Auto Insurance Agent Santa Fe Springs, CA

Four Auto Insurance Terms You Should Know– Part 1

Auto Insurance Agent Santa Fe Springs, CAThere are many ways you can purchase auto insurance for your vehicle. Calling a local independent insurance agency can offer you some additional benefits and personalized service as well as help you select the right coverage for your situation. It’s important to understand your coverage options since you’ll want the right coverage in the event of a claim.

Once you understand each coverage, you can have better knowledge of what options best suit your situation. Opening a discussion with one of our agents can help and we are here to provide you with professional insurance advice, guidance, and knowledge.

Let’s breakdown the four most common auto insurance coverages.

State minimum liability coverage: (Bodily Injury & Property Damage)

State minimum liability coverage is actually two coverages. It will pay towards bodily injury claims and property damage claims.

Every driver is required to purchase state minimum liability insurance unless you live in New Hampshire.

This typically is the least expensive auto insurance policy, but is also provides you with the least amount of insurance coverage.

State minimum liability coverage will provide insurance coverage if you are involved in an at-fault car accident that results in injuring someone or causing property damage. It covers the injured person’s medical bills related to the auto insurance accident, up to your policy limits. It will also will pay towards repairs to the damaged property. Liability limits vary by state. If your at-fault accident causes more damage than your liability limit, you would be held accountable for the remaining balance. That’s why it is important to purchase limits higher than state-minimum liability when you can.

If your vehicle is damaged or you are also injured in the accident, state minimum liability coverage will not provide you with any protection. It is purely for those you cause damage or injury to. You would be required to pay out-of-pocket for your medical bills & repairing your vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage:

This coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is vandalized, damaged from a fire, stolen, collides with an animal, or is damaged from hail, a fallen tree, wind, floods, lightning or other inclement weather.

If you are financing or leasing a vehicle, it will be required by your lender to have this coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Do you need this coverage? If you own your vehicle, it is up to you. If you value what your car is worth & prefer not to pay out-of-pocket for any damage that could occur in the event you get into an accident, you will benefit from having this coverage added to your auto insurance policy.

Collision coverage:

This coverage can pay towards repair damage (or replacement) for your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle, a guardrail, fence or any other object.

If you have taken out a loan or are leasing a vehicle, it will be required to have collision coverage.

Do you need this coverage? If you own your vehicle, it is up to you. If you are found at-fault for an accident & your vehicle is damaged, you would have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs to your vehicle if you do not have collision coverage. If you prefer to not have this financial liability, it may be worth adding collision coverage to your auto insurance policy. If your vehicle is valuable, you may also want to consider this coverage.

Talk to an agent in our office about these different auto insurance coverage options. We can provide you with quotes from many insurance carriers & help you find the best policy for your needs & budget. There are additional car insurance coverages you can add on top of liability, comprehensive & collision coverage. These coverages include Medical payments, Uninsured/Underinsured motorist, Roadside assistance, Custom parts & equipment and many more. We’ll discuss in detail these coverage options in Part 2. Get a free car insurance quote by calling or emailing us.

Tips on being a safe driver in Santa Fe Springs, CA

It’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month – Facts & Tips

Tips on being a safe driver in Santa Fe Springs, CAAccording to National Safety Council (NSC) driving has become more dangerous in the last two years. Motor vehicle accidents are up 9% from 2020 and 18% from 2019. Car accidents where drivers collided with other vehicles or fixed objects were the two most common types of accidents. Distracted driving has played an unfortunate role in this rise in accidents.

What are the most common distractions when driving?

Using your cell phone

National Safety Council states roughly 26% of car accidents involve cell phone use.

How to be a safer driver

Assess how you use a cell phone when you are in a vehicle. It is not against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving. However, it is imperative to pay attention to your driving behavior when you are talking on a cell phone.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you put yourself or others at risk while using a cell phone:

  1. Are you able to concentrate not only on the road but on other drivers or pedestrians while talking on the phone?
  2. Are you holding a phone when you drive? If you are going to use a cell phone, it is best to be hands-free.
  3. Do you ever text and drive? How can you avoid doing this when driving?
  4. If you have children or teenagers, are you setting a good or bad example of using a cell phone while driving?
  5. Are you using your cell phone for GPS directions? Where is your phone located when you are using GPS? Do you have a holding device for your cell phone so you can easily see directions & the road?
  6. Are you using your cell phone to play music? Can you control your music settings through your car? Are you changing songs while driving or do you already have a playlist formed before you hit the road?

Consider answering all these questions to determine how safe of a driver you are on the road. Any of the following scenarios can put you at risk. Look to find ways to avoid them at all costs to help prevent an accident.

Other common distractions:

  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Dazing off
  • Trying to control children or pets in the back seat
  • Eating or drinking

It’s important to evaluate your driving and determine if you catch yourself driving distracted. If you are a safe driver, we can help you find affordable car insurance; carriers that reward safe drivers with better rates. Call our agency for multiple car insurance quotes. We represent the top auto insurance carriers and can help you find custom coverage that suits your needs. We will also shop for all discounts that can apply to you.

You may even want to consider participating in a telematics program, which offers a car insurance discount, but also evaluates your driving habits. Contact us for more information.

Temporary Insurance Policies in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Scenarios That Warrant Short-Term or Temporary Insurance

Temporary Insurance Policies in Santa Fe Springs, CAWhile our agency does not specialize in short-term insurance policies, there are a few scenarios that can warrant the need for short-term insurance policies. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these.

Traveling to Mexico:

If you’re driving into Mexico it is likely that your existing auto insurance policy excludes travel to Mexico. You’ll want to find an agency that offers Mexico Auto Coverage. Your typical coverages are available to cover your vehicle and can include roadside assistance. Talk to an agent about what might be the best fit for you if you’re traveling to and from Mexico.

Renting A Vehicle

If you plan to rent a vehicle as a temporary replacement while on vacation, your existing auto coverage should transfer to the rental vehicle. However, items like loss of use are not covered and could cause you to accrue some out-of-pocket expenses should you be found at fault for an accident that removes the vehicle from the rental fleet. Talk to an agent before you rent a vehicle and ensure your existing coverage will transfer to the temporary replacement. You can always purchase the rental agency’s coverage as a primary coverage as well.

Vacation or Travel Insurance

If you’re going on vacation you might want to consider travel insurance if your plans get interrupted. Things like sickness, injury, and lost luggage can be covered with a simple policy. You can even find coverage for “cancel for any reason” which could help with some unusual circumstances for having to cancel a trip. Be sure to ask your agent about the coverage details so you fully understand your coverage.

Wedding & Special Event

If you are planning on hosting a special event such as a wedding, bar mitzvah, baby shower, charity auction, Easter egg hunt, or even a cocktail party, you should consider special event insurance. Getting a one-day (multi-day also available) special event insurance policy is an easy chore.

Even if you don’t serve alcohol at your party, by inviting guests and children onto your property you have a liability that needs to be protected. Consider trip and fall accidents, food poisoning, or even a dog bite. Many things can happen during an event that should be planned for.

As an independent insurance agency, we not only represent a variety of great insurance carriers but we can help you plan for these temporary insurance policies. Purchasing a policy can be as simple as a quick phone call with your travel or plan details and we can provide you with a quote.

Spring Activities to Consider in Santa Fe Springs, CA

5 Things to Consider Doing This Spring

Spring Activities to Consider in Santa Fe Springs, CASpring is in the air! Plants are starting to bloom, days are feeling longer and the weather is getting warmer. There are many things to be excited about when it comes to a new season. Our agency shares five things to consider doing this spring.

Plan a fun, local spring activity

Spring can be known for beautiful flowers. One of the best spring activities to do is to visit a tulip garden or your local arboretum. Visiting a tulip festival could be a family outing or a great date night with your partner. Your local arboretum can also allow out to see the season’s change. Plan a picnic or just enjoy a stroll in the park.

Change Out Your Wiper Blades on Your Car

Spring is a great time to change out your wiper blades. Your wiper blades have worked hard to keep your windshield clear of grit and grime on the roadways. If you need help changing out your blades many locally-owned auto parts stores can help. Changing them out usually only takes a minute and can keep you safe on the road if inclement weather strikes.

Consider Growing a Vegetable or Flower Garden

Growing a vegetable garden not only helps you save on groceries, but it gives you the satisfaction of growing your own food. Many people feel like vegetables from their garden taste better too. Flowers also provide many gardeners with joy. As a bonus, maintaining a garden can be relaxing and a great hobby to add to your lifestyle.

Choose a Day to Spring Clean Your Home

We all have heard about spring cleaning. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Spring cleaning doesn’t necessarily mean you have to commit a whole weekend to cleaning. You could start by doing one task only.

Consider one below:

  • Clean out your closet & donate clothes you haven’t worn in over 12 months.
  • Organize your pantry.
  • Vacuum out your car and wipe down the interior.
  • Dust your house including your blinds if you have them.
  • Clean out your fridge. Not only discarding bottles that may have expired, but actually wipe down drawers and shelves. Make it sparkle again!
  • Change your smoke detector batteries.
  • Organize your garage.

Are You Considering Buying a Used RV?

RVs are great for outdoor enthusiasts. If you are shopping for a used RV, be sure to look for water damage before making the purchase. RV’s are very susceptible to water damage. Truth is many manufacturers in the US don’t build the RVs with as much quality as they could.

Water damage is usually easy to spot or smell. If the RV smells musty or feels damp, this is a big indicator. Look for mineral stains or water stains on wood towards the floor, around skylights, and air conditioners or vents located on the roof. Also, go around the RV or trailer and push in on all the sides all the way around. If water has gotten into the walls, it could quickly rot the structural portions of the RV and will feel spongy. Pushing on the sides will identify any areas that may be compromised. An RV should be stiff and hard, if it flexes, it is possible there is water damage. This quick inspection could save you thousands in repairs.

We hope you enjoy your spring! If you ever have questions regarding your auto, home, boat, RV, or motorcycle insurance, be sure to reach out to us.

How to obtain motorcycle insurance and a license in Santa Fe Springs, CA

How to Obtain A License To Operate A Motorcycle

How to obtain motorcycle insurance and a license in Santa Fe Springs, CAWith spring on the horizon, some of you may be finding yourselves thinking about getting a motorcycle license. After all, motorcycles offer great fuel economy, easy parking, and a unique driving experience.

For most people, your motorcycle journey will begin with some rider safety and operation courses. Knowing how to safely operate a motorcycle and the unique laws that may apply to you are important.

Operating a motorcycle in most states will require you to have a driver’s license and some will require a motorcycle permit. This permit will involve you passing an exam for motorcycle operation and a riders skill test. For those under the age of 18, you’ll also likely need your parents consent.

To find a class, you can search for your local DMV on the web and look there for motorcycle safety courses. Most states have adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum. The classes will take around 15 hours to complete and at the end you will possibly find an insurance carrier who will give you a discount for completing the course.

Other common questions regarding operation of a motorcycle include:

Am I required to have insurance? Not all states require motorcycle operators have insurance. It is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to not only protect yourself financially, but also to provide insurance protection to those you may injure while operating a motorcycle.

Do I have to wear a helmet? Many states do not require helmets for all riders, however some are also age dependent. To find out which states have motorcycle helmet laws, visit the iihs.org website.

My motorcycle doesn’t go very fast, do I still need a permit?  If a motorcycle’s speedometer is listed as less than 60 MPH then it is possibly that you do not need a motorcycle permit to operate this. Check with your local Department of Licensing to find out more.

Having motorcycle insurance is recommended. Typically the cost of a motorcycle insurance policy isn’t as expensive as an automobile policy. There are many factors that determine the cost of motorcycle insurance: where you live, your driving record, your age and marital status, what type of motorcycle you own, whether you own a home, even your credit score can all have an impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask a licensed agent in our office to provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.

Get Your Motorcycle Insurance Quote Today

Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your Motorcycle Insurance. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.