As the weather starts to turn here in the San Francisco, CA area, it’s essential to take steps to make sure your car is ready for any storms that may come its way. Here are some tips from us at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. to help you prepare your car for a storm: 

1. Check your tires: Make sure your tires have adequate tread and air pressure. This will help you maintain control of the vehicle in wet or icy conditions. 

2. Change your windshield wipers: Having good visibility during a storm is essential, so replace your windshield wipers at least once a year. 

3. Inspect the exterior: Check for any rust spots or cracks in the body of the vehicle. Make sure to repair these before they become more significant problems down the road. 

4. Fill up your fluids: Ensure all your car’s fluids are topped off, including oil and antifreeze, wiper fluid, and brake fluid. 

5. Stock up on supplies: In case you get stuck during a storm, it’s essential to have an emergency kit with items like blankets, snacks, a flashlight, and jumper cables in the trunk of your car. 

By taking these steps now, you can feel confident knowing that your car is prepared for whatever weather comes its way this season! For more tips or to explore an auto insurance policy, give us at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. today. We are proud to serve the San Francisco, CA area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget. So don’t delay! Give us a call today!

Whether on a road trip or just commuting around San Francisco, CA, it’s essential to have a well-maintained car. Even if you don’t know much about car maintenance, you can take some easy steps to keep your vehicle in good shape.

Here are three expert car maintenance tips from Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. that will help you get ready for the road and keep your car running smoothly.

Change Your Oil Regularly:

Changing your vehicle’s oil is essential for several reasons:

1. It ensures that the oil in your engine is clean and free of contaminants. This helps to prevent wear and tear on engine components, and it also helps to keep your engine running smoothly.

2. Regular oil changes help to improve fuel economy and extend the life of your machine.

3. Regularly changing your oil helps to prevent significant damage from occurring later.

Monitor Tire Pressure and Tire Wear:

Proper tire inflation helps to ensure that your vehicle is operating at maximum efficiency and safety. Underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption, reduce handling and braking ability, and increase the risk of a tire blowout. Monitoring tire wear helps to identify when it is time to replace the tires. Worn-out tires can cause a loss of control while driving and make it more difficult to stop in time to avoid an accident.

Get Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Checks:

Regular professional maintenance checks on your vehicle can help you fix any problems with your car before they become significant issues. This will help you avoid costly repairs and keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. Professional maintenance checks can also help you save money in the long run by improving your car’s fuel economy, reducing wear and tear, and extending its lifespan.

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc., in San Francisco, CA, we take pride in providing our customers with the highest quality service. Contact us today to get started!

Like most people, you probably have many questions about auto insurance. Do I need it? What kind of coverage do I need? How much will it cost me? Here’s the deal: All drivers must carry liability insurance in San Francisco, CA. But if you have a new car loan, your lender will probably require you to have full coverage insurance.

Liability Vs. Full Coverage

So, what’s the difference between liability and full coverage insurance? Liability insurance covers damage to other people and property if you cause an accident. Full coverage insurance also covers damage to your vehicle, no matter who is at fault.

If you’re financing a new car, your lender will require you to have full coverage insurance until the loan is paid off. That’s because the lender wants to ensure they protect their investment in case of an accident. Your Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. agent can help you find the right full coverage policy to fit your needs and budget.

What Does Full Coverage Include?

Full coverage insurance typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you hit another car or object or another vehicle hit your car. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, or vandalism.

How Much Does Full Coverage Insurance Cost in San Francisco, CA?

Total coverage insurance costs vary depending on several factors, including your driving record, the type of car you drive, and the amount of coverage you choose. Full coverage insurance costs more than liability insurance. But the extra cost is often worth it, especially if you’re financing a new car.

A Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. representative can help you choose the right insurance coverage for your needs and budget. Call us today to get started.

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc., we serve many San Francisco, CA residents with fair and reasonable insurance rates. However, we also know that your history can affect your insurance and cause complications. Here’s what you need to know about this factor.

Yes, Your History Can Affect Your Insurance

Insurance companies always take a look at your history before providing you with a policy. For example, they may offer you a higher premium as a result of a poor driving record. Even worse, they’re likely to increase your premiums if you experience any problems after getting a policy.

That said, some issues are not as heavily weighted as others, meaning you might get a minor rate increase compared to a major one. Here are three of the most common concerns that impact your insurance, particularly if they become a recurring problem.

Issues That May Affect Your Rates 

• Traffic Tickets – Depending on the severity (and volume) of your traffic tickets, your rates will go up at varying levels. First-time offenders are not likely to see an increase in their rates, though. 
• DUI Tickets – If you get ticketed for a DWI or DUI, you can expect your rate to go up very heavily. This increase is likely even if you’re a first-time offender. It will take many years for this to come off your record, too. 
• Accidents – Getting into an accident will immediately increase your rates, even if you weren’t to blame. This fact likely seems unfair but is something that insurance companies take very seriously. 

Avoid These Problems

If you’re concerned about the potential damage your history may have due to your insurance, it is crucial to reach out to us at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. right away to learn more. Our team can help San Francisco, CA residents understand what they can do to minimize these problematic issues.

Gap insurance can be considered as additional insurance for your car loan. Gap insurance is not mandatory. It is an optional insurance benefit. It serves as a supplement to an auto insurance policy in case a car is totaled or stolen.

The value of a car decreases from the moment it leaves the lot, and it continues to decrease with each passing year. Car insurance pays out the value of the car at the time of an accident or theft. In the event that you still owe money on the car and the insurance paid out is less than the amount owed, gap insurance covers the gap between what is still owed on the car loan and what is paid out by the insurance company.

Is gap insurance worth it?

The term gap insurance stands for guaranteed asset protection. In the event that your debt on your vehicle is higher than the value of the vehicle, gap insurance is a good investment.

If your down payment on a car is less than 20% of the value of the vehicle, it’s best to get gap insurance. At least for the first few years, you own a car.

Gap insurance is usually only required for one to two years. This is because the insurance has served its purpose during this period.

Gap insurance is needed even if you have full auto coverage and you still owe money on a car loan or on a lease. Bear in mind, comprehensive and collision insurance only pays the value of the car at the time of an accident or when it is stolen. 

Speak to an expert at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. serving San Francisco, CA, to see which insurance options best suit you.

Acquiring formidable auto insurance in San Francisco, CA is a fundamental initiative to protect yourself and your car in the event of an accident. If you are shopping for auto insurance in San Francisco, CA it’s paramount to comprehend the common types of coverage available on car insurance policies. Most San Francisco, CA residents procuring auto insurance are not aware of the coverages in question. Regrettably, it’s after the unprecedented crash that they will realize how powerful it is. To protect yourself from these unexpected eventualities, contact our team at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. to have peace of mind knowing that you are protected.

Is Auto Insurance Mandatory In California?

California stipulates legal requirements you must adhere to operate a car. It advocates maintaining liability insurance by observing the minimum liability requirements—these minimum policy requirements include bodily injury and property damage.

Types of auto insurance coverage options in California

Comprehensive coverage: Helps cover expenses of repairing or replacing your car if it is physically damaged by non-collision events such as fire, theft, falling objects, and hail.

Collision coverage: It pays for expenses of repairing or replacing your vehicle arising from physical damage after a collision with another vehicle or stationary objects like boulders, posts, trees, fences, or guardrails.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage: These two coverages are grouped to cover your medical expenses if you are engaged in an accident with another driver who is at fault, and he is underinsured or does not have liability insurance at all.

Medical payments coverage: This form of policy is designed to cater to medical expenses such as ambulance rides,x-rays, and surgery if you and your passengers get hurt in an accident. It also covers the funeral expenses.

Personal injury protection: It may cover certain medical costs and loss of wages culminating from a covered accident. It might cater to 80% of medical and other expenses accrued from a given accident, depending on the policy limits.

Auto insurance in San Francisco, CA

Are you a car owner searching for a magnificent auto insurance policy in California to protect you and your car? Don’t look beyond Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. Our reputable agents will answer any queries about auto insurance.

California drivers are required to carry auto insurance that meets California’s state minimum requirements. Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. of San Francisco, CA is dedicated to helping motorists understand the law as well as their insurance options. Comprehensive auto insurance isn’t required by law. However, this doesn’t mean that there won’t be circumstances when you will have to carry full coverage or comprehensive insurance. As a motorist, you need to be aware of situations that may require you to carry full coverage, although it’s not required by law.

What is Comprehensive Coverage? 

Comprehensive coverage is full coverage insurance. What does this mean? This type of insurance will pay to repair or replace your car if it’s lost, stolen, or damaged. Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle, even if the damage isn’t caused by a collision. Comprehensive insurance includes damage caused by hail, fire, wind, flood, theft, and vandalism. This coverage also includes damage caused by hitting an animal and falling objects. Many people may wonder why they should carry comprehensive insurance because it’s not legally required. However, the answer isn’t hard to understand. Of course, if you haven’t fully paid for a car and have a car loan or lease, the lender will likely require you to carry comprehensive insurance or full insurance.

Is Comprehensive Insurance Worth It? 

However, there are other factors you should consider to help determine id comprehensive insurance is a good investment. These factors depend on your vehicle. As a general rule of thumb, if your annual premium is greater than the value of your car, it’s probably not a good idea to invest in comprehensive insurance. Not investing in comprehensive insurance is common sense for many reasons. If you sustain damage to your car and the cost of the damage exceeds your car’s value, your insurance company will deem your car a total loss. In this scenario, paying for full coverage isn’t a good investment. We understand that navigating car insurance can be confusing. There’s a lot to understand. However, we’re committed to educating you and answering your questions. Give us a call. We’re here to help. 

You already know that you need to have liability coverage to stay legal on California roads. But, are you required to keep comprehensive and collision coverage on your auto insurance policy? Our Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. team has put together all the information you need.

Are You Legally Required to Carry Full Coverage?

The basic answer is no. The State of California doesn’t care about whether you have the ability to fix your own vehicle. They just want to ensure that you can help the other person fix their car, pay for medical bills, or replace personal property if you’re involved in an accident that is deemed your fault.

Your Bank Might Have Other Ideas

However, if you have a loan on your vehicle, your bank might have other ideas. Most have a clause in their contracts that states that you have to carry first-party coverage on your car insurance policy. This means that, even though you aren’t legally required to have it, you’ll need to purchase comprehensive and collision when you buy auto insurance. In the end, this protects their interest in your vehicle if it is ever repossessed.

Why Having Comprehensive and Collision is a Good Idea

Even if your vehicle is fully paid off, having full coverage on your vehicle is still a good idea. Think about it for a moment. If your car were stolen, damaged in an accident, or hit by an uninsured driver, would you be able to pay for repairs out of your own pocket? For most people, this would be difficult. Instead, it is much more economical to go ahead and purchase comprehensive and collision on your policy.

Let Us Help with Your California Auto Insurance Needs

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services inc, we’re dedicated to helping our customers with all of their auto insurance needs. For more information on how we can assist you, please contact our San Francisco, CA location today to schedule an appointment.

It’s important to keep your auto insurance policy up to date, so you get the right coverage. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc.in San Francisco, CA, we offer different types of auto insurance to meet your needs. Here are the signs its time to update your existing policy.

Moving

Moving is a daunting experience, and updating your car insurance can seem low on the priority list. However, not updating your address can void your policy. Obviously, if you move to another state you’ll have to update your address. However, even if you are moving across town, you’ll need to contact your insurer and give them the correct address. 

Aftermarket Upgrades

Some companies will cover aftermarket parts up to a certain amount. Many companies also offer an option to insure the vehicle for an agreed-upon value, which can be higher than the book value. This allows you to cover the upgrades to your vehicle without a problem. If you want the company to cover your car customization, it’s best to discuss it before you modify your vehicle. 

Change in Drivers

If you had other drivers insured on your policy that are no longer driving your vehicle, you could save money by having them removed. If there’s a new driver in the household, you’ll need to add them to your policy. 

Change in Driving Record or Status

You should also update your policy if your driving record has changed, particularly in your favor. If you have an accident or speeding ticket that has recently been removed from your record, it could lower your rate. An improved credit score, getting married, and getting older can also lower your premiums.

Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc.has been serving San Francisco, CA residents for more than eighty years. We believe in providing individuals with policies that suit their needs. Contact us today to learn more.  

With such a large population, San Francisco, CA has some of the most congested roads in the country in one of the most populated states in the nation. There are well over 3,000 motor vehicle accident deaths a year in the Golden State and tens of thousands of more accidents that result in property, physical and emotional damages. Even if you are a good driver with a clean record, you need auto insurance. 

And as you probably already know, you are required by the state to have valid insurance in order to register a vehicle and drive on public roads. State law also requires you to meet certain coverage minimums, specifically in the areas of Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. And unlike some states, California also requires you to carry Uninsured Motorist coverage with both Bodily Injury and Property Damage minimums.

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc., we offer a range of auto insurance policies and get frequent requests for the lowest minimum coverage amounts. However, the truth is that this is hardly the best way to go. Even minor traffic accidents can rack up damages that exceed minimum coverage, causing you to face hefty out-of-pocket costs. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the state-required minimums are focused on covering damages you may inflict to others, not your own. 

So for most drivers in San Francisco, CA, and all of California for that matter, minimum auto insurance coverage just isn’t sufficient. This is especially true if you have a newer vehicle with pricey customizations or even a classic car that requires specialty parts for repairs. Even cars from a decade or more ago can experience more serious damage in an auto accident, thanks to the lack of advanced safety standards and structure. 

To learn more, contact the experts at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. We will evaluate your driving habits and specific needs in order to determine what kind of auto coverage may be best for you.