Reader’s Question:

As much as possible, I want to have the best coverage for my auto insurance here in California. What optional coverage can I get for my car which I loan from a finance company?

Nasir

Perris Valley, CA

According to the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB), motorists who have car insurance coverage could have protection for more than they assume they have. For instance, even though a lot of motorists have coverage for a stand-in rental vehicle, they may not be aware that they have it since this optional coverage is included in their policy at such a minimal cost. This discretionary coverage on your car insurance in California may just be a couple of dollars extra on your monthly premiums. This type of coverage will give instant access to a rental vehicle which will serve as a substitute while the damage on your own vehicle is being fixed, or until your auto insurance company allows you to buy a new vehicle.

One other optional coverage that you can get for your auto insurance would be the gap insurance since you have a loan on your vehicle. Your auto insurance may not be able to cover the whole balance on your financed car since it can only pay up to the fair market value of your vehicle. The gap insurance will be the one to pay for the balance that you owe from the finance company once your vehicle is declared as total loss after an accident. If you don’t have gap insurance, you have to pay the rest of your loan from the finance company even if your vehicle has been declared a total loss.

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Reader’s Question:

I am so unfortunate to have been in an accident here in California and my car was declared a total loss by my car insurance company. If I decide to keep my damaged car, will my insurance company let me to? If not, how quick will they send me a check?

Lawson

Victorville, CA

Generally, a damaged vehicle will be for sale at a salvage yard and your auto insurance provider in California will own the profits of this auction. In case you want to hold on to your damaged vehicle, and the state law allows it, your auto insurance provider would obtain bids from salvage purchaser to establish the fair market value of the salvaged vehicle and they would subtract that amount from your payment. A lot of states are requiring the title to be altered to a “salvage title” and this would mean that you are not capable of registering for plates pending the completion of the repairs and request for a new title. You may ask the claim adjuster about the salvage laws in California and make a decision if it will be practical to hold on to your vehicle and repair it.

Regarding your check, majority of auto insurance providers would issue you a check within a few days of confirming the actual cash value. In case you are leasing your vehicle, the reimbursement will go straight to the leasing company. In case you are financing the vehicle, the compensation will go to the finance company or the bank and you obtain the rest. In case you own the vehicle, you would receive the full check for sure.

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