When something happens to your vehicle, it’s an unexpected and unappreciated disruption to your life. We often take for granted the convenience our vehicle provides – until it is out of commission following an accident or other covered claim. That’s why you need rental car reimbursement.
Rental car reimbursement, also known as rental car coverage or transportation expense, is a wonderful feature of your auto insurance. When added to your policy that already has collision and comprehensive, it pays the cost of renting a vehicle until repairs from a covered accident or loss are completed on your ride.
Did you know?
Insurance will only reimburse you for the daily rental rate. Other expenses, such as the cost of gas or security deposit for the car, are typically your responsibility.
The rental car company can bill the insurer directly if you choose one that partners with your insurer.
Lower rental rates are available to those involved in an accident, but you must let the rental agent know that you are renting due to an accident.
There are typically two types of parameters for reimbursing your temporary rental: a daily rate and a per-claim limit.
Choosing the right amount of rental reimbursement is important. Some insureds may need only the minimum coverage amount while others may need more.
If you have a large family that requires a larger SUV or van to commute to work, school and all of the extracurricular events your family participates in, then you should consider a higher amount of rental car reimbursement. Also, take into account where you live. What are the going rates for a rental car, truck or SUV that would fit your needs should your personal vehicle be out of commission for a number of days? Be sure you have the limits that make sense for your needs.
An accident is disruptive enough; having the right rental reimbursement coverage will save you time, money and headaches while you’re getting your vehicle back on the road.
TAKEAWAY:
A California Casualty advisor is ready to give you a policy review, make sure that you have comprehensive and collision coverage, and check the amount you have for rental car reimbursement. Give a call today at 1.800.800.9410 option 3, or visit www.calcas.com/customer-service.
When you signed up with California Casualty, you joined a well-respected, 105-year-old, family-owned insurance company. It’s easy, after the excitement of making a change, to forget some of the reasons you chose California Casualty. Not only did you qualify for special group pricing, you also received valuable benefits that came with your auto and home insurance. They include:
Rates good for a full year, not six months like many insurers offer
Auto insurance that covers $500 for non-electronic items taken from your vehicle
$0 deductible for accidents in a rental car
Broad policy protection for anyone you allow to drive your vehicle
Free ID defense
Free pet injury coverage up to $1,000
Holiday or summer skip payment options
Exceptional towing and roadside assistance availability
However, we can help you in many other ways. Our advisors can also line you up with flood insurance and, in certain states, earthquake insurance. If you have a boat, classic car, RV, motorcycle or snowmobile, California Casualty can get you the insurance you need. We even offer pet health insurance that can save you thousands of dollars if something happens to your furry friend.
TAKEAWAY:
If you need flood and earthquake insurance, or coverage for your pet, boat, collectable car, motorcycle or summer and winter recreation vehicles, contact our Agency Services team at 1.877.652.2638 or email agencyservices@calcas.com. Also, please share your California Casualty experience with your colleagues and family members; we’d love to offer them the same quality insurance with the benefits that you are enjoying, visit www.calcas.com.
It doesn’t take a natural disaster or tragedy to learn that you might be underinsured. An example comes from the holidays. The warmth of the season can turn into an economic nightmare if someone slips and falls at your home or apartment, your dog bites a guest, or someone gets food poisoning. Without enough liability protection, you could be in real financial danger.
Just do a search of personal liability lawsuits and settlements. You might be shocked by the results and the number of law firms filing such cases. You may think that a guest wouldn’t sue you for damages, but it does happen, especially if the injury is serious.
You’ve worked hard for the things you own; you don’t want to put them at risk.
Financial experts advise that as long as you can earn a livelihood, you should have as much liability insurance as you can afford. Most home insurance policies come with $100,000 liability coverage, but boosting your limits to $300,000 or $500,000 offers greater protection at a reasonable cost.
If you have a lot of assets or other exposures for a possible civil suit, you should consider an umbrella policy, which provides $1 million to $5 million coverage.
While you’re at it, what liability limits do you have with your auto insurance? You may be severely underinsured if you opted for the minimum liability limits required by your state. Just like home insurance, you should purchase as much liability coverage as possible, especially if you have a younger, inexperienced driver.
Accidents happen every day, but California Casualty can help you be prepared.
TAKEAWAY: If you don’t know what your liability limits are, or you’d like increase your coverage, Contact California Casualty’ Customer Service at 1.800.800.9410 option 3, or at service@calcas.com.
It’s something we all hope never happens to us: a sewer backup or sump pump failure, but a flooded home caused by this event can happen to anyone at any time. In fact, any home with a toilet and a sink is susceptible.
It’s important to note that damage caused by a sewer backup or sump pump failure is notcovered under your standard homeowner’s insurance policy. When you purchase your policy or call in for a policy review you will need to add-on Sump Pump/Water Backup Coverage. Without this endorsement, you’ll be paying for the damage yourself.
Here are five reasons to have water backup/sump pump overflow coverage:
It can happen to any system
Just a couple inches of water backup can cause thousands of dollars in damage – ruining carpets, destroying appliances, and crumbling drywall
It helps speed up the necessary clean-up, preventing mold and further damage
It’s not covered under flood insurance
It’s relatively inexpensive!
If you live in an older home, one that has a basement and/or a sump pump, and there have been problems with backed-up sewers in your neighborhood, you should definitely consider adding water backup and sump discharge or overflow coverage to your homeowner’s insurance policy.
With a California Casualty water backup endorsement, you’ll have as much as $10,000 to clean up and repair damage (amount varies by state). Review your policy and if you don’t have a water backup endorsement, or don’t know if you do, contact a California Casualty advisor today at 1.800.800.9410 option 3, or email service@calcas.com.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Before you take to the open waters, take a moment to assess your insurance needs.
Many states do not require insurance for your boat, but most lenders and marinas do. A homeowners policy is not considered adequate for boat insurance. Homeowners insurance does not offer the coverages needed for the types of losses that occur with a boat, including salvage, wreck removal, or pollution liability. Another risk is that four-out-of-ten boaters don’t have insurance; you need to protect your family and water craft if one of them slams into you.
A boat insurance policy from California Casualty, or our partner insurer, can cover you for:
Medical costs
Damage to your vessel
Wreckage removal
Emergency towing
Fuel spill liability
Uninsured/underinsured boaters
TAKEAWAY: Let California Casualty help you stay afloat with the boat insurance you need. Policies vary, so it’s best to contact an advisor today at 1.877.652.2638 or agencyservices@calcas.com.
Read all the articles from the this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
Taking a ride on your snowmobile can be risky business. California Casualty has protection in case you or a family member accidentally runs into someone else gliding across the ice and snow.
Our snowmobile policies can provide coverage for:
Bodily injury and property damage liability
Comprehensive and collision
Uninsured motorists
Towing assistance
California Casualty also has the insurance you need for your RV.
Our Agency Services department can help insure high-performance snow machines and all-season, all-terrain vehicles such as quads and side-by-sides.
California Casualty wants to make sure that you can explore the great outdoors knowing that you have the insurance protection you need.
TAKEAWAY: Find out about the many insurance products California Casualty and our partner companies can provide for your snowmobile, ATV or RV at www.calcas.com/other-insurance.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
Taking a ride on your snowmobile can be risky business. California Casualty has protection in case you or a family member accidentally runs into someone else gliding across the ice and snow.
Bodily injury and property damage liability