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Car Depreciation

by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Helpful Tips | 0 comments

The moment you drive a new car off the lot, it begins to lose its value. This can come as quite a shock to new car owners. After all, you just spent your hard-earned money on a vehicle. Yet car depreciation is a reality. Understanding it will help anyone looking to buy, sell, or trade in a vehicle.

What exactly is car depreciation?

It’s the difference between the price you paid for your car and how much it is worth if you were to sell it.

How much do cars depreciate?

It depends a bit on the make and model of car. In general, cars lose 20% of their value in the first year, and 60% over the first five years, according to Kelley Blue Book. You can check out their 5-Year Cost to Own for details on different makes and models. You can also find a car calculator online to get an idea of depreciation for your specific vehicle.

What causes depreciation?

Most things that we buy lose value over time due to wear and tear. That’s the same with cars and trucks. Depreciation is caused by the age of the vehicle and the mileage for starters. In addition, as new models come out with redesigns and new technology, there is less demand for older vehicles. Finally, the condition of the car matters. If your car has been in an accident, or has lots of dents or rusting paint, that impacts the resell value.

Can you slow down depreciation?

While depreciation is inevitable, the good news is that you can take steps to help your car keep its value a little longer.

Maintain your car. Since wear and tear can increase depreciation, taking care of your car helps it stay working its best. Follow the owner’s guide for recommended maintenance.
Take care of your car’s appearance. Dents and scratches can reduce your vehicle’s value. Wash your car, repair scratches and dents, and keep it clean.
Drive carefully. Accidents and damage – even when repaired – will impact a car’s value.
Avoid custom modifications. While these can be fun, they may make it harder to sell your car down the line.

Here’s how to make depreciation work in your favor.

Do you use your car for business? You can deduct your car’s depreciation on your taxes.
Are you buying a car? You can purchase a one-year-old car that is as good as new, but you pay only about 80% of the price. Or you could choose a three-year-old vehicle where the bulk of the depreciation has occurred. Make sure to look for one with low mileage for the greatest value.
Choose a make and model that will resell well. Some vehicles hold their value better than others. It depends on the brand’s reputation plus overall customer demand for certain models. Among the top resellers for 2024 are the Ford Bronco, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Mercedes Benz G-Class.

Other factors that will influence car depreciation include supply and demand. If there are supply chain disruptions that reduce inventory, used versions of those models could be valued at a higher rate. In addition, rising gas prices can put more fuel-efficient cars in demand. Keeping tabs on the market can help you to make informed decisions.

Insurance can also help with depreciation.

Since car loans can last five years, your new car could lose 50% of its value before you pay it off. The loan doesn’t go away even if your car is totaled or stolen. In the event of a total loss, insurance pays the current market value of your vehicle. That’s where a new car replacement policy or gap insurance could help.

New car replacement insurance gives you the money for a new vehicle of the same make and model, minus your deductible. This is typically an add-on coverage that is paired with either collision or comprehensive coverage.

Gap insurance stands for Guaranteed Asset Protection. It is also called loan/lease coverage. Gap is an optional coverage that is paired with either collision or comprehensive coverage. In a covered claim, collision or comprehensive help pay for the totaled or stolen vehicle up to its actual cash value. Gap covers the rest of the loan or lease.

Your car is one of your greatest investments. Keep it protected for added peace of mind.

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.

Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance

by California Casualty | Helpful Tips, Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

Understanding the difference between your home warranty and home insurance can save you from financial headaches when things go wrong at home. Let’s break down these two types of coverage to help you make informed decisions about protecting your property.

The Difference At-A-Glance

Home warranties cover repairs and replacements for certain systems and appliances in your home.
Home insurance covers property damage to your home, other structures, or belongings in the case of unexpected events like fires, hail, wind, vandalism, or theft.

Both come with limits on what they cover. Read on to find out more.

What You Need to Know About Home Warranties

The name, home warranty, can lead you to believe that this protection covers your home. That’s not exactly the case. Home warranties cover the major appliances and systems in your house.

When you might purchase a home warranty

Home warranties are generally offered when you purchase a new appliance or system. Examples include washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and garage door openers. You also may have a home warranty for electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems. In case one of these “big ticket” purchases malfunctions, you can avoid a major out-of-pocket expense. The home warranty kicks in after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

You can also buy a home warranty at any time directly from a home warranty company. Sometimes home warranties are offered as part of real estate transactions as an incentive to close the deal. Such warranties offer peace of mind for the future homeowner.

What your home warranty covers

Home warranties usually cover service, repair, and replacement of a product for a covered problem and everyday wear and tear.

What your home warranty doesn’t cover

Your policy might deny coverage if you have not been keeping up with maintenance. They also could deny coverage for improper installation or modifications, pest damage, or pre-existing conditions. Check your warranty policy for the details of what may be excluded from coverage.

How coverage works

You file a claim. The warranty company connects you with an approved contractor to perform the repair. A technician visits your home to diagnose the appliance or the system, and to recommend a repair or replacement. There may be a service fee associated with this visit. If the repair is simple, the technician can do it the same day. If a replacement is needed or a part must be ordered, then a follow-up appointment is scheduled.

When seeking a home warranty, be an informed consumer:
- Take an inventory of your large home appliances and systems. Write down their age and condition. Record the last time they were serviced.
- Estimate how much it will cost you to replace those systems. If you can afford to replace them without help, you do not need a home warranty.
- Consider a home inspection. This will document any pre-existing conditions that will not be covered by a warranty.
- Research coverages and payment amounts. Read the fine print. Many companies limit the amount that they will pay, and it may only be a portion of the appliance or system.
- Check that the company you choose is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

What You Need to Know About Home Insurance

A homeowner’s policy is a “package” of coverages. It protects your home and personal property from specific events that can damage them and provides additional living expenses if you are unable to live there due to an insured loss. In addition, your homeowner’s policy covers you for lawsuits or liability claims that might otherwise be your responsibility if you accidentally injure other people or damage their property.

When you might purchase home insurance:

You will purchase home insurance when you buy your home. If you have a home mortgage, then maintaining homeowner’s insurance is generally a requirement of your loan agreement. Even if you own your home outright, it’s recommended that you protect your equity in the home by maintaining homeowner’s insurance.

What your home insurance covers and doesn’t cover:

Following are highlights of what your home insurance policy covers and doesn’t cover. For details on these and other coverages, see our blog on Home Insurance 101.

- Dwelling coverage refers to the structure of your home: the roof, walls, floorboards, cabinets, and bath fixtures. A loss is covered unless it’s excluded by your policy.
- Other structures insurance covers pools, fences, gazebos, sheds, etc. A loss is covered unless it’s excluded by your policy.
- Personal property coverage protects your possessions, such as furniture, clothes, sports equipment, and other personal items. If your possessions are stolen, or damaged by fire/smoke or any of 16 covered “perils,” your policy will pay for them subject to your deductible.
- If your home is damaged in a covered loss, it may not be livable. If that’s the case, you would need to stay somewhere else. Loss of Use, also called Additional Living Expense, covers you for any necessary increase in living expenses, such as lodging, food, and gas.
- Personal Liability protects you if a claim is made or a suit brought against you for bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence to which coverage applies. Liability covers you at your place or anywhere in the world.
- If you are not liable, but your guest was injured through his/her own fault, then Coverage F – Medical Payment to Others may cover your guest’s medical bills.
How coverage works:

You file a claim. You’ll fill out the necessary paperwork online or by email. For a homeowner’s or personal property claim, you will need to provide a Proof of Loss statement. That’s a list of items that were damaged or stolen and how much it costs to replace them. You may have to get a repair estimate and include that information. Then, you’ll wait for approval. Once the repair is authorized, you’ll be able proceed. Either you or the contractor will receive payment from the insurance company, so check with your adjuster. You will be responsible for the deductible amount, the amount that you will pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in.

When seeking home insurance, be an informed consumer:

Estimate how much it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch in your current location. Also ballpark the cost to replace all your personal property. This will give you a starting point as to how much insurance you will need.

Determine if you will need specialized coverage beyond a standard homeowner’s policy. For example, you may want flood or earthquake coverage for your location.

- - Shop around for insurance, and keep in mind, that it usually pays to buy home and auto coverage from the same company. When you bundle your home and auto insurance, you can often qualify for reduced rates, saving hundreds of dollars.
  - Ask about discounts. You may qualify for insurance discounts for being part of a professional association, such as groups for teachers, nurses or first responders. There are also discounts for being retired, for paying via automatic bank payments, and for paying in full upfront.
  - Check that the insurance company you choose is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

What is Gap Insurance, and Do I Need It?

by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Helpful Tips | 0 comments

Imagine this: you’ve just bought a brand-new car and barely had time to savor that new car smell before disaster strikes. Whether it’s a major accident or theft, your car is now a total loss. Here’s the kicker: your insurance settlement isn’t enough to cover what you still owe on your car loan or lease.

That’s where gap insurance comes in. It covers the difference (“the gap”) between what your insurance pays and what you still owe, sparing you from being stuck with a hefty bill for a car you no longer have.

What is gap insurance?

Why is gap coverage necessary?

When you buy or lease a new car, it starts to depreciate as soon as you drive it off the lot. Most new vehicles lose up to 20 percent of their value in the first year, according to Kelley Blue Book. That means that the actual cash value of your new vehicle could be lower than your loan or lease amount.

In the event of a total loss, insurance pays the current market value of your vehicle. The loan doesn’t go away even if your car is totaled or stolen. If there is an additional amount still owed to repay the loan, your Gap insurance covers it. Otherwise, you will have to pay that amount out-of-pocket.

What doesn’t gap insurance cover?

Gap insurance does not pay if your car is only damaged and not declared a total loss. It does not cover mechanical failures and will not pay if your engine dies. Gap does not cover your deductible for collision or comprehensive. It does not pay overdue payments or late fees on your car loan. It only covers the gap, or difference, between your car’s actual value and the amount of your loan.

When should you consider gap insurance?

New car owners generally find value from gap insurance if their car is less than 3 years old. Consider gap insurance if:

You made a down payment that was less than 20 percent of your car’s value.
You financed the vehicle for 60 months or longer.
You leased the vehicle. (Gap insurance is generally required if leasing a car.)
You moved negative equity from an old car loan into a new one.
Your vehicle depreciates faster than average.

Calculate whether gap insurance offers a good value for you.

Here’s an easy way to determine if the amount of gap insurance works with your situation.

Use the Kelley Blue Book to estimate your car’s current value.
Calculate the difference between the value of your car and your loan amount. Are you able to cover this cost out-of-pocket?
Get a cost quote for gap coverage.
Determine how long you will need gap coverage. At some point, the value of your car and the amount of your loan will be close. Mark on your calendar when to drop gap coverage from your policy.

Where should you get gap coverage?

Your car dealer will offer to sell you gap insurance, but if you buy it there, it will be rolled into your car loan. That means you’ll be paying interest on it. You’ll also lose the flexibility to cancel it when you no longer need it. In addition, car dealers often charge a higher fee for gap coverage. Check with your auto insurer. You should be able to add gap coverage to an existing auto policy.

Gap insurance is one of those coverages that we hope we never need, but it’s so helpful if we do. Enjoy your new car, and safe travels.

Traveling with Fido – Pup-Proof Your Car

by California Casualty | Helpful Tips, Safety, Travel | 0 comments

It’s time for a ride in the C-A-R. Cue the excited barking and tail wagging. Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or just a quick spin around the block, we have some paw-some tips to turn your car into the ultimate canine-friendly cruiser!

Floor Mats

Face it. Our fur babies can be messy. Dogs can track mud, sand, and debris onto your car’s floor. Protect it with rubber floor mats that are waterproof and easy to clean. They cover your car’s carpet and shield it from dirt. You can get floor mats that are custom fit to your car, ones you can trim to fit, or universal mats. Avoid mats made with harsh chemicals such as lead, cadmium, latex, and PVC, as they will have unpleasant odors.

Seat Covers

As any dog owner knows, fur floats everywhere. It can easily get into crevices and stick to seats. Plus, if car rides stress your dog, he will shed even more. Seat covers will help keep your seats fur-free and mess-free. Cover the seats where your dog will be. Choose tightly knit fabrics that also will be scratch proof. Some covers are padded for shock absorption; some have nonslip designs with a rubber base. Still others have pockets for storage. Look for ones that are washable so you can periodically clean them.

Pro-Tip: A felt blanket is a simple alternative to a seat cover. It attracts fur and it’s easy to remove and wash. Just make sure to tuck it in the crevices of your seat.

Cargo Liners & Hammocks

If you put your back seats down for your dog, consider a cargo liner or hammock that extends from the back of the front seats. These are larger than traditional seat covers, and they give your dog a chance to spread out and lay comfortably. Look for one that is non-porous, water resistant, tear resistant, and easy to clean. Make sure it is comfortable for your fur baby.

Window Protection

Nose prints on windows are just a fact of life, right? They don’t have to be. Try a magnetic window shade, which also protects against UV rays. Alternatively, you can buy shatter resistant window film to add another layer of protection to your glass. In a pinch, clear plastic wrap works too.

Scratch Protection

Paint and surfaces can be easily scratched. You can help to prevent scratches with some paint protection film on doors and trunk sills where your dog usually enters your vehicle. If your dog will wear them, nail caps can work too.

Barriers

While our dogs may want to ride in the front seat, it’s not a good idea. In the event of an accident, your front seat airbag could deploy. Safety is important, and you want to keep them from jumping into your lap when you’re driving. That’s where barriers come in. They keep your fur baby safely in the back. Barriers come in various materials, from breathable mesh to heavy duty fabric to plastic or metal.

Safety Belts

Just as we wear seat belts, it’s a good idea to secure your dog. Some safety belts hook right into your car seat belts. Others attached to your seats. Choose a harness that goes around your fur baby’s body. Never secure them by their collar as the leash can pull unnecessarily on their necks.

Carriers

You can also travel with your fur baby in a crate or pet carrier. They come in a range of styles. Some are soft mesh and others are hard. Some come with wheels for easy transport. Make sure the crate is large enough so that your dog can stand, turn around, and lie down in it.

Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

Follow these additional tips for traveling with your pet.

Start with short trips to get your dog used to the car before driving long distances.
Feed your dog 3 hours before you leave.
If you need to feed your dog on the road, stop the car to do it.
Stop regularly along the way so dogs can stretch their legs and go to the bathroom.
Give your dog access to clean water. Riding in the car can be stressful for dogs and if they pant, they can lose water.
Don’t let your dog hang their head out the window.
Never leave your dog alone in the car. Hot cars are dangerous, but even in cool weather, a well-meaning passerby may try to release your dog.
Pack an emergency kit for messes. Include gloves and cleaning supplies. (A moistened rubber glove is great for picking up pet fur.)
Don’t forget your dog’s favorite treats.

Finally, protect your fur baby with pet insurance. You can easily add coverage from Pet’s Best to your California Casualty auto or home policy. Find out more about what pet insurance can cover by talking with a California Casualty customer service representative today.

Teen Driver Monitoring Apps

by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Helpful Tips, Safety | 0 comments

You gave your teen the keys to the car, and now they’re off. How do you know they’ll be safe on the road? The latest technologies can help. We’ve done a deep dive into some of the most popular driving monitoring apps that can help your teen establish safe driving habits. Here’s what you need to know.

What can apps measure?

Speed limits: With limited driving experience, your teen may not realize the dangers of driving fast. They may not know how much time it takes to slow down a car. There are apps that set a speed limit and notify you if the driver exceeds that limit.
Distractions: Distracted driving is an issue for us all but new drivers are especially vulnerable. They may not realize how much can happen if they take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds. Even responding to a phone call or changing playlists can lead to an accident. Some apps set a Do Not Disturb mode when the car reaches a certain speed. If your teen disables the setting, you will be notified.
Locations: GPS tracking can let you know your teen is where they are supposed to be. Some systems also have a silent alarm so that your teen can signal an SOS if they feel unsafe.

Before you install a driver monitoring app, it’s important to have a conversation with your teen. Make sure you include any other family rules such as the curfew for the car being home, and how you wish your teen to check in with you. Discuss distracted driving and how they should handle calls and texts. In doing so, you are setting up your teen for a lifetime of safe driving.

The Apps

Auto Coach (free)

This app is designed to help parents teach teens how to drive safely. It was developed by the Shepherd Center Hospital in conjunction with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. It includes interactive lessons for teens with cognitive and physical disabilities. The app tracks driving hours and keeps parents involved in the process.

Bouncie (monthly subscription plus one-time device charge)

This offers real-time detailed insights and driving reports on speed, location, idle time, and hard braking. Bouncie also can monitor gas mileage and fuel economy, battery level, oil level and vital alerts. Information is accessible on your smartphone or computer. Bouncie requires a device that plugs into your vehicle. It works for most vehicles made after 1996.

FamiSafe (monthly subscription)

This app goes well beyond safe driving. It also tracks screen time and inappropriate content on kids’ devices. From a driving perspective, the app reports on speed limit, total distance traveled, and real-time physical location. It instantly notifies you if your teen speeds or brakes suddenly. Weekly driving reports help to analyze patterns. You manage all devices from a FamiSafe Dashboard on your smartphone or computer.

Family360 (monthly fee)

This app synchronizes your family into a private “circle.” It tracks everyone’s locations in real time through mobile phones. You can be notified when someone in your circle leaves or enters the places you go to most frequently.

Life360 (free and paid options)

This app offers real-time location monitoring and detailed driving reports. It tracks speeding, hard braking, and in the paid version signals crash detection and sends roadside assistance. It does more than tracking driving, however. The app includes digital monitoring, stolen phone protection, medical assistance, travel support, and disaster response.

On My Way (free)

This app pays you for safe driving. Users get 5 cents for every mile they drive without texting. While they cannot withdraw real cash, your teen can use it toward food, gas, events, travel, and gift cards.

Road Ready (free)

Part of the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program, this app logs the state’s required drive time for learners and tracks driving experiences. It also provides tips for safe driving.

Teen Time: Parental Control (free and paid options)

This is a location app that also monitors screen time and how kids are using their phones. It allows parents to limit use of games and apps. You can use it to track use of devices while your teen is driving.

TrueMotion Family Safe Driving (free)

This app tells you where your family members are and how they got there, with details on exactly how they drove. It records phone use, texting, aggressive driving, speeding, and more.

Finally, make sure that your car is well maintained and fully insured with your teen listed on the policy. Talk to your insurance agent about ways that you can save with a teen driver.