I almost got caught drunk driving last week here in California and when I told my friends about it, one of them told me to add SR22 in my car insurance. There are many hat I can’t understand just like what is SR22? Why do I have to include it in my car insurance and how does it work?
Cole
San Diego, CA
Many people have been wondering why someone who usually goes home under the influence of alcohol or drunk should need a SR22. SR22 is a document given out by your Insurance Company in which you are assured that the California Department of Motor Vehicles has given you the required minimum liability coverage.
If a driver has gotten his/her license suspended, the driver is required to get a SR22 Filing to restore the drivers’ license. Drunk driving is not the only reason for your license to be suspended but also unpaid traffic tickets and parking violations. In order for a driver to get an SR22, they should get the minimum liability coverage to all of their cars. You have three years for SR22 Filing but this depends on how harsh your situation is. With regards to your driver’s license, you have to call Department of Motor Vehicle to know when it is going to be restored and how much would it cost you. The Car Insurance Company will be able to get you how much would your SR22 and your car insurance upon receiving the report on your driving record. And after calculating and agreeing how much you will have to pay for your SR22 Filing.
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.
We are all doing fine after a serious accident and our vehicle has been declared a total loss. What can I do if the actual cash value of my vehicle according to my insurance company is not what I believe it is and I want to dispute it with them here in Visalia, California?
Bishop
Visalia, CA
To find out your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV), the claims evaluator from your insurance provider in Visalia, California uses a mixture of value guide books, private party sales, merchant surveys and pricing sites through the Internet. They also include other aspects such as registration, sales tax and title pricing of a replacement automobile to come up with this amount. As business-minded as they are, these various factors are different from one insurance provider to another and also from each state. In the end, what one insurer figures out as the value of your vehicle may be different from another insurer as well as what you have come up with on your own.
So don’t just believe what they say about your vehicle’s ACV and engage yourself in the assessment process. You have to make some study on your own because the higher your vehicle’s worth, the greater your check will be since your vehicle has been declared a total loss. In some occasion like if you have a rare trim level or special edition automobile, you know obviously that your vehicle’s value is more than what they are telling you. Do not be scared to present your case and request them to make a correction. Remember that your auto insurance provider is obliged by law to give you a reasonable price.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My daughter is already away at college and I don’t know if I should keep her on my car insurance policy. What should I do about it and what would I do in case I get into an accident here in Lompoc Valley, California?
Cherrie
Lompoc Valley, CA
If your daughter is away for college or if any other member of the household will no longer drive your vehicle for any reason, you don’t have to keep them in your car insurance policy in Lompoc Valley, California. Insurance coverage for young motorists could be too high so do not put them anymore on the policy unless you really have to do so. In any case, you have to inquire about the claim process before you sign the agreement, not if you already got into an accident.
If you are involved in an accident, you have to call the insurance agent as soon you can. Do not leave for later because you could only have as little as 48 hours to file your claim. Maintain a good record of your claim and take note of every detail, especially at the site of the accident. Note names, automobile number, everything anyone says and anything that could help you later on. Do not waste time and go after the insurance provider because they tend to move real slowly so you have to harass them.
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.
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