Looking for some California car insurance tips? You’ve come to the right place. Anyone who’s lived in California knows that understanding the rules, regulations, and fees associated with car ownership and insurance can be tricky— and downright frustrating. But they don’t have to be— with the expertise of a trusted car insurance company like Freedom National on your side, you can get all of the information you need to make an informed decision about California car insurance.
After all, being insured is a legal requirement in California. Beyond that, insurance also helps protect you from financial liability in the event that you, a passenger, another driver, or any property is damaged in a car accident. But with auto insurance premiums on the rise, not everyone can afford to get the maximum possible amount of coverage on their policy. With increased coverage comes an increase in premiums, which means less money in your pocket. But sacrificing proper coverage isn’t an option, because you could be leaving yourself at a much steeper financial risk in the event of an accident.
Even when understanding the importance of car insurance, it’s easy to get thrown off by all of the terms, insurance companies, and potential policy features available. What you need is a set of California car insurance tips to help you navigate the world of California auto insurance— and we’re here to help.
With that in mind, here are our top 4 California car insurance tips.
Understand the Car Insurance Requirements in California
Before you can choose the right car insurance policy in California, you have to first understand the car insurance requirements in California for drivers. After all, each state has its own minimums, required policy inclusions, and other regulations that dictate what must be a part of your insurance policy.
So before you go shopping for a policy of your own, one of the most important California car insurance tips is to know exactly what your policy will need to include.
In California, you’re legally required to have at least $15,000 of coverage for bodily injuries per person and $30,000 total per accident. Fortunately, this amount covers not only you but also any passengers you may have in the vehicle and anyone else that’s been designated as a driver on your policy.
When it comes to coverage for damage to property owned by 3rd parties (other drivers, for example), your coverage can’t be less than $5,000. For uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (covering bodily injury for other parties that don’t have proper insurance), you’ll need a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident unless you reject that coverage in writing.
So, this means you should get a policy with exactly $15,000/$30,000 of bodily injury coverage and $5,000 of property damage coverage, right? Not necessarily. Remember that these are legal minimums, not suggested policy coverages. These minimums may not be enough to provide you with the financial protection and peace of mind you need as a driver, and you may want to increase these minimums for your own unique policy. Remember, costs like vehicle repairs, hospital bills, treatments, and more have all gone up in the last several years. You want to make sure your coverage will be enough to protect you against being personally liable for a massive bill.
If you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage, you’ll also need to select your deductible, which is the amount you’ll pay in the event of a covered accident before your insurer covers the rest. For example, a $1,000 deductible would mean that a covered accident totaling $5,000 in costs would require you to pay $1,000 and your insurance company to pay $4,000.
You should choose a deductible amount that won’t cause severe financial hardship if you find yourself having to pay it. But remember— lower deductibles will mean higher monthly premiums.
Compare Car Insurance Companies to Find Cheap Auto Insurance in California
Want to get the cheapest car insurance in California that you can find? Well, then one of our top California car insurance tips is to shop around at different providers— don’t just choose the first one you find. By comparing rates between multiple providers, you can make sure that you have the best shot and the most information to get the best possible rates for your unique needs and driving history.
Some insurance companies, like Freedom National, allow you to get a free quote in just a few minutes, without a drawn-out process or having to speak with a person and receive a sales pitch. It all happens online, so you don’t have to spend time waiting for a phone call.
If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance in California, then Freedom National is a great place to start.
Be Informed on California Specific Laws Regarding Car Insurance
Remember, not all states are the same when it comes to their laws and regulations surrounding car insurance. Fortunately, some of these laws are actually beneficial to drivers and can help put them in a better position with their insurers and insurance policies. That’s why one of our California car insurance tips is to get informed about California’s state-specific car insurance laws.
One such law is that drivers who hold a license for three years and have zero or one points on their driving record can receive a 20% discount in their insurance premium. Meanwhile, low-income drivers can access low-cost car insurance programs that allow them to purchase slightly less than the state required minimum.
Meanwhile, California is an at fault state. This means that drivers who are found to be at fault in an accident will have to pay out of their insurance based on their level of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 80% at fault in an accident, you’ll be financially liable for 80% of the associated costs.
Need to file a claim for injuries related to an auto accident? You’ll need to do so within two years of the accident. The statute of limitations is three years for property damage. When it comes to stolen vehicle claims, you’ll need to be even quicker— within 30 days of the theft.
Know How You Can Lower the Cost of Your Auto Insurance in California
When it comes to getting the best coverage you can while paying as little as possible in monthly premiums, is there any way to improve your chances? Here are some of our best California car insurance tips for making your insurance cheaper.
Improve Your Driving
One of the best ways you can get lower premiums is by ensuring that you have a positive driving record. The more safely you drive, and with fewer incidents or tickets, the lower premium you’ll be able to access. You can also save on premiums by driving your vehicle less often, too.
Leave Out Unnecessary Coverage
There are all kinds of insurance options available as part of your policy, but not all of them are essential or even important for your specific circumstance. Any good insurance company will let you customize your coverage so that you can select only the things you need (assuming you have at least the minimum legally required coverage).
Get Help
Don’t know the best way to save money on your car insurance? You don’t have to be in it alone. It’s in the best interest of your car insurance provider to provide you with affordable rates, because then you’re more likely to become a customer and remain one while being able to pay your premiums. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, ask your insurer. They may be able to find an alternative for you.
Summary of Our Top Tips for Buying Car Insurance in California
To sum it all up, here are our top California car insurance tips:
- Understand the car insurance requirements in California, so that you don’t end up underinsured and subject to penalties, personal liability, or lawsuits
- Compare multiple insurance providers and get quotes to ensure that you get the best possible rates
- Make sure you know about specific California laws regarding car insurance, including laws that could lower your premium
- Improve your driving, leave out unnecessary coverage and get help from insurance experts to lower your premium
Looking to access cheap car insurance in California? You can find it here at Freedom National, where we offer the best cheap car insurance California has to offer.
