In many cases after an auto accident, the person involved will file a claim immediately to cover the damage of the car.  But in some cases people will try to settle without getting their insurance company involved.  This may not always be the best decision.   Perhaps someone doesn’t pay when they say they will, or you find that there are medical complications due to the accident that weren’t immediately apparent.  When this happens, many people will then turn to their insurance agency to be compensated.  The question then comes up, “How long do I have after an accident to file a claim?”  For medical issues, the state of California requires that your claim be made within 2 years of the incident.  If you are trying to be compensated for damage to your vehicle, you have 3 years (for more information, click here). 

While this is the case in the state of California, you should always review your insurance policy to be certain.  This information is usually contained in a section titled “Duties After an Accident or Loss”.  For example, if your vehicle is stolen you typically have a duty to file a police report immediately and contact your insurance company within 30 days.

To make filing a claim a bit less stressful, it is a good idea to gather information just after the accident.  Make notes and take pictures if possible.  Also, if there are medical complications, it is important to save all of the documentation.

For more information please see www.aisinsurance.com

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

For many people, 2010 marks the time when they will be buying their first home.  A federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first time home buyers has made it a little bit easier to buy a home.  Buying a home is a big financial decision, one in which if made appropriately, can lead to personal and financial benefit over time.

With this decision comes more responsibility.  This responsibility in part relates to homeowners insurance.  Many buying a home for the first time will have just come from a rental situation where if they had insurance, all they had to do was have insurance to cover the contents.  With a home purchase, the owner is now responsible for insuring the structure as well as the grounds the structure is on.

It is important for first time homeowners to consider insurance before buying a home.  Premiums very based on a number of factors.  Older homes may be more susceptible to fire, while newer homes have more modern materials making them more fire proof.  Also, the difference between living in the country or the city can have an effect on the price of insurance.  Homes in rural areas can be more expensive to insure because they can be farther away from fire protection services.

While these are just a few things to consider before buying your first home, more research should be done by the purchaser to determine what insurance hazards there are with a prospective home.  If you are considering a home, you should talk to a qualified insurance representative to help ask the right questions to make sure you are getting the best insurance advice.

For more information about California Homeowners insurance, please see www.aisinsurance.com/california-homeowners-insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Even though most parts of California don’t receive the harsh winters and cold climates like the east coast, it is still important to make sure you are prepared if your car breaks down . 

When traveling, it is important to have a few basic survival items in your vehicle while you wait for help.  Always have bottled water, snacks, blankets, road flares and jumper cables in your car.  Keep these items in a kit in your trunk, so if you need them, they are easily accessible.  Now that many people have cell phones, it is also a good idea to equip your kit with a phone charger that is either solar powered or crank power.  If you breakdown and lose power, you may not be able to plug your phone into the cigarette lighter to charge it.

To supplement your kit, you should also consider purchasing roadside assistance insurance.  This type of insurance will be beneficial if you break down.  This service typically covers minor mechanical work, towing, tire changes, jump starts and fuel delivery.

Adding roadside assistance coverage to your current policy can be an affordable way to make sure that help is only a phone call way.  For more information on California roadside assistance coverage, please see http://www.aisinsurance.com/california-roadside-assistance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.