Discounts are an important part of insurance. However, they can vary widely by state, policy type, and provider, thus it can be difficult to get a definite impression of which insurance discounts you may be eligible for. Luckily, there are some consistencies across the system. In terms of auto insurance, contact your AIS representative today to see if you qualify for discounts such as these.

• Anti-theft Discount – Cars that are eligible for an anti-theft discount are models equipped with a theft recovery system, such as OnStar or LoJack. Chances are this discount (if applicable) was applied when you first purchased your car. However, if you have added any aftermarket security features to your vehicle since buying it, you may qualify to receive this discount.

• Good Driver Discount – This is a relatively new discount you’ve probably been hearing about in many insurance advertisements. Like the name implies, drivers who have no recent history of traffic violations or insurance claims can receive a discount. “Recent history” varies among providers, so confirm with your AIS representative to see if you’re eligible.

• Multi-car discount – This is one of the most common discounts you can obtain for auto-insurance. It’s based on the “buying in bulk” savings concept. The more policies you buy from a single provider, the less the policies will cost. If you are considering purchasing a new car, be sure to check if you qualify for a multi-car discount.

• Mature Driver Discount – Do you know how younger drivers usually have to pay higher premiums for auto-insurance because of their lack of driving experience? It’s usually the opposite for older drivers. If you take a Mature Driver Improvement Course that is approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, you could receive an insurance discount for successfully completing the course. However, you should confirm with your AIS representative first that a discount will be applied before you enroll in the course. Please note there are similar courses available for young drivers that may garner a discount as well.

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 your teen is of age, and ready to get behind the wheel, you will find that insuring them will raise your premiums considerably. However, there is hope.  If you and your teen follow these steps, you can keep the costs from continuing to rise.

1. Purchase a safe, conservative car. Certain cars cost less to insure. For instance, buy a sedan over a sports car every time. Sedans are much less likely to attract both police officers and auto thieves.
2. Maintain good grades. If your teenager keeps their grades up (typically a 3.0 or higher should do it) discounts are available.
3. Take driver’s ed and assisted driving. Assisted or supervised driving (a driving permit, as opposed to a license) is now a requirement in many states, including California, and completion of 50 hours can help keep rates down.
4. Higher deductibles. As with all insurance, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Setting deductibles depends on how much risk you are willing to assume.
5. Avoid mistakes. Mistakes on the road can be very costly, and potentially very dangerous. Help your teen learn how to avoid making mistakes on the road by following some basic safety steps.

• Limit the number of passengers your teen is allowed to have in his car at any given time.
• Keep nighttime driving to a minimum. If they do not need to drive at night, do not let them.
• Keep cell phones in the glove compartment or turned off. Distracted drivers have the highest accident rates and cell phones are one of the biggest culprits. Do not allow your teens to use them while they are driving.

While adding your teen to your policy is always going to send your rates northward, following these simple tips can keep them manageable in most cases.

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.

When it comes to auto insurance, many people have had problems.  A claim was denied, renewal was more expensive, or extra options were placed in a policy that you may not have wanted.  Many of these things can be avoided or taken care of quickly if you know what to do next.  Here are a few common problems and what you should to do to fix them.

Insurance Claim Denied – Sometimes a submitted claim will be denied by your insurance company. Some common reasons for a denied claim include:

• Insurance was not purchased for the claim submitted.
• Coverage has lapsed because of a missed payment.
• Damage exceeds the policy limit.

 If you believe that your claim should be paid, here are the steps you can take:

• Write to your insurance company and notify them of their mistake.
• Appeal the decision to your state’s Insurance Commissioner.
• Discuss the problem with an attorney

Another area that you will want to pay close attention to is determining your deductible.    A lower deductible means you pay less out of pocket in the event of a claim, but your insurance premium will be higher as a result.  If you want to lower your premium, carrying a higher deductible will allow you to do this.  Make sure you work this out with your insurance provider, so you get the best price on your policy with the deductible you wish to pay.

The most important tip is to review your policy each time you renew.  If you see anything out of the ordinary or something you don’t understand, contact your insurance provider for further clarification.

If you are in need of California auto insurance, or you have questions, please contact a qualified representative at 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.

When it is time to buy or renew your auto insurance, there are many factors that come into play when determining the rate.  Some things you can change, others you can’t. Let’s look at some of these items, so you will know the facts when getting a quote for auto insurance.

Things you can’t Change that affect your rate

Years of Driving Experience: California mandates that auto insurance companies use your years of driving experience as one of the primary rate factors.  While most individuals obtain their license at age 16, years of driving experience has replaced age as a major rating factor in California.

Gender – Sorry guys, ladies are statistically safer drivers, so males will pay more than females.

Marriage Status – Married couples tend to have better rates than single people. 

Things you can change that affect your rate

Where you live – Certain areas have higher rates because they are more populated, which means you are at a greater risk for an accident.  Sometimes living just a few miles “out of town” can save you some money.

Driving Record – If you have a lead foot and have a few speeding tickets, you are going to pay more.  Keeping your foot out of the carburetor can save you on insurance and probably on gas!

The type of vehicle you drive – Certain types of cars are more expensive than others to insure.  If you drive a hot rod sports car, or one that is an auto thief’s target, you will pay more than you would if you buy a beige sedan.

These are just a few of the things that can affect your insurance rates.  When purchasing insurance, check out these items first and see what you can do to modify them.  In some cases you may be eligible for discounts if you are a student, or a part of a certain organization, to offset the factors you can not change.

For more information on auto insurance, please contact a qualified representative at AIS 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.

Let’s face it; driving in a performance model car is just more fun and exciting than schlepping to work in your average four-door sedan.  In most cases sports cars are more expensive than average vehicles because they have higher performance engines and features that cost more to integrate into the vehicle when compared to an “average” car.  Not only will a sports car be more expensive off the lot, but it will also cost more when you are buying car insurance. 

Each insurance carrier will define a sports car a little bit differently, so it is important to check first.  Here are some common factors that many insurance companies will use to determine if your car is a sports car or not.

Two doors – For most people, this doesn’t seem to be a defining factor of a sports car, but for some insurance companies it is.  Two door cars are generally smaller than a four door, and because of this, they can be determined to be less safe.  Two door cars are frequently driven by younger drivers without families.  This rule is interesting because it can “hurt” those who don’t really have a two door sports car, but help those that have a four door performance model.

Engine Size – More often if the car has a large engine (V-8 or bigger) it will be considered a sports car. These cars put out more power and are much faster.  In some cases smaller engines with modifications such as turbo chargers and super chargers can be considered sports cars as well.

Height & Weight – Sports cars are generally lower to the ground and weigh less than their non-sporty counterparts.

Other Factors that drive the insurance premium up on a sports car can be that they are often more targeted by thieves and sometimes the drivers will be more reckless when driving them.  Vehicles made of non-standard materials like fiberglass are more easily damaged and also more costly to repair.

For more information about Sports Car Insurance, please contact a qualified representative at 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.

As with most states, when you purchase auto insurance, you are required to carry a minimum amount of coverage to ensure that you can pay for damage caused in the event of an accident.  Minimum insurance requirements are also put in place to help keep uninsured vehicles off the road.  When purchasing your California auto insurance policy, it will need to include the following minimums:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $5,000 for damage to property

While these minimums might cover most accidents, you should carry more insurance in certain instances.  If you live in an area that is highly trafficked and has very expensive vehicles driving around, your minimums may not cover the least amount of damage that may be caused in an accident.  Also, if you are financing a new vehicle purchased in California, the bank or dealer who has financed the vehicle will require that you carry enough insurance to cover the vehicle in the event that it is totaled.  Even if you own an older car that you may not think is very valuable, you may want to have more coverage to protect your passengers and others that you are sharing the road with.

For more information about California auto insurance minimum coverages, please contact a representative 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.

Purchasing California car insurance can be a daunting task if you are not prepared. Knowing what you need and having the correct information when you need it is essential to making the process easy.  Below are some basics things that you should know when applying for an online quote or speaking with an agent over the phone.

If you are insuring multiple drivers on your policy, you will need their personal information.  You will need the driver’s names, sex, age and marital status.  Other information that may be required includes annual miles driven and driving record.  All this information will help the agent to get you started with a quote.

You will also need to provide information about all of the vehicles that you wish to have included on the policy. You will need to provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), found on the registration or the front driver side window, car make, cost, style and any other modifications to it. 

You will then be asked for the amount of coverage you would like to have on the vehicles.  The amount of coverage you elect to take will determine how much you pay for the policy.  Example: the most complete coverage would include coverage for your vehicle, Uninsured Motorist coverage for damage you suffer from an accident where the other party is uninsured, Liability coverage to cover damage you may do to others, and Medical coverage which pays incidental medical expsenses for anyone involved in an accident.  A moderate policy may only cover Liability and Uninsured Motorist, but no coverage for your own car (typically, if it’s older and paid off).  A policy such as this would be more affordable.  Have an idea of what you want to cover and how much you can afford to pay for insurance and relay this information to the agent or in the quote form.

Lastly, take good notes, shop around or compare coverages online.  Taking notes about what you are quoted will help you to compare different company’s rates.  You want to make sure you are seeing apples-to-apples.  When receiving a quote from a company, see if they will compare their quote to another company’s and have them explain any differences.

Buying California car insurance doesn’t have to be a difficult task.  If you need a quote or have any questions, please contact a qualified representative at 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.

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For 2009, many people have made their new year’s resolution to lose weight, spend more time with family, or stop smoking.  These are great resolutions and should be followed through until the goal is met.  For those that haven’t set a new year’s resolution or are having trouble sticking to the ones they have already set, why not make this your new year’s resolution to save money? Now may be the perfect time to look into changing your California car insurance policy, or switching companies if you think you are paying too much.

Here are some tips you can follow to help cut the cost of your car insurance.

Keep your driving records and personal information up to date.  If you have had any tickets or auto related citations in recent years that have dropped off of your record, it is important to verify that your insurance company knows about these.  If you don’t keep your driving record up to date, you could be wasting money by paying extra for infractions that are no longer on your record.  By keeping your personal information up to date, you can save money as well.  When you hit certain age marks, get married, or even purchase a home, you can often save money each month.

Be sure you are taking advantage of any discounts you are eligible for.  These discounts can be for many different things including organizations you belong to, safe car features, or even the type of job you have.  Contact your insurance company to see if you can receive discounts for having a low risk occupation, driving a vehicle that is deemed “low profile”, or driving a car with advanced safety features.  You can also save by combining your coverage, assuming more risk on your vehicle, or if you are a senior citizen.

If you are unsure if you qualify for these discounts, have your information ready and contact Auto Insurance Specialists for more information.

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.