A recent study has shown that because of the down economy, many people are letting their auto insurance lapse because they can’t afford the premiums.  This means that you are more likely to get into an accident with someone who cannot cover the damage of your vehicle, or worse yet, your medical expenses. 

According to the Insurance Research Council, California ranks 7th on the list of most uninsured drivers.  As much as 18% of people are not paying, and that percentage goes up in large urban areas.  That means that 1 in 5 drivers are on the road, uninsured, and that number is expected to rise.

What does that mean for you, the consumer?  It means that if you get into an accident, then there is a 1 in 5 chance that the other person involved will not have coverage to pay for the damage to your car or your medical bills.

Now more than ever, you need to make sure that you are protected in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist.  Review your policy to see what your coverage is.  If you don’t already have uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist UM/UIM coverage, now is a good time to look into it.

If you have any questions about insurance you can always contact us at www.aisinsurance.com or call 888-772-4247

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.

In a rough economy, people are often looking to cut costs and reduce spending in as many ways possible.  Not knowing what the future has in store can leave many people nervous about spending money.  This can force them to make choices they wouldn’t have to make under ordinary circumstances.  In some cases, people may be tempted to reduce their spending by lowering or even dropping their car insurance.  While it may seem like a good idea, here are some reasons why you should never completely discontinue your car insurance.

• It’s Illegal - All states have laws that require drivers to carry minimal insurance while operating vehicles. This is to ensure that medical bills and repairs to damaged vehicles can be covered by the at fault party. States also have different penalties to punish those caught driving without insurance.

• Your license may be suspended - If you are caught driving without insurance one penalty may include losing your license. While this might not seem like a big deal financially, you will have to consider how you will get to work. Who will drive you? On top of that, if you lose your license and decide to drive, there are even more serious penalties that could lead to added costs.

• You are responsible - If you do not have auto insurance and you get into an accident that causes damage or bodily injury, you will likely be responsible for the entire amount. If you do not have sufficient funds to pay, your assets including your house could be in jeopardy. The purpose of insurance is to aid you in paying for damages if an event such as this occurs. Damages are apt to be more expensive than paying the premium of a policy as well as the deductible.

If you are looking to save money you should contact your provider to see if there are ways in which you can reduce your costs.  Ask if you qualify for any discounts, or if you think you are a safe driver, you may want to raise your deductible to reduce your premium.  

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.

 One component of insurance policies should be Uninsured or Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).  When purchasing or upgrading a policy, you will want to make sure that you have these as a part of a policy.  These coverages will protect you and your passengers in the car, in the event that you are in an accident and the other party involved has no or too little insurance to cover the damage to your car, medical bills and expenses. 

A handful of states require drivers to have this coverage as a part of their policy and California is amongst them.  However, you are allowed to waive this coverage with your signature.  UM/UIM insurance typically does not cover most property damage.  You should check the specifics of your policy to see what is covered.

For careful drivers’ who don’t carry collision coverage, you may want to add Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage (UMPD).  In most cases this is less expensive than carrying full collision coverage.  Carrying this type of coverage can help to repair damage to your vehicle in the event that the other driver does not have or carry enough insurance.

It is always important to consult your current agency to make sure you are clear as to what coverage you currently carry.  If you are thinking about switching agencies or would like more information, please contact an AIS insurance specialist at 888-772-4247 or request on online insurance quote. 

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 most car owners, there comes a time in life when you will have that unfortunate fender bender and you have to get the damage repaired.  For most people, picking a body shop and paying for the repairs is not an enjoyable experience.  While these tips will not make the process any more enjoyable, they will however help you to not spend more money than is necessary when it comes to body shop repairs.

Shop Around - One of the biggest differences you will see in body shops is the hourly rate they charge to perform the labor on your vehicle.  This can range from $30-60 an hour.  The rates can vary by the location you are in and the shop itself.  You might benefit by checking your next closest town for different rates.

Once you choose a shop and receive a quote, make sure you understand the quote you are presented.  Some shops use a computer system to generate the quote while others will do this by hand.  Whichever kind you receive, be sure the body shop technician goes over the quote in detail and that you understand it before you make a commitment.  A good shop will review this with you, but if they don’t, you should ask.  If you are not satisfied or their answers seem vague, move on to the next body shop.  Also, it never hurts to get multiple quotes from competing shops.  Some will match or beat the quote of their competitor to make sure you choose their shop.

After your car is repaired and it is time to pick it up, inspect the parts once you get to the shop.  Look to see that the old parts were in fact damaged.  If you can’t tell, ask the technician to show you what is defective and why it needed to be replaced.  If the quote calls for new parts, ask to see the old ones and make sure new parts were put onto your vehicle.  Some shops will use refurbished parts and call them new to save money for themselves. 

Most parts being put onto the car will need to be painted.  When you pick up your vehicle, inspect the parts and paint to make sure they were painted correctly.  If possible, try to inspect the paint in different lighting conditions.  When it is bright and sunny outside, the paint may look perfect, but moving the vehicle into an area with less light, and the same paint job could look different.  If this is the case, you may want to consider asking them to repaint this for you.

The last thing you should always remember is to ask a lot of questions.  Repairs can cost thousands of dollars, so you want to make sure you don’t have to come back to have the work redone at an added cost.  Many shops will warranty or guarantee their work.  Make sure you get the details in writing, so if you do have issues with the work performed you can use that as your back up.

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.

 You know that you need to have insurance coverage for your personal vehicle - liability, collision and comprehensive, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorists’ coverage.  Did you know that you may need the same kind of insurance coverage for the vehicle you use in your business?

While there are similarities between the two, a commercial auto insurance policy differs from a personal auto insurance policy in many important ways.  Be sure to ask your auto insurance agency to explain all the technical details and your coverage options.

Additionally, check with your auto insurance agency to ensure you have sufficient auto liability coverage.  In the state of California, for example, commercial auto insurance is important for businesses to have on any vehicle used to transport employees.  Without such coverage, should an accident should occur, you could find that not only your business assets but also your personal assets are at serious risk.

Commercial auto insurance in California can cover the following types of vehicles:

• Trucks
• Vans
• Cars
• SUVs
• Heavy trucks and trailers
• Dump trucks
• Box trucks

To learn more, contact your auto insurance company to find out if you need a commercial auto insurance policy for your vehicle.

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.

 Once you’ve done your research and have found an auto insurance company that you feel is right for you, you’ve likely reached the point where you want to speak to a company representative.  What are some of the best ways of getting in touch with an auto insurance agency?  Here are some tips to help you find an agency in your area.

• Call the company directly.  For example, at the State of California’s Department of Insurance website, the contact information for a number of auto insurance companies is provided on their “Toll Free Numbers” page.  Additionally, your Yellow Pages can also provide you with contact information for local agencies and/or brokerages.

• Check the company’s website.  Just as in the example above, the Internet can offer many ways to access information.  Check the website of the auto insurance company you are interested in for local agency and/or broker contacts.

• Check with an agency or brokerage association.  There are a large number of  associations across the United States.  Either the Internet or your Yellow Pages can help you find an agency or broker association who can help you locate a local auto insurance broker or agency.

Finding an auto insurance company doesn’t end with speaking to one over the telephone.  It is very important to check their license status before you make a final decision.  You can use either the representative’s name or insurance license number to find out their licensing history - this is especially easy with the California Department of Insurance.  Their website features a way in which you can perform a license status inquiry.  You can get an agency or broker’s insurance license number from the broker or agency’s business card and do a search by that number.

By doing your comparison research before hand, finding out information on an auto insurance agency or broker using the Internet, and in speaking with a representative over the telephone, you can help to ensure that you find the right auto insurance specialist for you.

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.

 On August 28th, California Insurance Commissioner, Steve Poizner laid out the groundwork for greener auto insurance options. The new greener options also may reduce premiums. Insurance Commissioner Poizner unveiled last week his Pay as you drive, green insurance option. The ultimate goal of this plan is to reduce co2 emissions and reduce premiums.

Poizner hopes this move will have a positive impact on the environment. The plan envisions that people will start driving less with the immediate goal of saving money, but at the same time putting less co2 in the air from automobile emissions. As a result, the air will become cleaner and less polluted from vehicles. A study conducted by the Environmental Defense Fund estimated that if 30% of Californians participate in this new voluntary coverage, the state of California could avoid 55 million tons of CO2 between 2009 and 2020. That is the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off of the road!

In addition to the positive effects on the environment, the new plan will have a positive impact on Californian’s wallets. One hope is that insurance premiums will go down. Since the new plan calls for miles driven to account for more of the premium base, the hope is that people will start driving less. And as a result of the decreased driving, estimates show that Californians can save approximately $40 billion in vehicle related expenses, including gas, maintenance and repairs.

To participate in the program, drivers will have to verify their actual odometer reading. Drivers will be able to do this through automotive repair/service records or a technical device used to track mileage. While the pay as you drive program is still in the planning stage, contact your auto insurance company for ways to save money right now.

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.

The state of California requires every vehicle to be insured with a minimum of bodily injury and property damage coverage. These minimums are set to protect the citizens of California from an injury or loss of property resulting from an automobile accident.

The minimum bodily injury liability that a Californian driver may take out is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.  The minimum for property damage liability is  $5,000. While it is recommended to purchase as much coverage as you can afford, you can drive with just having these minimums. The State wide minimum requirements are more commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage.

The state of California operates under a tort system. By definition, tort is an injury to another person or to property which is compensable under law. A tort state is the opposite of a “No-fault” state. In a tort state one party must be designated to be at fault before one can receive compensation for damages, although fault can be shared. If you are travelling outside of California, make sure to check out the laws of the state you are travelling to as the laws differ from state to state.

Contact your local AIS office to discuss the California insurance laws and to find the best rate on your auto insurance policy.

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.

 Most auto policies cover the insured, any additional drivers listed and any occupants in the vehicle. In most cases your coverages are applicable to all occupants in the vehicle at the time of an accident (although liability coverage is not designed to cover injury to you or other listed drivers). But what if you are not driving the car at the time of the loss?

This is a common question and the answer depends on who’s driving. In most cases, the insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. So if your vehicle is involved in an accident and you are not driving, your coverage will still apply. It is possible that your state’s law or insurance company’s policy may differ, so be sure to check.

In most cases, it is ok for you to loan your car to a visiting friend or family member and your coverage will still apply. The only time you may be denied coverage is if you did not grant the driver permission to use your vehicle. In this case you would have to file a theft claim and proceed in that manner if you wish to recover the damages.

If the driver of your vehicle lives with you, whether it is a family member or a friend, they will have to either be excluded or included on your policy. Specifically, any household members over the legal driving age must be one of the prior. Anyone who becomes a household resident during the policy term must also be added or excluded. If you decide to exclude them, and they’re involved in any accidents while driving your vehicle, the claim will automatically be denied.

Be sure to check your state’s laws and your insurance company’s policy to avoid any potential conflicts.

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.

More than likely you have experienced some sort of car trouble. Maybe it was a dead battery, a flat tire or maybe you locked your keys in the car. We’ve all been there and know that sometimes a little help is all you need. That help comes in the form of Roadside Assistance. Roadside assistance is an optional coverage that is available through your insurance company.

What does it cover?

Towing: If your vehicle needs to be towed in order to be repaired, roadside assistance will take care of that. The distance to be towed may vary for each insurance company, but most will usually tow your vehicle to a repair facility within 15 miles of your location. If you are in a remote area, they will usually tow you to the nearest repair center, no matter how far it is.

Flat-tire: If you are stuck on the side of the road with a flat; don’t worry. Roadside assistance will come and help you change your flat tire at any time of the day.

Dead Battery: If your battery dies, roadside assistance can help. They will either jump start your battery or tow you to the nearest facility where you can purchase a new one. In some cases, the roadside assistance vehicle may have additional batteries for purchase in their vehicle.

Emergency Fuel & Fluids: If your vehicle runs out of gas or overheats, roadside assistance can deliver what you need to get your vehicle moving again. Most roadside assistance services will deliver whatever you need; but you will be required to pay for the fuel or fluids that you require.

Locksmith Service: If you lock your keys inside your car or misplace them, roadside assistance will send out a professional who can make you a new key, or get inside your vehicle to recover your key. In most cases you will only have to pay for the cost of a new key.

Roadside assistance can usually be added to your policy for a very minimal cost. Check with your auto insurance agency or company to see how much it would be to add to your current policy. For a small cost you get a lot of security.

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.