A standard auto insurance policy will cover you in case of an accident while on the road. However, if your vehicle is damaged and it’s not from a traffic accident, that would fall under comprehensive coverage. If you are seeking comprehensive coverage on your policy, you will notice  this coverage typically cover things like “vandalism” and “natural disaster”. These are broad terms, so you may be wondering the types of damage that falls under these designations.

Comprehensive coverage plan is usually true to its namesake. Typical vandalism coverages include:

• Graffiti on your vehicle
• Broken windows
• Malicious damaging to the vehicle, including tampering with vehicle equipment
• Flattened or slashed tires
• Fire damage to the vehicle
• Damage resulting from theft attempts

Natural disaster coverage is also quite broad and typically includes hail, storm damage, flood, earthquake, explosions, etc.

Specific types of damage covered can vary from provider to provider. This is especially true if you live in an area in which certain natural disasters are more likely to occur – like earthquakes in California. Many California insurers will cover earthquakes, but out of state insurers may not. When considering a policy, you can always speak with an AIS representative regarding specific coverage.

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.

Californians are no strangers to the sun and surf, and having fun out on California waters is an incredible experience. It’s even more enjoyable when it comes with peace of mind. That’s why watercraft insurance is popular among people who love to get out and hit the surf.

Just as watercraft are different from automobiles, they require a different sort of insurance policy. Of course, your policy will be exclusive to you, but some basic coverages may include:

• Physical damage to your watercraft & trailer
• Damage to another watercraft,  dock, or other property
• Towing assistance if you break down on the water
• Liability for injury or death to another person through negligence
• Liability for another driver using your watercraft
• Water skiers, wake boarders, or tubers who become injured being towed by your watercraft
• Uninsured watercraft owners insurance – injury to you caused by an uninsured watercraft operator

Keep in mind though – some policies may limit your use of your watercraft to specific types of waterways or specific areas (such as “inland lakes and waterways” or “Pacific Costal waters within 5 miles of shore”). Still, a watercraft insurance policy is a great idea for maximizing your carefree fun out on the water. Contact AIS to learn more about watercraft insurance today.

Most people are under the impression that the only chance they get to save on car insurance is when shopping for a new policy, or renewing an old one. However, you may be able to utilize “part-time insurance” to save on your policy during certain times of the year.

Part time insurance works for vehicles that you own, but do not use often or only during certain times of the year. Usually, this applies to seasonal vehicles (like snowmobiles), classic or antique cars, vehicles owned by deployed members of the military, and vehicles owned by vacationers.

When these vehicles are not in use, you can have them temporarily suspended from coverage. That way, you do not have to pay insurance costs for the vehicle. Of course, there are restrictions depending on your insurance provider. Most companies will only allow you to move vehicles on and off this standby coverage four times per year. They also may require that the vehicle has a certain level of coverage to be eligible.

Of course, there is also the danger of damaging the vehicle while it is not covered. The few hundred dollars you save by suspending the insurance on a vehicle can quickly be lost if the vehicle is damaged with no insurance to protect it.

Whether you can utilize part-time insurance is at the discretion of your insurance provider. Contact your AIS representative today to see if you are eligible.

A wedding can be among the most costly things a couple will spend money on, with ceremonies and receptions reaching $20,000 or more. At that level of expense, a wedding is definitely an investment worth protecting. Fortunately, you can have peace of mind on your special day with wedding insurance.

A wedding insurance policy will reimburse your costs in the event of property damage, cancellation, and even injury. Because of the number of things that can potentially go wrong at a wedding, wedding insurance tends to offer wide ranging coverage for a variety of dilemmas, even on lower premium policies.

For example, if the reception venue becomes unusable because of inclement weather or natural disaster, wedding insurance can cover the deposit and the cost of changing the reception location. If the bride or groom is called away for military service, the cost of cancelling the wedding can be covered. Wedding insurance can also cover property damage (if it’s not already covered by insurance owned by the venue), gown or suit damage, and vendors failing to deliver. For instance, if your photographer never delivers your pictures, wedding insurance will pay to have the photos retaken. Wedding insurance can cover just about anything. However, “cold feet” is typically not covered in policies.

AIS offers wedding insurance through WedSafe – one the nation’s leading wedding insurance policy providers. Contact your AIS representative today to learn more about how you can protect your wedding.

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 California, if you drive, you are required by law to carry automobile liability insurance. Unfortunately, there are a lot of law breakers out there. Especially in these tough times, more people than ever are driving without insurance. That is why it is crucial to check your own coverage and make sure you are fully protected. If you discover that you are not, we can put together a quick quote for you.

First, here’s a breakdown of the differences between Uninsured and Underinsured coverage. Uninsured (UN) Motorist Coverage means this: If you are hit by a person driving a car that does not have insurance, your Uninsured Motorist Coverage will cover you—your injuries and in many cases, time missed from work. Underinsured (UNDER) Motorist Coverage protects you from drivers who do not carry enough insurance to cover the cost of an accident.

In California, the law requires auto insurance companies to offer Uninsured and Underinsured coverage to every person. However, some policyholders reject the coverage. Minimum coverage in California is only $15,000 per claimant or $30,000 per bodily injury claim. Oftentimes, that’s not enough to pay for anything more than a fender-bender.

So let’s say you are in an accident and hit by a man carrying the minimum $15,000 in liability coverage. Your car is totaled and you have injuries. If you have an UN/UNDER Bodily Injury coverage of $100,000, your policy will cover the difference from the policy limit of the guy who hit you. In other words, you will have $85,000 to cover the cost of medical bills.

Your UN/UNDER policy would also apply if you were in a hit and run accident. A lot of drivers who do not carry insurance will typically flee the scene of an accident.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage works differently.  If you don’t have comprehensive and collision coverage to cover the damage to your vehicle, and you’re hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist, UMPD will pay up to $3,500 to repair your car.  If you do have comprehensive and collision coverage, and are hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist, your deductible will be waived if you purchase UMPD.

Here’s the good news: Under California insurance code, if you buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage, you will automatically get Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Adding on this type of coverage is usually inexpensive, especially when you consider all the protection and peace of mind it offers.

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 some cases, we let family members or friends borrow our car. In others, we may be the ones who are doing the borrowing.  Whose insurance will cover an accident or damage?  As always, it will depend on your specific policy and state, but below are a few general guidelines you can follow.  If you are unsure, it is always best to consult with your insurance agency or coverage provider.

In California, coverage follows the vehicle.  In most cases, the primary insurance will be the policy that is purchased for the specific car, even if you loan it to someone else.  If you borrow someone else’s vehicle, their policy should pay first.  Your own coverage is “secondary” or excess, and typically applies only if the primary insurance is insufficient to cover the loss.

When you are purchasing a policy, you should ask your provider about this situation.  They may also advise you of ways to protect yourself.  In most cases, in order for another driver to be covered, they must have permission to drive your vehicle to be covered. Also, if there are drivers that you don’t want to have driving your car, you can have them excluded from your policy so they don’t have coverage.

For more information about auto insurance coverage, please see www.aisinsurance.com or call AIS at 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.

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.

Being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs can have a detrimental affect on your personal life and finances.  Court costs, a suspended license and other fees can add up.  On top of that, when your auto insurance company spots the charge on your record, they could drastically increase your premium, or cancel your policy.  If your policy is canceled, you will need to get another policy before you can get your suspended license back.  Shopping for insurance with a DUI on your record can be a daunting and expensive task.

Fortunately, there are options.  For a while, you will probably not be able to get as low a rate as you had previously because you are now considered a high-risk driver.  Going through the quote process from many different providers can be time consuming.  AIS offers insurance  for drivers with DUIs at an affordable rate.  AIS features a large panel of non-standard and preferred carriers that we can search to get you the best rate based on your offense and your vehicle type.  All this can be achieved through our simple to use online auto insurance quote process.

If you still have questions about your options, and receiving affordable DUI auto insurance, you can speak with one of our representatives by calling 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.

First, let’s explain what dwelling coverage is.    The dwelling coverage refers to the main house and any other structures that are attached to it such as a garage or porch.  Dwelling coverage is important because you must buy enough to replace your home in the event it is destroyed.  Be aware that market value and rebuild cost are very different.  In most cases the rebuild cost will be much lower than what the actual amount you originally paid for your home. The original purchase price of your home included additional costs such as the value of the land.   The land is not taken into consideration in determining the actual dwelling value of your home  You also need to  make sure that if you have a pool or shed on your property, there is additional coverage for these “other structures on your property.  These are not generally covered under a primary dwelling policy.

Now, if you notice that your policy is increasing in price year over year, it is most likely because you have what is called inflation guard coverage.  Estimating the value of your home is not an exact science. Inflation Guard coverage ensures that you have fluctuation and minimize the possibility of being under insured at a time of a loss.. It bumps up the coverage amount specified in your policy declarations to cover your home.by a certain percentage.  This is done on an annual basis when your homeowner policy comes up for renewal. 

For more information or a quote on homeowners insurance, please contact a 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.

A question that we field quite often is college students asking if their personal items are covered by their parent’s insurance policy while they are living in a dormitory or a rented house on campus.  In all cases this depends on the coverage that their parents have purchased.  It is never good to assume that students’ items are covered under their parents’ policy.  Insurance carriers typically limit the amount of personal property coverage if the personal property isn’t at the primary residence.  Before heading off to school, have the policy holder call the insurance provider or review the documents to see if a student is covered.

If the current policy does not cover a college student or does not provide enough coverage, you should consider adding a policy or rider to cover the student’s personal belongings.  A college student can have some expensive items that would be hard to replace on a limited budget if damaged or stolen.  Laptops, sports equipment, TVs and other electronic devices commonly owned by students can be protected by purchasing renter’s insurance. 

Renters insurance is affordable and will give you peace of mind in the event that something does happen your items.  It is also good to note, that while college students tend to move a lot, it is important to update your policy each time you move to ensure that your policy is current.

For more information on renters insurance, please contact 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.