Auto
California Auto Insurance
Harvest Insurance Agency works with you to provide the best California auto insurance for your needs.
Need California auto insurance? Harvest Insurance Agency, Inc. represents over 30 different insurance companies that provide California auto insurance policies throughout the state. Representing so many different companies gives our clients a unique advantage over using a captive or a direct insurance company. At Harvest Insurance Agency, we can place you with the best insurance company for your individual California auto insurance needs, including getting you the best premium for your particular situation. These are some of the biggest reasons why approximately 90% of Harvest Insurance Agency’s auto policyholders renew with us each year!
California Auto Insurance And Driving Tips
Want to impact your California auto insurance rates? Do the following, and you’ll be helping yourself to not only be a safer driver, but potentially help reduce your California auto insurance rate over time as well.
Slow down and live.
Always drive at a speed that is reasonable and safe for existing conditions. Reduce your speed at night and during poor weather conditions.
Yield the right of way.
Always make full stops at stop signs and yield the right-of-way at intersections and when changing lanes. When turning left, yield the right-of-way and don’t turn your wheels until it’s clear to turn.
Follow at a safe distance.
Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead. Maintain good reaction and braking distances — at least one care’s length for every ten miles of speed on dry pavement. Be aware of the traffic following you, as well as the traffic ahead.
Pass with care.
Before you pass, check to be sure the car following you has not started to pass you.
California Auto Insurance 12 Most Commonly Asked Questions:
1. How does a car insurance company set my premium?
2. When can my premium rates increase?
3. How do speeding tickets or “points” affect my insurance rates?
4. When do insurance companies check driving records?
5. Will my premium increase if I report an accident for which I was not at fault?
6. How much will adding a teenage driver to my policy cost?
7. How will having a child in college affect my insurance rates?
8. Will marrying someone with a poor driving record affect my rates?
9. Why do some insurance companies ask for information on my credit history?
10. How do I get the most car insurance for my dollar?
11. Will my policy cover me if I rent a car?
12. Am I covered for a car accident that happens in another state?
1. How does a car insurance company set my premium?
Insurance companies take a lot of factors into consideration. These include where you live, the kind of car you drive, your age and gender, the level of coverage you want, and your driving record, among other things. For California auto insurance, the last two factors have the biggest influence on the premium you pay, although all are important for the lowest premium.
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2. When can my premium rates increase?
Premium rates can increase when you renew your policy, apply for a new policy, change drivers or vehicles, or are involved in an accident or traffic violation. When the state allows a rate increase, all the insurance carriers will typically raise their premiums. (This has happened frequently in recent years, and is expected to happen even more in the future.) In our continued effort to provide you with the best company at the lowest premium Harvest Insurance Agency represents over 30 different insurance companies who provide California auto insurance, giving our clients a huge advantage over the other insurance companies.
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3. How do speeding tickets or “points” affect my insurance rates?
If your provider asks for an update on your driving record, points or tickets will increase your rate. In some situations, points can be deducted from your record by attending and passing authorized driving school programs. California auto insurance regulations do not require you to inform insurance companies of a ticket. However, always report an accident immediately!
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4. When do insurance companies check driving records?
Whenever you apply for a new policy, insurance companies will check your driving record. If you’re renewing your California auto insurance policy, or adding a new vehicle or driver, they might check your driving record.
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5. Will my premium increase if I report an accident to my insurance company for which I was not at fault?
It shouldn’t. However, all accidents are subject to underwriting review and sometimes your definition of a not at fault accident will differ from the insurance company’s. Be sure to check with your claims adjustor for a further explanation of California auto insurance not at fault policies.
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6. How much will adding a teenage driver to my policy cost?
Probably a lot. Teens fall into the age group that statistically drives the most dangerously. However, you might be able to earn a California auto insurance discount if your teen is a good student or drives an older model car. (And if the car is old enough, you won’t need to carry collision and comprehensive on it, further reducing costs.)
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7. How will having a child in college affect my insurance rates?
If your child is attending a school over 100 miles away without a car, your premium should decrease. However, if your child will be bringing a car with them, they should probably be listed as the vehicle’s primary driver, and that may cause a slight increase in your premium. Please call a Harvest Insurance Agency representative for a further explanation of California auto insurance rules and regulations regarding your college driver.
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8. Will marrying someone with a poor driving record affect my rates?
If you share the same policy, yes. But you could cut costs by getting two policies and carrying less optional insurance (collision and comprehensive) on the high-risk driver’s vehicle. Please call Harvest Insurance Agency for more ideas on how to best handle different driving records in a household for the best California auto insurance.
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9. Why do some insurance companies ask for information on my credit history?
It’s been shown that, all else being equal, drivers with poor credit are more likely to file California auto insurance claims than drivers with good credit. The theory is that people who are careful with one aspect of their lives (money), are more likely to be careful in another aspect (driving).
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10. How do I get the most car insurance for my dollar?
California auto insurance rates are heavily impacted by driving record. Do your best to keep your driving record clean, your deductibles high and your liability limits high. You’ll get a lot more coverage for your cash that way.
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11. Will my policy cover me if I rent a car?
You’ll usually have the same level of coverage on the rental car as you do on your standard policy. Check your policy jacket for details as this differs from company to company. Paying for the rental car with a credit card can offer even more protection. However, be aware, that in the event of an accident, the rental company may charge additional administrative, loss of use/income, and replacement cost fees that your standard policy won’t cover. So we always recommend buying the additional insurance (comp/collision waiver).
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12. Am I covered for a car accident that happens in another state?
Your California auto insurance policy is good throughout the country. However, some policies change their coverage a little depending on where you have an accident.
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California Auto Insurance Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is liability coverage?
2. What is bodily injury coverage?
3. What is property damage coverage?
4. What is medical payments coverage?
5. What is uninsured motorist coverage?
6. What is underinsured motorists coverage?
7. What is collision coverage?
8. What is comprehensive coverage?
9. What is a deductible?
10. What is rental car reimbursement coverage?
11. What is emergency roadside assistance insurance?
12. What is SR-22 insurance?
13. What are split limits and combined single limits of liability?
14. What is an umbrella policy?
15. What is gap insurance?
16. What are my duties after an accident?
1. What is liability coverage?
Liability coverage insures you against the cost of injury and damage you cause to another in an automobile accident. It’s made up of two policies, bodily injury liability, and property damage liability. Auto liability insurance is a very important policy, and is required by law in the state of California.
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2. What is bodily injury coverage?
Bodily injury coverage is the part of liability coverage that insures you against the injury you cause to others in an auto accident. It consists of two figures. One limits the cost of injury coverage per person injured, and the second limits the total dollar amount of injury coverage (for everyone injured.)
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3. What is property damage coverage?
Property damage is the part of liability coverage that insures you against the cost of damage to another’s property caused by you in an automobile accident. “Property” includes other cars, houses, fences, telephone poles, etc.
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4. What is medical payments coverage?
Medical payments coverage pays the medical bills of the covered driver, family members, and passengers when injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
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5. What is uninsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage covers the cost of injury or damage caused by another driver who is not insured. It covers the policy holder, authorized drivers, and any passengers. It usually consists of separate limits for bodily injury and property damage.
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6. What is underinsured motorists coverage?
Underinsured motorist coverage pays for injuries and damage caused to the policy holder by a driver with inadequate insurance. It typically pays the difference between the at-fault driver’s liability limit and the holder’s policy limit. There are separate limits for property damage and bodily injury liability. This coverage is sometimes combined with uninsured motorist coverage under one policy.
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7. What is collision coverage?
Collision coverage helps pay for repairs or fair market replacement cost if your car is damaged in an accident caused by you or an authorized driver. This policy is typically required if your vehicle is either leased or financed.
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8. What is comprehensive coverage?
Comprehensive coverage covers the cost of repairs to or replacement of your vehicle should it be stolen, vandalized, struck in a verifiable hit-and-run, or damaged by an “act of God.” Covered events vary from policy to policy but usually include fire, flood, and falling objects. This policy is typically required if your vehicle is either leased or financed.
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9. What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money that you agree to pay before a certain auto insurance policy kicks in. Deductibles are designed to cut down on insurance costs by eliminating small or frivolous claims. The higher the deductible you’re willing to pay, the lower the premium you earn. Collision and comprehensive policies almost always carry deductibles.
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10. What is rental car reimbursement coverage?
Rental car reimbursement coverage is an optional policy that helps pay the cost of renting a car while your auto is being repaired for a covered event. (This means you usually need to carry collision and comprehensive to qualify.) Your premium is decided by the amount of reimbursement you want per day.
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11. What is emergency roadside assistance insurance?
Emergency roadside assistance insurance is an optional policy that covers the cost of towing or immediate roadside repair (like fixing a flat or jump-starting the battery). It does not cover the costs of any repairs done at a garage or service station, however.
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12. What is SR-22 insurance?
The SR-22 is actually a form that high-risk drivers may be required to file with the state before they purchase car insurance. It requires the provider to notify the state should the policy be terminated or canceled. DUIs, multiple speeding tickets, and driving without insurance or valid license are all reasons a SR-22 may need to be filed. The requirement usually lasts for three years after the initial event.
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13. What are split limits and combined single limits of liability?
Split limits of liability provide for separate coverage limits for bodily injury and property damage. A combined single limit policy has one coverage limit for the total cost of injuries and damage. Split limits of liability are much more common.
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14. What is an umbrella policy?
An umbrella policy is additional liability coverage that goes “over” your auto liability limits. An umbrella policy may also increases other coverages, like homeowner’s liability or boat liability. Carrying an umbrella policy is a good idea for drivers with considerable assets to protect.
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15. What is gap insurance?
Gap insurance is an optional policy that insures the driver of a new car for the difference between the car’s financed value and its fair market value. Should the car be “totaled” during the first few years after purchase, the owner will be covered for the amount still owed on the car, rather than it’s market value (which is often much lower). Because it covers only the difference in value, this is a relatively inexpensive policy.
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16. What are my duties after an accident?
This section of your policy is an explanation of what to do if you have a loss, and includes your obligation to: