Cheap California Liability Only Auto Insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have California liability auto insurance. What sort of coverage does liability insurance has?

Isaac

San Francisco CA

If you have the California liability auto insurance you have coverages that cover others that you may cause damage or harm to in case of an accident that is your fault. Liability insurance though coverage does not provide you any coverage if your vehicle is damaged. Optional coverage of comprehensive and collision covers your car less the deductible you choose, in case of an accident regardless of whos at fault.

California liability auto insurance covers damage your vehicle does to others, damage for which you are legally responsible. If you do not have liability insurance you will need to pay the damages out of your own pocket.

Liability coverage is the foundation of a car insurance policy that is being required in most states. States differ when it comes to required minimum amount liability insurance. Typically states require

• Liability coverage of Bodily Injury (BI) and
• Property Damage (PD).

California liability auto insurance pays for any bodily injury and property damage expenses as well as your legal bills, medical bills and lost wages of the person you injured.

California Car Insurance Law – Do I Have To File a Claim?

California car insurance law doesn’t mandate that you file a claim after every accident. It’s entirely up to you to do so or not. Some people choose not to after some accidents because they don’t want the negative spot on their car insurance report, but you have to make the correct decision so that you don’t pay for it in the future. Most car insurance companies want you to at least tell them about an accident, even if you don’t file a claim, but in some cases that may not be advisable.

• Deductible.

Here’s the first test of whether or not you need to file a car insurance claim. There’s no California car insurance law about deductibles, but most companies have one for their extra insurance coverages, that is, not for liability but for all the rest. If your repairs are going to cost less than your claim, then there’s no reason for you to file a claim. However, if the repairs will cost more, then you should go ahead and file a claim.

Try to get an estimate from a reliable body shop before you make the decision about the price. If you aren’t sure about how much the repairs will cost, then you can’t make a valid decision about whether to file a claim or not.

• Other spots on your record?

Sometimes when you have a car accident, you’ll already have something on your car insurance record that makes you less than desirable, or high risk. If you already have a previous ticket for a moving violation, or if you have gotten into an at fault accident before, then you should check the law with the California department of insurance to see when a car insurance is able to decide on nonrenewal for you.

• Anybody there?

If you get injured, then you absolutely must make a car insurance claim. You never know what complications could happen, and even if you have health insurance, it is often the case that medical insurance will not elp you with things such as lost wages. If you need help with these things, then you will need to make a car insurance claim.

If there is another driver involved in the accident, then it is a good idea to at least tell your car insurance company. California car insurance law allows claimants to sue the other driver, so if the other driver comes up with a lawsuit and you haven’t said a word, then you’ll be in trouble.

Can I Legally Drive in California With an Out Of State License?

Reader’s question:

Is my Washington state drivers license accepted in California?

Anna

Good question Anna.

It would really depends in the situation if your Washington state license would be accepted or not in the state of California. If your car is registered in Washington state and just visiting in California, usually your Washington coverages would conform to the California auto insurance requirements.

If you are attending school in CA and still have the valid license and still keeping your WA residence, your Washington insurance may still cover you in California. Cases like this, you will need to call your insurance company to make sure that your coverage will still be in effect while you are out of state.

If on the other hand, you moved to California, you will then have to register and insure your vehicle in California with an insurance company. If your insurance company in WA does business in CA then it would be simple and easier for you. Your agent will just simply change it over to the California state.

It is also best to contact you insurance company to check if your Washington insurance would be effective in the state of California and discuss the specifics of your coverage. The California Department of Motor Vehicle will provide you information if your Washington state insurance coverages will be accepted California.