded
  • Description of damage
  • How the loss occurred

I Reported a Claim — What Happens Next?

CWG works with you throughout the entire claims process. After your claim is reported a claim representative will call you with the following:

  • An overview of the claim process
  • A claim number
  • Provide you with any forms or guidance you might need
  • Describe the coverage(s) that may apply to your claim”

After filing, customers can call the carrier’s claims hotline or contact their agent to check on the claim’s status.

Does CWG create a user-friendly experience for customers?

CWG’s official website has a polished layout and is highly intuitive and easy to navigate. Important information is easily located for prospective and current customers alike. Customer service options such as getting matched with an agent, online bill pay, and online claims reporting are available. The carrier also has an active social media presence. Overall, Continental Western Group provides quite a user-friendly experience for customers of all kinds.

Does Continental Western Group have good business insurance?

CWG offers packaged insurance policies for several different types of businesses. For example, for professionals in the communications industry, CWG offers the following coverages in their telecommunications policies:

  • Property insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Business auto insurance
  • Inland marine insurance
  • Crime insurance

CWG’s aim is to provide comprehensive coverage in one convenient package, tailored to the specific business type. Your independent insurance agent can help you find out more about CWG’s custom business insurance packages.

Is Continental Western Group a good insurance carrier?

With an impressive amount of history within the insurance industry, high ratings through multiple organizations, solid financial strength, and comprehensive coverage packages, CWG has earned a reputation as a good insurance company. CWG also provides 24/7 claims reporting through more than one medium to help their customers access their coverage as fast as possible.

Continental Western Group Customer Reviews

WalletHub
5 Stars
“The type of insurance I actually took out from Continental was business insurance. I went through them to insure a coffee shop that I opened up in my town in Minnesota. Why would I go through this provider for insurance even though it was all online? Well, despite not having a local provider, they had an impressive online presence and my claims adjuster and Continental representative made that clear the first day she called me. She reiterated they were there to help me and despite not having a local presence, she was confident they could do everything my local providers around the area could do, and even more. Well, I've been with them for a few months now and I can safely say she was right. They have made every part of the process very easy. I haven't had to make a claim yet, thank God, but just the peace of mind of knowing that I am covered by a company that understands my needs and level of insurance protection makes it a lot easier to sleep at night. I would recommend them very highly.”


WalletHub
5 Stars
“I recently changed insurance for my car and I gave Continental Western Insurance a go. The company was very warm and genuine about their policy regarding my financial needs. Back in mid-August my car had been hit in the rear bumper while it was sitting in the parking lot. The company gave very much appreciated help and really surprised and satisfied me with their customer service. They covered the damage after a few simple questions and really made me feel relieved. Ever since I signed up with CWI I have never had an issue and it has satisfied my needs so far. I would recommend it to family and friends and anyone who is shopping for insurance.”


WalletHub
“Continental Western Insurance is quite a good company, and at first glance I know people may not think much of them because they’re not a very popular brand. But I signed up for an insurance policy on my car through them three years ago and I've been happy ever since. They have very good policies at good rates, and best of all, they don't overcomplicate everything like most of the more known companies do. They make it very easy to apply for their insurance with a simple registration and agreement form, and then respond within a week. I've never had many problems with the company, as they don't mess up, but I have run into simple problems from time to time, and it was no big deal. I called the customer support number and they picked up right away; I wasn't greeted by loud annoying elevator music. They directed me to the correct department that works with problems and everything got sorted out with a six minute phone call. The next day, everything was back to normal. I'd highly recommend this company. It's got everything you look for in a company with competitive rates as well.”


Glassdoor
5 Stars
“Wonderful staff with a customer focus.”


Glassdoor
5 Stars
“Progressive company with strong leadership. Generous benefit plans. Member of the W.R. Berkley Corporation.”


TrustedChoice.com's Final Review

5 Stars

We award Continental Western Group a final rating of 5 out of 5 stars. To begin with, the carrier has quite an extensive history, having been a part of the insurance industry for well over a century now. CWG has been awarded outstanding ratings through both A.M. Best and the BBB, which is both noteworthy and impressive. Coverage is not currently available nationwide, but CWG provides several business insurance solutions for professionals in the 13 states where the carrier operates. The insurance company’s official website is polished and thorough, and provides many of the customer service options expected of modern carriers, such as getting matched with an agent, online bill pay, and online claims filing. The carrier strives to make itself available to its customers and meet their needs quickly. Customers have also reported affordable rates on their coverage through CWG. An active social media presence further demonstrates CWG’s prioritization of its customers. We say, if you’re a professional and live in an area where coverage is offered, don’t hesitate to ask your independent insurance agent about protecting your business with insurance from Continental Western Group.

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