Time to Tune Up Your California Auto Insurance

Time to Tune Up Your California Auto Insurance

California Auto Insurance is one of those policies you know you need, and once you have it, you forget about it…that is until you have a claim and you wonder if you have enough coverage. So let’s review:

First, the primary coverage offered on virtually all policies is liability coverage for Bodily Injury and Property Damage to others. In California, it is mandatory to carry these two coverages. Minimum coverage in California is $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident on bodily injury, and $5,000 on property damage. However, if the cost of the damage exceeds the amount of coverage you have on your policy, you will be held responsible for the difference. So consider increasing to a higher limit such as $100,000/$300,000 on bodily injury and $50,000 on property damage. It makes sense for the small increase in your premium.

Other coverage includes Uninsured Motorist (if you’re injured by an uninsured motorist, your policy will take care of your medical claim), Medical Payments (covers you or people in your car- normal limit is $5,000 per person), Comprehensive (fire, theft, broken glass type of claims to your car), and Collision (protects your car for physical damage due to an accident). Deductibles range from $100 to $1000, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Other coverage is available are rental car reimbursement, gap coverage, and waiver of deductible protection.

Things to check with your agent:

• Any exclusions or limitations that your policy may have such as who can drive your car, and out-ofstate or out-of-country limitations.
• If you rent a car, confirm the type of coverage that your policy offers on a “temporary” vehicle.
• Tickets or accidents will cause a rate increase on your policy.
• Your estimated mileage for work or pleasure use affects the cost of coverage.
• Safety features such as alarms & airbags can provide a discount.
• More things to check on according to Rough Notes article.

Finally, make sure you place your coverage with an agent and insurance company you can talk to and trust. So pull out that policy, and review it today!