Welcome to Rancho Del Sur Insurance Services

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage pays medical expenses for you and the passengers in your car after an accident, no matter who was at fault.

It’s different from bodily injury liability, which pays for injuries you cause to other people when you’re at fault. MedPay pays quickly, without waiting for fault to be decided, and it can cover health insurance deductibles and copays. Because it’s inexpensive and helps settle small injury claims without a lawsuit, we recommend it for most drivers.

Yes. You can cancel a personal insurance policy (auto, home, boat, and so on) at any time. Most preferred carriers in California refund your unused premium on a pro-rata basis, so you only pay for the days you were covered.

Some policies charge a short-rate cancellation fee or have a minimum earned premium, so check your policy or ask us before you cancel. Always have your new policy in place before canceling the old one so you don’t have a gap in coverage.

Usually, yes. In most cases the coverage on your personal auto policy carries over to a rental car you drive for personal use. If you have liability only, the rental gets liability only. If you carry comprehensive and collision, those coverages generally apply to damage to the rental car too, minus your deductible.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Rental companies can charge you for loss of use, administrative fees, and diminished value while the car is being repaired, and not every policy pays those charges. If you’re renting for a long trip, renting outside the U.S., or don’t carry comprehensive and collision, buying the rental company’s damage waiver can make sense. Call us before your trip and we’ll tell you exactly what your policy covers.

The best way to keep your rates competitive is to work with an independent insurance agency, like Rancho Del Sur Insurance Services, that can compare multiple carriers. But the rate you pay isn’t as important as having the RIGHT coverage.

1. Find three to five independent insurance agencies near you.
2. Call and interview them. Ask questions like “What makes you different?” and “What services and value do you bring to the table?”
3. Once you find someone you’re comfortable with, make an appointment and ask for a needs analysis showing which policies and coverages you should have in place.

The most popular term in insurance is “it depends”. There is no way to make a blanket statement that will cover ALL insurance policies. To find the most proper answer for this question, you must look to your insurance policy.

Most preferred insurance policies operate under the term “Permissive Use” This means those people, that are not directly excluded from your policy and have your implied permission to use your vehicle are covered on your insurance policy.

Typically, if someone is a licensed driver in the home, or has regular access to the vehicles, it is best to list them on the policy. Check with your insurance agent or review your policy to find out the details of your coverage.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is one of the most misunderstood auto coverages. It protects you and the people in your car when another driver hits you and has no insurance (uninsured) or not enough insurance (underinsured) to pay for your injuries.

California requires every driver to carry insurance, but many don’t, and drivers who carry only the minimum limits often don’t have assets to cover a serious injury. Suing them usually gets you nothing. Instead, you can file a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy. California requires insurers to offer it, and you have to reject it in writing to go without. It’s relatively inexpensive and extremely important.

Here are six common ways to lower your insurance:

1) Bundle your policies. If you only have one line of insurance with us, such as auto without home or renters, you’re probably paying more than you need to.

2) Ask about the good student discount. Young drivers with a 3.0 GPA (a B average) or better often qualify.

3) Put all your household vehicles on one policy to get a multi-car discount.

4) Tell us what you do for a living. Some carriers offer discounts for occupations like police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and engineers, or for drivers with a four-year college degree.

5) Install an alarm, anti-theft device, or monitored security system in your car or home.

6) Keep a clean driving record. In California, drivers who qualify for the Good Driver Discount must receive at least 20% off their auto rates.