When it comes to California auto insurance, the choices can be dizzying. California auto insurance, like in all other states, is available in numerous packages with many types of coverage. Some coverage is required by your state while other types are required by car lenders, so it's wise to study up on insurance before making a choice. This guide briefly explains the types of coverage for California car insurance to help you grasp the basics.
Liability and Bodily Injury Coverage
Liability insurance for bodily injury protects you from claims against you if someone is injured in a car accident in which you are at fault. If you have an auto accident, this type of insurance covers the injured person's medical costs resulting from the injury up to a certain dollar amount. There is usually one dollar amount for coverage of a single person in the accident, and another cap amount for the total payment for all persons injured in the accident. This insurance also covers your legal defense costs.
When shopping for California auto insurance, be sure to get as much liability coverage as you can afford. Check around to see which companies offer the best coverage plan within your budget. It's better to be safe than sorry. Also keep in mind that for auto insurance, California laws require you to have a certain minimum amount of liability coverage even if you do not owe money on your car.
Property Liability Coverage
Property liability is similar to bodily injury coverage except it covers damages to the other person's vehicle in an accident in which you are at fault. It also covers damages to other properties, such as houses, fences, lawns, and telephone poles. As with liability for bodily injury auto insurance, California state law also requires a certain minimum amount of property liability coverage.
Collision Coverage
Collision insurance is usually required by lenders and covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident with another automobile or if you wreck by hitting other objects, such as signs, trees, ditches, or buildings. This coverage protects you if the accident is deemed to be your fault. If the accident is caused by another driver, their insurance will need to cover any damages to your vehicle. Companies offering California car insurance will often charge a certain amount for liability only, and then extra for collision coverage. These are usually based on your driving record.
Comprehensive Coverage
You might also want to obtain comprehensive coverage for additional protection. This covers theft and fire, or damage to your car by other means such as tornadoes, vandalism, floods, or hitting a large animal (such as a deer, cow, or horse). California auto insurance policies offering this coverage often vary from one company to the next. Some may offer to cover certain items within the package that others won't, so shop around to see what's available.
Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If a driver hits your car and has no insurance, this leaves you in a bind. They will likely not be able to pay for the damages even if it is their fault. This is where underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage can be advantageous. It covers damages to your automobile in these cases and also in the case of "hit and run."
Other types of coverage to consider, which may or may not be included in your normal coverage, include towing, no-fault personal injury protection (PIP), medical coverage for yourself and others in your car no matter who is at fault, full glass coverage (for damaged windshields or windows), and car rental if and when you need to leave your car for long-term repairs.
Understanding each of these and how they work will help as you shop around for California auto insurance. Use online resources to find the right coverage for you today!
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