When you’re getting ready to leave your San Francisco, CA home for a road trip out of state, you’re most likely busy planning your route and finishing your last-minute packing. What you probably aren’t thinking about is your automobile insurance policy or whether your policy covers you while driving across state borders. While the state of California requires that drivers carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 for personal injury protection and $5,000 for property damage liability, other states may have higher minimum coverage requirements.  

Does My Bodily Injury Liability Policy Cover Me Out Of State? 

Generally, yes. While auto insurance coverage requirements vary from state to state, although you purchased coverage based on California’s coverage options, your insurance should provide protection even if you travel clear across the nation. Meeting the minimum bodily liability insurance coverage in another state isn‘t important as long as you meet the minimum in California. For example, in what is called a “broadening clause,” if you were involved in an accident in another state where the minimum requirements were $5,000 more than your policy minimum, your insurer will generally make up the difference and cover you at the higher limit. 

Are There Situations Where My Bodily Injury Liability Policy Won’t Cover Me Out Of State? 

For the most part, you can jump in your car and head to another state without thinking about your auto insurance policy. However, there are a couple of situations where your policy may not cover you: 

• If you are moving from San Francisco, CA to another state. Your Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. policy will cover you while you are traveling to your new home, but once you move you will have to buy a new policy in that state. 
• While most insurance companies will cover you if you head north to Canada, if your travel plans go south of the border into Mexico, you will likely need to buy insurance for driving in Mexico.

If you plan to hit the road into another state, it’s a good idea to check your auto insurance policy or call Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. to ensure your automobile insurance policy has a broadening clause or will cover you for wherever you are planning to drive.

You get the alert on your phone that hail is impending and you know there’s no way to get your car to safety in time. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we know that hail is always a possibility in San Francisco, CA. When there’s nothing you can do to stop the damage, we’re here to help you pick up the pieces.

What to do when the hail has stopped

The first thing you should do is look over your car yourself to see if the hail actually caused any damage. Be very careful doing this, especially if you find cracked or broken windows. Sometimes hail can only cause cosmetic damage, and sometimes it can be enough to total a car. By looking it over yourself first, you might get an idea of what you’re in for.

You can’t rely on your own observations though, even if you think there is little to no damage. Be sure to contact your insurance agent and start the process of getting your car checked out. It’s possible that there is more damage than you think, or that there is damage present that you didn’t even notice.

Once you have the damage assessed, depending on the condition, you’ll have a few options on how to proceed. If the car needs to be repaired because the hail caused structural damage, then you will obviously need to repair the car. If your car is damaged but still drivable, then you can make the decision on whether you want to repair it or not. You even have the option of finding a new car if yours is totaled. 

No matter what you decide, you need to talk to your insurance agent about how to proceed after hail damage. Serving San Francisco, CA, Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. can answer your car insurance questions and help you out in the event of hail damage.

As a new driver, you should have adequate car insurance coverage to protect yourself and others in an accident. Knowing your options makes it easier to get the protection you need. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we can help you understand the various types of coverage so you can make good decisions when choosing a policy. Here are some essential facts you should know about auto insurance coverage.  

Minimum Liability Coverage

Most states require that you have minimum liability coverage to help pay for injuries or property damage to others in case you cause an accident. As a new driver, you may want more than the bare minimum as your lack of driving experience puts you at greater risk of causing an accident. If you cause an accident with extensive damages, you could end up paying most of the damages out of pocket.

Liability insurance protects other drivers, not you. To protect your vehicle, you’ll need a collision and comprehensive coverage.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance would pay for damages to your car if you were to accidentally crash into another vehicle while driving around San Francisco, CA or run into a tree. If you own a new car and drive extensively, you should consider collision coverage to protect your investment. If you own a second-hand vehicle, however, (as many new drivers do) you may want to forgo this coverage to save money on your premium.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance protects you against theft, vandalism, and damage to your vehicle caused by the elements. This coverage is essential for new car owners more so than those who drive second-hand vehicles. Consider where you live, your driving habits, and the value of your vehicle when deciding if comprehensive coverage is for you.

For more information on car insurance coverage and costs, contact Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. in San Francisco, CA.

Ever wondered what it would be like without auto insurance? While a few might celebrate the financial freedom and jump at the chance to save a few hundred dollars a year, most of us would live in constant fear. Auto insurance with Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. is meant to protect you (the driver), your passengers, and your car by covering the risk of financial liability. Drivers in San Francisco, CA and several other states must carry auto insurance. Failure to provide proof of insurance could lead to legal consequences, and you could lose big if you ever got into an accident. So, why do most states require drivers to carry auto insurance?

To Reduce Lawsuits

The use of automobiles has become more widespread, hence increasing the rate of accidents. Allocating time and space in courts to solve lawsuits over damages and injuries caused in accidents can become more difficult. Compulsory auto insurance laws help to handle such problems.

To Ensure Financial Responsibility

People are less motivated to buy auto insurance since it mostly protects other people who are involved in a car accident with you, together with their property. The state laws ensure victims of such accidents are well compensated.

Inadequate Financial Responsibility

All states have financial liability laws that require drivers to prove that they have enough assets to cover any damages they may cause in an accident. However, these laws are inadequate when it comes to remedying the risks of at-fault, non-paying drivers.

For Personal Protection

If auto insurance were optional, there would be a disparity on the road, making it difficult to handle claims. While a few drivers prepare to gamble, your auto insurance policy enables you to protect yourself, your car, and your passengers.

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc, we offer affordable and reliable auto insurance to the residents of San Francisco, CA and its surrounding towns. For a worry-free driving experience, contact us today.