Now that summer is almost here, many people will be starting to ride their motorcycles.  Before the bike comes out of the garage, it is important to make sure that it is insured properly.  Shopping for motorcycle insurance can be a daunting task.  You have to decide what kinds of coverages and limits you want to include. 

One way to find the best motorcycle insurance is to research many individual companies, receive quotes from each and determine which policy is right for you.  Many people don’t have the time to spend researching many different companies. 

Finding the right motorcycle insurance policy doesn’t have to be a highly time consuming event.  The Auto Insurance Specialists can help you with this problem.  Simply complete a quote request form and you will receive the rates of many top rated motorcycle insurance providers.  All you have to do is fill out one form with all of your information, and rate estimates comparing the same coverage are returned to you.  This system makes it fast and easy to get the best coverage at an affordable rate. 

If you plan to head out on your bike this summer and are looking for new motorcycle insurance, fill out a request form today and be protected once you hit the road.  Please fill out our free motorcycle insurance quote form to get started. https://www.aisinsurance.com/california-motorcycle-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.

When it comes to owning a new vehicle, there are two ways in which you can go about obtaining one.  You can buy it, or you can lease it.  Buying the vehicle means that you are purchasing it and once it is paid in full, you own it outright.  Leasing a vehicle essentially means that you are paying for the vehicle that you use.  So with a lease, you are not paying the full price just what you use during a set time period. 

When you buy a vehicle and don’t finance it, you must insure it, but only for state-mandated liability coverage.  Insuring the vehicle itself against collision or theft is up to you.  When you finance or lease a vehicle, since technically you don’t own it, you may be required to carry full or additional insurance to protect the dealer and the bank.  Dealers and banks can require that you carry more insurance to protect their property through the course of the lease or until the vehicle is paid off, in the event of damage or it being stolen. 

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, you will want to consider all of your options before buying or leasing.  It is important to check the dealer requirements and the cost of a policy if you decide to lease or finance a vehicle. 

For a free quote on protecting your financed or leased vehicle with auto insurance, please contact an AIS Insurance representative.

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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How many of us have stopped to think if we should take on the extra rental car insurance at the time of rental?  Many people don’t want to spend the extra money, but also want to be covered in the event of an accident with the rental car.  This leads to the question: “Does my current policy give me complete coverage in the event of an accident in a rental car?”  While the answer can be different for owners of different auto insurance policies, there are some general items you should take into account when whether deciding to purchase the extra rental car insurance. 

If you have full coverage on your car, there is a good chance that your current policy can cover you in a rental car.  Before you decide not to take the extra coverage from the rental car agency, read the fine print in your rental contract.  Some companies have very strict rules about how they operate and deal with your insurance company in the event of an accident.  In the long run, it still may be cheaper to purchase the extra insurance from the car agency.  Most rental companies have information online about how their insurance policies work and the services that they offer.

For those who may carry coverage such as personal injury and liability coverage, these do not cover damage, so when renting a car, the damage to the rental in an accident would not be covered.  If this is your situation, you will want to purchase the extra insurance provided by the car rental agency to ensure that you don’t have to pay for the full damage and labor of fixing the car.

Even if you do have collision coverage, you should know that it excludes things like diminution of value (the reduced value of a vehicle after repair) and loss of use (the lost rental value of the vehicle while being repaired), while the coverage you can purchase from the rental agency does include these items.

Before renting a car, it is best to check the details of your policy and the policies of the rental company you choose.  For more information about auto insurance products, (link to http://www.aisinsurance.com/california-auto-insurance) please contact a specialist 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.

After many years of selling California auto insurance, we have fielded numerous questions about auto insurance “myths” associated with them.  Below is a list of our favorite “myths” and what they actually mean.

I recently paid my insurance premium and purchased a new car.  This means that I am covered.  This is true up until a certain point.  You typically have a certain amount of time under the terms of your policy to notify your carrier of a new or replacement vehicle.  If you have purchased a car that is very different from your current model, your premiums could be significantly different.  It is always a good idea to contact your agent or carrier immediately to advise them of your new vehicle.

I’ve never been in an auto accident so I don’t need insurance.  While most are lucky enough to not have been in an auto accident, it is still imperative that you protect yourself, people in your vehicle and others sharing the road.  It is also illegal in all states to drive without auto insurance.

While these are our favorites, there are many myths about auto insurance.  If you have specific questions please contact a representative at AIS Auto Insurance(Link to homepage).

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.

Many people assume that the reason it is called gap insurance is because it covers the difference between what you owe on your car and what the insurance will pay for in the event that you get into an accident and the car is totaled.  The word “gap” actually stands for “guaranteed auto protection”.  If you don’t already have gap insurance with your current policy, it might be something to think about adding, especially if you have recently purchased a new vehicle or are currently leasing a vehicle. 

When you drive a car off the lot it automatically depreciates.  If you pay $25,000 for the vehicle and you have an accident one month later, you probably have only made one payment.  If the car is determined to be totaled, you are at a loss because the insurance company will only pay you the market value of your vehicle.  So if your $25,000 vehicle depreciated by 20%, you would only receive $20,000 from the insurance company.  That leaves $5000 left that is uncovered.  If you took out a loan to pay for the vehicle, you are still responsible to pay off the loan, which means you will be paying for a car that you can’t drive.  Gap coverage can help cover the difference, but it frequently excludes things like “rollover” balances from trade-ins and is often capped at a percentage of the vehicle value, so make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. 

As you can see, gap insurance is essential when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle.  For more information about gap insurance and free quotes, please contact a representative at our California auto insurance(link to www.aisinsurance.com) agency.

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 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 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.