{"id":978,"date":"2020-07-05T15:00:16","date_gmt":"2020-07-05T22:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=978"},"modified":"2021-08-02T06:55:24","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T13:55:24","slug":"4-tips-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-car-insurance-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/4-tips-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-car-insurance-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips to Keep in Mind When Buying Car Insurance in California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking for some California car insurance tips? You\u2019ve come to the right place. Anyone who\u2019s lived in California knows that understanding the rules, regulations, and fees associated with car ownership and insurance can be tricky\u2014 and downright frustrating. But they don\u2019t have to be\u2014 with the expertise of a trusted car insurance company like Freedom National <\/a>on your side, you can get all of the information you need to make an informed decision about California car insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t an option, because you could be leaving yourself at a much steeper financial risk in the event of an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when understanding the importance of car insurance, it\u2019s 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\u2014 and we\u2019re here to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, here are our top 4 California car insurance tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand the Car Insurance Requirements in California<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In California, you\u2019re 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\u2019s been designated as a driver on your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to coverage for damage to property owned by 3rd parties (other drivers, for example), your coverage can\u2019t be less than $5,000. For uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (covering bodily injury for other parties that don\u2019t have proper insurance), you\u2019ll need a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident unless you reject that coverage in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage, you\u2019ll also need to select your deductible, which is the amount you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should choose a deductible amount that won\u2019t cause severe financial hardship if you find yourself having to pay it. But remember\u2014 lower deductibles will mean higher monthly premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compare Car Insurance Companies to Find Cheap Auto Insurance in California<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014 don\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t have to spend time waiting for a phone call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for the cheapest car insurance in California<\/a>, then Freedom National <\/a>is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Informed on California Specific Laws Regarding Car Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s why one of our California car insurance tips is to get informed about California\u2019s state-specific car insurance laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019re found to be 80% at fault in an accident, you\u2019ll be financially liable for 80% of the associated costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need to file a claim for injuries related to an auto accident? You\u2019ll 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\u2019ll need to be even quicker\u2014 within 30 days of the theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know How You Can Lower the Cost of Your Auto Insurance in California<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improve Your Driving<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ll be able to access. You can also save on premiums by driving your vehicle less often, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave Out Unnecessary Coverage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Help<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t know the best way to save money on your car insurance? You don\u2019t have to be in it alone. It\u2019s in the best interest of your car insurance provider to provide you with affordable rates, because then you\u2019re more likely to become a customer and remain one while being able to pay your premiums. If you\u2019re looking for a more affordable option, ask your insurer. They may be able to find an alternative for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary of Our Top Tips for Buying Car Insurance in California<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To sum it all up, here are our top California car insurance tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n