People are always looking to save some money on their California insurance policies.  What a lot of people don’t realize is that there are better ways to save than by reducing coverage, or canceling a policy altogether.   

One of the best ways to save is to combine policies.  In some cases people have multiple policies with multiple companies.  By taking policies such as car insurance, homeowners insurance and life insurance and consolidating them under one company, they can save anywhere from 10-20%.  For those who don’t own a home, they can still save by combining such policies such as auto insurance, health insurance and renter’s insurance.

AIS Insurance offers may types of California insurance policies to cover your needs.  AIS also makes it convenient for you to add or change your existing policy.  Agents are always available, and AIS offers an online interface that allows you to manage your account 24/7.  For more information on the policies we offer, please visit www.aisinsurance.com, or contact one of our sales agents today 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.

While the two seem like an exact correlation, they really have little to do with one another.  When you are purchasing a homeowners policy many things will be considered to determine your premium price.  Some of those factors include:

• Type of Construction of your home – Frame houses may be more expensive to insure than brick because they are more flammable and less sturdy, relatively speaking.
• Age of your home – Newer homes may qualify for discounts if they are made from safer and stronger materials. Older homes are more expensive because the likelihood of a claim being filed is much higher.
• Proximity to fire protection – The closer the fire department is to you, the better chance they have of getting a fire under control quickly.
• Deductible amount – A higher deductible means a lower premium and vice versa.

While these are some factors involved in what your premium will be, the market value is not considered because this number in some cases is arbitrary.  Property value is based on many things and can fluctuate often, so it is not a reliable number for insurance companies to use because it can change often.  Instead they look at a more solid number such as the amount it would take to rebuild your home (based on current material costs), because this does not fluctuate as much.

For more information about homeowners insurance in California, please contact a qualified professional 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.

Even if you already have an auto insurance policy for you and your immediate family, there still might come a time when you will want to temporarily add additional coverage to your policy.  Most policies contain permissive use coverage which will cover a driver of a borrowed car, as long as they had expressed or implied permission to drive the vehicle at the time of an accident.

If you have excluded anyone from a policy because they no longer live in your home or drive the car regularly, this would be a reason for additional coverage. With the holiday season approaching, universities will be breaking and some Military personal will be home.  If anyone has been excluded from your policy, you should consider temporary coverage to ensure they are protected while driving your vehicle(s). 

Another reason you might want to purchase temporary coverage would be in the case of renting a motor home or recreational vehicle.  Buying a temporary policy can help to protect you in the event that the coverage provided by the rental company is not enough to pay for damage or medical bills.

For more information about temporary auto insurance, please contact a qualified professional 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.

Whether it’s a trip to the vet, or just a cruise to the beach, at some point all animal owners will have to transport their pets.  Transporting your pets in a car can be very dangerous to you and your pet if not handled properly.  Each day we see people driving with their small dog on their lap, or bigger dogs roaming the entire car.  Not only is this a distraction to the driver, but it can be very dangerous for your pet in the event that you are in an accident. 

Here are some safety tips and ideas you can use when transporting your pet in your vehicle:

• Restrain your pet – Using a pet specific seatbelt or a crate will help to keep your pet in one spot. Having your pet restrained will also make them less of a distraction because they won’t be able to crawl onto your lap and will not obstruct your views of other vehicles on the road.
• Use a pet barrier – For larger dogs that don’t fit into a crate or seatbelt, barriers are available to fit your make of vehicle. These barriers will keep your large dog in place and keep you from being distracted.
• Drive defensively – When driving, you are responsible for your pet’s well-being. Therefore, drive accordingly. Slow down, check your mirrors often and keep a close eye on the other cars driving around you.
• Smaller pets and exotics – for small pets like cats, or more exotic breeds like lizards, it is important to keep them in a crate or a cage while driving. Smaller animals have a tendency to seek out hidden places that can be dangerous. Keeping them in a cage will make sure they don’t end up under your brake pedal or on your dashboard.

Following these tips will make sure that you and your pet are safe on your next road trip or during your next visit to the vet!

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.

Yes, it sounds funny, but if you commute on a scooter and ride it on the road, it must be insured.  Scooters can be just as dangerous as a motorcycle and therefore you need to protect yourself and others on the road with a policy. 

In many cases, you will not pay as much for a scooter policy as you would for a motorcycle policy because the scooter does not cost as much.  You will still want to make sure you have coverage for theft, vandalism, collision and underinsured or uninsured motorist protection. 

You may be able to save money on a scooter policy by completing a safety course.  Different types of courses teach you different things.  There are very basic courses that teach you how to ride, and more advance training sessions that show you how to be a defensive rider.  Check with your insurance company to see which courses can help you to qualify for a discounted rate.

If you are in need of a scooter policy, contact an agent 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.

With school back in session, there will be more inexperienced drivers on the road.  Teens that now have their driver’s license will want to drive themselves to school instead of “uncool” transportation methods such as riding the bus or being dropped off by mom or dad.  With this new freedom comes a lot of responsibility and in many cases teens take it for granted.  Driving can be very dangerous for an inexperienced teen. 

To help your teen become a safer driver, here are some tips that can help.

• Practice with your teen – Even though they have their license, practice makes perfect. If you are going out as a family, let your teen drive so you can monitor their progress and help them along the way. This will also help them to be more comfortable with multiple people in the car.
• Limit or prohibit cell phone use. Even for an experienced driver, using a cell phone while driving can be distracting. Teach your teen to pull over to the side of the road to answer a call, or have them turn off their phone completely. It is important to also be cognizant of your teen’s texting habits. Texting is a popular way for teens to communicate and is very dangerous if conducted while driving.
• Teach your teen how the car works. – When a teen first learns to drive a car they are so focused on the task at hand, that sometimes it is difficult for them to adapt to the outside environment if it changes. If the windows fog up, it starts to rain, or is getting darker, a teen may not know initially how to correct these situations. Teach them where the buttons are for the various functions of the car. Show them how to turn on the windshield wipers, front & rear defroster and headlights. If you have multiple cars in your household, routinely practice on all vehicles so they are very comfortable if they should need to use any of these functions in any vehicle.
• Prepare mentally. – This is for the driver and the teacher. Parents need to have the right attitude while teaching and observing. Understand that your teen will make mistakes, and be prepared to handle the situation if it is not going as planned. Parents need to keep cool and stay calm. By doing this, you will help to keep your teen calm and collected while they are learning. You also need to prepare your teen mentally. Make sure they know the responsibility and dangers that are involved without scaring them.
• Watch your habits. – Many people learn by watching and then doing. As a parent, study your own driving habits to make sure that you are practicing what you preach. Sending mixed signals is not what you want to do when teaching a young person how to drive. Follow your own rules and don’t make excuses if you should happen to break one. Own up to your mistake, and discuss what could have happened because of your lapse in judgment.

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.

Having a new car is great, especially because if something goes wrong with it, you are covered by the warranty for a certain number of years.  But what if you own a used car, or if the warranty on your car is close to expiring?   Now there is a way to protect your vehicle in the event something goes wrong after the warranty expires. 

Mechanical breakdown coverage will protect your pockets in the event something happens.  The real saving is if you have something major happen to your car.  If the A/C goes out, the transmission breaks, or you have a head gasket leak, mechanical breakdown coverage can save you hundreds of dollars. 

Unlike an extended warranty for your car, mechanical breakdown coverage can be applied to all aspects of the car, not just certain parts, such as the drive train.  It also allows you to get your car repaired wherever you like instead of a required dealership. 

If you are interested in mechanical breakdown insurance, please contact www.aisinsurance for more information and a free quote.  AIS Insurance is able to shop many different coverage’s to get you the best possible rate.

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 you own a business you have assets and risks that need to be taken into consideration. You have worked hard for your business, and you need to make sure that it is protected.  If your business is located in California, the best way to protect yourself is to have the proper California Business Insurance.  You need to make sure that your policy is all inclusive and covers your employees, property, assets and vehicles that are registered in your company name.

If you do not have enough coverage for your business, your personal assets could then be put in jeopardy, risking what you have worked so hard to gain. 

AIS makes getting California business insurance quick and easy.  Our team of professionals will help you through the quote process to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage to fit your business needs.  Policies we offer can include many different coverages including some or all of the following:

• Commercial Property
• Business Auto
• Worker’s Compensation
• General Liability
• Directors and Officers
• Commercial Umbrella

When you speak with one of our representatives, providing them with accurate information is the only way to make sure that our agents can give you the best possible price.  Information such as type of business, size of building, number of vehicles, number of employees, and any other important facts that could help them to provide you with the best possible quote.  For more information please contact one of our agents today 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.