Columbia Insurance Group Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto, Commercial & Farm Insurance (2023)

Founded nearly 145 years ago, Columbia Insurance Group of Columbia, MO has a long history and serves 14 states. They focus mainly on commercial and farm insurance, but also offer personal auto insurance and umbrella coverage.

Our Columbia Insurance Group review will cover everything you need to know about this company. Before you read more, enter your ZIP code for free insurance quotes.

What is Columbia Insurance Group?

The roots of Columbia Insurance Group go back to 1874 and the creation of the Boone County Home Mutual Insurance Company in Columbia, Missouri. Like many mutual insurers of that era, it was founded with the intention of providing fire and windstorm insurance for homes and farms on the frontier, where coverage, just like peace of mind, can be hard to obtain.

In 1981, Boone County (by this point known as Home Mutual Insurance) was merged into Columbia Mutual Insurance Company, along with several other companies. Columbia Insurance Group was created in 1989 with a number of mutual insurance companies under its banner. Today the group comprises five different companies:

• Association Casualty Insurance Company
• Citizens Mutual Insurance Company
• Columbia Mutual Insurance Company
• Columbia National Insurance Company
• Georgia Casualty & Surety Company

Columbia Insurance Group offers its products in 14 states through these companies; insurance policies are sold by independent agents. Columbia’s headquarters is still located in Columbia, Missouri. The Columbia Insurance Group address is 2102 White Gate Drive. Columbia, MO 65205.

The Columbia Insurance Group phone number is 800-877-3579. The Columbia Insurance Group agent login is found on the website, along with information on Columbia Insurance Group careers.

What types of insurance products are offered?

Products are mainly commercial insurance and farm coverage, with a couple of personal insurance product options as well.

Personal Insurance

Two lines of commercial insurance are offered: auto, and umbrella. They do not write homeowners insurance, although it is available as part of a farm owner’s package policy.

The auto insurance program is fairly straightforward. They offer what they call their “One and Done” auto policy, which appears to be a package policy that includes the usual options as well as roadside assistance and rental car coverage. The website was not entirely clear as to whether or not there is an added premium for drivers per these options, but the impression is that they are included in a single rate.

Coverage is available for personal auto as well as recreational vehicles and classic cars. There is a good list of common discounts, including multi-car, good student, and defensive driving.

Also available from the insurance carrier is personal umbrella insurance, which offers extended liability coverage beyond the limits of underlying policies.

Farm Insurance

Farm insurance is one of the oldest products offered, and they offer a full range of options.

Farmowner’s Insurance is a package policy that is aimed at both hobby and commercial farmers needing coverage for their home as well as farming operations on the same land. It provides coverage similar to a homeowner’s policy, but also adds on coverage for farm equipment, livestock, and crops. There are two main endorsements available, both of which are package endorsements. Agri-Extra increases the limits on personal property and adds replacement cost. It also includes coverage for pumps and wells and water damage. Agri-Plus adds even more coverage, including identity theft, farm extra expense, borrowed equipment, and more.

Farm auto provides coverage specific to farm vehicles, particularly trucks and tractors that are used for farming purposes.

Farm property is an a la carte option that allows farmers to pick and choose the specific coverage they require based on the type of farming operation and their particular needs. Inland Marine is one of the options offered.

Finally, farm umbrella coverage is also available to provide extended liability coverage.

Commercial Insurance

The company has a wide range of commercial property insurance coverage options for various business types. They offer a business owner’s package policy that brings together common coverages for small to medium businesses with basic insurance needs.

Beyond that, they also offer:

• Commercial auto
• Cyber Suite coverage
• Employment Practices Liability
• General Liability
• Business Property
• Commercial Umbrella
• Worker’s Compensation

These options can be purchased in various combinations to create a commercial package as well.

Are the insurance rates affordable?

Columbia does not offer any rate information on their website, nor did we see any option for obtaining a quote online. Quotes are available solely through local agents, and with a company that operates in this way (particularly a smaller company), it is not surprising to see that an online option is not offered.

Columbia is a smaller insurance company, and with an agent-driven approach, we generally expect that they will come in a little higher than average for rates. This type of company usually makes up for higher premiums with extra attention to service.

Can claims be filed online?

Claims can be filed by calling a toll-free number and then entering the extension for the claims department. The website does not specify if this number is available 24/7, but since the auto section mentions having 24/7 roadside assistance, it seems likely.

The website does not leave an option to file a claim online, which is again common for companies of this size. Columbia’s website says they have a 98% claims satisfaction record, but it is always a little questionable when a company provides their own statistics.

The website offers some basic information regarding what to do after an accident, and also provides a search function to find the nearest claims service center. There is no mention of a preferred repair network.

Are the reviews and ratings positive?

Columbia Insurance Group is not Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited but has an A+ rating and no complaints on file in the past three years.

With no complaints or reviews found on any of the usual websites, we can fairly safely conclude that Columbia is not creating much in the way of angry customers. In the insurance industry, no reviews for a company is usually a good sign, since people mainly take to the internet to complain rather than to say something nice.

The Columbia Insurance Group A.M. Best rating is an A-, or Excellent.

What’s the bottom line?

Columbia is likely to appeal to people looking for farm or commercial insurance, and probably would not land on the radar if you are only seeking personal coverage since their options are limited. We were unable to find anything concerning in terms of reputation – in fact, there is little out there regarding this company at all – so they may well be worth considering if your needs match their offerings.

Now that you’ve finished reading our Columbia Insurance Group review, we can help you with free rate quotes.

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