Auto Insurance Law » Insurance Policy

California Rental Car Insurance

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:04:13 +0000

When someone rents a car, the automobile rental companies hold the renter accountable under the rental agreement for damage to their car. They offer a Damage Waiver at an extra cost. This Damage Waiver is not insurance, but a contractual agreement between the renter and rental company. If a waiver is not purchased, it is important to review your own automobile policy to determine if any extension of coverage applies. Also, establish how the liability coverage afforded by your policy applies in the event you are at fault in an accident with the rented vehicle. In California, you are required to have auto insurance regardless of whether you are driving your own car or if you are renting one.

Rental car agencies do provide wide range of auto insurance coverage and it would not be prudent to blindly select rental car insurance as every policy offers its individual advantages under particular situations. You should examine each policy so offered and judge it against the requirements you have. It would be prudent to discuss the policy with the car rental agent, rather than just read the summary over the website.

Sometimes you are not required to purchase any car rental insurance because you are already covered by your car insurance. Usually, your coverage does remain the same with a rented car as it would if you would be driving your own vehicle. Also, you could be covered by auto insurance coverage under your credit cards. You should check with your credit card company about the coverage to which you are entitled.

Before you rent a vehicle, check the financial and insurance obligation you will face, and find out how these would be covered by your own auto insurance. In case you do need to exercise your insurance policy and realize that certain aspect is not currently covered, you should check if it would be covered under other insurance policies.

By: Eric Morris

Gap Car Insurance Protects Your Auto Financing Investment

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:41:58 +0000

What is Car Gap Insurance For?

If you have purchased a new or used car with a loan, you probably owe more than the book value of the car for the first several months you pay on your loan. If you did not put down a large down payment or if you rolled over a loan from your old car, you may owe quite a bit more than your car’s value. You are probably willing to accept this fact because you are really just making car payments, have a car you like, and know that you will get the car paid off in time. But the fact is, most cars lose 20% of their value the minute you drive them off of the car lot.

If you buy a $20,000 car, the actual value of that car may drop to $16,000 very quickly. You have just taken the 20% hit. However, accidents happen. If you have an accident, or your car is stolen, you may be asked to settle for the book value. That means, you still owe $4,000 more on a car you cannot use!

Car Gap Insurance closes the gap between a car’s value and your loan. You normal car insurance will still pay off the car’s value. The auto gap insurance policy will make up the difference. Now some comprehensive auto policies may pay the financed value, but most do not. Be sure to look at your policy or ask your agent to make sure.

Where do you Buy Car Gap Insurance?

When you buy a car, your dealer will offer you a car gap insurance policy. He or she may even offer to roll the price into your loan. However they will charge you a premium price. Some people choose to purchase auto gap insurance this way because it is simple, or because they don’t realize they even have an option!

However, you do have a choice. You do not need to pay $700 or $800 for car gap insurance from a car dealership. You can buy the same policy online, directly from the insurance company. Online car gap insurance policies ill cost less than half as much as car gap insurance from the dealer. You could pay $399 instead of $700 to $800!

Your other choice is to find a comprehensive car insurance policy that will cover your car’s financed value. You can call around, but it is easier to use an online quoting system. Look for an insurance quoting system that is BBB approved and has a stated privacy policy.

By: Marilyn Katz

Why You Need Car Insurance

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:55:18 +0000

Every car that runs on the roads is subject to a mishap. Be it your fault or some one else’s an on road accident is extremely unfortunate and unforeseen too. Hence, it is wise to keep yourself and your car insured and safe for future. Car insurance is important not only for your vehicle but also for the driver. There are several insurance policies available now, that insure the car driver or the victim of the accident along with the car.

Car insurance widely depends upon the kind of policy you are adopting. There are several insurance policies that a car owner can avail. These vary from individual to individual depending on their personal requirement and choices. Some of the most common car insurance policies are: liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, personal injury coverage, uninsured coverage, underinsured coverage, rent reimbursement and so on.

Car insurance policies usually vary from country to country and from state to state. In some states a licensed driver cannot register a car without showing a proof of his license whereas, there are other states where registering a car is comparatively much easier. One can choose an insurance policy that fits his/her requirement.

When deciding on a car insurance plan fro your vehicle, it is advisable to collect quotes and policies from various car insurance companies. These quotes will help in a comparison of which is the best suitable policy and quoted rates that match your requirement. A market study will also help you gain knowledge on the various policies that are available and shall come handy for future references.

There are several websites that provide knowledge on car insurance online. This is more convenient and feasible for people who do not have the time to go bargaining for policies with vendors. Online Car Insurance companies are equally safe and reliable as any other insurance agent who comes to your house with his plan.

By: Smith James

Auto Insurance FAQs: Your Questions Answered

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:56:02 +0000

When it comes to auto insurance, most consumers have questions about the kind of coverage they buy, what they’re required to have and if there are options for high-risk drivers.

Learning the answers to these and other questions can help you make better purchasing decisions when it comes to car insurance. And now, finding answers is easier than ever!

Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance

Can I drive without car insurance?

No! Almost every state requires its motorists to carry liability insurance, which covers damages to people and property resulting from an accident for which you are at fault.

All states also have financial responsibility laws, which require you show the state that you have the funds to pay claims if you have a bad accident. If you don’t have proof of sufficient funds (which varies by state), you’ll need to purchase at least the minimum state-required coverage.

What are the minimum insurance requirements?

While minimum coverage amounts vary by state, all state-required insurance will cover your liability for bodily injury and property damage.

For example, if the minimum auto insurance requirement in your state is listed as 25/40/15, this means that you’ll have coverage up to $40,000 for all motorists injured in an accident, up to a $25,000 for one person in an accident and $15,000 for damaged property.

While this may seem like a healthy amount of coverage, purchasing the state minimum is really purchasing a bare bones insurance policy. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends carrying at least $300,000 liability coverage per accident and $100,000 per person–and your insurer will encourage you do to the same.

What happens if I can’t find car insurance?

If you’ve applied for car insurance and been turned down because of your driving record or other factors, fret not–you still have options available to you. According to the I.I.I., you have two options: join a state assigned risk pool or buy a policy from a non-standard insurer.

An assigned risk pool consists of insurers in your area, who under state law, are required to participate in proportion to the amount of voluntary business they accept. As a result, insurers must accept motorists assigned to them and write policies accordingly. But because insurers have to take a substantial risk on insuring high-risk drivers, premiums are significantly more expensive.

Non-standard insurers may also be able to write you an auto insurance policy. These types of private insurers typically write policies for motorists with a poor history of accidents, people who live in “high-risk” neighborhoods and those who drive high performance cars.

While both of these options may have you forking over some extra cash, they might be your only source of auto insurance until your circumstances improve. Just remember to keep shopping around so you can switch insurers once you find a better premium price.

What are the differences between nonrenewal and cancellation of a policy?

You or your insurer can choose not to renew your auto insurance policy after it expires for a variety of reasons. You might decide not to renew your policy if you find a better deal somewhere else or weren’t happy with the service you were receiving.

An insurer may not renew your policy if you did something to substantially increase their risk to cover you–or if the company decides to write fewer policies in your area.

Cancellation, on the other hand, is more serious. According to the I.I.I., insurers cannot cancel a policy that’s been in force for more than 60 days unless:
You fail to pay your premium You defraud the company Your driver’s license is suspended or revoked
Cancellation of your policy may also make it harder to find insurance in the future, thus forcing you to buy a high-risk policy for a more expensive premium.

What if I’m not satisfied with my insurer?

As a consumer, you have rights when it comes to your auto insurance. If you’re not satisfied with your agent, let him or her know. If your complaint still goes unchecked, see if the insurer has a consumer complaint department and file a complaint.

If your issues remain unsolved, contact your state department of insurance. The department of insurance exists for consumer education and protection, and they can provide you with help and resources to take your complaint to the next level, or find a new insurer. You can contact your department of insurance by phone or find them online for more information.

A knowledgeable consumer is a powerful consumer!

Finding questions to your auto insurance answers is the first step to becoming an educated consumer–allowing you to make wise purchasing decisions about affordable car insurance. Find more answers to your auto insurance questions by contacting your state department of insurance!

By: Megan Mahan

Car Insurance in New Jersey – Know the Basics

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:02:23 +0000

Auto insurance is mandatory in New Jersey, but the type and cost of that coverage can vary considerably. Every day, consumers are finding that there are options available to make it easier to comply with the law. The New Jersey Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act mandated that a basic policy be available to all drivers.
It is essential to realize that you are breaking the law if you drive uninsured. The penalties for driving uninsured are getting more severe – in addition to risking economic loss by not having insurance protection, you risk fines, suspension of driver’s license or registration and even time in jail. In the future, your car could be impounded if you are caught behind the wheel without coverage.

The Basic Policy should be considered by those with few family responsibilities and few real assets. It can provide a transition for younger drivers who are just beginning work, providing a basic, minimum protection when they may be least able to afford more comprehensive coverage.

Let’s review the New Jersey auto insurance Basic Policy. The Basic Policy offers less protection, but at a lower cost than the Standard insurance policy.

Bodily Injury Liability

Coverage for claims and lawsuits by people injured as a result of an accident you cause. Coverage is not included but $10,000 coverage for all persons, per accident is available as an option.

Property Damage Liability

Coverage for claims and lawsuits by people whose property is damaged as a result of an accident you cause. Coverage of $5,000 per accident is provided.

Personal Injury Protection

Coverage for injuries sustained in an automobile accident by you or other persons covered under your policy. Coverage of $15,000 per person, per accident and up to $250,000 for permanent or significant injury is provided as defined in the policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This type of coverage would pay for property damage or bodily injury if you are in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist (a driver who does not have the minimum level of insurance required by law) or a driver who is insured, but who has less coverage than your underinsured motorist coverage. This is not included in the Basic Policy.

Collision

Coverage for damage to your vehicle as the result of a collision with another car or other object. This coverage is not included in the Basic Policy.

Comprehensive

Coverage for damage to your vehicle that is not a result of a collision, such as theft of your car, vandalism, flooding, fire or a broken windshield. Comprehensive coverage also pays if you collide with an animal. This also is not included in the Basic Policy.

Collision and comprehensive coverage are available as options on policies issued through PAIP (Personal Automobile Insurance Plan) or on voluntary policies issued by some insurance companies. This is very significant for anyone who has a vehicle loan or lease that requires such coverage.

Another affordable car insurance option in New Jersey is the Dollar a Day Auto Insurance Policy or theSpecial Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP). This is a new initiative to help make limited auto insurance coverage available to drivers who are eligible for Federal Medicaid with hospitalization. Such drivers can obtain a medical coverage-only policy at a cost of $365 a year.

People who are currently enrolled in federal Medicaid with hospitalization are eligible for the Dollar a Day policy. You are eligible if the Card Run Identifier on the upper left of your Medicaid ID card has an asterisk “*” after the code and “SAIP” is printed on the lower right of the card.

The SAIP policy can be obtained at most insurance agencies. There are two payment options: $360 if you pay up front or $365 in two installments.

The policy covers -emergency treatment immediately following an accident and treatment of serious brain and spinal cord injuries up to $250,000. It also provides a $10,000 death benefit. It does not cover -outpatient treatments such as doctors’ visits covered by Medicaid, damage you may cause to other persons or property, or damages to your own car.

The policy only covers those enrolled in Medicaid. If there is one car and several people in the household enrolled in Medicaid, they can all be covered by the same policy. However, there can only be one car per policy.

To apply for this policy, bring the driver’s licenses for all operators of the vehicle to be insured and the vehicle’s registration and your Medicaid identification card that shows that all persons to be covered under the policy are enrolled in Medicaid.

Remember for both of these types of New Jersey car insurance policies, if you do not have any liability coverage; you are responsible for paying for the personal hardships and some economic damages, such as lost wages, that you cause. The insurer will not provide or pay for a lawyer to represent you if you are sued. Your assets will be at risk, including the risk of having money deducted from your wages if a judgment is entered against you. And, if you lack coverage and someone hits you, you cannot sue.

By: Marie Wakefield

Classic Car Insurance In California

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:56:12 +0000

Car insurance is a cover provided to automobiles on the payment of a premium, against any kind of loss. It means that in case of an accident, the insurance company will compensate any financial loss. A person is required to pay a fixed amount, which is known as premium, to the company on a regular basis. Classic car insurance is different from regular car insurance on the basis of, the type of coverage offered and the terms of claims. Classic car insurance in California has insurance laws and coverage options designed according to the state laws.

In California, classic car insurance can be applied for, only if the car is more than fifteen years old. The owner of the car must have held a driving license for more than ten years, and must also have at least one other car, for regular use. Further, it is mandatory for a classic car owner in California, to provide a garage to house the car, when not in use.

Regular car policies that are available are Actual Cash Value and Stated Value policies. Actual Cash value policies pay the insured the adjusted value of their cars in case of irreparable damage to the car. This adjusted cost is calculated by subtracting the depreciated value from the original value of the car. Stated Value policy is where the insurer pays ?up to? a certain amount in case of a claim for total loss. Both these policies are unsuitable for classic cars, as their value does not depreciate but rather, appreciates.

Therefore, the type of insurance policy preferred by the California classic car owners is the ‘Agreed Value’ policy. Under this type of policy, in case of total loss, the insurer is liable to pay a sum that, the insurer and the insured agreed upon while drawing a contract.

There are also many driving restrictions, while purchasing classic car insurance. There are limits on mileage, as well as speed. The owner of the car is also not allowed to use it for daily errands or commuting as a regular car might be used.

By: Josh Riverside

Liability Auto Insurance

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:33:55 +0000

Auto insurance is a contractual agreement between you and your insurance company. To acquire an insurance policy, you must pay an what is called a yearly “premium” to your insurance company. In exchange for the premium, the insurance company agrees to pay for certain types of financial losses when you are involved in an auto accident while driving your car. These financial losses include items such as property damage, medical coverage, and legal fees.

Driving without auto insurance is not only risky; it is against the law. If you are caught driving without auto insurance, you may have your license suspended, face severe fines, or – in the case of an auto accident, you can potentially go to jail if your car is not properly insured at the time of the accident. Car insurance is a necessary evil, and although we may get frustrated with having to pay for it, the fact is we need it. Auto insurance is a “cost of driving” that simply cannot be avoided.

The absolute minimum auto insurance coverage you are required to carry varies from state to state. This minimum coverage is generally referred to as “liability insurance”. This insurance covers bodily injury and property damage.

When quoting or discussing liability insurance, there are three numbers that are used to describe the policy limits. The first number refers to bodily injury limits, the second refers to total medical liability coverage, and the third number refers to property damage limits. For example, a 15/50/20 liability policy is defined as: fifteen thousand for
personal medical liability per person, fifty thousand maximum medical liability coverage, and twenty thousand maximum property damage liability.

Bodily Injury Liability covers injuries that occur to you or any other person involved in an accident when it has been determined that you are the “at fault” driver. Typically, this also covers you while you are driving another person’s car (with their permission of course) or when someone else is driving your car (with your permission).

Property Damage Liability covers the cost of damage you cause (or a person driving your car with your permission) to someone else’s property in an accident when it has been determined that you are the “at fault” driver. This refers to damage caused directly to someone else’s car and also covers damage to city property (light posts, telephone poles, fences, etc) and other structures such as houses, apartment buildings, etc.

The minimum liability limits set by your state are low. It is highly recommended that you purchase a liability limit that is much higher than the state minimum in case a third party sues you for amounts above and beyond your insurance policy’s maximum coverage. Although purchasing your state’s minimum liability insurance allows you to legally register and operate your car, it is recommended that you acquire at least five times the minimum liability limits set by your state. This helps protect your assets such as your personal savings, your home equity, your personal property, etc. Depending on your total assets, you may wish to purchase even higher liability limits. You should check with a licensed insurance agent to determine the proper liability limits for your insurance policy. He or she can help you determine limits based on your assets and lifestyle.

Liability insurance can be costly for young drivers or for drivers with a poor driving record (accidents, speeding tickets, etc.) When acquiring insurance for a teenage driver or for someone with a poor driving record, you should check with your state’s Department of Insurance. They might have programs to help drivers purchase liability insurance at a discounted rate. For example, at the time of this writing, the State of California’s Department of Insurance has a low-income, liability insurance program that can be purchased for approximately $400 per year.

By: Christian Rios

Personal Auto Insurance In Mexico

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:12:47 +0000

When the traveler drives into Mexico, he or she must ride over strange roads. Such a driver views new, distracting sites and seeks guidance from street signs that bear words in Spanish. The traveler driving into Mexico enters a country where he or she is at increased risk for involvement in a car accident. That traveler needs personal auto insurance.

In Mexico an insurance policy that offers only collision coverage does not satisfy the requirements of Mexican law. Mexican law stipulates that anyone found at fault at the scene of an accident must show the financial means to cover the costs of that accident. A traveler in Mexico thus needs an insurance policy that provides liability coverage.

What should a driver expect when an insurance provider promises personal insurance in Mexico? A driver with such insurance should have no liability for damages or injury to persons other than those in the insured vehicle. The insurance policy normally refers to such persons as “a third party.”

A few tricks can facilitate completion of the process that guarantees delivery of insurance coverage. One trick involves the taking of photos at the scene of an accident. A second trick calls requesting a copy of the police report. Use of tricks can help a driver to benefit fully from personal auto insurance purchased in Mexico.

When the traveler secures personal auto insurance in Mexico, he or she has taken an important step toward aversion of possible problems. Still the possession of such insurance does not guarantee avoidance of troubles in the event of a car accident. An insurance provider can not cover a claim, unless the driver contacts the insurance provider before returning to the United States.

A driver with a cell phone might think that he or she should have little trouble calling-in information about a potential car accident. Travelers in Mexico must realize that a cell phone frequently fails to work properly in Mexico. Calls from Mexico to an insurance provider should be made from a land phone.

Personal insurance in Mexico can not always cover a lost or stolen vehicle. Such a policy can only cover the specified problem if the driver obtains the proper Mexican documents. What are those documents?

A driver who hopes to be reimbursed for a lost or stolen vehicle must obtain both a local and federal police report before leaving Mexico. Then after returning to the United States, the same driver must get something called a “Courtesy Report.” That Report must come from a State Highway Patrol Agency. All of the indicated documents should be sent to the insurance provider.

By: Robert Mall

Why Is Insurance Good To have?

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:12:47 +0000

Perhaps you are wondering why you need to have insurance. After all, you may be young and healthy, so why pay the money for an insurance policy? The answer to this question varies depending on the type of insurance your considering, but as a whole insurance is an important part of your financial plan.

First, some types of insurance are required by law or by lenders. If you have a mortgage, for instance, your lender will require you to have homeowners insurance. Lenders and state laws require auto coverage as well. For this reason, you really do not have a choice about purchasing auto insurance.

Insurance protects you from the things that you cannot anticipate. Accidents, natural disasters, or unexpected illnesses can strike without warning. The medical bills, repair bills, and other expenses caused by these events could wipe out your finances completely. Consider, for instance, if your home were to catch on fire. If you did not have insurance, you would have to pay for all of the repairs and replace all of your belongings out of your own pocket. Chances are you do not have this type of money.

Health insurance is one of the most common types of insurance to ignore, particularly for those who are in good health. Health insurance is expensive, but if you end up with cancer or some other devastating illness, you will not be able to afford the necessary treatment without health insurance. Cancer treatment, for instance, can cost millions of dollars. Without insurance, you would not be able to get access to the treatment that could potentially save your life.

Life insurance is another product you may not want to purchase. However, if you die without it, those you leave behind will have to pay thousands of dollars for your funeral expenses. You can purchase a small policy for an affordable price and be able to protect your loved ones after your death. As you can see, insurance is important for a variety of reasons, and living without it is a dangerous gamble that you should not make.

By: Cary Bergeron

Auto Insurance After a DUI

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:31:23 +0000

Your auto insurance after a DUI will be affected for several years due to the fact that you’ll now be classified as ‘high risk’. The first major impact you’ll see in regards to your auto insurance will be the mandatory requirement that you carry what’s referred to as an SR22 insurance policy for 3 years.

The SR22 insurance policy is reserved for DUI drivers when they get their drivers license back and is the highest risk policy an auto insurance company can cover. Not all employers offer this type of auto insurance either and most of the major insurance carriers will likely drop you after your DUI conviction (or whenever they find out about the DUI on your driving record) as they don’t insure ‘high risk’ policies.

To get a high risk policy you’ll most likely need to seek out smaller companies that specialize in these types of policies. These smaller companies are set up specifically to provide high risk coverage and charge as you could have guessed a bit more for their services. In some instances your auto insurance after a DUI can be at least 2 or 3 times what a ‘regular’ policy costs.

The thing to remember about getting auto insurance after a DUI conviction is that there are no laws in effect that regulate the premiums that are charged. What this means is that each company is free to charge whatever prices they want in order to issue you one of these high risk SR22 insurance policies. Knowing this, the best thing you can do is to comparison shop and get quoted on as many policies as you possibly can before deciding on a particular insurance provider.

By: Tim H