By author on November 19th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that going to Driver’s Ed. Will give me discounts on my car insurance? If so, what kind of classes should I look for here in Los Angeles, California?
Raymond
Los Angeles, CA
Yes, Accredited defensive driving schools and institutions can definitely qualify you for some discounts towards your auto insurance rates there in Los Angeles, California. Now the amount and duration of the discount you get will vary between states but the aim is generally the same. The safer the driver you become, the less the chance of you filing for an insurance claim and the less expensive for the insurance company to provide you further auto insurance coverage, thus the savings are passed on to you.
Defensive Driving Courses or Lessons can usually be taken with your State Department Of Motor vehicles but then again there are a lot of local accredited schools in your area that you can choose as well. These courses are offered to the general public, without any virtual limitations on the students age. Once you get your certification, call up your insurance provider so they can process applying the discount immediately.
You should still get in touch with your insurance provider before you undergo such classes though. Each Insurance provider will have their own rules or policy on how and when you will be receiving the additional discounts on your car insurance premiums. You should get at least three years worth of discount with most auto insurance companies. Some can add the discount immediately while others might insist adding it at the end of your insurance term so get the details first to know what you will be expecting after taking the said classes.
Tags: auto insurance online, auto insurance premium, car insurance company, car insurance discounts
By author on November 16th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I’m new here in Los Angeles, California and just got my first car. What should I look into for my first car insurance?
Julian
Los Angeles, CA
Congratulations for buying your first car. You must be very excited to take it around already. It will be to your advantage to have the necessary information about car insurance so you can get the best car insurance for your need. Before you go out and buy any car insurance you must first be knowledgeable about the minimum liability insurance coverage required by the financial responsibility laws in your state.
Liability insurance, by the way, is a type of coverage that pays anyone you may have injured in a car accident for any medical, hospitalization, economic loss as well as any legal fees or any other monetary obligations you may be required to pay in damages. In Los Angeles, California the minimum liability coverages would be 15/30/5. Up to $15,000 to be paid to each injured person per accident up to a maximum of $30,000 for all injured person per accident and then $5,000 for property damages per accident. It is recommended that you get a policy that would provide higher coverages since you can be sued for amounts far exceeding the state minimums.
Next, you would want to get Personal Injury Protection that pays for your medical expenses and treatment of your injuries, regardless who is at-fault in an accident. Collision insurance will pay for damages that your vehicle may have incurred. Comprehensive insurance is actually optional since it only covers loss due to non-car crash related damages.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, auto insurance quotes, car insurance
By author on November 14th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I got my auto insurance here in Los Angeles, California for the heck of having one because my relatives said I should get one. But I learned that I can shop for insurance quotes for me to choose among insurance premiums with the same coverage. How will my auto insurance history matter when I shop for insurance quotes?
Melisa
Los Angeles, CA
Even if you do not have any reasonable grounds for having your current auto insurance policy there in Los Angeles, California, it is good that you keep a copy of that when you shop for auto insurance quotes. You can compare your existing insurance premiums with other quotes you get with the same coverage. With your current policy, at least you have an actual basis for comparison. But remember comparing the costs of insurance quotes with a significant difference in the amount of deductible, say $1000 and $500, means that these quotes also have very different premium payments.
The length of your subscription to an auto insurance policy provided to you by a single company also matters. Some insurance companies give discount opportunities to clients with five-year subscription to them. Some give discounts for as early as three years of subscription. You need to be familiar with this because if you are currently under an insurer for years, you can also compare the discounted rate you can get and the auto insurance quotes you shopped.
However, your auto insurance history does not matter that much at most during the time you shop for insurance quotes. But the importance of your current insurance policy and its history arise when you decided to actually subscribe for another policy.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance policy
By author on November 13th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I am up for a renewal on my car insurance here in Los Angeles, California and I have a different insurer for my home insurance. I’m not quite sure if there is something like a combined discount for having my home and car insured in one company. Also, do insurance companies have renewal discount for long-time customers?
Bob
Los Angeles, CA
You could be able to get a lot of savings if the insurance provider on all of your vehicles is the same insurance provider that covers your house. You may ask your current insurance company if they offer some kind of combined discount or what is commonly termed as multiple line discounts. This could lessen the premiums on your auto insurance and have your home insurance rates more affordable as well.
A lot of auto insurance providers also have renewal discount so it is very essential to make sure that you get that kind of discount also. This is a price reduction that is given to individuals who have been a constant customer of the same insurer for quite a while. Your current insurance provider in Los Angeles, California is fond of you if you have been with them for a number of years and you never had a single accident. Reflect on this: You pay your insurer a great deal of cash and they don’t have to do anything but just send you bills. Although they are prepared to do something in case you get involved in an accident, you never get into an accident. For that reason, they are so pleased and would like to have a continued business with you. A renewal discount is probably a great encouragement for you not to go with another company.
Tags: auto insurance discounts, car insurance
By author on November 13th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Just got a new car for my hubby here in Los Angeles, California and I’m on the prowl for my car insurance. Do you have any suggestions on how to pick the best insurance provider out there?
Luisita
Los Angeles, CA
Dear Luisita. Congratulations on the new car! Now let us help you find a suitable car insurance policy for it. Please note that the best car insurance provider is not necessarily the biggest or cheapest, but how well they can provide you insurance options based on the type of car you have and the type of coverage you will need. So you have to be upfront with what you want to get from the start. Here are a few tips on how to spot car insurance provider that best suits your requirements.
Reputation
You’ll be investing both time and money to make sure your vehicle is financially protected. You have to make sure the company you’ll be choosing has a good track record of doing business. Consult California’s State Insurance Department or the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to get an idea of who you’ll be dealing with, insurance wise.
General or Specialist Insurance
This depends on what kind of car you own. If you have a classic, luxury or high-end performance vehicle then you may save more by getting insurance from a niche market or specialist insurance provider which can provide better rates and coverage options as compared to the general public insurance companies.
Compare and Compare Some More
The internet is a rich resource of information, more so in comparing insurance quotes online. Get at least five to seven quotes online before choosing a car insurance company to call up.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance company, car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes
By author on November 12th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I have never been in an accident and hopefully won’t ever be but no one knows what might happen. So in case of my car’s total loss due to an accident, how will my car insurance company here in Los Angeles, California determine the value of my car?
Neo
Los Angeles, CA
Car insurance companies say that they have three instruments to find out the value of a vehicle if it has been declared as “totalled.” These are computerized merchant quotes, value books and a market investigation of the local area. But the local area is not particularly specified and an auto insurance company could not be able to find a replacement vehicle within your locality. If an auto insurance company was able to come across a replacement vehicle out of your residing area, the assessment of your car’s value could be affected.
Since you live in the state of California, the amount of replacing your vehicle would be higher in the main cities than in the rural areas and suburbs. Your auto insurance provider in Los Angeles, California would take into account quotations from those suburban municipalities as practical estimates. Insurance companies say that their objective in totalling an automobile is to let the insured driver to buy, within their market, the same vehicle they lost in the accident. However, even if they state that they could use one, two or three instruments to find out the value of your vehicle, you may not be certain what value you will end up with.
Tags: auto insurance company, car, car insurance
By author on November 8th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
What’s the cheapest car insurance price range that is generally available? We have a car here in Los Angeles, California that we really wont be using much so we don’t want to spend too much on car insurance. Thanks!
Samantha
Los Angeles, CA
Hi Samantha, your question is very interesting. Regarding the lowest price range for car insurance, you may find insurance companies offering coverage for as low as $25 (but this probably has very limited coverage and for rural areas only). What you would want to know though is that the price of car insurance is not fixed. Auto Insurance rates differ based on factors such as where you live, your age, gender, the type of car you own, your credit and driving history and each insurance provider has their own way of determining price ranges based on who’s looking for insurance.
The best way to get the cheapest rate would be to compare quotes Online from four or five different insurance providers using the same information (running the same zip code etc.,). Most Online insurance portals will give you the best rates available since they come direct from the insurers (they wont have to pay commissions to insurance agents).
Please do understand that even if you feel that you don’t have to spend so much on insurance coverage for your vehicle there in Los Angeles, California you may still wish to get reasonable comprehensive insurance coverage to cover against loss due to events such as calamities, natural disasters, theft or vandalism. Your car is still an asset, you paid for it, so you want to protect at least the amount of money you paid for it.
Tags: car insurance
By author on November 7th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I was going through my car insurance policy so that I may understand fully what’s on it. I came across this comprehensive coverage that was explained to me before but to be honest, I forgot what it is. Why is it important to carry this comprehensive coverage for my car insurance here in Los Angeles, California?
Tavian
Los Angeles, CA
Your car insurance policy in Los Angeles, California is not only there to give you protection in case of an accident while your vehicle is being driven. There are a lot of elements of your car insurance policy that serve various functions. Generally, when people hear the phrase “car insurance,” they think about liability, collision, medical payments and uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage. However, comprehensive coverage is an additional significant portion of your car insurance policy.
The comprehensive coverage will protect your vehicle from damage that does not involve hitting another vehicle. This covers damages that result from theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, flood, riot, earthquake, natural disasters, etc. The glass coverage as well comes under the comprehensive part of your car insurance policy. In case your windshield is damaged or cracked, your comprehensive coverage will certainly give you protection. One more thing that you have to know about your comprehensive coverage is that it also has a deductible for any claim.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance claims, car insurance policy, comprehensive insurance coverage
By author on November 6th, 2008
Reader’s Question
What are the things I should do to minimize my car insurance rates here in Los Angeles, California?
Kim
Los Angeles, CA
There are a number of ways that one can minimize or lower the cost of maintaining car insurance. Note that every car insurance company is different but there are general approaches that you can take to get savings, regardless of who your provider is. Here are a few tips to start saving on your car insurance:
Multiple Car Policies
If you or your family own more than one vehicle then it may be a good idea to put all of your vehicles under one policy. See if this kind of car insurance is available with your current provider there in Los Angeles, California. Under this policy you can get discounts on your rates and the added benefit of being able to renew your insurance with one go.
Do Away With Extra Coverages
Would you really need car rental insurance if your existing policy already cover you while driving a rented vehicle? Do you think you can avoid towing services with just a little bit of planning and car maintenance foresight? Try to eliminate those not-so-essential coverages, the extra bucks saved are worth it.
Be A Smart And Safer Driver
You can get discounts, as well as learn skills to drive safer, on your car insurance premiums by completing state accredited defensive driving classes. Avoid after-market customizations since they wouldn’t really be covered on a claim. A higher deductible would also mean lower premiums.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, auto warranty, car insurance rate
By author on October 31st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My husband and I have a business at home here in Los Angeles , California and we use car for its operations. Sometimes, we also use the same car for personal use. Which automotive insurance coverage should I get – commercial or personal – that guarantees an affordable insurance policy?
Eva
Los Angeles, CA
You are actually sharing the same dilemma with many home-based business owners in Los Angeles , California and even in other states who utilize automobiles in their business operations. While most home-based business owners choose to protect their entrepreneurial assets and they consequently subscribe for personal automotive insurance, affordability and security should be your topmost considerations. Your choice between commercial and personal insurance coverage have to depend largely on the chief function of your car in your home-based business. By doing so will guarantee you an affordable insurance policy.
If you often use your automobile for delivery services, you better insure your car with commercial automotive insurance coverage so that your business assets can be protected every time you will be involved in roadway collisions. This is beneficial to your business especially when you are at-fault in the accident. But when you are in a real estate business and you often drive your clients to distant estates chances are you will be compelled to get a personal insurance coverage.
Either of these insurance coverage, remember that insurance providers typically determine policy premiums on the travel distance your vehicle takes and the age, sex, driving records and claim history of the driver.
Tags: auto insurance
