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.
Cheap Auto Insurance California For Low Income Family
Reader’s question:
Is there a low cost car insurance for low income families in the state of California?
Jaybee
Yes.
It si called the Low Cost Automobile Program.To be qualified for this program, you, the applicant must be:
1. living in the eligible county (LA, San Francisco, Alameda Fresno, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego)
2. have financial needs
3.must show as a good driver (no more than 1 at-fault accident and no at fault accident involving injury or death within the last three years and no violation of misdemeanor of the vehicle code)
This program is limited to families with an income that do not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level ($24500 for one person, $33000 for 2 persons and $50000 for a family of four) . The value of the vehicle that will be insured should not be more than $20000.The minimum liability limit for this program is 10/20/3. Although this is less than the mandatory state limit, this will still satisfy the financial responsibility law.
This does not cover the physical damage coverage but you have the option for other coverage like medical payments. This insurance may cost you $268 a year without other optional coverage but this may differ in different county.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
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