It’s Illegal to Drive Without Auto Insurance -Don’t Risk It

Did you know that driving without car insurance is illegal in 48 states? Make sure you are in compliance. You risk losing your license and financial devastation in the event you are sued because of a traffic accident.

If you live in the Central Valley, CA area and are looking for auto insurance, Manteca Insurance & Financial Services is here to assist you with your needs. 

Why Auto Insurance?

Vehicle insurance is not only for cars. Trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles are also covered. The primary use of auto insurance is to provide financial protection against bodily injury or physical damage if you are at fault in an accident while driving. It can also provide protection against theft, or damage to the vehicle from other events such as keying, natural disasters, weather events, or damage sustained by hitting stationary objects such as a tree or fence.

If you happen to be sued by another driver for your part in an accident, you could be faced with a financial disaster. Let’s say you live in a mortgage-free home, you risk losing that home if you don’t have the protection a car insurance policy provides.

The three main types of coverage you need to consider are:

Liability coverage is required in most states. Your state requires drivers to purchase at least the minimum amount of liability insurance as dictated by the state. Liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury.

Collision coverage pays to replace or repair your car if it is involved in an accident with another vehicle. If your car has a lien, the lender will typically require that you purchase this coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle that is caused by incidents other than a collision. This would include falling objects, theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. This coverage will be required if it has a lien on it.

Give Us A Call

Our team of insurance experts at Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA can provide a quote or answer any questions you may have. Contact us today and we will be glad to help.

Common Risks Not Covered by Auto Insurance

If you think about auto insurance, you always think about coverage to protect you when accidents happen. The reality is that car insurance covers you in several other ways. However, your car insurance also has limitations and exclusions. To be on the safe side, read your policy document to know what is covered and excluded by your insurance plan. But if you are in doubt, you can always contact Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA for clarification.

Here are the common exclusions for your car insurance:

Theft or damage of personal belongings

It might seem like car insurance should cover the personal items in your vehicle, but this is not always the case. Unless you have renters or home insurance, the personal items in your car aren’t likely to be covered after loss or damage by your car insurance.

Accidents during commercial use

If you are using your vehicle to run business errands, update the insurance to commercial otherwise, injuries and damages arising won’t be covered by standard auto insurance. Besides, personal auto insurance won’t cover your car when ridesharing. So, drivers who use Uber or Lyft should have a ridesharing add-on for optimal protection. It will cost extra, but it ensures your car is covered.

Intentional damage

Used your car as a weapon during a road rage? Any damage claim isn’t likely to be covered by your car insurance. The same is the case if your experimental upgrade causes damage to your car.

Pet injuries

While some insurers cover pet injuries inside a vehicle, others aren’t that generous. So, confirm whether your insurance covers pet injuries, and if not, purchase a rider if you like taking a ride with your four-legged friend.

Give Us A Call

Want to learn more about car insurance? You are in the right place. Please get in touch with Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA for more information.

 

Is basic auto insurance ever enough?

Almost every state in the union requires auto insurance for drivers. What they require is basic insurance. This is different from state to state, but what it has in common is that it is usually only liability coverage. At Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA, we have been giving our clients the benefit of our expertise since 1941. That is more than 80 years. We represent our clients, not the insurance companies, and our service reflects that. 

The mandated amount of basic auto insurance in the state of California is 15/30/5. This is woefully basic in one of the most expensive states in the union. It allows $15,000 for the first person injured in an accident where you are the responsible driver and $30,000 for all injuries and $5,000 for property damage. These low limits could leave you in a very dangerous financial situation. 

For those with a leased vehicle or an auto loan, additional coverage will be required. This includes collision and comprehensive.

Collision is coverage that covers your auto. It will help to repair or, if needed, replace it if you are the at-fault driver. If you are the only car in an accident, think wet or icy road and losing control it will pay for your auto repair or if you are the victim of a hit and run. This coverage has a deductible. 

Comprehensive coverage is for things you can’t control. This includes weather, things like hail, floods, and strong winds. It covers theft, vandalism, or potholes in the road. Glass coverage is also included in this type of coverage and is one thing most people end up using eventually. 

If you only have basic coverage, you could be without a car and owe money for damage you caused. Basic coverage is seldom enough. 

Contact Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in  Central Valley, CA for all your auto insurance needs. 

Who can be on your auto insurance policy

California has more licensed drivers than any state in the union, with more than 26 million. That is a lot of potential for having an accident. Making sure you have the auto coverage you need is important for your financial future. At Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA, we have been meeting the needs of our customers for more than 80 years. We are dedicated to ensuring you have the right amount of protection to keep you safe no matter what happens.

Auto carriers are generally speaking pretty flexible when it comes to who can be on your policy. They are designed to list the vehicle owners or vehicles, which can be you and your spouse, you and your partner, your children, and pretty much anyone related to you and lives in your household. In extended families, that can be nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, grandparents and grandchildren. But, you can’t put someone on your policy who doesn’t live with you. 

One major and common exception to the rule of living in your home is a child of yours who is away attending college most of the year. If they still use your address as their permanent address, then your carrier should allow you to keep them on your auto insurance policy. 

Non-family members can also be added to your auto policy depending on which carrier you use. If you have a caregiver or nanny living in your home and uses your vehicle regularly, you can add them to your policy. It may not be necessary, though, since if they have your permission to use your vehicle, they will be covered in the event of an accident. 

If you are looking for auto insurance Manteca Insurance & Financial Services in Central Valley, CA, is an independent insurance agency with an experienced team to help you. 

3 Tips for Buying Auto Insurance in California

Before you drive your first car in Central Valley, CA, you need auto insurance. Chances are, if you’re reading this, this is the first auto insurance policy you’re purchasing. If so, you are probably wondering whether you can afford it and even where to start. Don’t worry. The reputable agents at Manteca Insurance & Financial Services have put together three easy tips for you to follow. Read on to learn more.

1. Compare Several Quotes

Choosing an auto insurance policy after viewing just one is not recommended. Instead, you’ll want to use a reputable agent to help you compare at least three quotes. You’ll be looking at the different coverage options in your budget. This is a great time to ask all the questions you have before making a final decision.

2. Bundle Your Policies

Do you have other insurance policies, such as renters, homeowners, or life? If so, your reputable agent can quickly help you bundle those policies under one insurance carrier for maximum savings on your premium. 

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Lastly, we recommend working with a reputable insurance agent to ensure these tips are put to good use. Our agents serving the Central Valley CA area are standing by to take your call and work with you through the auto insurance buying process one step at a time. He or she will ask you a few questions, such as your budget, model of your car, cost, and so on, to find the best quotes for you to compare and bundle. 

Are you ready to purchase your first auto insurance policy? Do you need to renew one or make a switch? Call Manteca Insurance & Financial Services group to speak with a friendly, reputable agent to get started.