What happens to my auto insurance when I travel out of the country?

Traveling comes with many things to worry about like the people you are leaving behind, your home, car, and even your new life out there. However, more pressing questions arise when you think about insurance, particularly car insurance. Whether you are going to stay out of Santa Clarita, CA, for three months or 5 years, you may want to find out what you can do to your auto insurance policy. Here is what insurance experts at WPL Insurance Services recommend doing.

Notify your insurance provider in advance

If you are leaving the country for an extended period, it’s wise that you inform your insurance provider. Depending on how long you are going to be away, your auto insurance may be affected because you will not be driving the insured car for some time. 

Drop some coverages but keep some

If you have notified your insurer, the next step is determining what coverages you might want to drop and which ones to keep. Typically, you are eliminating the coverages that protect you when driving and keeping those that protect your car when parked. Therefore, you might want to keep comprehensive coverage to protect the vehicle from being stolen, burned, or vandalized. On the other hand, you can drop collision coverage as it only protects you if you collide with another object. Let your insurance agent help you choose what will work for you while you are away.

Do not cancel your policy

Canceling your policy is never a smart move. If you cancel your policy, you will need to buy a new one when you come back, which will be more expensive. Additionally, a gap in your insurance profile only provides another opportunity to hike your rates.

Traveling out of Santa Clarita, CA, for an extended period? Don’t forget to get travel insurance. For more information, quotes, or policy discussion, contact our friendly agents at WPL Insurance Services today!

Having the correct type of car insurance is important for your peace of mind. Nothing is worse than needing to file a claim and finding out your auto insurance doesn’t provide the correct coverage. In California, drivers are required to carry liability insurance and also uninsured motorist insurance. That makes other drivers feel safer on the road and it does protect you in the event you cause an accident from having to pay out of pocket for the damage you caused to the other driver’s vehicle. At WPL Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA we provide reliable service you can count on. 

But what about your car? If you are the responsible party in an accident or if you are the victim of an event over which you have no control, who will pay to repair your vehicle?  If you only have liability and uninsured motorist insurance you will have to pay for the repairs to your vehicle yourself. If you are comfortable with that and have access to thousands of dollars then you don’t need to have collision or comprehensive insurance. 

If however, you are like most people, you need your vehicle to go about your daily life and you probably don’t have the ready cash to pay for the repair yourself. Collision insurance will pay for damage to your car in an accident where you are at fault. Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle from theft, vandalism, hail, and other things including large animals who run into your path. It also includes glass coverage so you won’t have to drive with a cracked windshield. 

If you are in the market for a new auto insurance carrier  WPL Insurance Services in Santa Clarita, CA is an independent agency and can offer you an extensive choice of top carriers. Why not stop in or give us a call for a free quote. 

You have probably heard that you should consolidate your auto insurance when you get married, but if you watch the TV show “The Closer” you probably remember when Brenda and Fritz got married and Brenda found out her auto insurance cost would nearly double if they bundled it. That was because Fritz had not one, but two DUIs he had neglected to mention. While TV often gets the details wrong, in that case, the scriptwriter nailed it. This blog discusses the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining your auto insurance as a couple once you marry, so you know whether to keep your policies separate or not.

True fact: Most married couples do cut their premium costs by combining coverage. 

Getting married reduces your risk in an insurer’s eyes including WPL Insurance Services of Santa Clarita, CA. Married people take fewer chances and their typically safer driving styles are born out in statistics and surveys.

Married folks might save between five to 25 percent on a policy depending on their records and the insurer. You could net a multi-policy discount by obtaining both auto and home insurance through the same agency.

You should keep your policies separate when one half of the happy couple has poor credit, a bad driving record, or drives an expensive vehicle, especially a sports car. 

There is a difference between a speeding ticket a couple of years back and a DUI. The two do not both equal a poor driving record. DUI or DWI on a record reflects poorly on the driver’s responsibility.

Conviction of a DUI or DWI usually results in the driver needing to move to an insurance agency that serves high-risk drivers. They will only be able to obtain minimum coverage. The spouse with no conviction can use any insurance agency and obtain full coverage but will need to exclude the spouse from coverage and bar them from operating their vehicle.

Contact WPL Insurance Services today to find out whether you should combine your auto insurance now that you are a married couple in Santa Clarita, CA. We can help you determine the best alternative and help you cover your vehicle.

Drivers in Santa Clarita, CA may not have to contend with the same levels of traffic as their counterparts in downtown Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come up against their fair share of risks. WPL Insurance Services wants to give you a few tips, so you don’t have any regrets about policy. 

Bare Minimums 

The bare minimum of coverage in Santa Clarita will be different for every person. If you own your car outright, you’ll have very different criteria than those who lease or finance it. The main thing to consider though is that the bare minimum may not be enough for you. From liability limits to theft coverage, you may not be addressing all of the potential threats that can threaten you or your vehicle should something happen. 

Assess Yourself 

You’re perfectly free to take on as little coverage as possible in Santa Clarita, CA so long as you acknowledge (and plan for) the risks. If your car is stolen or totaled and your auto insurance doesn’t cover it, will you be able to replace it? How will you pay for excessive damages if your liability limits are exceeded? These important questions are easier to answer when you can talk to someone you can trust. 

Call WPL Insurance Services

Starting a conversation will usually lead to more answers than looking over a sample auto insurance policy will. There’s no way to list every possible event that may happen in Santa Clarita, but you can get a better sense of how you can protect yourself with better coverage. When you talk to our staff, we can start giving you the most common scenarios in your neck of the woods. If you still want to take the chance, at least you’ll know what you’re getting into. 

Of all of the most commonly asked insurance questions in Santa Clarita, CA, “What deductible should I choose?” is at that top of the list. The truth is, there is no one size fits all answer to this question. You can decide which is best for you by understanding deductibles and how they affect you. Here at WPL Insurance Services, we believe in helping clients make informed decisions, so we put together this quick guide:

Understanding Deductibles

Your deductible is the amount of money you must pay out before your insurance company will pay any money toward a covered accident. For instance, if you have an accident that causes $6,000 in damage to your car and your deductible is $1,000, you must pay that $1,000 before the insurance pays the other $5,000- provided that $5,000 is within your coverage.

There is a direct correlation between your deductible and your premium. When you choose a higher deductible, your premium- or monthly payments- is lower. When you choose a lower deductible, your premium is higher.

Choosing Your Deductible

Choosing your deductible should revolve directly around the answers to these questions:

• If you were in an accident, how much could you afford to pay for your repairs? The answer to this most likely lies within your savings account or emergency fund. Logically speaking, if you do not have money saved up, you are probably better off with a lower deductible and higher monthly payments.
• Are you leasing your car? Most people that are leasing choose a lower deductible. This is because if there is an accident, they must return the automobile in good, working condition. Choosing lower deductible provides better coverage should an accident occur.

There are other considerations, such as how often you have accidents, but the two mentioned above are some of the most common factors. If Santa Clarita, CA residents have any questions or need help deciding on a deductible, give WPL Insurance Services a call or stop by today. 

 

Southern California winters may be milder than most states, but we still have our unique needs. Dry winters mean fire warnings, and wet winters mean unfamiliar driving conditions. These natural weather events might lead you to think about updating your auto insurance for seasonal changes. A call to WPL Insurance Services serving Santa Clarita, CA could help you determine your need to update your auto insurance going into the winter months.

Think About Comprehensive and Collision

If you’ve carried minimum liability-only insurance you might consider adding comprehensive and collision insurance for the winter months. Even though Southern California is dry most of the year, the winter months can see rain storms resulting in lower visibility, slippery roadways, and more hazardous conditions.

Seasonal wildfires have made the mountain landscape more prone to landslides. This adds another level of consideration for drivers in the SCV who drive on the 14 freeway, one of the affected thoroughfares in the area. 

Moreover, the windy season can bring a wealth of increased hazards for drivers. From fallen trees to gusty wind areas toppling semi-trucks, it’s better to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.

Comprehensive and collision insurance are usually bundled together, and you should talk to your agent if you’d like one or the other. The latter helps in the event of a crash, while the former covers such things as vandalism, theft and other types of physical damage

As a driver in Santa Clarita, CA you want to up-to-date coverage for changing area weather conditions in the area. To learn what kinds of coverage you could benefit from, talk to an agent at WPL Insurance Services. We can help you determine if updating your coverage is right for your driving needs.

"Can I borrow the car, Dad?". 

If this question is about to happen – all the time – you need to add your teen driver to your auto insurance policy. But you may be wondering how this will affect your policy? That depends on a few factors. Read on to learn what you need to know about adding a teen driver to your auto insurance in Santa Clarita, CA.

Adding a Teen Driver and the Impact on Insurance Rates

Insurance rates are based on the statistical probability of a driver getting into an accident. Unfortunately, teen drivers fall into the area of most likely to crash. The numbers simply aren’t on their side. Because this group poses a higher risk to insurance companies, you can expect your insurance rates to climb when you add one or more teen drivers to your policy. To help ease the cost, there are some ways to get a discount on your rates. First of all, have your teen take a certified safe driving course,. Then, see about getting discounts for good grades and fit your vehicle with a telematics device that measures how well your teen is driving. 

Learn More About Adding a Teen Driver 

The team at WPL Insurance Services is here to help you and your family add your teen driver to your auto insurance policy in Santa Clarita, CA. Our friendly team of reputable agents will answer all your questions and concerns and help you find ways to save money on your insurance rates. Adding a teen driver can be a stressful time, but it is a necessary step to take as kids grow up. Call WPL Insurance Services today for help. 

 

 

Most people with a vehicle, especially a newer model vehicle, know the value of full coverage insurance. Also, you may not know when you should choose the maximum amount of comprehensive coverage available to you. Learn more about what coverage options are available to prevent financial loss during a covered event. 

Selecting The Highest Amount Of Comprehensive Coverage

In instances where you have a high ticket vehicle, or you are the owner of a rare collector’s car or truck, you may want to opt for the highest deductible option. In some rare cases, you may even need to purchase umbrella insurance or specialty auto insurance. Speak with your auto insurance agent to find out which level of comprehensive coverage will best fit your needs. 

Working With A Knowledgeable Agent

If you are serious about getting the right policy and avoiding costly gaps in coverage, you need to work with an experienced agent from an established insurance agency. They will guide you through the process and present options that suit your lifestyle and your current needs. Don’t guess about the level of coverage you need for your auto insurance. If you are a resident living in or around the Santa Clarita, CA area, you should consider working with WPL Insurance Services to get the most out of your coverage. 

Know the facts about your insurance coverage by working with agents with experience and industry insight. WPL Insurance Services is proud to serve people living in the Santa Clarita, CA area. Call or stop by to speak with one of our agents today. Get started protecting your vehicle and get the peace of mind you need while on the road. 

Your auto insurance is important, and you want to make sure it is protecting the investment in your vehicle the right way. One of the best ways you can do that is through periodically updating your Santa Clarita, CA auto insurance through WPL Insurance Services. With the right company and agent behind you, you can keep your insurance up to date and ensure that you have the coverage you need. Auto coverage and rates can change for a number of reasons and in a lot of different circumstances, so periodically reviewing your insurance is a great way to make sure you have what you really need for your vehicle’s protection.

1. You got married or divorced
2. You gained or lost a driver in your household
3. You moved to a new location
4. You changed cars or want to change car coverage
5. You have not checked your insurance rates in a while
6. You completed a driver training or safety course
7. Your credit has changed significantly

Nearly everything about your auto insurance can be affected by changes to your household. A lot of people do not realize that, so they have the same policy with the same coverage limits for years and years. They do not necessarily understand why their premiums change, and they may not have up to date information on their policy, either. That can cause problems for anyone who makes a claim, since auto insurance requires accurate information to remain valid. By working with us at WPL Insurance Services, we can help you, and others in the Santa Clarita, CA area have the vehicle insurance they need and want. We are here to help, and want to make sure you have the right level of coverage and proper information on your policy, to avoid any future problems with claims.

Being in an accident can impact so many areas of your life that having good insurance is like carrying a safety net that catches you when you fall. When you insure your vehicle, you protect your ability to get back to work and move on with the rest of your life. You have fewer risks to face and more support getting back on your feet. Policies that offer full coverage will include collision, comprehensive, liability, medical, and much more. There are a full array of options available when choosing auto insurance. Being educated on these topics is the most important aspect. Knowing what events you are covered for and not can help you when the time comes to file a claim. Make sure that your vehicle has the proper protection so you will be covered, whether you are in LA or Santa Clarita, CA.

How to Protect Your Vehicle

Accidents happen; many of their long-term consequences can be reduced with wise planning ahead of time that softens the blow of the unexpected. This means taking a little time and discussing your auto insurance needs with experienced and knowledgeable agents like ours at WPL Insurance Services. We’ll show you the most up-to-date information on insurance policies available from companies you recognize, like The Hartford, Nationwide, Travelers, Progressive, MetLife, and many more.

We are a local company serving the Santa Clarita, CA area and we know California law. For instance, did you know that state law requires that good drivers who meet state requirements qualify for a respectable discount on their premiums? So your insurance planning will not only serve to protect you should the unfortunate ever occur in the future, but it will also reward you now for your driving record. This is great news that many drivers aren’t aware of, and we may have even more tips like that for you, so contact us today. The agents at WPL Insurance Services can work with you to help you build an auto insurance policy that fits your needs. Contact us for a quote.