Oxnard Car Insurance

When buying car insurance in Oxnard, California, you’ll probably have two goals initially.

The first is to find coverage that fits your budget, and the second is to have a plan that’s in full compliance with the law and will provide you with the level of protection that you need.

Before signing with any company, here are a few things you may want to consider.

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Parked and In Operation Have the Same Requirements

Any vehicle parked on public roadways is required to carry the same level of insurance as cars that are routinely driven.

Before you buy a car that needs to be fixed and will sit idle for a while, be prepared to either buy insurance or park it on private property. The evidence of coverage must be carried in the car at all times so that you can present it when requested.

Mandatory Reporting

A law went into effect on January 1, 2006, requiring all insurance companies licensed in the state to report status information on their customers. If your insurance lapses due to missed payments or because you’ve cancelled the policy, the DMV will be notified, and they will revoke your registration.

Presenting Proof of Insurance

Law enforcement will ask to see proof of insurance when you’re involved in an accident or pulled over for a violation. You can also expect to show this proof when it’s time to renew the vehicle registration.

If you are involved in an automobile accident, you should be prepared to share this information with reporting officers and other people involved in the accident.

Minimum Coverage is Not Enough

Many drivers want to know what the minimum coverage levels are, but it’s vital to understand that you aren’t limited to the minimum amounts.

The minimum protection levels really aren’t high enough to safeguard your assets in the event that you cause a serious accident.

Before signing up for the bare minimum required by law, consider these facts:

• Personal liability for injury or death to one person is $15,000. Unfortunately, when you consider the rising cost of healthcare, it becomes clear that this may not be enough coverage if someone requires surgeries or there is a fatality.
• Personal liability for injuries or fatalities to everyone involved in a single accident should be a minimum of $30,000. This sum is essentially divided between everyone involved in the accident, and that includes in your own car and in other vehicles.
• Property damage protection of $5,000 is required. Considering that most new cars rolling off the lot cost $20,000 or more and body damage repairs can be costly, it becomes clear that this low level may not come close to covering the actual damages.

What happens when the coverage is too low?

Many people make the mistake of believing that insurance covers them for any possibility, but this simply isn’t the case.

Insurance companies base rates on your own history, where you live, and the amount of coverage you purchase. They will only make payments up to the policy limits. If you cause $40,000 in property damage and only have coverage for $5,000, you’ll have to find some way to pay the difference yourself.

The financial implications of this can be devastating. However, you may be surprised at how affordable it is to increase your limits and give yourself some additional protection.

Alternatives to Insurance

The State of California does give drivers the choice of getting insurance or showing financial responsibility through other means.

• Cash Deposit - People can make a cash deposit of $35,000 with the DMV. This allows them to cover the state minimums for a single accident, and the state has the cash on hand to ensure that the wronged party will receive payment.
• DMV-Issued Self-Insurance Certificate – Rather than leaving the cash with the DMV, you may qualify for this type of program if you’re able to prove that you have a reliable way to cover the damages and injuries in an accident.
• Surety Bond – You may also choose to work with a company licensed in the State of California to issue bonds. The bond can be purchased from this third party and left on file with the DMV.

Low-Cost Programs

The state also offers low-cost programs for those people who are unable to cover the cost of basic liability insurance.

There are eligibility requirements, including a minimum age of 19 years, certain income limitations, and a valid California driver’s license. This insurance is only for cars valued at or below $25,000.

Payments are available at drastically discounted rates, and people can get the coverage they need for as little as 20% down.

Communicate Insurance Changes to the DMV

In the State of California, insurance providers must notify the state when a policy is cancelled.

While most carriers will also notify the state when a new policy is issued, consumers may want to provide this information to the DMV on their own.

If a policy is cancelled and a new one is not submitted within 45 days, the registration on the car will be suspended.

The state will also suspend a registration if insurance information is not received within 30 days of a new registration or ownership transfer.

Staying Legal with Cars Not in Use

Whether you’re parking a car because you’ll be out of the country for a while or you just need to park it while you make repairs, you should follow the right steps with the DMV.

First, the car must be off the public roads in order to legally be uninsured. Provided the car will be stored off a roadway, you can submit an Affidavit of Non-Use, or ANU, with the DMV before cancelling the insurance. Renewal fees must still be paid even while the car is in storage.

Before going back on the road again, you’ll have to get new insurance and have the ANU lifted.

Finding the Right Company

Your insurance is only valid if the company is licensed to do business in the State of California. You can use the State DMV site to perform a license status inquiry.

The company should be licensed with the state and be in good standing. In addition, you can also look at consumer ratings, feedback from actual customers, and financial reports. You can also check with the state insurance department and BBB to see what kind of reviews are available on the company.

How to Save on Insurance

Companies base rates on countless factors, including your own information and where you live. However, the rates are not consistent based on any given area.

You may find drastic differences in rates and coverage options. A comparison site may be able to help you get a clear picture of which company will better suit your needs and provide you with the coverage that you need.

You can also save by asking about different discounts, including:

• Multi-car policies
• Multiple policies with the same company
• Good driver
• Teacher, nurse, or other service profession

Before you sign with any company, take the time to review your ideal coverage levels.

The insurance is designed to protect other drivers, but it’s also there to safeguard your own assets and help you avoid a lawsuit if you should cause an accident.

You can also review your personal information to ensure that you’re receiving all of the discounts you qualify for. Once you know what amounts you need, you can start looking at different companies to find one with excellent rates and great customer service.

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