California Auto Insurance Policy

August 4 2009 by author in Uncategorized |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

We’ll be moving to California in a month from now. I’m now looking into how I can apply for a California auto insurance policy in advance so that everything will be ready when we arrive there. How can I go about this?

Jacob

Los Angeles CA

 

You are doing a wise move. It is good to process your California auto insurance policy at least 30-45 days. This will give you time to shop for a good insurance company. You can also avoid making any rush decision that you might regret later on.

First thing you can do is to check the required auto insurance coverage by California state law. Then you will know how much coverage to get, and how much you should budget for it.

One thing you can do is to check with your existing insurance provider if they are also licensed in California. If they are, then maybe you can consider staying with them. This can be a practical choice because you no longer have to apply for cancellation of policy. You no longer need to go through the hassle of finding another insurance carrier.

But on the other hand, it is also good doing some research on other insurance companies that can provide you with a California auto insurance policy. You might be able to find a better deal from other companies.

Also, you can check for auto insurance company who can help you obtain a California driver’s license, and also the registration of your car. This way you only have to deal with one company regarding all these different legal processes. You can find information regarding this on California Department of Motor Vehicles.

To find information on getting California auto insurance policy, you can get the help of the Internet. You can find websites of licensed car insurance providers who are operating in California. You can learn about them through their website. Then, use their online insurance calculator to get an estimate of your auto insurance premium. From here, you can see which of the insurance carriers give you a good deal. You can then contact them via email or phone for further details.

5 Tips to Get Cheap Student Car Insurance

August 1 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

I’ve been given a car for college but I’m the one in charge of paying its expenses. Will I pay expensive car insurance bills since this is my first time to own a car? Can I get cheap car insurance since I’m a student?

Ricci

San Francisco, CA

Whether or not you will pay expensive car insurance since this is your first time to own a policy depends on a few factors, namely your age, the kind of car you’re insuring and your driving record among others. However, even if you do end-up paying above-average rates initially, the following tips can help you keep a relatively affordable student car insurance.

1. Good Student Discounts – Applies if you are no older than 25 and maintains a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. This discount can be as much as 10% off on your car insurance bills.

2. Get a Bigger Deductible – This is a great way to lower your premiums easily. Just make sure you don’t raise your deductible too much or you might be unable to file a claim should you really need one.

3. Setup a Yearly Payment Plan – Check if your insurer offers an annual payment plan, those who do usually give incentives (e.g. reduced rates or discounts) for agreeing to pay your policy a year upfront.

4. Maintain a Good Driving Record – This is a great way to get affordable student cat insurance rates in the long run. Show your insurer you deserve cheaper rates by being a responsible driver. Speaking of responsible driving…

5. Take a Defensive Driving Course – This will teach you how to better avoid car accidents while on the road. It also has the added perk of making you eligible for a defensive driver discount. Make sure to check if the course you plan to take is accredited by your insurer.

The Best Car Insurance Deals Online

July 10 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that I can get the best car insurance deals through the Internet?

Miles

San Diego, CA

Good question. There are definitely a lot of opportunities to get the best deals by shopping for car insurance online. You just have to know how and where to look to find them. Here are some tips to help you find the best car insurance rates and deals on the Web.

1. Visit Car Insurance Company Homepages - Most car insurer’s today have websites that publishes their rates, contact numbers, available discount offers, and details about the policies they offer. These websites are a good place to start gathering information about policies, offers, and deals.

2. Use Car Insurance Portals - These are websites dedicated to giving you the latest car insurance rates today. Using these websites you can run a free quote check for rates coming from multiple car insurers in your area. Car insurance portals are by far the fastest and easiest way to locate the best car insurance deals in the market.

3. Consumer Rating Agencies - While not necessarily about finding deals, rating companies can help you locate the best car insurance companies to do business with. Moody’s, J.D. Powers, and A.M Best are just some of the many different consumer rating agencies who publish free information online. They can be a big help to you, rating different companies under categories like customer service, billing, claims handling, financial stability etc.

4. Buy What You Need - Know what kind of coverage suits you best to get the best deal for you. If you have an old clunker you won’t need a full blown policy with a million dollar comprehensive coverage. If you are budget-tight consider dropping PIP (Personal Injury Protection) in favor of your medical insurance.

California Car Insurance

May 21 2009 by author in Uncategorized |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

What is the minimum liability California car insurance?

Alona

Irvine, CA

As the population in California continues to increase, drivers also increase. California auto insurance requires CA drivers to carry liability insurance, which upholds the financial obligation of car owners. In the event of traffic accident, the cost incurred from property damage and medical expenses will be paid by the car insurance company of the driver at-fault. The law in auto insurence in California has a minimum requirement of 15/30/5. $15,000 is the amount to be paid to single occupant. Multiple occupants will cost auto insurance company a combined amount of $30,000 in one event. If damage in property is involved, the minimum amount is $5,000.

The at-fault driver is financially responsible for repair of his/own vehicle. Thus, it is highly recommended that the insured also purchase an additional coverage, particularly collision and comprehensive insurance. This coverage will pay the expenses necessary to repair his/her vehicle. This also covers accidents where a factor that is beyond the driver’s control is involved like a deer crossing the road.

Although auto insurance in California does not require PIP or Personal Injury Protection, there are auto insurance companies that offer this coverage. PIP assist the insured in paying medical expenses incurred in an accident. This also covers the passengers of the at-fault driver.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is another coverage that driver can consider. This coverage provides financial assistance in the case of hit and run or when the driver who is at-fault do not have sufficient auto insurance amount to cover the medical expenses and other costs incurred in an accident. Auto insurance in California does not require this coverage but it is strongly suggested to drivers.

There are different ways to save money from car insurence premium. Make sure that safety features are installed in your car and you don’t buy SUVs or other expensive model of cars.

Vehicle Insurance Companies In California

February 19 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

How do I pick the best vehicle insurance companies in California? Price is also a major consideration for me, thanks!

Phoebe

San Francisco, CA

Good question. It’s not always easy to pick the best or most suitable vehicle insurance companies in California (or anywhere, actually) without understanding first what you need out of a vehicle insurance policy. You mentioned about price being a major consideration. That’s a start. You should also consider the following factors:

1.The value of your vehicle. You need a policy that can cover the entire amount of your vehicle in case of loss or theft.
2.Your state’s liability insurance minimum requirements. Every state has one and you need to check if your policy meets the requirements.
3.The financial capacity of the insurance company. You want someone who won’t pack up anytime soon, especially in this recession-filled times.
4.24/7 customer service and claims hotline. Accidents can happen anytime, you want to be able to inform your carrier about this right away.
5.Discounts. Look for a provider that offers generous discount options for their customer.

The above items can act as a guide and will help you identify the right kind of vehicle insurance company to purchase your policy from. Another way to locate the best vehicle insurance companies is by going online. There are many auto insurance portals and websites dedicated to helping customers find the right kind of vehicle insurance coverage. We highly recommend that you run a free insurance quote check on this website, not only to get the most competitive rates but to also be able to compare vehicle insurance companies in California and find the one that best fits what you’re looking for.

California Vehicle Insurance Requirements

February 13 2009 by author in Uncategorized |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

Hi everyone! I just moved to California and I think I’ll be staying for quite a while. I have this car which I brought from back home but I want to know if I need to have it registered and have California vehicle insurance as well? Let me know okay – soon please!

Eva

San Jose, California

Welcome to California! It is a pretty state whether you’re after the lush greens, the exciting scene or just the heat of the sun. If you intend to stay here for a few years, or even for good, you will need to get a California driver’s license, have you vehicle registered and, of course, get California vehicle insurance. Most of the info you need is already found on the California DMV website but here are some stuff for you in the meantime. First of all, you don’t need to rush out of the house to transact with the DMV. You can just as easily go to their website and fill in the forms that you need so you could apply for a driver’s license and register your vehicle. You can also set an appointment with the DMV to make sure you don’t waste your precious time.

You should also be aware that states impose different insurance requirements. California vehicle insurance requirements, for example, are pegged at 15/30/5 scheme wherein there is a minimum $15,000 coverage for injury or death to one person, with a maximum of $30,000 for more than one person, and a $5000 minimum coverage for damage to other people’s property. California vehicle insurance companies are required by the state to submit information on California vehicle insurance for privately registered vehicles. I suggest that you shop online or talk to a local agent to check whether you are properly insured. If not, be sure that you get enough California vehicle insurance that will allow you to drive legally.

California Vehicle Insurance

February 9 2009 by author in Uncategorized |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

Can you give tell how the basics of California vehicle insurance and how to obtain one? I’m not from this country and I’m just here for my studies.

Laarni

Anaheim CA

If you are not from this country, you should have a license that will allow you to drive a vehicle in California. Given that you have, the California vehicle insurance law mandates the people in the state to carry a minimum liability coverage of $15,000 for bodily injuries to one person or $30,000 for all bodily injuries, and at least $5,000 for property damage. You are fortunate to be in California since the state has one of the lowest minimum requirements for liability insurance. A California vehicle insurance is necessary whenever you are driving. Other states do not require this but in California it is a must. If you are to violate California vehicle insurance law, the fine for the first offense could be up to $200. It’s also important for you to shop for quotes before you decide on buying a California vehicle insurance. If you do not ask companies for discount offers, they’d likely give you their normal prices, which will be quite higher than a reduced one. If you haven’t bought a vehicle yet, it will best if you are to buy one that is not flashy nor fast. A small car with an efficient engine will get you around without the need to pay a lot of insurance for it.

Non-Owner’s Free Car Insurance Information California CA

January 6 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

I was browsing through a flyer of one car insurance company here in California, and I saw a non-owner’s insurance option. Can you give me some free car insurance information on what benefits I can get out of a non-owner’s car insurance policy?
Claire

San Francisco, CA

First of all, a non-owner’s insurance is a kind of financial liability that is meant for those who do not own any vehicle but who want to be financially secured. Other car insurance policies require that you own a vehicle, but with this one, you don’t need any. Typically, a non-owner’s insurance is purchased by those who frequently drive another person’s vehicle or for those who frequently rent a car. This type of insurance is available for everybody, although not necessarily everybody is required to have one.

Almost all states require a driver to have financial responsibility–which may be in the form of insurance, liability bonds or guarantees. This is to make sure that in case a driver causes damage to another person or property, he can financially take care of the situation. This is why even those who don’t own vehicles are required to show proof of insurance any time the law requires them to.

In general, a non-owner’s insurance policy is composed of liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist/s, and medical bills coverage. The collision coverage and towing or rental reimbursement are often not included, so you would have to separately take care of them.

If you were able to get a non-owner’s insurance in California, and you get into an accident while driving another person’s vehicle, you may expect your insurance to kick in only after the vehicle’s insurance has been used to its limits. Normally, the vehicle’s insurance covers the damages first and only those which are in excess of the coverage are covered by the non-owner’s insurance. That is why a non-owner’s insurance is only considered as a secondary insurance.

You may want to check out local car insurance companies’ websites for more free car insurance information.

 

Factors That Increase Car Insurance Costs California CA

January 5 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

My car insurance rates here in California has recently gone up, way up! Is it true that it’s because of my recent insurance claim?

Susan

Sacramento, CA

Yes, your increased car insurance rates may very well be due to filing one too many insurance claims with your carrier there in California. Truth is, your car insurance company may see you as having a higher risk of getting into car accidents (why else would you be filing claims?), so regardless if it’s your fault or not and whether the claim was approved or otherwise, this may be enough reason for a provider to increase your premiums. Now, some carrier would forgive your first time getting into an accident, especially if you have had a good driving record, but some aren’t, obviously.

Call up your insurance carrier to find out for sure, if you haven’t done so. You should also consult the terms and conditions of your policy to see if this is stipulated within your agreement. What if you do find out it’s because of that claim? Well, here’s the silver lining: there are still a few ways to offset costs and make for a more affordable car insurance policy.

• Take Defensive Driving Classes, surely one of the best ways to keep insurance costs down, not only because you become eligible for discounts for completing a state accredited program, but also due to the skills you will learn to stay safe on the road.
• Install additional security and safety mechanisms on your car. This will also make you eligible for discounts.
• Consider a higher deductible to lower your premiums, or drive a less-expensive car which costs less to insure.

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Free Online Car Insurance Quotes California CA

January 2 2009 by author in Auto Insurance |Comments Off

Reader’s Question:

Can I trust the sites that claim to give me free online car insurance quotes with the information I give to them? Can I also trust the answers they give me? I just moved here in California, so I don’t know how these things work here.

Eve

Los Angeles, CA

I have an answer for you, Eve: Yes, you can trust sites that offer free online car insurance quotes. There are popular sites available throughout the net for that, and the best thing about it is that it’s for free. Each site, of course, offers different services, as well as different costs for your car insurance. What you need to keep in mind is that it’s free, so that means that there IS NO OBLIGATION for you to pay for the service or to subscribe to the quotes they offer you. Think of it as window shopping except for car insurance instead of shoes.

Now, regarding the information you give out to them–it really depends upon the site itself. Some would ask for minimum information, and they will give you an estimate on how much your car insurance will be from an averaged data based on what is available for California, for example. I would say that this is good if you are just skimming for answers. I would prefer, however, a more accurate amount that is based on my data, and, yes, there are sites for that, too. These sites would prefer that you share some of your information with them like driver’s license, any accident, and violation information, current car insurance policies, maybe even odometer reading for each vehicle. These websites should give you a firm assurance that the information you provide will not be given out to other parties and such, like spammers, for example.