According to California law, the driver causing an auto accident is liable for all damages caused therein. California has made it mandatory for all car and truck owners to have auto insurance. In fact, every state mandates that vehicle owners obtain and hold a certain amount of minimum coverage. Such coverage for the state of California happens to be 15/30/5. In lay terms, this signifies that any California licensed operator must possess a minimum coverage of $15,000 per injured person, and a total minimum coverage of $30,000 for all injured parties. Minimal coverage of $5,000 is set aside for damage incurred to property.
Aside from the minimum insurance coverage, many vehicle owners choose additional types of coverage for added protection. One such choice is "personal injury protection" (PIP) to attend to the medical expenses of the operator and his or her accompanying riders. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage offers protection to drivers who are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or under insured driver.
Automobile insurance premiums may vary contingent upon any number of factors. Women, because they historically drive slower, are considered safer insurance risks than their male counterparts. An auto accident caused by a woman who is driving at a lower speed generally occurs with lower impact resulting in lesser damages. Auto insurance tends to be costlier for urban drivers due to various reasons. The kind of car also is a determining factor in one's auto insurance premium. A sports car is considered a high-risk automobile and thus calls for higher premiums. Due to depreciation, older vehicles tend to call for lower premiums. An operators driving record is critical in the determining of one's insurance premium. Additional mitigating factors include the driver's age, marital status, and that same driver's credit score. Generally, however, an insurance company considers most strongly the driver's previous three year driving record in determining the coming year's insurance premiums.
Good and thorough research should be a prerequisite for locating the best, most affordable auto insurance. Vehicle owners can easily obtain free auto insurance quotes from any number of insurance companies conducting business on the internet. Online, vehicle owners can easily purchase the auto insurance that best suits their particular needs. Also, even though high-risk auto insurance is associated with higher premiums, choosing a high deductible policy ensures lower premiums paid on the front-end. Finally, any vehicle owner would be wise to consult with an experienced, licensed insurance agent to determine a viable cheap California auto insurance option.
Eric Weeks, a former 15 year financial planning veteran, is one of the internet's leading experts on California cheap auto insurance and California discount auto insurance since 1989. Visit these sites now to learn how you can take advantage of money-saving information and technologies to get the best deal on your Golden State car insurance premiums.
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