Free DUI Lawyer In California

Reader’s Question:

I’ve been told that I should get an Umbrella Policy for my car here in California. What is it and why do I need it?

Marion

Anaheim, CA

There are lost of benefits for choosing to get an Umbrella Insurance Policy. First, Umbrella Insurance is another type of additional insurance option where you can get a relatively large amount of financial coverage in case you are sued and is obligated to pay for compensation for causing a car accident. Surprisingly, you actually only have to pay a small amount in terms of monthly or regular premiums for this type of coverage but the amount of coverage you can get can reach up to a million to a couple of million dollars in total liability protection.

In the event of a claim filed against you in an accident, the only time an Umbrella Insurance Policy will take effect is once the regular liability coverage limits stated under your policy has been exhausted and is still not enough to cover for the whole monetary obligation you are required to pay for in damages or liabilities. Umbrella Policy will take care of the rest. It may be interesting to note that the state minimum liability amounts there in California is pegged at 15/30/5, that’s $15,000 total minimum for payment per injured person per accident, $30,000 total minimum limit for payment liability for all injured individuals per accident and $5,000 to cover for property damages. As you can imagine, car accident costs can amount to much larger sums hence the practicality of an Umbrella Policy.

Reader’s Question:

I’m not decided yet but I have plans on switching to another car insurance company. If I let my car insurance policy here California expire, will it automatically be canceled?

Lamont

San Diego, CA

If you just let your car insurance policy in California expire, that doesn’t mean that it will automatically be cancelled. Instead, your car insurance company will still send you a bill for the next policy term and if you don’t pay it, they will be the ones to cancel your policy. If this happens, you’re gonna have to pay more on your insurance if you switch companies because you have a cancellation on your record. Other car insurance companies will think that you are irresponsible, thus would put you in the higher risk category. In that case, they won’t take into account that much whether you have a good driving record or not. All they would see is that you have a cancellation on your insurance history.

To keep that away from happening, you need to formally cancel your car insurance policy. To do this, you may talk to your insurance agent or call your insurance company directly informing them about your intention to cancel and the date of cancellation. What they’ll do is send you a cancellation request form which is most likely already filled out and all it needs is your signature. But before signing, you have to read what’s on it very carefully and tell the insurance company if you have any objections. Even before you cancel your old policy, you’re always free to shop around the best car insurance by getting some free comparison auto insurance quotes.

Reader’s Question:

What do car insurance providers mean when they talk about liability insurance coverage and limits? I plan to get my new vehicle here in Napa, California insured and I would like to be well informed. Thanks!

Aaron

Napa, CA

Hello Aaron! Liability Insurance is a form of car insurance protection giving you financial coverage from monetary obligations arising from injuries, economic losses, deaths and property damages that you may have caused in a car accident. This is actually one of the most important types of insurance you would want to get for your car there in Napa, California. There are three basic types of liability insurance:

1. Bodily Injury Liability – pays for treatment of injuries you may have caused to another person in an auto accident. This also covers for medical expenses, legal and even funeral expenses as well as lost wages to the other party.

2. Personal Injury Liability – Is a “No-Fault” insurance coverage that pays for treatment of your injuries. Even if you were the one to cause the accident.

3. Property Damage Liability – As stated, this pays for repair or replacement of damages you may have caused to private or public property in a car accident.

Most states that require car owners to have auto insurance coverage also have minimum levels of coverage that you need to get for liability insurance. For California, the minimum requirements for liability insurance is pegged at 15/30/5 ($15,000 compensation for each person injured per accident, $30,000 limit for all people injured per accident and $5,000 for property damages). It is highly advisable that you get as much as you can afford since car accident costs can easily far exceed the state minimum limits which you’ll have to then shoulder out of your own pocket.

Reader’s Question:

My husband and I are under the same car insurance policy here in Santa Clarita, California and we are getting a divorce. I was never interested in going over the policy so I don’t know anything about any coverage. What are the important things that I need to know about car insurance here in California before I get my own policy?

Neha

Santa Clarita, CA

If you will purchase your own car insurance in Santa Clarita, California, you should have bodily injury and property damage coverage. For bodily injury to a single person, you need to have a minimum coverage of $15,000; for bodily injury to two or more people in one accident, you must have $30,000 minimum coverage; and for property damage for a single accident, you need to have $5,000 minimum coverage. It is recommended that you buy more than the minimum amount of coverage so that you will have sufficient protection.

You also need to know certain coverage limitations of your car insurance policy. There could be some instances that your coverage does not apply, such as the following:

–Bodily injury or property damage that happened when the car is used while carrying people or property with a fee.

–Any injury or property damage that is brought about by an intentional act.

–Any injury or property damage on an automobile that is owned by a named driver on your policy but the automobile is not listed in the policy.

–Property that is owned by, leased by, or in the control or possession of an insured individual.

Reader’s Question:

I just got a traffic ticket here in Berkeley last Tuesday for speeding and unfortunately I’m a little drunk at that time. Does my unlawful behavior affect me of getting a cheaper car insurance here in California? Can I get a comparison car insurance quote?

Leigh

Berkeley, CA

First of all, this unlawful behavior is what Insurance Companies there in  California consider in giving you on how much they will offer you for this are the grounds on giving increase to your insurance rate.

With regards to traffic tickets, as long as you get one traffic ticket only for a year. You can just use the deferment program and pay the traffic ticket and your record will be erased and the insurance company will not be able to recognize it. It is easier to get away from traffic violation especially if you haven’t used your deferment program yet. Unlike other unlawful behavior like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, it is not easy to get out off it which includes a complication in your car insurance. If it is a car accident and it wasn’t your fault you will still have a charge raise for you are in the accident and you are there to complete it and that makes you still a part of the accident. And if it is your fault the more you will have a problem especially if you have been drinking. Not only that you are going to have problem with the law but also with the unstoppable increase of your insurance.

Reader’s Question:

As much as possible, I want to have cheaper car insurance because I think I am overpaying for my premiums. Is there a way that I can reduce the premiums that I pay for my car insurance here in California?

Nico

San Diego, CA

There is definitely a way that you can have cheaper car insurance in  California; all you have to do is to know and understand the right questions to ask and to follow some steps. The first thing that you could do if you have two or more cars is to insure them with one insurance provider so that you may have multi-car discount. You may also inquire about multi-line discount if you could have your life and home insurance under the same provider. Also, if you have older car, you can think about cancelling your collision and comprehensive coverage.

Installation of security devices such as anti-theft, as well as airbags and anti-lock brakes can have discounts on your premium rates. You may also increase your deductible or at least choose the highest possible deductible you could afford. Also, if you have younger drivers in the household, be sure that they take driving courses and have them use less valuable car. You can also get ‘good student discount’ if your young driver has an average of ‘B’ or above in school.

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m a 19-year old college student here in California and I just got my own car. They say that teen car insurance is very costly especially if you are not under your parent’s policy. Is there a way out of paying more for my car insurance if I don’t get on my parent’s policy?

Thelma

Florence-Graham, CA

Even if you just got your own car, you know too well that it would be against the law to be on the road unless you have the proper car insurance. What you heard about getting teen car insurance can be too costly is right. Car insurance providers based their premium rates for teen car insurance on statistics that have been there for years. These statistics show that people with the same age range as yours have had a lot of accidents with their vehicles. Those who are between 16 and 19 years old are said to be three times more likely to get into an accident for every mile they drive than those who are between 65 and 69 years old.

For you to have the most affordable teen car insurance in California you have to get on your parent’s policy. However, if you can’t do that, you can still lower your car insurance rates. At the very least, all you have to do is to compare the premiums of all the car insurance providers that you can by getting quotes from them. You would see that the rates could differ a little from company to company.

Reader’s Question:

My brother is asking me to help him find a good auto insurance company here in California. I don’t know anything about auto insurance so I also need some help here. He mentioned that I have to make sure that I choose collision auto insurance rather than liability coverage, but what’s the difference?

Pearl

East Kern, CA

It can really be hard to decide what type of auto insurance your brother needs in East Kern, California. But you can definitely understand these things by doing a little research and seeking advice form an insurance agent. There are a lot of auto insurance companies out there and the competition is real tight. There are three kinds of vehicle insurance coverage that a provider can be able to offer your brother. These are liability, collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage.

Liability coverage will give your brother the minimum level of coverage and still be able to drive in most states. The aim of this liability insurance is to give protection for the motorist against legal liability if he/she is at fault for a certain accident or was held accountable for. On the other hand, collision coverage will give compensation to the motorist if the automobile is damaged due to an accident, no matter who is at fault. Property damage would also be covered with collision insurance and also the damage to the automobile that’s a result of collision with other objects.

Reader’s Question:

I plan to use my RV as our primary residence here in San Diego, California but I haven’t gotten it insured. Do you think we need a special type of insurance for our RV?

Haven

Cupertino, CA

Recreational Vehicles are actually special vehicles that would require having a special type of insurance. Neither car insurance nor a home insurance could be able to properly or fully give coverage for the RV and the owners of the RV. You would have to do some thorough research to be able to find the necessary insurance for your needs on your RV. If you are lucky, you do not need to have insurance for your RV. But if you need insurance, you would be lucky to have it.

Since you plan to use the RV as your primary residence in Cupertino, California, you may want to get insurance coverage that will allow full replacement if an accident happens. You could never foresee an event where such insurance coverage is needed but when you need it, you’d be very much grateful to have it. Cardboard boxes do not make much of a home these days. Consider having an insurance coverage when your RV is parked at a campsite so that you could have protection against theft or injuries.

Reader’s Question:

I was required to get an SR22 insurance because of my DUI conviction here in California. Do I need to get it from another company or will my current auto insurance provider have that for me?

Kaleena

Elsinore Valley, CA

You would have to get an SR22 insurance because of your DUI conviction in  California. This is a form that would be a proof of your financial responsibility and this says that you have the right amount of insurance that the state of California orders you to have. Your auto insurance provider could file the SR22 insurance for you but make sure that you check with them for their standard procedure. In case they don’t offer SR22, you can always get it from someone who offers it and you can find it from this website so get a free quote now.

You may have to maintain the SR22 for a number of years, depending on your specific case. The length of time an SR22 stays active would depend on your state and the details of your DUI. Getting an SR22 would often make you in the higher risk category for auto insurance providers and that means that your premiums could increase and stay higher for a number of years after you got your DUI. It is not the end of the world after your DUI but you have to pay for it for at least a few years- especially if it is with regard to your auto insurance.