Zenith Car Insurance Review

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By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on March 12, 2024

Visit author page
By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated March 12, 2024

Visit author page

5 minute read

Article Contents

Zenith Insurance Review

Zenith, a modest-sized insurance provider in Canada, has a history dating back to 1804, when it was originally known as Lombard Canada Limited. Now operating under the TruShield brand, Zenith is a subsidiary of Northbridge Financial Corporation, part of Fairfax Financial Holdings. This transition to TruShield has been accomplished while retaining its existing clientele, emphasizing its commitment to small business and personal insurance sectors.

Northbridge Financial Corporation, a Canadian entity, oversees three primary insurance subsidiaries within the country: Northbridge Insurance, offering comprehensive commercial and personal insurance; Federated Insurance, and TruShield Insurance, focusing on small business owners with a portfolio that includes personal auto insurance among other products.

When customers purchase a policy online with Zenith, they can expect:

  • A claims center that operates 24/7 and can be reached by phone.
  • Specialized email addresses for the major regions across Canada.
  • Nationwide access to a wide network of brokers.

Although Zenith is not the flagship brand within Northbridge’s portfolio, its affiliation with Northbridge provides significant advantages. This includes access to a network of insurance brokers nationwide, stemming from Northbridge’s brands and other reputable Canadian insurance companies, and having dedicated agents to assist potential policyholders directly.

A Brief Company History

Zenith Insurance, a reputable Canadian insurance provider, originates in Lombard Canada Limited, established in 1804. Known for its solid track record in personal home and auto insurance, Zenith is a subsidiary of Northbridge Financial Corporation, which became part of Fairfax Financial Holdings in 2010. Fairfax, a Canadian conglomerate, specializes in acquiring insurance, reinsurance companies, and related businesses. While Zenith operates in the United States, focusing on workers’ compensation insurance, its Canadian counterpart is dedicated to offering personal home and auto insurance solutions. The American branch, headquartered in California, has been a key player in the workers’ compensation insurance sector since its inception in 1949. It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairfax Financial in 2010. The acquisition by Fairfax, valued at around $1.3 billion, positioned the combined entity as the seventh-largest workers’ compensation insurer in California.

Zenith has navigated significant milestones throughout its history, including going public in 1971, listing on the NYSE in 1987 under the ticker symbol ZNT, and overcoming challenges such as shareholder lawsuits to secure its sale to Fairfax. The company’s evolution reflects its adaptability and commitment to serving its customers’ insurance needs across North America, focusing on workers’ compensation in the U.S. and personal insurance coverage in Canada.

Why Choose Zenith Car Insurance

Zenith Insurance serves customers with a focus on simplicity and clarity in insurance offerings. Their methodology ensures clients can easily access mandatory provincial coverage and optional enhancements tailored to individual needs.

Zenith delivers essential insurance requirements, including third-party liability, uninsured motorist protection, and accident benefits, akin to industry standards. Additionally, Zenith distinguishes itself by offering straightforward insurance products, emphasizing two main types of coverage, home and auto, to streamline the decision process for consumers. Among the notable features of Zenith Insurance, we can highlight:

Simplified Coverage Options

Zenith Insurance streamlines the selection process by limiting its offerings to two product types. This approach is particularly beneficial for customers seeking clear and uncomplicated insurance solutions. Zenith prides itself on its user-friendly services, ensuring that from the moment a policy is chosen to when a claim is filed, the process is straightforward and accessible.

Customizable Standard Features

Zenith allows policyholders to personalize their insurance coverage, providing the flexibility to choose different coverage levels and protection against various risks. This customization extends to medical expenses, personal liability, and protection against specific perils such as theft and vandalism, enabling customers to tailor their policies to their unique needs and preferences.

Roadside Assistance

Zenith’s roadside assistance coverage is designed to support policyholders in the event of a vehicle breakdown. This service covers a range of emergencies, from towing services after an accident to minor inconveniences like tire changes or emergency fuel delivery, ensuring drivers are never left stranded.

Ticket and Accident Forgiveness

Zenith Insurance provides ticket and accident forgiveness features, ensuring that minor traffic violations and at-fault accidents don’t increase premiums. This approach offers policyholders significant financial relief and peace of mind, reducing stress and promoting a more lenient insurance experience amidst traffic infractions and accidents.

Pros and Cons of Buying Zenith Car Insurance

Zenith Insurance presents a compelling choice for individuals seeking reliability and customization in their insurance provider, from its association with Northbridge Financial Corporation to its straightforward coverage options and unique features like ticket forgiveness and accident forgiveness. However, consideration of reported high insurance premiums and service concerns is crucial for a balanced decision-making process.

This detailed overview will assist in determining the extent to which Zenith Insurance resonates with your insurance expectations and lifestyle.

  1. Affiliation with Northbridge Financial Corporation: Being part of a larger financial group provides Zenith Insurance with solid backing, access to resources, and experienced oversight, enhancing trust. Their products are distributed through a network of brokers, including those from TruShield and The McLennan Group Insurance, indicating a robust sales channel.
  2. Simplified Coverage Options: Zenith Insurance simplifies choosing insurance by offering only two types of products, making it easier for customers who prefer straightforward coverage options. Their approach prioritizes ease of use, from choosing a plan to filing claims.
  3. Ticket Forgiveness: Minor traffic citations won’t result in higher premiums for policyholders, offering financial savings and reducing stress in traffic incidents.
  4. Customizable Standard Features: Customers can tailor their insurance policies with flexible coverage amounts and protection against various risks, including medical expenses and personal liability. This allows for personalized protection against named perils like theft and vandalism.
  5. Accident Forgiveness: This feature protects against premium increases after an accident, even if the policyholder is at fault, helping to manage the potential financial impacts of accidents.
  6. Roadside Assistance: Provides coverage for assistance during vehicle breakdowns, including towing and emergency services like tire changes or fuel top-ups.
  7. Depreciation Coverage: Reimburses the original purchase value of the vehicle, offering financial protection against depreciation.
  1. High Premium Complaints: There are reports from some customers of sudden and significant increases in insurance premiums, raising concerns about cost competitiveness.

Zenith Auto Insurance Discounts

If you qualify, the following car insurance discounts from Zenith are your way to save on your car insurance:

Bundling Policies Discount

Bundling policies is a simple way to save on insurance by doing something most customers already do. You can get a discount by bundling your home, auto insurance, and multiple auto policies.

Clean Driving Record Discount

Zenith will discount you with a clean history of driving convictions, accidents, or claims.

Attending University Discount

Zenith offers discounts for college students and college graduates. College students will receive a discount, which is desirable as young people generally have to pay high insurance premiums. Recent college graduates are still eligible for a student discount, with Zenith brokers offering discounts from certain universities.

Experienced Driver Discount

Older drivers with many years of driving experience are eligible for a discount. Zenith will also give a discount to people under twenty-five who graduate from a G2 to a G license.

Additional Insurance Services Provided by Zenith

Beyond car insurance, Zenith also provides home insurance services:

Zenith constructs home insurance policies considering multiple factors such as the home’s location, flood risk, security measures, and additional relevant aspects.

Zenith constructs home insurance policies considering multiple factors such as the home’s location, flood risk, security measures, and additional relevant aspects.

Small business owners can customize their insurance by choosing from categories like home-based businesses, with TruShield offering coverage for work equipment, liability, business interruption, and more.

Industry-Specific Packages: TruShield (former Zenith) caters to contractors, professional services, and retail owners, providing:

  • Commercial property and auto insurance
  • General liability
  • Business interruption income

Additionally, TruShield supports small businesses with group benefits and bundled savings.

Key Benefits:

  • Customizable Policies: Tailored risk protection for unique business needs.
  • Entrepreneur Resources: Comprehensive support and guidance for new business owners, making TruShield a partner beyond insurance.

TruShield’s travel insurance offers the typical advantages of a travel policy, such as emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, interruption and delay, and protection against baggage loss or damage. Additionally, it provides:

Coverage for medical care required in a foreign country goes beyond what government healthcare offers.

  • Coverage for medical care required in a foreign country goes beyond what government healthcare offers.
  • Freedom for policyholders to travel without any geographical restrictions.

How To Submit A Claim With Zenith Insurance

Zenith offers a simple and transparent claims process, priding itself on resolving claims quickly. The company offers an “express claims service” that allows drivers to resolve minor fender benders by simply submitting pictures of the damage to their vehicle.

Zenith allows you to submit claims through their website or toll-free number.

Email

You can contact them at anytime 24/7

Contact by phone

Feel free to contact the team by phone

Website

File a claim by visiting the Zenith (TruShield) website

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