California’s Automobile Claims Mediation Program
If you have a dispute over a claim with your insurance carrier, you may be able to take advantage of California’s Auto Claims Mediation Program, which provides a way to help settle claim disputes with the assistance of a third-party mediator at no cost to you.
You may be eligible for the program if the dispute with your insurance provider involves:
The extent or amounts of damages.
Methods of repair.
Cause of damage.
Prior damage vs. recent damage.
Total loss.
This is when an insurance company declares your car not repairable and reimburses you the estimated value of the car instead of repairing the car.
Value of a total loss.
You are not eligible for the mediation program if the dispute involves the following issues:
Coverage issues.
Legal interpretations of your policy.
Statute of limitations and contractual limitations on claim filing periods.
Agent or broker actions.
For more information about CA’s Auto Claims Mediation process, visit the CA Department of Insurance website.
Automobile Assigned Risk Plan
The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) is a program to help get all drivers properly insured. If you cannot find a car insurance company, due to a poor driving record, you can apply for liability insurance through CAARP.
All California car insurance companies must accept a certain amount of CAARP applicants depending on their share of the market. The higher the amount of standard customers they have, the higher amount of CAARP applicants they must take.
Once you have a clean driving record for a consecutive 3 years, you can purchase your car insurance outside of CAARP.
California at a Glance
Electronic Insurance Cards
California’s Vehicle Code states that if you do not have your car insurance card, you may be able to pull up your insurance information on your smartphone. Several car insurance carriers have smartphone apps that allow you to access an electronic insurance card.
Car Theft In California
California is the car theft capital of America. In 2011, according to a report issued by the California Highway patrol, 156,796 vehicles were stolen, at an estimated cost of one billion dollars.
Car Theft and Your Car insurance Rates
When calculating a policyholder’s insurance rate, many car insurance companies consider the risk of car theft in a given area. Since car theft rates in California are high, you pay a higher rate.
California car theft hurts everyone that has car insurance. By educating yourself about the types of cars and trucks that are stolen and learning simple ways to prevent your car from being stolen, you’re taking positive steps toward keeping car insurance rates low for everyone.
Reporting Accidents
According to the California DMV, every driver will be involved in a car accident at least once in their life, so you should be aware of how to handle such an incident.
When involved in an accident:
Try your best to pull out of traffic and onto a safe spot at the side of the road.
Never flee the scene. You may risk a hit-and-run conviction.
Check for any injuries to anyone involved.
Report the accident immediately if anyone is injured or killed.
Exchange car insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident.
If you are in an accident that causes more than $750 in damages, you must report the accident within 10 days by completing a Traffic Accident Report (Form SR 1).
Cell Phone Use
The CA DMV states that about 10% of drivers use their cell phones while driving.
Even with hands-free devices, studies have shown that cell phone usage is highly distracting.
For safety measures, the state of California has made it illegal to text or use hand-held cell phones while driving. If you are over 18 years old, you may use a hands-free device to make phone calls.
If you must make a call while driving, follow these tips to help you stay safe:
Try to pull off the road when possible.
Do not get involved in emotionally heated discussions.
California law states if you are under 18 years old, you are NOT allowed to use a cell phone for any reason while driving, including texting and making calls this includes a hands free device.
Remember, all violations can affect your car insurance premiums. Stay safe and keep your car insurance rates low.
If you have a dispute over a claim with your insurance carrier, you may be able to take advantage of California’s Auto Claims Mediation Program, which provides a way to help settle claim disputes with the assistance of a third-party mediator at no cost to you.
You may be eligible for the program if the dispute with your insurance provider involves:
The extent or amounts of damages.
Methods of repair.
Cause of damage.
Prior damage vs. recent damage.
Total loss.
This is when an insurance company declares your car not repairable and reimburses you the estimated value of the car instead of repairing the car.
Value of a total loss.
You are not eligible for the mediation program if the dispute involves the following issues:
Coverage issues.
Legal interpretations of your policy.
Statute of limitations and contractual limitations on claim filing periods.
Agent or broker actions.
For more information about CA’s Auto Claims Mediation process, visit the CA Department of Insurance website.
Automobile Assigned Risk Plan
The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) is a program to help get all drivers properly insured. If you cannot find a car insurance company, due to a poor driving record, you can apply for liability insurance through CAARP.
All California car insurance companies must accept a certain amount of CAARP applicants depending on their share of the market. The higher the amount of standard customers they have, the higher amount of CAARP applicants they must take.
Once you have a clean driving record for a consecutive 3 years, you can purchase your car insurance outside of CAARP.
California at a Glance
Electronic Insurance Cards
California’s Vehicle Code states that if you do not have your car insurance card, you may be able to pull up your insurance information on your smartphone. Several car insurance carriers have smartphone apps that allow you to access an electronic insurance card.
Car Theft In California
California is the car theft capital of America. In 2011, according to a report issued by the California Highway patrol, 156,796 vehicles were stolen, at an estimated cost of one billion dollars.
Car Theft and Your Car insurance Rates
When calculating a policyholder’s insurance rate, many car insurance companies consider the risk of car theft in a given area. Since car theft rates in California are high, you pay a higher rate.
California car theft hurts everyone that has car insurance. By educating yourself about the types of cars and trucks that are stolen and learning simple ways to prevent your car from being stolen, you’re taking positive steps toward keeping car insurance rates low for everyone.
Reporting Accidents
According to the California DMV, every driver will be involved in a car accident at least once in their life, so you should be aware of how to handle such an incident.
When involved in an accident:
Try your best to pull out of traffic and onto a safe spot at the side of the road.
Never flee the scene. You may risk a hit-and-run conviction.
Check for any injuries to anyone involved.
Report the accident immediately if anyone is injured or killed.
Exchange car insurance information with other drivers involved in the accident.
If you are in an accident that causes more than $750 in damages, you must report the accident within 10 days by completing a Traffic Accident Report (Form SR 1).
Cell Phone Use
The CA DMV states that about 10% of drivers use their cell phones while driving.
Even with hands-free devices, studies have shown that cell phone usage is highly distracting.
For safety measures, the state of California has made it illegal to text or use hand-held cell phones while driving. If you are over 18 years old, you may use a hands-free device to make phone calls.
If you must make a call while driving, follow these tips to help you stay safe:
Try to pull off the road when possible.
Do not get involved in emotionally heated discussions.
California law states if you are under 18 years old, you are NOT allowed to use a cell phone for any reason while driving, including texting and making calls this includes a hands free device.
Remember, all violations can affect your car insurance premiums. Stay safe and keep your car insurance rates low.