10 Questions to Ask When Looking for Car Insurance

Personalize Your Car Insurance to Accommodate Your Needs

Are you looking for a new car insurance policy that meets your budget while also providing adequate coverage for your specific needs? Everyone should have an auto insurance policy that they can rely on. If you are shopping for car insurance, there are several questions you can ask yourself and discuss with your insurance agent in order to get personalized coverage at an affordable cost.

1. How Much Do You Drive Every Day?

Some insurance policies are mileage-based meaning that the amount of miles you drive on average affect the cost of the policy. Are you someone who commutes 100+ miles to work each day, or do you mostly drive your car around town (short commute, kid’s school, etc.). If you generally don’t drive a lot, then you might benefit from a mileage-based insurance policy.

2. Do You Use Your Car for Work?

If you use your car to accomplish paid work tasks, then you will need a commercial auto insurance policy. A personal car insurance policy does not cover situations such as ride-sharing, pizza delivery, courier services, etc. If you use your car for work, make sure you let your insurance agent know so that you have coverage for all situations.

3. What Kind of Car Do You Drive?

The type of car you drive could affect the cost of your insurance policy. This is because there is data that shows that certain types of cars are more or less likely to incur an insurance claim. Some examples include:

Sports cars with powerful engines have an increased risk of theft and the cost to fix such cars is often more than a “regular” car.
Modified or classic cars often need a special insurance policy to cover any potential claims.
“Safe” cars often have certain safety features and have proven to have fewer accidents, which means that the cost to insure them is generally lower.

4. How Do You Value the Appearance of Your Car?

If you’re the type of person that will want the appearance of your car to be like new if it’s in an accident, then you might want a more comprehensive insurance policy. However, if the appearance of your car isn’t that important to you, then you could limit your policy to liability insurance, which will definitely save you money.

5. What Neighborhood Do You Live In?

Where you live and where you park your car can also impact the cost of your insurance policy. For example:

Street parking – If you park your car on the street in an urban area, then there is an increased risk of theft or vandalism. You might need a more comprehensive insurance policy if this is the case.
Suburb parking – If your car is parked in a driveway or a less urban area, then the risks of theft and vandalism are much lower. In this case, your insurance premiums might be lower as well.

6. Will Anyone Else Drive Your Car?

If someone in your household regularly drives your car, then it’s important to list them on your auto insurance policy. Most insurance policies will cover people who occasionally drive your car even if they’re not listed.

7. What is the Minimum Coverage Required in Your State?

Most states require drivers to have liability insurance at a minimum. However, these required coverages are usually low, so you might want to consider a higher level of coverage depending on your financial situation.

8. Do You Own, Finance, or Lease Your Car?

If you owe money on your car or have an obligation to keep it in a certain condition while leasing it, then you will likely need insurance that fully covers the gap in case you’re in an accident. Speak with an insurance agent to make sure you have appropriate coverage in these situations.

9. Do You Have a Pet That Rides in the Car With You?

If you have a pet that’s like family and often rides in the car with you, pet coverage will help pay for any veterinary costs in case your pet is injured in an auto accident with you.

10. Are There Any Discounts Available?

In some cases, you can receive one or multiple discounts to save on the cost of your insurance policy. Some of these include:

Safe driving record
Homeowner
Bundled policies (home, auto, boat, etc.)
Full payments when policy starts or renews (rather than monthly)

Make sure you ask your insurance agent if you can take advantage of any of these discounts.

AZCAL Insurance Services Will Answer Your Questions

If you contact AZCAL Insurance Services, our team will help you get an auto insurance policy that meets your needs while answering all of your questions. Because AZCAL Insurance is an independent agency, we can provide personalized insurance depending on your situation. We’ll do the shopping. You’ll do the saving. Learn more today!

How Long Do You Have to File an Auto Insurance Claim in Arizona?

If you live in Arizona, it’s important to be aware of the laws regarding how much time you have to submit various claims if you are in an accident. Every state has a statute of limitations that people must follow if they are going to report the accident to the police or the DMV, file an insurance claim, or file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you get in a car accident in Arizona, make sure you follow the required timeframes for submitting your claims.

Timeframe for Various Claims After an Accident in Arizona

When You Should Report a Car Accident in Arizona

Each state has different laws when it comes to reporting a car accident to the police or DMV. Oftentimes, minor car accidents don’t need to be reported at all. An accident is minor if the drivers won’t need to file an insurance claim. In most cases, an accident that causes $2,000+ in property damage should be reported.

While several states give the drivers somewhere between 10-30 days to report an accident, Arizona requires that drivers immediately report the accident. This means that the drivers will call the police from the scene of the accident right after it occurs. This is often a good idea anyway, no matter what state you’re in, since a police report can be used as evidence for later claims you might file.

How Long You Have to File a Claim With the Insurance Company in Arizona

Because Arizona is an at-fault insurance state, drivers have a few options for filing their insurance claim after an accident.

Your own insurance company – If you are not at-fault for the accident, you have the option to file a claim with your own insurance company to receive coverage for your damages.
At-fault driver’s insurance company – If you are not at-fault for the accident, you can also file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to receive coverage for your damages.
Lawsuit against at-fault driver or insurance company – If you are not at-fault for the accident and the insurance claims fail or are insufficient, you also have the option to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to receive coverage for your damages.

All that to say, every insurance company will have different deadlines for filing an insurance claim. However, it is best to file a claim as soon as possible. If you file a significantly delayed claim, then the insurance company might become suspicious and investigate your claim first. If they decide that the damages you’re trying to receive coverage for resulted from a separate incident after the accident, then the insurance company can deny your claim.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Driver in Arizona

Again, because Arizona is an at-fault state, drivers have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to collect compensation. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing this type of lawsuit is two years. After two years passes, you will lose your ability to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver even if you deserve compensation.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

While two years is the statute of limitations in Arizona for filing a car accident lawsuit, there are a few exceptions that would delay this deadline:

Rules of Discovery – Sometimes an injury is not immediately apparent after a car accident. In this case, the two-year deadline to file a claim would start once the victim’s injuries are discovered (or a date when the victim should have reasonably known about the injury).

The Victim is a Minor – If the victim is a minor, then the two-year deadline might begin once the victim turns 18.

Additionally, the requirements look different if your accident claim involves the state or federal government. You should consider the following:

Deadline – You have 180 days from the date of the accident to file a notice to the applicable state or federal government agency.

Procedure – You must notify the agency before filing a lawsuit. Each county and agency might have different forms and procedures to follow, so you should contact the applicable agency to clarify exactly what you need to do.

Attorney – It is possible to lose your right to file a claim if you don’t follow the necessary procedures. Because it is more complicated to file a lawsuit against a state or federal entity, you should consider hiring a car accident attorney for help.

Learn More From AZCAL Insurance Services

Feel free to reach out to AZCAL Insurance Services if you have any questions about car accident-related claims in Arizona. Our experienced team is here to help. If you are looking for an auto insurance policy you can depend on, we can also help you with that. As an independent agency, we can provide you with the right blend of price, coverage, and service. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident?

In many cases, a car accident can leave one or both drivers with cars that need repair. Depending on how extensive those repairs are, a rental car is often needed while the drivers wait for their cars to be out of the shop.

Determining who pays for a rental car after an accident will vary in each state. In states that follow an at-fault process, the driver who is at-fault for the accident is responsible to cover a rental car if necessary for the other driver. Generally, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will provide this coverage.

Arizona is an at-fault state, which means that if a rental car is needed for the driver who is not at-fault, then the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for it.

How to Get a Rental Car After an Accident

There are a few variables that might impact the process you follow for getting a rental car after an accident. Consider the following questions and answers to understand how it might look for you.

Have you purchased a car rental option?

If you are the driver who is at-fault for the accident, then your rental car coverage depends on whether or not you purchased a car rental option with your auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, this is not an option that you can add after the fact. If you don’t have a rental car option with your policy and you are at-fault for the accident, then you are responsible for covering the cost of a rental car should you need one.

If you are not at-fault for the accident, then the other driver’s insurance policy should provide coverage for a rental car if necessary.

How quickly can you get a rental car after an accident?

The timeframe for getting a rental car after an accident depends on who is covering the rental cost. If you are not at-fault for the accident, then the other driver’s insurance company is responsible for covering your rental car. However, the process for getting that approved could take a week or more while the insurance company evaluates the claim. If you file a claim with your own insurance company, then you will likely be able to obtain a rental car much faster. You should be able to recover the cost of the rental car if you are no at-fault for the accident.

Where do you file your claim?

Again, where you file your claim depends on the needs you have in that particular situation. If you need a rental car immediately, then you might not be able to wait for the other driver’s insurance policy to process your claim. In that case, you might file the claim with your own insurance company. However, if you can wait, and you were not at-fault for the accident, then you should file the claim with the other driver’s insurance company.

What type of vehicle should you be given?

Most insurance companies will have a maximum per diem rate and a maximum coverage rate. If you are using your own insurance company, then the type of rental car you end up with depends on how high those rates are. If you need a rental car that costs more than what the insurance company covers, then you will pay the difference out-of-pocket. Additionally, if you need the rental car longer than what the maximum coverage rate covers, then you will also pay the difference out-of-pocket.

However, if you are using the at-fault driver’s insurance to cover your rental car, then they will need to provide a car that is comparable to the one you own.

What if your vehicle is totaled?

The needs of the driver are different in the case of a totaled car. In this situation, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will offer a settlement within several days of the accident. This settlement should consist of a sum that represents the fair value of your car before it was totaled. Once the insurance company offers the settlement, they likely won’t cover the cost of a rental car for more than a few days. You are now expected to replace your totaled car with the money from the settlement.

Get the Auto Insurance Coverage That You Need

If you want a great car insurance policy at an affordable price, don’t hesitate to contact AZCAL Insurance Services. Our auto insurance agents will ensure that you have the coverage that you need. If you were in an accident recently and have any questions about who is at-fault and what that means for each driver, feel free to give us a call. We are here to answer your questions, and we want to make sure you have insurance coverage that you can rely on. Speak with an AZCAL insurance agent today!

Is Arizona a No-Fault State?

In short, the answer is no. Arizona is not a no-fault insurance state. Rather, Arizona’s policies reflect an at-fault or “tort” system. There are only twelve states that offer a no-fault option, but the rest of the states follow at-fault procedures.

No-fault states include:

Florida
Hawaii
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
Utah

An at-fault insurance state implements a system that makes the liability of a driver proportionate to the fault the driver had in the accident. The driver’s fault could be 0% or 100% or somewhere in between and would be responsible to cover the damages accordingly.

Everything You Need to Know about Arizona Auto Insurance Claims

If you live in Arizona, it is important that you understand how auto insurance claims work according to the state’s policies. Not only will this help you ensure you have proper insurance coverage, but you should also know exactly what to expect in the event you are in a car accident.

What is the Difference Between No-Fault & At-Fault Insurance?

If a state has a no-fault insurance policy, each driver must file a claim with their insurance provider after an accident occurs no matter what. It doesn’t make a difference who is at-fault. Because of this, drivers in no-fault states must purchase a Personal Protection Plan (PIP) with their auto insurance policy. Additionally, no-fault states generally limit the ability a driver has to sue the other driver after an accident.

On the other hand, at-fault insurance states require drivers to file their insurance claim directly with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. This is because the insurance company for the driver who is at-fault is responsible to pay for the damages according to each parties’ degree of fault. This means that both drivers could be held responsible on some level. In Arizona, this type of shared responsibility is determined using a process called “comparative negligence”.

What Does Comparative Negligence Mean?

While every at-fault insurance state might have a different process to resolve situations where both parties are at-fault, Arizona implements a pure comparative negligence process. In short, this means that even if you are primarily responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation if the other driver was partially responsible. The compensation a driver recovers will correlate to the driver’s fault in the accident, so someone who is primarily at-fault still might not recover much.

FAQs Regarding Fault & Liability

When it comes to understanding who should be held liable for an accident, sometimes it is clear as day, and other times it’s not so easy to decipher. Even if determining who is at-fault comes easy, other variables can muddle the situation. Factors like if the at-fault party is uninsured or from another state might cause concern. Continue reading the following FAQs for information that will help you understand what to do in these types of situations.

How do you prove liability for an auto accident?

In some cases, it might be necessary to hire an auto accident lawyer to help you prove which driver was at-fault for an accident. This often requires an investigation to some extent or another. Important evidence to uncover includes:

Police accident reports
Accident reconstruction analysis
Evidence from the scene (such as video or photographic)
Statements from witnesses who were at the scene
“Black box” data (any available electronic crash data)
Medical records and bills

It is vital to gather this kind of evidence in order to avoid a “he said”/”she said” scenario, which doesn’t lead to any solid conclusions.

What if the at-fault party is uninsured?

Unfortunately, there are too many uninsured drivers on the road. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in 2019, nearly 12% of drivers on the road in Arizona are uninsured. It’s certainly worth preparing for this situation in case you ever encounter it.

There are a couple of things you can do to protect yourself in case you are in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured motorist coverage – This is a type of insurance coverage that will provide coverage for you and your family that is comparable to what the other driver’s coverage would have given. This allows you to claim medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. even if you are in an accident with a driver who is at-fault but uninsured.
Medical payments coverage – This is a type of insurance coverage that will cover unpaid medical bills no matter which party is at-fault. This kind of coverage can be especially helpful in the event of a catastrophic injury.

What if the at-fault party is an out-of-state driver?

Even if the at-fault party is an out-of-state driver, so long as the driver has an insurance policy, then each driver’s insurance policy will still provide the required coverage according to the state’s laws. It might seem uncertain at first, but rest assured, each state generally has laws that govern minimum liability coverage, fault, and statute of limitations no matter where the at-fault driver is from.

What is the statute of limitation on a car accident claim in Arizona?

In most cases, a driver involved in an accident will have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. An exception to this timeframe includes:

If the at-fault driver is employed by a local or municipal government (fire department, police officer, etc.) the statute of limitations might be shortened to 180 days to make a claim. Similar exceptions might apply if the federal government is involved in the accident.

Contact an Experienced Team of Arizona Auto Insurance Agents

If you live in Arizona, make sure you are prepared with auto insurance coverage that will protect you in every possible scenario. You won’t regret it. AZCAL Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency that will do the shopping for you so that you can have the best insurance for the most affordable price. Our team is sure to provide you with excellent service and answer any questions you have along the way. Contact AZCAL Insurance today to learn more!

What Happens if You Get Caught Driving Without Insurance in Arizona?

Like most other states, Arizona has minimum auto insurance coverage requirements for all motor vehicles operated on the state’s roads. Obviously, motor vehicles include cars, but they also include golf carts, motorcycles, and mopeds. If you operate any type of motor vehicle on the road in Arizona, then you must make sure you at least have the minimum amount of insurance coverage required.

In short, Arizona’s minimum requirements are:

$25,000 bodily injury liability for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons
$15,000 property damage liability

Additionally, if you cancel your policy or allow it to expire, then the insurance company will notify Arizona’s Motor Vehicle Services (MVD) who will then reach out to you to ensure compliance.

Driving Without Auto Insurance is Illegal

It is important that you make sure you have an insurance policy that follows the minimum requirements in Arizona. Underinsured drivers will face severe consequences in the event of an accident or a traffic violation stop.

How Much is a Ticket for No Insurance?

In Arizona, there are three tiers of penalties drivers will face if caught driving without proper insurance. The penalty depends on whether or not the driver is a first-time offender or multiple-time offender.

Penalties for a first-time offender:

- $500 fine
- 3-month suspension of driver’s license, registration, and license plate
- $35 fee to reinstate the above
- Must have a SR-22 certificate on your insurance for at least 2 years (this might increase the driver’s insurance cost)

Penalties for a second-time offender (considered a second-time offense if it occurs within 36 months after the first offense):

- $750 fine
- 6-month suspension of driver’s license, registration, and license plate
- $35 fee to reinstate the above
- Must have a SR-22 certificate on your insurance for at least 2 years

Penalties for a third-time offender (considered a third-time offense if it occurs within 36 months after the second offense):

- $1,000 fine
- 1-year suspension of driver’s license, registration, and license plate
- $35 fee to reinstate the above
- Must have a SR-22 certificate on your insurance for at least 2 years

An SR-22 certificate, also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, is a certificate that is added to your insurance policy that indicates you are carrying the minimum amount of insurance that Arizona requires.

4 Things to Know When Purchasing Arizona Car Insurance

1. Get Coverage Through an Arizona Insurance Agency (no out-of-state)

If you are an Arizona resident, then your vehicle should be registered in Arizona. Out-of-state insurance for a vehicle registered in Arizona is invalid. Make sure you work with an Arizona insurance company to get the required insurance coverage.

2. You Need Auto Insurance to Apply for a Restricted Use Permit

A Restricted Use Permit is a 3-day permit that allows Arizona residents to drive a newly acquired car while getting everything else in order. You must have proof of insurance to apply for a Restricted Use Permit.

3. Arizona is a Comparative Fault State

This means that the person who is at fault for the accident is responsible to pay for the damages. If the fault is split between the two drivers, then the damages are split accordingly. If one driver is completely at fault, then that driver is fully responsible for the damages. Now, if an at-fault driver is not insured, then the other driver can sue the at-fault driver for the damages, which will result in a much greater financial loss than if the driver had just carried the proper insurance.

4. Tips to Ensure Your Auto Insurance Policy is Up to Date

As you can see, it is vital that you maintain an insurance policy that complies with Arizona law. Here are a few tips that might help:

Use auto-pay so that you never miss an insurance policy payment
If auto-pay is not an option, set up a calendar reminder for your payments
Use auto-renewal so that your insurance policy automatically renews without needing to sign additional paperwork
Keep your address updated with your insurance carrier
See if your insurance carrier has a grace period for a missed payment

Stop Driving Without Insurance

The cost of getting pulled over or worse, getting in a severe accident without insurance just isn’t worth it. If you operate a motor vehicle in Arizona but don’t have the minimum insurance required, then you should contact an insurance agency immediately. AZCAL Insurance Services can help. Our team will work with you to get you the coverage you need at the most affordable cost. Contact us today to discuss your options!