Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The Liability?
I am french and don’t know anything about auto insurance in the US. I just received my driver license 2 months ago and a very old bettle (1973, value < 1500$) as first car. I never drive before (even in France), I have a clean record.
How work the liability here? Let’s say it’s not my fault but I crash in a schoolbus and 3 childrens will need medical treatment for the rest of their life because of me. Who will pay for it?
And what if it’s my fault?
[ In France, we have something called "civil responsability" that will pay for that. It's automatically included in every car insurance. ]
I am also browsing the net for cheap but good insurance. I want it cheap because the car is worth nothing. But I want it good because i am a young (no experience) driver. Any tips and links to some websites are welcome.
Thank you very much.
You might also like :
Advertisement
December 10th, 2009 at 5:34 am
[...] Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: auto california cheap insurance | tags: also-browsing, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 6:16 am
[...] original here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: california auto insurance | tags: auto-insurance, driver, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 6:16 am
[...] the original here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: auto cheap insurance | tags: allstate, also-browsing, auto, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 7:27 am
[...] the original here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: auto california insurance southern, auto insurance | tags: auto [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 7:34 am
[...] more: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: california car insurance | tags: driver, driver-license, insurance, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 7:37 am
[...] from: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: california car cheap insurance, cheap | tags: also-browsing, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 7:50 am
[...] the rest here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: ca insurance medical | tags: bodily-injury, fault, france, liability, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 9:25 am
[...] the original here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: car cheapest insurance | tags: adequate-coverage, also-browsing, [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Auto Liability Insurance in California goes like this;
State required minimum for Bodily Injury is $15,000/person and $30,000 per incident. Property Damage is $5,000 minimum. If your senario happens and you’re found not at fault for the loss, then your insurance pays nothing to anyone and you’re responsible for nothing. If you are found at fault, the consequences could be catastrophic. If you hold the state minimum, and these children are seriously injured you would probably be sued in court. I suggest having no less than $100,000/$300,000 Bodily Injury and $100,000 Property Damage.
Let’s say your scenario doesn’t happen, but you do rear end a 2006 Mercedes Benc CLS500, and you hold the state required minimum. Let’s also say that no one is hurt, but the car does need to be fixed. Your insurance policy would only pay the limit of $5,000 and the rest is your responsibility.
I’m an insurance adjuster and I’ve seen the repairs to cars like this go upwards of $24,000. Don’t go cheap on your insurance. It is the most important thing you will ever buy. Godspeed.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Take the answer from “Betty”. She is correct.
December 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
You do not need to get what is called Full Coverage. This includes coverage to your vehicle both collision and comprehensive coverage(damage due to theft, vandalism, wind etc). You do need liability insurance. Liability insurance covers you against claims/suits for injuries/damages that are caused by your negligence. How much do you need? Well that is up to you. What can you afford to lose if you cause catastrophic injuries or damages to somebody? The old saying, you cannot get blood from a stone may always apply. But if you were at fault in an accident, and the plaintiff was awarded $1,000,000 the insurance company will only pay up to your policy limits. If you do not own anything, the plaintiff may still pursue you for the balance. They could consider garnishing your wages or placing liens on your assests. I am not exactly sure what the minimal limits are in CA. Consider this however, CA is an extremely litigious state where everybody seems to be suit happy. If I were you, I would increase the limits to at least $50k depending on what it costs. Property damage is a separate limit and minimal coverage is usually $5k. What if you hit a brand new Mercedes, could you afford to pay the balance? Increasing your Property Damage limits is not that expensive. Remember, insurance is just that insurance. You could regret it down the line if you do not have the appropriate coverage. One more thing, if suit was ever filed against you, the insurance company’s attorneys will defend you. That is included and not additional coverage. Welcome to the USA!
December 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
[...] the original here: Car Insurance | Auto Insurance In California : How Far Goes The … By admin | category: california insurance medical | tags: bodily-injury, [...]