Question 1

Are you required to carry comprehensive auto insurance in Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

No. You are not required to have comprehensive auto insurance in Santa Clara. Comprehensive auto insurance is considered additional coverage on top of what the California DMV requires to take care of damage to your own vehicle. By law, you should only carry liability insurance covering at least $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for damage to property.

Question 2

What is the benefit of getting collision insurance coverage in Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

Collision insurance is an additional kind of coverage you may purchase for your car in Santa Clara, much like comprehensive insurance. It pays for damage to your automobile in the event of an auto accident. The most basic collision coverage will take care of repairs up to the fair market value of your car. Since collision coverage usually includes an insurance deductible, you should know that the higher the deductible you are willing to pay, the less your collision coverage will cost.

Question 3

What will happen if you cause an accident that costs over your liability limit in Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

If you cause a motor vehicle accident in Santa Clara and it costs more than your liability limit, the other party may sue you for the additional costs. Depending on the extent of the damage and your ability to pay the victim, there is a possibility that your savings will be drained, and you might lose your house in the process.

Question 4

Are you allowed to get higher liability auto insurance limits than what the law requires in Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in Santa Clara, you may opt to purchase higher liability limits than the California DMV requires. By increasing your limits, you also increase your protection against bodily injury and property damage claims if you are held accountable for an accident. You must keep in mind that the more assets you have, the more you could lose in a lawsuit if your liability limits won’t be able to cover the full cost of an accident you caused.

Question 5

Does your driving record in Santa Clara affect your auto insurance rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your driving record affects the rates of your auto insurance policies. One of the things that Santa Clara insurers take into consideration is your driving record. Having a good driving history is among the easiest ways to reduce your insurance rate. If you completed a defensive driving course and are considered a "safe driver," you might even be eligible for a discount.

Question 6

What is car insurance?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance is a form of insurance that can cover damages to cars, drivers, passengers, and other property when an accident occurs. If another car crashes into a driver, or if a driver causes an accident, car insurance will pay most or all of the cost of repairs.

Question 7

How does car insurance work?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance functions in a way similar to other insurance policies. In exchange for a monthly premium payment, an insurance company assumes liability should an accident occur up to the coverage levels specified in a prearranged policy. This means if an accident occurs, the driver won't have to pay the full cost of repairs out of pocket.

Question 8

What does car insurance cover?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance coverage can vary from one plan to another. It typically includes coverage for damages to a vehicle from accidents, medical expenses for people injured in accidents, and related costs after accidents with uninsured drivers. Some policies may cover additional perks, such as roadside assistance or a rental car during post-accident repairs.

Question 9

Does car insurance cover theft?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive car insurance generally includes theft protection. This means if a car is stolen and isn't recovered, the insurance agency will pay for the value of the car. However, comprehensive insurance that covers theft is optional coverage.

Question 10

How does a car insurance deductible work?

Accepted Answer

A deductible is an amount that must be paid out of pocket before insurance coverage is applied. If a driver with a $1,000 deductible gets in an accident that causes $10,000 in damage, the driver must pay $1,000 and the insurance company pays the remaining $9,000. Deductibles amounts vary between coverage types.

Question 11

Do you need insurance to register a car?

Accepted Answer

Yes, drivers need a valid car insurance policy to register a vehicle in most U.S. states. Car insurance is a legal obligation, and the DMV may suspend registration if insurance isn't maintained. Some banks and other lenders may also require a certain level of insurance before funding an auto loan.

Question 12

Can you get car insurance without a license?

Accepted Answer

In most states in the United States, a license isn't required to purchase car insurance. This means that an unlicensed driver can purchase a policy for a licensed driver. However, most insurance companies won't allow an unlicensed driver to be listed on a policy, either as a primary or a secondary driver.

Question 13

Do you need car insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Car insurance isn't optional, and neglecting to purchase and maintain a minimum level of coverage can result in penalties, such as the suspension of your vehicle registration or driver's license. In addition, the cost of a car accident can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, which can be an unsustainable burden without insurance.

Question 14

How much is car insurance a month?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance costs depend on factors such as where a person lives and their driving history. Drivers living in states with high insurance rates who've had accidents will pay more than drivers with clean records living in lower-cost states. In general, monthly car insurance costs can range from $50 to $500 or more.

Question 15

Why is my car insurance so high?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance can be expensive for many reasons. Unsafe or expensive cars, a history of accidents, DUIs, and having multiple cars and drivers on a policy can all lead to higher monthly costs. Driver age may also play a role. For example, teens are more expensive to insure than adults.

Question 16

How can I get lower car insurance?

Accepted Answer

Getting lower-cost car insurance may be possible depending on your personal circumstances. To find a cheaper policy, drivers are encouraged to get prices from multiple companies, bundle car insurance with home insurance, or use monitoring devices to demonstrate safe driving.

Question 17

Do you need insurance to rent a car?

Accepted Answer

In most areas, car insurance isn't required to rent a car. However, most personal car insurance policies extend to rental vehicles. For those who don't have insurance coverage and want to stay protected, most car rental agencies offer supplemental insurance coverage for an added fee.

Question 18

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

Accepted Answer

Most car insurance policies do cover rental cars. However, this coverage isn't universal. Before renting a car, it's recommended that you check your policy details or speak to your insurance agent to be sure rental car coverage is included at an appropriate level.

Question 19

Can I insure a car not in my name?

Accepted Answer

In most states, it's possible to insure a car that isn't registered in the name of the policyholder. This commonly occurs when a parent purchases and insures a car for an adult child. However, many states and insurance agencies require the policyholder to have a financial stake in the vehicle they're insuring.

Question 20

Can you cancel car insurance at any time?

Accepted Answer

In general, it's possible to cancel car insurance at any time, provided proper notice is given. Notice requirements are outlined in policy documents. Unlike health insurance that can require personal circumstance changes or a specialized enrollment period, auto insurance policies can be canceled or adjusted at any time.

Question 21

How can I change car insurance?

Accepted Answer

Changing car insurance is as easy as notifying your current car insurance company and purchasing a new policy from a different agency. Even policies that have been paid up front can be canceled, and companies will issue a refund for any time remaining on the policy term.

Question 22

How do you become a car insurance agent?

Accepted Answer

In most states, working as a car insurance agent requires having a state license for selling insurance products. Generally, this process involves taking classes and earning a passing score on a licensing exam. Some agencies may allow individuals to shadow or assist current agents while working on their licensing requirements.

Question 23

How do car insurance agents get paid?

Accepted Answer

Most car insurance agents are paid on a commission basis. This means they receive a percentage of the amount their clients pay for their insurance coverage. Some agents may also earn a flat salary. Commissions range from 5% to 20%, on average, but this can vary based on the company or policy type.

Question 24

How much do car insurance agents make?

Accepted Answer

Car insurance agent earnings depend on commission percentages, any base salary in addition to commission, sales proficiency, and sales experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average insurance sales agent makes around $52,000 per year. This may vary from state to state and company to company.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Are you required to carry comprehensive auto insurance in Santa Clara?

What is the benefit of getting collision insurance coverage in Santa Clara?

What will happen if you cause an accident that costs over your liability limit in Santa Clara?

Are you allowed to get higher liability auto insurance limits than what the law requires in Santa Clara?

Does your driving record in Santa Clara affect your auto insurance rates?

What is car insurance?