I’m 47 years old, I live in California, and I’ve decided to get a new car. Lately, I’ve been thinking about shifting to an online auto insurance provider but I’m afraid I don’t know enough about it. I’m not even sure if it is safe. Can you give me useful information?

Jack

Los Angeles, CA

Well, Jack of California, instead of talking to an agent as you would in a person-to-person transaction, you would be filling out a tick box on the Internet if you choose to purchase online auto insurance coverage. This is for the online insurance company to gather relevant financial and personal information that would enable them to give you a quote. Just start by typing “online auto insurance” or some other specific key words in any search engine. Most websites you will find in this search are easy enough to explore.

As with all kinds of online transactions, though, you must be careful. Not all websites use personal information responsibly. I suggest you go with the online auto insurance company that already has a good reputation.

What are the advantages? Well, convenience tops the list. But other than the fact that you can get one in the comfort of your own home, there are also a lot of auto insurance providers online. Hence, you have more choices on the Internet. Also, online auto insurance companies can give you rates that don’t include the cost of having an agent or “middleman.” As such, they tend to be cheaper by 20 to 30%.

So, instead of making many appointments and phone calls just to find an auto insurance policy that fits your needs, try those available online. You can get free quotes. You can compare rates, services, and make inquiries with greater ease. A lot of people nowadays have done that with satisfactory results, so there is no need to worry.

Tags: auto insurance online, car insurance agent, car insurance quotes

I just got my driver’s license here in California two months ago, and I finally was able to come up with the money to buy my 1970 Plymouth GTX 440. My dad says this is going to hurt me auto insurance premium wise. What’s that all about?

Jim

Los Angeles, CA

Jim, your dad is right. Your auto insurance is going to go through the roof. A lot of factors are going against you. First, you’re teenager, at least that’s what I can gather from what you said. Teenagers are more expensive to insure because auto insurance companies believe that teen drivers are not very careful drivers. They are still overwhelmed by the feeling of freedom that comes with driving his or her own car. Statistics further prove that teen drivers figure in accidents more often than adult motorists. You really can’t argue with statistics.

And also because of your age, it will be correctly assume that your driving experience is still limited. That is understandable since you’re young and just got your license. However, inexperienced drivers get high insurance premium rates because their driving instincts or road safety instincts are not so sharp yet.

And lastly, your 1970 Plymouth GTX 440 is working against you. Your baby is a muscle car. Even if you were not a teen driver, because of your car, you are bound to get a higher auto insurance premium. Your high-performance car fetches a high auto insurance premium rate precisely because it is a muscle car. Your car can roar and, good grief, we know there’s a big chance you’re going to roar, as well, in California.

Don’t get me wrong, your car rocks, but that’s gonna cost you.

Tags: auto insurance premium, high risk insurance, teen insurance

Hi, I’m from Los Angeles, CA and I have two cars. One of my cars is not insured nor registered since it’s already old and I’m just keeping it because of its sentimental value. The car is still working although I seldom use it. I’m wondering if it’s okay to have it parked in the street even if it’s not registered or insured.

Anne

Los Angeles, CA

Every state has its own set of rules - each depending on how to go about their need to protect their people. Apparently, the rules on insurances vary per state, too. Typically, a state would require that a car be registered and both the vehicle and the driver be insured. It may be possible for the state to mandate a law on parking insured vehicles only to ensure that whatever accident may happen, the vehicle is still covered.

When it comes to cars that are seldom used, there are also a different set of rules regarding its registration (and insurance). There in Los Angeles, California, there is a law that requires that vehicles that are driven, garaged, or parked on public roads or on an off-road parking facility be currently registered. If you consider your vehicle as belonging to any of these categories, then I suggest you have it registered. Otherwise, you don’t have to avail any of the two but pay a non-operation plan fee instead since the vehicle would most likely be off the road. A car insurance and registration work hand in hand because you must have a registration in order to get an insurance, and since the state requires that operable vehicles be registered and insured, you are likely to get both. However, in your case, since you seldom use your car, you may apply for an auto insurance premium which will allow you to pay a lower rate than what you pay for your other vehicle since it is already considered as a “low risk.”

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

I have a California driver’s license and received a speeding ticket while I was traveling in Wisconsin. Is an on-line course available that could help me remove the ticket from my record? By the way, the fine was already paid.

Lowe

Hayward, CA

Driver’s License Compact requires member state, which includes California, to inform the traffic violation of their licensed motorist that is received out of the state, to other state members. Not being a DLC member will not mean that the state of Wisconsin will not report to CA DMV of the speeding ticket you received.

Because you have paid the fine, it appears that you were already convicted of the violation for speeding. This information on violation will appear on your driving record. In this regard, no type of WI traffic school
or driving course can remove the ticket from your record. In CA, an out-of-the-state speeding violation is equivalent to 1 point.

An approval from the clerk of the court or another judicial officer to attend a traffic school in CA could be an option if you received the speeding ticket within the CA state’s county and not out of the state.

You can also contact the CA DMV to find out if there is another way to remove the points from your CA driver’s license.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, traffic school, traffic violation

I just moved to Los Angeles, California from Texas. Is anyone aware of what the minimum insurance coverage is for automobile insurance? I have a compact car. Does that make a difference?

Casey

Los Angeles, CA

From what I know, every state in the United States has its own rules for the minimum coverage in vehicle insurance. Last time I checked, the state of California was using the 15/30/5 rule. Los Angeles, CA should be using this also. This would just mean that the law will require you to have a 15,000 minimum amount of liability for bodily injury to a person, with a maximum amount of 30,000. The 5 in the equation stands for the minimum 5,000 Property Damage Liability. Of course this is just the minimum requirements. You are more than welcome to get an insurance policy with higher payoffs just to make sure you have enough coverage. They are also using the tort system in this state. This simply means that somebody has to be found to be at fault in a situation. The party found to be at fault would then have to shell out the cash for whatever repairs, or payments will need to be made.

As to the type of vehicle, I do think that this is factored in when the insurance companies come up with a policy. You’re fortunate to be driving a compact car as this would generally have a lower premium compared to, say, a sports car or SUV.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium

Reader’s Question:

Am I required to purchase uninsured motorist coverage in Los Angeles California?

Francis

Los Angeles CA

No, you are not required to purchase uninsured motorist coverage in Los Angeles California. The state of California require car insurance providers to offer Uninsured and Underinsured (UM/UIM) coverages with every car insurance policy. Policyholders may choose to add it on their car insurance policy or reject the extra coverages.

In the state of California Uninsured and Underinsured (UM/UIM) coverages provide liability insurance when the driver at fault does not have the state required minimum liability coverage, or the minimum liability coverage is not enough to cover the injuries received in the accident. Uninsured motorist property damage covers possible reimbursement for damages your automobile sustains.

The minimum liability limits of car insurance in the state of California is $15,000 of bodily injury for injury or death per person up to $30,000 per accident and Property Damage of $5,000 for any one accident.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Can my grandfather, a senior citizen, get car insurance if he lost his driving privilege in Carlsbad, California?

Jeremy

Carlsbad, CA

Insurance provider rues and guidelines differ but a senior citizen that has lost their driving privilege (or voluntary turned it in) should be able to get car insurance to keep on their automobile so that others may be able to operate them.

The senior citizen would need to find an insurance provider that would permit the senior citizen vehicle owner to be excluded from the car insurance policy, since they do not have a valid drivers license, and instead put on the licensed drivers that will be driving the automobile. The insurance provider will rate on the driving record of those that the senior citizen would like to drive them around.

While it is possible to obtain this type of car insurance, acquiring auto insurance without a valid driver’s license can be hard since most insurance providers will require a drivers license since that is one major basis upon which they determine the car insurance rate of the car insurance policy. Most insurance provider want the vehicle owner to be licensed.

Tags: auto insurance, senior car insurance

What is underinsured and uninsured covers? How much coverage do I need for those?

Denver

Los Angeles CA

It depends on several factors when determining the amount of car insurance an individual needs. It is important that your consider risk that you and the passengers and your vehicle will likely to encounter. Most insurance agent will probably tell you to purchase as much as you can afford- which I believe is true.

If the other party that get involved in an accident is underinsured, Uninsured/Underinsured will be very helpful since it covers what the other party’s auto insurance covers and what your BI coverage will pay. If you do not have health insurance, you can benefit from Motorist Bodily Injury because if the limits that was chosen is insufficient then you will be liable for the payment of the additional cost or amount.

To cover all vehicle repair/replacement costs Underinsured Motorist Property Damage alone is not enough, and this Underinsured Motorist Property Damage will only be applied if you are involved in an accident caused by a motorist without enough liability insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance

How does points in my drivers license affects my car insurance quotes and my driving privileges in Los Angeles California?

Craig

Los Angeles, CA

Your point in your drivers license are assigned in most states for traffic violations.

In the state of California, if you receive several points in your drivers license from traffic violation you will then be considered a negligent operator and have your drivers license revoked or suspended. In California the point uses to name you as a negligent motorists are: in 12 months you got 4 points, in 24 months you got 6 points or in 36 months you got 8 points.

How your car insurance quotes in Los Angeles CA are determined varies from insurance provider to another. Some insurance carriers might consider the number of points or the seriousness of your infraction as part of the factors theses insurers use to decide auto insurance rates. You may verify with your state’s insurance regulatory body to know how the rating system of your insurance provider works since they much be filed with this entity.

You can always shop for car insurance quotes if you think you are paying too much for your car insurance in LA California because of too many points in your drivers license. You can start here by typing your zip code and you will be able to get car insurance quotes in your Los Angeles.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Is it required to have uninsured motorist insurance in Los Angeles California?

Karen

Los Angeles, CA

No, uninsured motorist insurance is not required as part of your car insurance coverages in Los Angeles California. The state of California does require that insurance carriers must offer Uninsured and Underinsured (UM/UIM) coverages with every car insurance policy though policyholders can reject it and therefore not place it on their car insurance policy.

In California UM/UIM coverages provide liability insurance when the at fault party does not have the state required minimum liability coverage, or the minimum liability coverage is insufficient to cover the injuries sustained in the incident.

The CA Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law requires every motorist and owner of a car to be financially responsible for their actions. The minimum limits of liability car insurance in CA are 15/30/5 which means Bodily Injury for $15,000 for injury or death of any one person, per accident up to $30,000 and Property Damage of $5,000 per accident.

Tags: auto insurance