KCAL Insurance Agency-Auto Insurance Resources- KCAL Insurance Agency

AUTO INSURANCE

How much auto insurance do I need?

How high should my liability coverage limits be? No one can predict exactly how much you would have to pay if you were to cause an accident. Ask yourself how you would pay for any damages exceeding your coverage limits. The higher your liability coverage limits are, the more likely your policy will be able to pay all of the damages.
How high or low should my collision and comprehensive deductibles be? Higher deductibles lower your premium but increase the amount you must pay out of your own pocket if a loss occurs. Ask yourself how much you would be willing and able to pay on short notice in order to save on your premium.
Should I carry collision and comprehensive coverage?

You may be required to carry collision or comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is leased or financed. Once you have paid off your car, and its value decreases, you might consider dropping these coverages to save money on premiums. However, consider whether the savings would be enough to offset the risk of having to pay the entire cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle.

What discounts are available for auto insurance?

Discounts, Discounts, Discounts Auto Insurance companies have a variety of discounts available to lower your insurance cost, but the discount may vary from company to company. Our agents are trained to assess our client's situation and find the most discounts to ensure they aren't overpaying. Some of the common discount Categories are listed below:

Good Driver Discount: This one is automatically added to every policy if you qualify. In CA, the definition of good driver is a person with at least 3 years of driving experience (so you have to be at least 19 years old). Next you can only have 1 minor ticket or (not and) 1 at fault accident within the last 3 year, but this accident can not have caused anyone any injury. Even a $1 claim by you, anyone in your car or in the other car will cause this accident to be considered at fault with injury and you will lose the good driver discount. You can't have any major violation like racing, speeding over 100, hit and run or other major violations within the last 5 years. Driving under the influence, DUI or DWI, will stay on your record for 10 year and will not qualify you for good driver discount. This discount will be at least a 20% difference in premium.

Good Student Discount
Mature Driver Discount
Driver Training Discount
Occupation discount
Special license and Degrees

For more discounts please check with your agent.

Please drive carefully and to avoid accidents don't multitask in the car. Obey traffic regulations, and go to traffic school to waive tickets when possible - your wallet will thank you for driving safely.

How much liability coverage do I need?

Auto Insurance, like all types of insurance, will protect you against a financial loss if you are involved in an auto related accident. All 50 States require a minimum liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle on a public road, which differs from state to state. Click here for each state's minimum limits. Buying insurance at these minimum limits will be enough to legally operate a vehicle on the road but usually it's not adequate protection. If you are found at fault for an accident, your auto liability insurance will pay for the other party's injuries, and damage to their car or property. The insurance company will defend the lawsuit at their expense, so the coverage limits will not be affected. If the insurance company pays the full limit of insurance and all coverage are exhausted, the responsible party or vehicle owner may be sued or have to pay out of pocket for the other person's loss.

What is the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage pays for physical damage to your auto caused by things such as fire, theft, hail, vandalism, and animals. These events are called "perils" in your policy. Some examples of a comprehensive loss include:

your auto is struck by debris that falls from an overpass
your auto is damaged by a tree falling on it
your auto is partly or totally submerged in water
your auto is maliciously scratched
your auto's tires are slashed
your auto's windshield is cracked by a stone

Collision coverage pays for physical damage if your auto is hit by another vehicle or runs into an object. This coverage will pay for damage to your auto regardless of who causes the accident. Some examples of a collision loss include:

your auto strikes or is struck by another auto
you hit a pedestrian, damaging your auto (the pedestrian's injuries are covered under liability coverage]
your auto hits debris lying in the road
your auto strikes a tree or fence
your auto is struck by a shopping cart

Do I need comprehensive and/or collision on all my autos?

You can make comprehensive and/or collision coverage choices individually for each of your insured vehicles.

What is not covered under my auto policy?

Wear-and-tear, freezing, mechanical breakdown, or road damage to tires by potholes are not covered by your auto insurance policy. Check your policy for other restrictions.

Am I covered under my personal policy if I also use my auto for business?

If you own your car and simply drive to and from your principal place of business, this is considered personal use and will be covered under your personal policy.

If in addition to commuting to work, you also use your vehicle for other business-related driving, such as traveling on sales calls or carrying tools, supplies, and equipment to a job site, this is considered business use. It may or may not be covered under your personal policy.

To ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your needs, consult with a qualified insurance representative and check your policy for restrictions.

Who are covered drivers under my auto insurance policy?

You, members of your family who live in your house, and anyone who uses your car with your permission are covered under your auto policy. See policy for details.

If I loan my car, would I be covered if there's an accident?

Yes. With a KCAL Insurance auto insurance policy, anyone who drives your car with your permission is covered under your policy. See policy for details and restrictions. Note: If someone pays you to use your car, you will not be covered.

If I borrow someone else's car, what insurance pays?

If you're driving someone else's car and you get into an accident, the insurance on the borrowed car would be prioritized to pay for damages first. Your own auto insurance will serve as a secondary source if coverage on the first car was exhausted. See policy for details.

What is a deductible?

It's the amount paid out of pocket before an insurer will cover any expenses. For example, your auto insurance policy has a $500.00 deductible and you were in an auto accident causing $800 worth of damage. You are responsible for the first $500.00 (deductible) of the damage then the insurance company will pay the remainder balance, which in this example is $300.00. You may select different deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage.

Will higher deductibles lower my auto insurance premium?

Absolutely. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. That's because you're willing to pay a higher amount in the event of an accident. Always make sure that you will be financially prepared to handle a higher deductible in the event of an accident. Consult KCAL Insurance for a free auto quote with several deductibles to see how they affect your premium.

How can I save money on auto insurance?

There are many things you can do to make sure you're getting the best premium possible.

Increase your deductible
Maintain a good driving record
Maintain a good credit rating
Take a driver safety course

Research before buying. Learn what cars are the least expensive to insure. KCAL Insurance offers discounts for cars that have antitheft devices, air bags, and antilock brakes, for example. KCAL Insurance can give you free, no-obligation quotes on any cars you're considering purchasing; just call us with the VINs of the vehicles you're interested in buying.

Take advantage of KCAL Insurance's multi-policy discounts, which provide discounts on certain coverages when you purchase two or more policies, such as an auto and homeowners policy.

Does my auto insurance policy cover rental vehicles?

Yes! At KCAL Insurance, the same coverages you have on your present auto policy also apply to any car you rent. So, for example, if you have collision and comprehensive coverages on your current auto policy, you'll also have them when you're renting a car for vacation, a pick-up truck for moving, or a substitute vehicle while yours is in the shop. Be aware that other insurance companies may not cover rental cars automatically.

Should I buy extra insurance protection on a rental car?

The coverages you have on your current auto policy also apply to cars you rent. But if you don't carry collision or comprehensive on at least one insured vehicle, you may not have these coverages on a rental car, depending on state law. To be safe, check with your agent or call KCAL Insurance's customer service center to confirm your coverages.

Why do I need Uninsured Motorists (UM) coverage?

Some drivers don't have auto insurance, even when they're legally required to have it. And, if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, that driver may not be able to pay for your damages. UM coverage protects you and your passengers from injury-related damages caused by either an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver. In a few states, damages to your car may also be included.

What is Underinsured Motorists (UIM) coverage?

UIM protects you and your passengers when an accident is caused by someone who has auto insurance, but is underinsured.

What happens if I'm a passenger in a friend's car and I'm injured as a result of an uninsured motorist?

If your friend had Uninsured Motorists (UM) or Underinsured Motorists (UIM) protection, you would be covered under your friend's policy. If your friend didn't have UM or UIM, you would receive protection under your own UM or UIM coverage. Note: Some states specify the order in which policies can be pursued for UM/UIM coverage.

Will my insurance rates go up if I make a claim?

Adjusting insurance premiums is not an easy decision. We want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to keep your insurance costs at KCAL Insurance equitable, while providing you with quality service. If an accident or loss occurs, certain factors can result in an increase to your policy premium, including:

Determination of fault
Amount of damages paid
State regulations
Previous accident and violation (conviction) history
Type of accident or violation
Severity of accident or violation

After an accident, how do I file a claim against the other driver?

You can file a claim against the other driver by contacting that person's insurance company or agent. You will need to give the other party's insurance company your insurance information and tell the type of claim you wish to make. If you need assistance, contact a KCAL Insurance claim professional.