Get Full Coverage on Auto Insurance in California
Reader’s Question:
I’m a single mom here in San Jose, California. I’m too busy with work to worry about auto insurance. Is there like a full and complete coverage out there for my car? I try to replace my vehicle with a new one every two years to stay away from headaches.
Rochelle
San Jose, CA
Hey there, Rochelle. I am glad you asked about full coverage auto insurance coverage for your car. Well, I’m pretty sure, since you asked about it, that you probably drive a relatively expensively priced vehicle, and thus are prepared to pay for a good insurance package. But let me just state it again–ultimate coverage doesn’t come cheap, honey. This is not like ordering a burger with everything on it.
I’m guessing you got the state minimums down pat. But just to be sure, let me squeeze in the basics. As a San Jose, California busy single mom, you’re supposed to get at least a 15/30/5 minimum coverage for liabilities. That’s $15,000 for each person injured in an accident of your own doing, with a limit of $30,000 per accident. For property liability, that’s $5,000 damage coverage only. Though California does not require you to get Underinsured Motorist coverage and Personal Injury coverage, you can think about those. Some other types of coverage you can think of adding on for your next vehicle purchase are Collision and Comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage protects you from those smash ups regardless of who caused the accident. Comprehensive coverage, as the name suggests, protects you from everything else like falling trees, animals hitting your car, earthquakes, fires, theft and vandalism. Be sure to ask not only insurance agents but your friends and family, as well. I hope you get the vehicle insurance package that best suits your needs.
Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance Coverage in California?
Reader’s Question:
Can I drive without insurance in California? What is the cheapest minimum coverage should I have?
Mel
Thank you for asking Mel.
It is mandatory that all motorist has a car insurance in California. There’s a lot of drivers looking for the cheapest car insurance and insurance companies are willing to provide it. Drivers that do not have their vehicles insured will incur penalties in the state of California. You license may also be suspended or revoked if you fail to show proof of financial responsibility. A ticket may also be issued if you fail to show proof of auto insurance when asked by the person with authority. So it is very important for the motorist to get the cheapest car insurance they can get to make sure that they get the policy that meets or exceeds the state minimum required liability insurance.
The minimum California liability insurance are $15000 for the death/injury per person in an injury and $30000 for the death/injury of all the people involved in an accident plus additional $5000 for the property damage liability. A person have the option to fulfill the obligation by posting a surety bond or making a cash deposit with the California Department of Motor Vehicle.
It is easy to purchase a ca insurance plan but what is important is to choose a reputable insurance company that will provide you the coverage.
There are other factors that you need to consider when purchasing cheap car insurance. Those who drives old vehicles are generally suited to get the cheap car insurance. A cheap car insurance may not cover a person in the event of an accident or collision. Cheap car insurance will certainly not cover the towing charges and the rental fees while the damaged car is being repaired. All cheap car insurance companies offers are all different. Therefore it is best to compare several companies.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Things To Consider Before Selecting a California Auto Insurance
There are several things that you need to be aware of when you are going into the battle for California auto insurance. Here is a list that will make you aware of what to expect and what to demand.
- Your name is .0001%.
California auto insurance providers, like car insurance companies everywhere, deal in statistics. When they see you, that is what they see, not a living breathing person. Therefore, no matter how many protestations you make that you are the most angelic and able driver in the world, if you are part of a demographic (or if your car is) that files a lot of claims, you are high risk as well. There are a number of things that can push you either way on the risk spectrum, from your job to your car, so it’s something you have to get used to.
- One is not like the other.
Not all California auto insurance companies are the same, which is why it is necessary to shop around.
- Price isn’t everything.
While getting a great insurance quote is ideal, it is also important for you to have a bunch of other things from your insurance company. First of all, you will need good rates, but also good service and an easy claims process. You will need to look at several aspects of a company before you decide that it’s the one.
- Rise above it.
In California auto insurance, you have to have a minimum coverage of $35,000 self insured, and $40,000 if you go through a insurance company. However, most of the time these tiny amounts will not help you when push comes to shove. Think about what you need and consider upping your liability insurance coverage.
- Get paid.
Every California auto insurance company offers discounts, but so many people just ignore them. According to several studies, Americans spend $500 billion more on car insurance than they would have spent if they had gotten discounts that they are eligible for.
- Tell the difference.
Many auto insurance providers will try to get off by repairing your car with aftermarket parts when you file a claim with them. While these are just as safe as other parts, if you don’t get the parts from the original manufacturer then your vehicle will lose value.
- Look out.
Your insurance company is there to serve you, but that doesn’t mean they will be all enthusiastic about it once the time comes for them to do so. It is your responsibility to fight for the money that you deserve.
- Think ahead.
Don’t wait until the last minute to read your auto insurance policy as you are waiting for the firemen to pry you out of your wrecked car. If you know what you need to do in the claims process ahead of time, then you don’t have to worry about it when you’re stressed and possibly injured from a collision.
Do You Need More Affordable California Commercial Auto Insurance?
Usually, when you drive a company vehicle, you will automatically be covered by their California commercial insurance policy. However, that is not the only type of business driving that is done, and there are several situations that one might have questions about. For example, many companies do not provide you with a company car, and they require that you use your own vehicle for business matters. So is your personal vehicle covered by their California commercial insurance policy when you’re using it on business? And what about when you have your own business, and you then use your person vehicle for both? Is a regular auto insurance policy fine, or should you buy California commercial insurance?
It’s distressing. But I’m here to help.
Normally if you work for a big company, then you will be insured by their California commercial insurance policy if you are using your own car while on business. However, if you get into an accident while on business, in some cases your own personal auto insurance policy will cover before their California commercial insurance does. To be sure how it will work, ask your company and ask your own insurance provider.
If you’re doing business when the collision happens, the best idea is to call your company’s California commercial insurance provider first. Then, you call your own. Even if you call your own, you need to tell them that you were using your car for business, but they can’t deny your claim for that, so don’t worry. What they might do, though, is pay your claim now and then try to get the money from your company’s California commercial insurance company after that is done with.
If you do a lot of driving on business with your vehicle, then at the very least you should get more than the minimum coverage. For example, if you have to drive and visit customers all day, then you should up your liability. When it comes to actually carrying customers around and being paid for this, such as when you own a taxi, then it is necessary to get full coverage, but you also might need to buy California commercial insurance. If you don’t tell your California car insurance company, then your company can deny your claim if they find out about it.
If you have a car that is for both personal and business use, but more than half of the time you use it for business, like if you’re a professional painter, then it also might be a good idea to get California commercial insurance. To confirm this, you should call your car insurance company and get your agent’s opinion on the matter, because it is different for everybody.
I Need Auto Insurance in California – Cheap!
Reader question:
What is way to get auto insurance in California other than getting it from a car insurance company?
Megan
Thanks for asking, Megan.
Getting your auto insurance in California with a licensed car insurance company or through some other Californian state auto insurance program are most certainly the easiest ways to get car insurance coverage in California, and most people wouldn’t have the money to do it any other way. However, California car insurance law does allow for more than one way, and one of the other ways is to get a surety bond. You can get this from a company that is licensed by the state, just as if you were getting your auto insurance in California from an actual insurance company.
These surety bonds are usually purchased by people who own a small business, not normally by those that are insuring a private car. Another option for small business owners is group commercial car insurance. Auto insurance in California law allows a surety bond to be purchased for at the least $35,000. This is equivalent to the minimum liability coverage, so if you want to have more coverage then you should purchase a larger bond.
Another way to get auto insurance in California without having to go through a car insurance company is to simply deposit the $35,000 minimum coverage with the department of motor vehicles for the state. Or, as another way, you could go the self insurance route. In order to do this you have to get a certificate from the department of motor vehicles showing that you are self insured. Remember, though, that whatever kind of insurance you get, you still have to be able to show proof of it when you are pulled over by a police officer or you get into a car accident. Proof can be your car insurance card, or your certificate of self insurance, your surety bond, whatever, so long as it is accepted proof by the department of motor vehicles.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.
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