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.

With summer almost here, families will be hitting the road to visit grandma and other family members or just taking a road trip.  While these trips can be fun, one thing that could ruin it, would be breaking down, or having something go wrong with your car and then having to pay out-of-pocket expenses for the repair.

Being prepared before you make a long drive is the best way to protect your family and your pocketbook from unplanned expenses.  First and foremost, it is important to make sure your vehicle is road trip ready.  Checking out your car before you leave and taking care of any issues will help to eliminate some problems you may face.  Check the following items before you go:

• Tires – make sure the have the proper tread and are free from any nails or punctures.
• Coolant – with summer heat upon us, make sure the coolant system is full and does not have any leaks.  Replace worn or broken hoses immediately.
• Check belts – the belts in your car run various items such as power brakes, steering and air conditioning.  Replacing a worn belt can ensure you are not stuck without air or other essential functions.
• Plan loose routes – while not an actual maintenance tip, having a loose plan of your road trip will help you to find service stations.  Making a rough plan is also good so others will know when to expect you, or when to call for help if you do not arrive.

Another way to make sure you are protected is with a roadside assistance insurance policy.  This policy will help to defer the cost of unexpected costs along the way.  If you breakdown and need towing or a repair service, the roadside assistance coverage will help to reduce the overall cost.

For more information about roadside assistance insurance, please contact AIS Insurance today.

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.

My teen just got his permit.  Do I need to add him to my policy? If so when is the best time?  As always with coverage questions, it depends on the language of the policy.  If you have signed a separate agreement with the insurance company that excludes him from coverage, then you definitely need to add him to the policy if you wish coverage to apply while operating the vehicle.  If not excluded, there may be coverage for liability, but not for collision and comprehensive if they are not added.  Auto policies generally cover all resident relatives for liability and listed resident relatives for collision and comprehensive.  To be absolutely certain of coverage, the best practice is to not let him drive before speaking with your agent.  Your carrier may require that for there to be coverage, the permit driver must be in compliance with the provisions of their permit and make sure they know what such requirements are before allowing them to drive.  A number of companies will not charge an additional premium to cover a permit driver.  They will, however increase the premium when he gets his actual license or reaches 18 years of age.

As always, it is important to review the language of your specific policy, or contact your insurance agent for more details about the coverage specific to your teen who has just acquired their driving permit.

For information about auto insurance or to receive a free quote on a new California auto insurance policy, 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.

Are you planning on taking a trip to Mexico?  Are you planning on driving there?    If you answered yes to these questions, then you will likely need to purchase Mexico automobile insurance.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that their auto insurance covers them even if they are in Mexico.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  Mexico does not recognize an auto insurance policy unless it is written by a carrier licensed under Mexican law.  If you are stopped by law enforcement and you don’t have Mexico automobile insurance, your vehicle can be impounded or in some instances you can even be jailed.

Also, the government of Mexico strictly regulates the importation of vehicles into the country. If you plan to drive further than the Border Zone or the Sonora Free Trade Zone (including the Baja California Peninsula), you will be expected to obtain a vehicle importation permit, in addition to having Mexico auto insurance.

Obtaining Mexico automobile insurance is easy and there are many options to meet your needs.  AIS offers a variety of polices to choose from.  You can purchase a policy for one day, or longer.  This is perfect for a day trip or a multiple-day vacation over the border.  Perhaps you travel to Mexico for business frequently.  If so, a 6 or 12 month policy may suit you better.  If this is the case, AIS has the coverage you need.  For more information, please see http://www.aisinsurance.com/california-mexico-vehicle-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.

Homeowners insurance exists to protect your home and your possessions from events such as fires, hurricanes, severe storms and tornados. Homeowners insurance also exists to protect you as the homeowner in the event of an accident occurring on your property through what is known as liability coverage. Liability coverage protects a homeowner when someone is injured while on their property.

Why is liability coverage such an important component of a homeowners insurance policy?  Well, quite plainly because accidents happen.  Often an accident is not one person’s fault; however, if an accident does occur on your property, you may have to assume responsibility for it.  Consider, for example, if your neighbor slipped and fell on an uneven step entering your home and was injured.  Or, if your son is playing baseball in the backyard and hits the ball into a neighbor’s window?  These types of events are most likely where your liability coverage will come into play.  Liability may coverage also protects you when damage or injury is caused by your pet, such as your pet biting someone delivering a package to your door. This coverage can also travel with you, so if your dog bites someone away from your home, that may be covered as well.

For many, the liability coverage included in their homeowner insurance policy is sufficient, but others may choose to purchase additional coverage.  Below are some reasons why you may want to look into expanding your existing coverage:

-  You own a swimming pool

-  Social gatherings are held frequently at your home

-  You have lots of pets.  (If you have a dog that is considered to be an aggressive breed, you will want to pay close attention to whether or not you will be covered if your dog bites or injures someone.)

As with all types of insurance policies, there are exceptions to liability coverages.  All the limits and exclusions are specified in your policy and it is recommended you to review your policy to make sure that you have the coverage you need.

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.

Selling your home can be an exciting time, especially if you are moving for a new opportunity, or upgrading to a larger home.  During a move, you will want to make sure that you are staying up to date with your insurance policy and the regulations that are in effect during this period.  If you are planning to live in your house until the closing date, your homeowner insurance policy should still be sufficient. 

However, if your home is for sale and you leave it vacant, this can pose some problems such as a higher probability of fire, theft, vandalism and other damages to your property.  Dwelling Fire policies may be your solution.  This type of insurance policy generally has liberal guidelines in regards to residency requirements.  In addition, they offer protection for your dwelling, other structures on your property and give you the flexibility to endorse additional coverage that you may need.   For more information about Dwelling Fire policies, please contact www.aisinsurance.com.

Many people confuse having a person removed from a policy and getting what is called an excluded driver endorsement.  When someone is removed from a policy it is usually because they have left the household and no longer have access to the policy vehicles.  An excluded driver endorsement is a little bit different.  When an individual gets this endorsement, they are telling their insurance company that in no way should this person be covered if there is damage to the vehicle.   This endorsement is available as a cost-saving measure to avoid having to pay for a household member who will not be driving the insured vehicle(s). 

Why would you need an excluded driver endorsement?  A policy owner may wish to apply this endorsement on a named driver because of some of the following issues related to the driver:

• They have a suspended license.
• They have a DUI conviction.
• They are problematic drivers.

Other than a driver with a problematic history in the home, a policy owner may wish to exclude all drivers other than the primary driver(s) to reduce their premium.  While this may save the policy owner money, they will have to consider that if there is an emergency need for the car and the policy holder is not able to drive, and the excluded driver has to do so, they still will not be covered in the event of an accident.

For more information please see www.aisinsurance.com.

In many cases, when someone buys a vehicle, they will leave it as is.  But, for those who do customize their car, or buy one that has already been modified,  they need added protection for their investments into the vehicle.  Aftermarket parts for cars are becoming more popular, especially in the electronics department.  When people travel long distances, they like to have entertainment along the way.  For example, a custom stereo system with built in TV’s in the headrests so that everyone has some additional entertainment during their ride.  Systems such as these typically cost at minimum $1000 up to several thousand of dollars.

When you purchase comprehension or collision coverage, up to $1000 of added parts to your vehicle is sometimes  covered by the standard policy.  Anything above $1000 is generally not covered, and coverage for some items is specifically excluded.  So if you plan to add parts or features to your car, you should consider adding special equipment coverage if you want to recover the cost should you be involved in an accident or there is a theft.  If you don’t add this special coverage and your car is totaled, you will not be reimbursed for the added equipment.

Below is list of items that can often be covered under special equipment coverage:

• Custom paint work.
• Anti-theft systems not installed by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Special tires and wheels.
• Custom interior modifications (leather seats or racing seats, not installed by the auto manufacturer.
• TV’s, radios and other electronic devices that are permanently installed in the vehicle.

Here is a list of items that typically will not be covered under special equipment coverage:

• Radar detectors.
• TV’s, radios and other electronics that are not permanently installed in the vehicle.
• CD’s, tapes and the cases that are used as storage.

For more information about special equipment coverage please contact and AIS representative today or see www.aisinsurance.com.

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.