One of California’s major insurance companies appears to be bringing in-person operations in the state to a grinding halt.
GEICO, headquartered in Maryland and owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has quietly closed all 38 of its offices throughout California, as first reported by McClatchy.
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In addition to the offices, the insurance provider has halted the selling of insurance through the phone in California.
The offices that were closed included three in Fresno and one in Modesto.
“We continue to write policies in California, and we remain available through our direct channels for the more than 2.18 million California customers presently insured with us,” GEICO said in a statement.
A GEICO spokesperson said the insurance company is not leaving California despite the closures.
“We are monitoring to make sure consumers are protected,” said California Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller in a statement.
Consumers looking to obtain car or home insurance are now only able to purchase plans online.
GEICO has not stated any reasons for its decision to shutter its offices in California.
On its website, the company noted the importance of utilizing insurance agents.
“Their primary role is to prospect and generate insurance leads and policies that GEICO would otherwise not capture,” the company’s website reads.
