Car Insurance – California, Do You Have Auto Coverage?

Trying to find an alternate route to work when nearly 280,000 other commuters are scrambling to find their way into the city can definitely increase the odds of getting involved in a fender-bender. San Francisco Bay area interstate travelers will be the first to tell you that you cannot predict accidents or catastrophes. Whether you are involved in a natural disaster, auto accident or other catastrophe, insurance plays an important role in securing your funds for the future. Californian or not, it’s always important to see what auto insurance coverage your state suggests or requires.

There’s a long stretch of road between Redding and San Diego, California – which means many opportunities for unexpected auto accidents to occur. The Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco, for example, is a hotbed of confusion and congestion that travelers are trying to navigate and conquer.

Between the excitement of summer and trying to secure your vacation plans, preparing for an auto disaster is probably the last thing on your mind. But the summer heat and unexpected bumps in the road can both wreak havoc on your auto and put you in jeopardy if you’re not prepared. If something happens while you’re driving down that long California interstate, are you covered? Let’s sift through your car insurance policy to consider your options:

What coverages are included in an auto insurance package?

When you purchase auto insurance, you usually have several options – you can purchase medical, liability, property and under/uninsured motorist coverage.

Medical coverage in an auto insurance package will take care of treating injuries to those in the policyholder’s automobile. Medical coverage will be provided if the person is a passenger or hit as a pedestrian.
Liability is your financial responsibility to someone for damage you cause – whether the damage is to another person or to someone’s property. When you purchase liability coverage, the insurance company agrees to defend you in court and/or reimburse the other party for damages you cause.
California state laws require motorists to purchase the following liability insurance amounts.
$15,000 - bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident
$30,000 – bodily injury liability for all injuries in one accident
$5,000 – property damage liability for one accident
Covering property damage includes comprehensive and collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage insures accidental damage to the auto including fire, wind, sleet, theft, vandalism and similar damages.
Collision coverage reimburses for damage caused by colliding with another object, regardless of who or what is at fault.

What happens if the person that hits you is uninsured or does not have proper coverage to take care of your entire loss? Purchasing uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage will cover both of those situations.
If you have not glanced through your auto insurance policy in awhile, it’s time to consider reviewing it. The warm summer weather means your air conditioning will be running longer and your engine will be working harder. It’s important to take time right now and make sure you will be covered if you find yourself stuck on that long stretch of California road between Redding and San Diego.
Sunday, February 20, 2011 by Toolib · 0 komentar

Auto Insurance – What’s In Your Policy?

If you are in an auto accident – the last thing on your mind should be money. It is important to know you are covered and what that coverage includes. 

While thinking about wrecking your car probably isn’t the most pleasant thought, it is important to purchase auto insurance so you will be compensated for your losses and have funds secured for those unforeseen events.

The value of auto insurance cannot be stressed enough. If you are an uninsured driver involved in an accident, you may face thousands – possibly millions – of dollars in expenses, depending on the severity of the situation.
So you’ve purchased auto insurance. That’s good. Even more important, however, is knowing what that auto insurance covers if you are involved in a wreck or find your automobile broken into.

There are several types of personal auto insurance coverage. While you are not required to purchase all of the offered coverages, most states require you buy a few of them. Let’s examine some of the coverages you might find in your personal auto insurance policy:

The basics of auto insurance include liability, property, medical and under/uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability coverage pays for bodily injury or property damage claims to those you are legally responsible for. This coverage takes care of the damage you cause to someone else or his or her property.
Property coverage compensates for damage to or the theft of your car. Two types of property coverage include collision and comprehensive.

Medical coverage is responsible for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s car. Coverage is provided regardless of whether the individual is a passenger or struck as a pedestrian.
Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you if you are hit by an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage provides compensation if the party at fault does not have adequate coverage to pay for your entire loss.

These are just a few of the coverages that might be found in your personal auto insurance policy. Do you know what’s in your policy? If not, it might be a good idea to take a look and understand the ways you, your car and your loved ones may or may not be protected.
by Toolib · 0 komentar

Auto Insurance Tips – Sealing the Deal on Affordable Car Insurance

Okay. I admit it. I’ll stand in line for the latest Harry Potter book. You can probably convince me that I “need” the latest Dior volumizing mascara and yes, I have eaten turtle cheesecake for supper before. I have several guilty pleasures. Buying auto insurance is not one of them, but it’s a necessity. Read on to learn why, in addition to being a legal stipulation, auto insurance is important to you and your assets.

First things first – While penalties vary state to state, you can guarantee that driving without coverage will take some clank out of your bank. Uninsured drivers can face a myriad of punishments for merely being stopped and not being able to prove coverage. This fact alone should be enough to convince you to start researching reasonable insurance coverages for your vehicle.
Not persuasive enough? Consider your possible liability in the event of an accident…
Your vehicle collides with Mrs. Baker’s vehicle. Mrs. Baker is a fourth grade teacher at the local elementary school and is now facing $80,000 in medical bills, $65,000 in lost wages and is requesting $200,000 for pain and suffering. That’s a $345,000 claim that, unless you have adequate coverage for, you will be pulling out of your pocket. Certainly in this case, as the too familiar adage wisely states, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
So, you know you need auto insurance. While it’s not sinfully delicious or nearly as enjoyable as turtle cheesecake, lack of adequate coverage will definitely leave you with a bellyache in the event of an automobile accident. It is possible to find insurance you can afford.

Remember! Your car insurance rate is based on your insurance risk assessment. If an insurance company determines you are a high-risk driver, your monthly cost will be higher than that of the average driver. You CAN remedy this! Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to reduce your auto insurance risk which, in turn, could lessen your auto insurance cost…

1) Purchase home/renter’s insurance from the same carrier as your auto insurance. Some insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts.

2) Always obey traffic laws, specifically the speed limit. Insurance companies take note of your driving record. More speeding tickets = higher risk driver = increased auto insurance cost.

3) Study hard. Insurance companies often reward students with good grades with a student discount.

4) Purchase a vehicle that receives notability for low damageability and increased passenger safety.

5) When given the option, purchase additional safety features for your vehicle. (Air bags, antilock brakes, etc.)

6) Take a driver safety course. A defensive driving class could possibly reduce your insurance rate. If not, it would at least make you more aware of the importance of being a defensive driver.

Other things to keep in mind…
1) To the insurance company, plain and simple, you are a set of risks. Anything you can do to decrease your “risk factor” might affect your cost of coverage.
2) Always ask for discounts. Many insurance companies offer deals for safe drivers. If you’re considered less of a risk, they’ll likely reward you.
3) Always comparison shop. You can always find a bargain if you know where to look. Insurance is such a commodity. Comparison sites like HometownQuotes (http://www.hometownquotes.com) can help you shop for affordable insurance.
You can always eat too much cheesecake. You may get tired of Harry, Hermione and Ron. And that tube of Dior mascara will eventually get clumpy. Your auto insurance, however, is one purchase that you should never regret or feel guilty about. It will only cushion you in the end. Are you covered?
by Toolib · 1 komentar

California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

When it comes to protecting you and your family, possessing an appropriate level of liability coverage is a must. Liability insurance covers the damage you cause in an accident. This is different from other aspects of California car insurance such as comprehensive or collision coverage. It is important to understand the minimum levels of liability coverage allowed in the state of California so you can choose an optimum level of coverage. California has adopted a 15/30/5 standard. Each number represents the minimum dollar amount (in thousands) of liability coverage your plan must contain in each category to comply with state law.

The first number represents the bodily injury liability limit, which is $15,000 per injured person. The second number is the bodily injury liability limit for all injuries incurred in the accident, which would need to be at least $30,000. Last is the property damage liability limit per accident, which needs to be at least $5,000. These requirements are among the lowest in the nation, so it is important to consider additional coverage for added peace of mind. Any discrepancy between what your insurance company pays and the total cost of damages could be your responsibility, so it is wise to opt for a higher level of coverage.

If you do not comply with the California minimum car insurance requirements, you could face steep penalties that might include fines or license suspension. This is why choosing the right California car insurance plan is so crucial. Many institutions recommend that you carry at least 100/300/100 liability coverage to give yourself better protection in the event of an accident. We have made it extremely easy to get a free quote and purchase superior coverage. To get started, fill out the convenient form located at the top of the page!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by Toolib · 0 komentar

Injury Claims: Who Pays?

For those who suffer injuries in a car accident, much confusion exists as to who is financially responsible for the injured party's medical expenses. The answer to this question is not clear cut and will depend heavily on the insurance laws of the state in which the accident occurs. How medical bills are paid after an accident will vary based on whether your state has a fault-based auto insurance system. In this post, we'll discuss more about who pays personal injury claims and give you instructions on what to do if you are injured in an auto accident.

No-Fault vs. Tort Liability States

A tort liability, or fault-based, auto insurance system requires insurance companies to make payments commensurate with each party's level of fault. In a fault-based system, you can sue the other party for pain and suffering and uncompensated financial damages. Because of the long court battles and many failings of the fault-based system, about 22 states have adopted some form of a no-fault insurance system. With a no-fault system, the driver who is not at fault does not have to prove his/her innocence before receiving compensation from his/her insurance company. However, in no-fault states, the good driver does not have the right to sue the at-fault party for emotional distress, inconvenience, or pain and suffering.

If You're Injured

If you are injured in an auto accident, you are the one who is financially responsible initially. Once your treatments are complete, who pays for your medical expenses will depend on who was at fault. Here is what you should do if you are injured in an auto accident:
  1. Get emergency medical treatment if needed.
  2. Contact your insurance company. If you don't think you were at fault in the accident, contact the other party's insurer ASAP to initiate the claims process. Keep in mind that the other driver's insurer will not pay your medical bills piecemeal; rather, you will receive one final settlement after all of your expenses are known and the accident investigation is complete. Keep records of all of your accident-related medical expenses.
  3. Set up follow-up care (non-emergency treatment). Make sure you are keeping a record to document your pain and suffering in case you have to sue the other party for compensation.
  4. You will be billed for your medical expenses.
  5. Pay your bills. If you have medical payments coverage or personal injury protection on your auto policy, submit your medical expenses to your car insurance company. If not, submit the bills for covered treatments to your health insurer.
  6. Determine fault. If the accident was your fault, you are done with the claims process once you submit your bills to your insurer (health or auto). However, if the accident was the other driver's fault, get in touch with the driver's insurer to discuss your final settlement. Remember that lawyers, medical providers, and health insurers might be entitled to part or all of your settlement. If the other party is uninsured, you will need to contact your insurance company to activate your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and discuss your settlement.
by Toolib · 0 komentar

Hit and Run Claims

After spending the last hour in the grocery store, you push your cart out of the store and head towards your car. Suddenly, you notice a cargo van quickly backing up and heading straight for the front of your car. You yell for the driver to stop, but it's too late.

The front of your car is now a crumpled mess. To make matters worse, the driver of the cargo van isn't stopping. He's turning the wheel and putting the van into drive. You quickly grab a pen and scribble the license plate number onto the palm of your hand. Next, you call the police.

While you're waiting for the police to arrive, you locate two other people who witnessed the hit-and-run. They are both in a hurry, but provide you with their name and phone number so your insurance company can contact them and obtain their statements.

After filing the police report, you go home and put your groceries away. Then you call your insurance carrier, or visit their website to file your claim. But, before you file the claim you need to make certain you have the proper coverage.

If you don't carry full coverage on your vehicle, chances are you aren't covered for a hit-and-run accident. This doesn't mean you can't file a claim with the hit-and-run driver's insurance company -- if he's insured.

To do this, you will need to file a police report and provide the authorities with the license plate number. You'll also want to provide the names and contact information for those who witnessed the hit-and-run incident.

The police should be able to track the vehicle from the license plate number. Only then will you be able to determine if the driver has insurance or not. If he does not have insurance coverage and you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, the only recourse left is to file a complaint with your state's District Attorney's office. You will be required to provide proof of damages and a police report to initiate a restitution order against the driver.

If you are able to obtain the hit-and-run driver's contact information, you can file a lawsuit against him in Small Claims Court.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it's best to work with your own insurance carrier. They will work as your personal advocate and take the necessary steps to recover expenses from the hit-and-run driver or through his insurance company.

It's important to remember that when you use your own insurance company to file a hit-and-run claim, you will be responsible to cover the deductible amount. Should you or your insurance company be able to recover expenses from the hit-and-run driver, you will be reimbursed for your deductible.

If you are unable to obtain the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver and you do not have full coverage or uninsured motorist insurance, you are basically out of luck. There is nothing for you to fall back on and you will have to pay for the damages to your vehicle out of your own pocket.

If you are unable to obtain the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver, and do have full coverage and uninsured motorist insurance, you will be able to file a hit-and-run claim. However, you will not be able to recoup the cost of your deduction.
by Toolib · 0 komentar
Is it necessary by law to have full coverage car insurance? No, the only legally stipulated insurance coverage is liability car insurance. Full coverage car insurance is a combination of liability insurance, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. A car owner who buys full coverage car insurance is protected against anything that can possibly go wrong regarding damages to their car, damages caused by their car or in case it is stolen. Naturally this would be the ideal insurance plan for every single car owner. However because it is not required by law, many people do not buy full coverage car insurance.

People who would normally buy full coverage car insurance are those who’ve obtained a bank loan or some other loan to purchase their car. Most banks and lending institutions include full coverage car insurance as a requirement in their automobile lending contracts. This assures the lender their investment is protected. If anything were to happen to the car, full coverage care insurance would either repair or replace the vehicle. This protects the borrower as well. Imagine if a person bought a $40000 vehicle, didn’t buy full coverage car insurance and it was stolen. The vehicle would still need to be paid for which means the borrower would be making monthly payments on a vehicle they didn’t have. Also, it would be unlikely they could afford to buy another vehicle. Full coverage car insurance would protect the owner and the lender. In the case of a stolen vehicle, full coverage car insurance would insure it would be replaced.

Nobody chooses to have an accident, nor do they wish to have one but, the fact remains motor vehicle accidents happen each and every day in America. In all cases the number one concern should be the safety of the drivers and passengers. Countless times individuals are physically hurt in car accidents. These physical complications require medical attention and of course medical costs. Because liability insurance is included in full coverage car insurance, these medical costs will be taken care of. Both vehicles will also be taken care of if the individual who caused the accident has full coverage car insurance. This is especially important when the accident was caused by an act of God.

Full coverage car insurance is quite expensive and worth every penny in the case of an accident. There are steps a car owner can take to obtain affordable full coverage car insurance. One step to take, which can apply to all insurance coverage is to maintain a clean driving record. When buying car insurance, driving offenses will add dollars to a full coverage car insurance policy. It is important to avoid tickets and fines. Another way to get a good deal on full coverage car insurance is to raise the deductible. If choosing a zero deductible insurance policy, a car owner can expect to pay dearly. However, if choosing a deductible of only $500, a car owner can make a difference to their full coverage car insurance by ten percent. With the cost of living nowadays, even ten percent makes a huge difference. With regards to the $500 deductible, this will seem irrelevant if an accident requires thousands of dollars in repairs and medical bills.

Full coverage car insurance discounts can be found by shopping around. Often a person needs to inquire about discounts since they are not always freely relayed. A car owner may find insurance discounts by shopping for online car insurance as well. There are so many insurance providers competing for customer’s business. Often to attract car owners, an insurance company will offer discounts on policies such as full coverage car insurance. The Internet puts the world at your fingertips and provides an opportunity to freely browse hundreds of car insurance websites in search of the perfect plan for you. Many of these websites are equipped to provide online quotes. This can help compare full coverage car insurance costs from site to site, one insurance provider to another.
by Toolib · 0 komentar
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