Driving in California, or anywhere for that matter, comes with its share of uncertainties, and vehicle accidents, from minor fender-benders to significant collisions, are unfortunately a part of this reality. Knowing what to do after an accident is crucial, but understanding how your auto insurance policy plays a role in the repair process, particularly in how to find auto repair shop insurance policy details, is equally vital. This guide will walk you through understanding your policy, navigating the claim process, and effectively utilizing your insurance to find a reputable repair shop that aligns with your coverage.
When you initially purchase car insurance, it’s more than just a legal requirement; it’s a safety net. Take the time to carefully review your insurance application before you sign. Ensure the coverage levels, policy limits, and deductibles genuinely meet your needs and circumstances. Once you receive your policy documents, pay close attention to the declaration page. This page is a treasure trove of information, detailing insured drivers, covered vehicles, coverage limits, and deductibles. Verify that all information is accurate and that the coverage aligns with what you intended to purchase. If any adjustments are needed, communicate these requests in writing to your agent or insurance company, and always keep a copy of your correspondence, ideally sent via certified mail with return receipt requested for verification.
Becoming thoroughly familiar with your automobile insurance policy before you need to file a claim is one of the smartest steps you can take as a vehicle owner. Reading your policy documents thoroughly will empower you to understand exactly what is covered, what is excluded, and crucially, how to find auto repair shop insurance policy provisions that work for you.
Immediate Actions Following a Car Accident
What Steps Should You Take at the Accident Scene?
A. Stop Immediately and Ensure Safety First.
- Assess for Injuries and Call 911: If anyone is injured, the very first step is to call 911 immediately.
- Contact the Police: Even if injuries seem minor, contacting the police is important. Police response can vary by location and accident severity; some departments may not respond to accidents on private property or minor incidents. However, it’s always best to attempt to notify them. Furthermore, most insurance policies stipulate that you must notify the police within a specific timeframe, particularly in hit-and-run situations.
- Exchange Information: Gather critical information from all involved parties:
- Driver Information: Names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
- Vehicle Information: License plate numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Cross-reference this information with driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations to ensure accuracy.
- Passenger and Witness Information: Collect names, addresses, and phone numbers of any passengers and witnesses present at the scene.
- Document the Scene: If you have a camera or smartphone, take photographs. Capture:
- Vehicle Damage: Photograph all damage to all vehicles involved.
- Accident Scene: Document the broader scene, including traffic signals, signs, road conditions, and any visual obstructions that may have contributed to the accident.
- Leave a Note if Necessary: If you cannot locate the owner of damaged property or an unattended vehicle, leave a note with your name, address, and contact information, as well as the details of your vehicle and insurance.
- Notify Your Insurance Immediately: Contact your agent and/or insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident.
- Report to the DMV if Required: In California, if there are injuries or vehicle damage exceeds $750, you are legally obligated to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days. Failure to do so can lead to suspension of your driver’s license.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Claims and Auto Repair Shops
Q. What Happens After I File a Claim with My Insurance Company?
A. Once you file a claim, expect your insurance company to initiate contact to gather detailed information about the accident. This may involve a recorded statement or a written statement about the events. In some instances, they might request an Examination Under Oath (EUO). As part of their investigation, insurance companies often reach out to other drivers involved, witnesses, and possibly even the police department for accident reports. If your claim involves medical payments or uninsured motorist coverage due to injuries, you will need to provide comprehensive documentation of your losses, including medical bills, records, proof of lost wages, and other related expenses. This process is crucial in understanding how to find auto repair shop insurance policy coverage will apply to your specific situation.
Q. What Should I Do If the Insurance Company Doesn’t Contact Me Promptly?
A. Typically, an insurance claim representative should contact you within a reasonable timeframe after you’ve reported an accident. While “reasonable” can be subjective, California regulations generally expect insurers to contact you within 15 days of receiving notice of a claim. If you haven’t heard from a representative within this period, or if you perceive an unreasonable delay, proactively reach out to your insurance agent or directly to the insurance company for an update. If you find their response unsatisfactory or believe there’s an undue delay in settling your claim, you have the right to contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for assistance.
Q. How Does the Insurance Company Assess Vehicle Damage and How Does This Relate to Finding a Repair Shop?
A. To evaluate vehicle damage, insurance companies typically deploy a qualified adjuster or appraiser. This professional will conduct an inspection of your vehicle and prepare an initial estimate of repair costs. This estimate is a key factor in understanding how to find auto repair shop insurance policy coverage will work, as it sets the stage for repair approvals and payments.
Often, during the repair process, body shops may uncover hidden or additional damage that wasn’t apparent during the initial inspection. In such cases, the repair shop is required to contact the insurance company to obtain approval for these supplemental repairs and the associated costs. Be aware that the insurer may choose to send out their adjuster again to re-inspect these newly discovered damages before authorizing additional work.
For minor damage, some insurance companies might request that you obtain competitive repair estimates from a few local auto body shops. Regardless of the process, remember that it is ultimately your responsibility to authorize the repair shop to proceed with repairs once you are comfortable with the final estimate and the chosen repair facility. Understanding this process is integral to how to find auto repair shop insurance policy benefits and utilize them effectively in choosing a shop.
Q. What Will the Insurance Company Pay for on a Physical Damage Claim Under a Standard Auto Policy?
A. Under most standard auto insurance policies, when it comes to physical damage claims, the insurance company will generally pay the lesser of two amounts:
- The Cost to Repair the Vehicle: This is the amount deemed necessary to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
- The Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the Vehicle: This refers to the market value of your vehicle immediately before it was damaged.
It is essential to thoroughly read your specific insurance policy to fully understand what coverages you have, as well as any exclusions and limitations that may apply. For instance, standard policies often provide limited or no coverage for aftermarket stereo equipment, non-factory installed telephones, custom wheels, or tires, unless these were Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) installations. However, many insurers offer options to purchase additional coverage for such equipment for an extra premium. This is important to consider when thinking about how to find auto repair shop insurance policy details that cover specific vehicle customizations.
Q. What Exactly is “Actual Cash Value” (ACV) and How Does It Impact My Claim?
A. Actual Cash Value (ACV), unless specifically defined differently in your insurance policy, is interpreted in California as the fair market value. Fair market value is essentially the price at which a willing buyer and a willing seller, both reasonably knowledgeable about the item in question, would agree to transact. Both parties must be acting in their own self-interest and free from any undue pressure to buy or sell.
When your vehicle is declared a total loss, the insurance company will typically compensate you based on its ACV. Understanding ACV is critical because it directly affects the settlement amount you receive, which in turn influences your ability to replace your vehicle or get it repaired if repairable. This also plays a role in how to find auto repair shop insurance policy limits align with the vehicle’s value.
Q. What is an Appraisal Provision and How Can It Be Useful?
A. Most standard auto insurance policies include an appraisal provision, which can be a valuable tool if you find yourself in a dispute with your insurance company regarding the settlement amount for a total loss of your vehicle. Understanding this provision is part of knowing how to find auto repair shop insurance policy clauses that protect you.
If a disagreement arises, either you or the insurance company can invoke the appraisal process. Here’s how it works:
- Appraiser Selection: Both parties (you and the insurer) each select a competent and impartial appraiser.
- Umpire Selection: The two appraisers then jointly choose a neutral umpire.
- Appraisal Process: The appraisers independently evaluate the vehicle’s value. If they agree on a value, that becomes the settlement amount. If they disagree, they submit their differing valuations, along with supporting documentation, to the umpire.
- Umpire Decision: The umpire reviews the information and makes a decision. An agreed amount by any two of the three (your appraiser, the insurer’s appraiser, and the umpire) becomes binding.
- Cost Sharing: Each party is responsible for paying for their chosen appraiser, and the fee for the umpire is typically split equally between both parties.
Q. How is the Claim Payment Check or Draft Prepared?
A. When a claim payment is issued, the check or draft may be prepared in the name of multiple parties. Typically, it will be made out to you (the insured) and any lienholder, such as a bank or finance company, if you have a loan on the vehicle. If your vehicle is repairable and you’re using a repair facility, the insurance company might also include the repair shop as a payee on the check. This practice is often part of a “direct repair program,” which can be relevant to how to find auto repair shop insurance policy agreements.
Q. If My Car is Totaled, Who is Responsible for the Remaining Car Loan Balance?
A. Even if your vehicle is stolen or damaged beyond repair (totaled), you, as the borrower, remain responsible for paying off the outstanding balance of your car loan. If the claim payment from your insurance company is less than the loan balance, you will be required to pay the difference to the lender. To protect against this potential financial gap, you can typically purchase “gap” insurance. Gap insurance is designed to cover the difference between what your car is worth (its ACV) and what you still owe on your loan, should your car be totaled or stolen. Understanding gap insurance is important, especially when considering how to find auto repair shop insurance policy options that offer comprehensive financial protection.
Q. Will the Insurance Company Pay for a Rental Car While My Vehicle is Being Repaired?
A. Yes, but only if you have specifically purchased rental vehicle coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. It’s crucial to review your policy details before you need to rent a vehicle to understand the specifics of your coverage. While policy limits can vary, rental coverage generally includes a specified amount per day for a predetermined number of days. This coverage usually ends when your vehicle repairs are completed, when the insurance company pays for the total loss of your vehicle, or after the specified coverage period expires, whichever occurs first.
If your vehicle is stolen, some policies automatically include transportation expense coverage. Again, it is essential to review your policy to confirm if you have this benefit. This type of coverage often kicks in 48 hours after the theft and concludes when your vehicle is recovered, the loss is paid, or after a set period, whichever comes first. Knowing about rental car coverage is useful when planning how to find auto repair shop insurance policy benefits that minimize disruption after an accident.
Q. What is a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Will My Insurance Cover These Charges for a Rental Vehicle?
A. When you rent a vehicle, the rental agreement typically makes you financially responsible for any collision damage that occurs while the vehicle is in your possession. Rental companies also carry their own insurance for damage to their vehicles from collisions. A Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is an optional service offered by rental companies. For an additional daily fee, the rental company agrees to waive all or a portion of your financial responsibility for repair costs if the rental car is damaged in a collision. The cost of the CDW and the specifics of the waiver can vary.
Whether your personal auto insurance policy will cover the cost of a CDW for a rental car depends on the language of your policy. Carefully review your policy documents to understand your coverage, or ask your insurance agent or company directly before you rent a vehicle. This is particularly important if you are renting a car because your vehicle is in the shop for repairs related to an insurance claim, as it ties into how to find auto repair shop insurance policy coverage extends to related expenses.
Q. What is Salvage Value in the Context of a Car Insurance Claim?
A. Salvage value refers to the remaining value of your damaged vehicle if it’s declared a total loss by the insurance company. After a total loss, the insurance company takes ownership of the damaged vehicle, which is then considered “salvage.” The salvage value is essentially what the insurance company can recoup by selling the damaged vehicle, often to a salvage yard or auto recycler. The salvage value is deducted from the vehicle’s Actual Cash Value when the insurance company calculates your settlement. Understanding salvage value is key in comprehending the financial aspects of a total loss claim and how to find auto repair shop insurance policy settlements are calculated.
Q. Can You Explain Subrogation and How It Works?
A. Subrogation is a legal right that insurance companies have. It allows them to recover the amount of money they’ve paid out on a claim from a responsible third party. For instance, if you’re in a car accident that is clearly the fault of another driver, and your insurance company pays for your vehicle repairs under your collision coverage, your insurer will then pursue the at-fault driver or their insurance company to recover the money they paid to you.
Your cooperation with your insurance company’s subrogation efforts is typically a condition of your policy. This means you are required to assist them in their recovery process. Importantly, you cannot take any actions that could jeopardize the insurance company’s right to subrogation. For example, you shouldn’t sign any agreement releasing the at-fault party from liability in exchange for them paying your deductible, as this could interfere with your insurer’s ability to recover their claim payments. Understanding subrogation is part of knowing how to find auto repair shop insurance policy processes work beyond just direct repairs.
Q. Is My Insurance Company Obligated to Help Me Recover My Deductible?
A. The answer is nuanced. Your insurance company is required to inform you of their intentions regarding subrogation. They must tell you whether they plan to pursue recovery from the at-fault party. If they do pursue subrogation, they are generally obligated to include your deductible in their recovery efforts. However, if the insurance company decides not to pursue subrogation, they are required to inform you of this decision, giving you the option to pursue recovery of your deductible directly from the at-fault party yourself.
If the insurance company is successful in subrogation, whether partially or fully, most insurers will reimburse you for your deductible proportionally to their recovery. For example, if they recover 100% of the total claim amount, you’ll get back 100% of your deductible. If they recover 65%, you’ll receive 65% of your deductible back. Any costs or fees the insurance company incurs during subrogation, such as legal fees, are typically apportioned between the company and you, based on the recovery percentage.
You have the option to exclude your deductible from the insurance company’s subrogation efforts and attempt to recover it yourself directly from the other party. However, it’s advisable to discuss this with your insurance company first to avoid potentially jeopardizing their subrogation rights. Understanding deductible recovery is important in managing your out-of-pocket expenses and how to find auto repair shop insurance policy benefits that minimize your financial burden.
Q. Is My Car Insurance Coverage Valid Outside of California?
A. Yes, most auto insurance policies issued in California extend coverage to other states within the United States, U.S. territories and possessions, and Canada. Many states and territories, like California, have financial responsibility laws that mandate drivers to carry a minimum level of auto insurance to cover damages they might cause while owning or operating a vehicle.
If you travel to a state or territory where the minimum financial responsibility requirements are higher than your policy limits, your insurance company will automatically adjust to meet those higher minimums. However, it’s important to note that most U.S. auto insurance policies do not provide coverage in Mexico. If you plan to drive into Mexico, you will need to purchase separate Mexican auto insurance. Always verify your out-of-state or out-of-country coverage details with your insurer before you travel. Understanding the geographic scope of your coverage is essential, especially when considering how to find auto repair shop insurance policy details relevant to travel.
California’s Financial Responsibility Law, detailed in the California Vehicle Code starting from Section 16020, requires all drivers to demonstrate the ability to pay for damages resulting from vehicle ownership or operation. The minimum required coverage in California is currently $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to multiple persons in a single accident, and $5,000 for property damage. When you are cited for a moving violation or involved in an accident, you may be asked to provide proof of financial responsibility. This can be done by noting your insurance company’s name and policy number on your vehicle registration card issued by the DMV. This proof of insurance should always be readily available in your vehicle when driving. For more detailed information, you can contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Q. What Should I Do If I Am Served with a Lawsuit (Summons and Complaint) After an Accident?
A. If you receive a lawsuit related to a car accident, it is crucial to act immediately. Notify your insurance agent and insurance company without delay. Keep a personal copy of the lawsuit documents and send the original documents to your insurance company via certified mail or hand delivery, ensuring you have proof of receipt. Do not discuss the accident or provide any statements to anyone other than verified representatives from your insurance company. If the lawsuit stems from an incident covered by your policy, your insurance company is contractually obligated to provide you with legal defense. Understanding this aspect of your policy is part of how to find auto repair shop insurance policy protections that extend beyond just vehicle repairs.
Q. Is a Newly Acquired Vehicle Automatically Covered Under My Existing Policy?
A. Generally, yes, most auto insurance policies provide automatic, temporary coverage for a newly acquired vehicle under certain conditions. If you replace a vehicle already listed on your policy with a new one, the new vehicle is typically automatically covered with the same coverage levels you had on the replaced vehicle. It’s still crucial to notify your insurance agent or company as soon as possible about the replacement.
Most policies also offer automatic coverage when you add a new vehicle to your household that is in addition to your currently insured vehicles. However, there are usually specific conditions and time limits associated with this automatic coverage.
A common condition in most automatic coverage provisions is the requirement that you must notify your insurer within a certain period, often 30 days, of acquiring the new vehicle if you want to continue coverage under your existing auto policy. However, some policies have shorter notification periods, sometimes as brief as 14 days or less. Failing to notify the insurer within the specified timeframe can result in the new vehicle becoming uninsured after the automatic coverage period expires. Unless your policy specifies a particular notification method, verbal notification to your insurance agent is generally considered sufficient to activate the automatic coverage for a newly acquired vehicle. Knowing these details helps in ensuring continuous coverage and understanding how to find auto repair shop insurance policy flexibility for vehicle changes.
Things to Avoid After a Car Accident
- Avoid Arguing: Do not engage in arguments with other drivers or passengers at the scene.
- Limit Discussions: Save the details of the accident for the police and your insurance company. Avoid discussing fault or specifics with other parties involved.
- Don’t Admit Fault or Promise Payments: Do not sign any statements admitting fault or promising to pay for damages to other parties before consulting with your insurer.
- Be Wary of Offers to Pay Deductibles: If another party offers to pay your deductible, do not sign any agreements without consulting your insurance company.
- Provide Necessary Information: Do not refuse to share required information such as driver’s license, insurance details, and vehicle information with the police or other involved parties.
Important Tips for Dealing with Auto Accidents and Insurance
- Read Your Policy Now: Don’t wait until after an accident to understand your auto insurance policy. Familiarize yourself with your coverage, deductibles, and claim procedures beforehand.
- Seek Clarification: If you don’t understand any part of your policy, ask your agent or insurance company for clear explanations.
- Call the Authorities: In case of an accident, call the police. If there are injuries, also call paramedics immediately.
- Gather Comprehensive Information: At the accident scene, collect as much information as possible to provide to your agent and insurance company.
- Promptly Report Accidents: Notify your agent and/or insurance company immediately after an accident.
- Cooperate with Adjusters: Cooperate fully with insurance adjusters and investigators to aid in their claim processing efforts.
- Ask Questions About Claims Procedures: If you are unclear about any aspect of the claims process, such as settlement offers or repair options, ask your agent or insurance representative for clarification.
- Update Vehicle Ownership Changes: Notify your agent or insurance company in writing of any changes in your vehicle ownership, such as buying or selling a car.
Your Rights Under California’s Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations
California’s Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations are designed to protect insurance consumers and ensure fair handling of claims. Key requirements for insurance companies include:
- Full Policy Disclosure: Insurers must advise you of all benefits, coverages, policy time limits, and other relevant provisions of your insurance policy. This includes information on how to find auto repair shop insurance policy related services.
- Prompt Claim Handling: Insurers must acknowledge your claim, begin their investigation, provide necessary claim forms and instructions, and offer reasonable assistance immediately, and no later than 15 days after receiving your claim notice. (A claim notice is any communication—written or oral—that reasonably informs the insurer of your intent to make a claim.)
- Timely Communication Response: Insurers are required to respond to your communications promptly, specifically within 15 days of receipt.
- Decision on Claim Acceptance: Insurers must accept or deny your claim within 40 days of receiving your “proof of claim.” Proof of claim refers to any documentation you have that substantiates your claim and supports the extent or amount of loss, such as repair estimates or a police report confirming vehicle theft.
- Towing Expense Coverage: Unless your insurer provided you with a specific towing company recommendation before you used a towing service, they must cover reasonable towing expenses.
- Fair Settlement Offers: Insurers are obligated to offer a fair settlement. For a total loss, this must include applicable taxes, license fees, and transfer fees. The settlement should reflect the value of a comparable vehicle of similar kind and quality. If you choose to retain the salvage, any deductions for salvage must be fair, measurable, and clearly explained.
- Prompt Claim Payment: Once a claim is accepted and settlement is reached, the insurer must pay the claim promptly, and no later than 30 days from the settlement date.
- Subrogation Advice: Insurers must advise you whether they will pursue subrogation. If they do, and if your deductible has not already been recovered, they must include your deductible in their subrogation efforts.
This is a simplified overview of some aspects of the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations. For complete details, refer to the full regulations.
Understanding Automobile Insurance Fraud
Automobile insurance fraud is a significant issue in California, taking various forms, primarily involving vehicle property damage and staged accidents.
Automobile Property Fraud: This often involves unethical practices by auto body shops or, in some cases, policyholders, including:
- Inflated Damage Reports: Claiming pre-existing vehicle damage as accident-related.
- Excessive Cost Overruns: Final repair costs significantly exceeding initial estimates without valid reasons.
- Billing for Unauthorized Repairs: Charging for repairs not approved by the insurer or requested by the policyholder.
- Parts Misrepresentation: Billing for new OEM parts while using cheaper aftermarket or used parts.
- “Pounding and Bondo”: Charging for new part replacements but only performing minor repairs like hammering out dents and using body filler.
- False Theft or Vandalism Claims: Fabricating vehicle theft or vandalism to collect insurance payouts.
Always carefully review all paperwork from auto body shops to guard against potential fraud. Be cautious of repair facilities that aggressively refer you to specific medical or legal offices, as this could be a sign of “capping,” an illegal practice in California where clients are referred to legal services for a fee.
Automobile Accident Fraud: Organized accident rings stage accidents using several common tactics:
- Sudden Stops: Intentionally causing rear-end collisions by abruptly stopping for no reason.
- Right-of-Way Violations: Deliberately disregarding right-of-way rules to cause accidents.
- Yielding to Cause Accidents: Purposely giving up the right-of-way to induce a collision.
- Phantom Passengers: Falsely claiming passengers were in the vehicle to inflate injury claims.
- Fake Witnesses: Listing individuals as witnesses who were not actually present at the scene.
- Exaggerated Injuries: Claiming injuries disproportionate to the vehicle damage sustained.
- Temporary Registrations: Drivers in staged accidents sometimes use temporary vehicle registrations.
- Prior Vehicle Damage: Vehicles used in staged accidents may already have pre-existing damage.
- Unsolicited Attorney Contact: Being contacted by an attorney without you initiating contact.
Be wary of unsolicited referrals to body shops, law firms, or medical offices after an accident. Organized fraud rings and cappers actively recruit individuals to participate in creating fraudulent accident scenarios, sometimes involving “paper accidents” that exist only on paper to avoid physical risks and police scrutiny.
Choosing Auto Body Repair Shops
California law (Insurance Code §758.5) protects your right to choose your auto repair shop. Your insurance company cannot mandate that you use a specific shop. However, they can recommend a repair shop under certain legally defined conditions:
- Consumer Request: You must specifically ask the insurance company for a repair shop recommendation.
- Written Right to Choose: You must be informed in writing of your right to select any repair shop of your choice.
- Restoration Guarantee: If you agree to use the recommended shop, the insurance company must guarantee that the shop will restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition at no additional cost to you, beyond what your policy dictates or as legally allowed.
- Written Notice Following Oral Recommendation: If the company makes a shop recommendation orally, and you accept, they must follow up with the legally required written notice within five calendar days.
If you choose a repair shop, the insurance company is obligated to pay the reasonable costs to repair your vehicle to accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike repairs. Insurers are prohibited from limiting or reducing repair costs based on what it would have cost at their recommended shop. Furthermore, the insurance company must stand behind the quality of repairs if you use their recommended shop; they are responsible if the repairs are not done correctly. This is a critical aspect of how to find auto repair shop insurance policy benefits work in practice.
Understanding Auto Replacement Parts
Auto repairs may involve replacing damaged parts with aftermarket parts, which are not made by the original vehicle manufacturer. Aftermarket parts can be of equal or superior quality to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. While aftermarket parts can be used, they must be comparable to OEM parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit, and performance. Key points for consumers to note:
- Written Repair Estimates and Invoices: Auto repair shops are legally required to provide a written repair estimate before starting any repairs and a detailed written invoice once the work is completed.
- Parts Identification on Invoices: State law requires that the repair invoice clearly identify the type of auto parts used for each replacement. Check your invoice to ensure that each part is identified as used, reconditioned, rebuilt, aftermarket, or OEM.
Consejos importantes: Overview for Spanish Readers
¿Qué hacer después de un accidente?
- Lea su póliza. No espere hasta tener un accidente.
- Si no entiende su póliza, pida una aclaración a su agente o a su compañía de seguros.
- Si tiene un accidente, llame a la policía. Si hay lesiones, llame a los paramédicos.
- Obtenga la mayor cantidad de información posible en el lugar del accidente, para entregársela a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros.
- Notifique inmediatamente a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros si tiene un accidente.
- Coopere con los tasadores e investigadores de la compañía de seguros.
- Si no entiende algo sobre el procedimiento de las reclamaciones, por ejemplo, la cantidad de la oferta de liquidación, pida a su agente y/o a su compañía de seguros que se lo expliquen.
- Notifique por escrito a su agente o compañía de seguros cualquier cambio en la propiedad de su vehículo.
Contact the Department of Insurance
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is the state agency regulating the insurance industry and protecting consumer rights. Contact the CDI if:
- You feel unfairly treated by an agent, broker, or insurance company.
- You have questions or concerns about health insurance.
- You want to order CDI publications.
- You wish to file a request for assistance against an agent, broker, or insurer.
- You are experiencing difficulties filing an insurance claim.
- You need to verify the license status of an agent, broker, or insurance company.
Contact Information:
Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-4357
TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf): 1-800-482-4833
Write To:
California Department of Insurance
300 South Spring St., South Tower, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Visit In Person:
300 South Spring St., South Tower, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.
