Auto insurance FAQs

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Auto insurance is something you may not think about a lot. It is just there to protect you when you need it. Whether you have full coverage or basic coverage, it needs to be fitted to your lifestyle and the vehicle you drive. At Miao Insurance Services, in Pleasanton, CA, we are independent insurance agents who take their responsibility to provide their customers with reliable and affordable insurance products seriously. 

What coverage does comprehensive insurance provide?

Comprehensive coverage is called non-collision insurance. It covers damage that is not the result of a collision with another vehicle. It will cover your vehicle for theft and vandalism. It also protects against a variety of weather-related damage such as floods, wind, and ice. It is what protects your vehicle from large animals like deer who can cause massive damage. 

What is gap insurance?

Gap insurance is something anyone with a car loan and a relatively new vehicle should consider. If your vehicle is a total loss, it will make sure you don’t end up owing more than you collect from the insurance company. 

What auto insurance do I need to have in California?

In California, the required auto insurance is liability coverage of 15/30/5. This insurance provides $15,000 for the first injured person in an accident, with a total for all injured people of $30,000. The $5,000 is for property damage. As you can see, this is a really basic requirement and most people would do well to consider getting better coverage, 

How much of a deductible should I have? 

Only you can answer that. How much are you willing to pay if you need to get your car repaired? $500 is a pretty routine amount. 

Contact Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA for all your insurance needs. Let us do the work to find the personalized coverage you deserve. 

Why Every Commercial Insurance Policy Is a Custom Policy

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Why Every Commercial Insurance Policy Is a Custom Policy

Miao Insurance Services serving Pleasanton, CA wants your business to carry the right commercial insurance coverage, and with more than 20 types of business insurance, you need a consultation to choose the right type.

Miao Insurance Services can help you with that. Our insurance agents will help you build the custom policy that best protects your business. What options does commercial insurance offer?

Your options vary from glass insurance for ballet studios and storefronts with lots of mirrors or plate glass to replace in the event of a peril occurring to malpractice insurance that covers medical practitioners. There’s commercial auto coverage, errors and omissions, boiler insurance, business interruption insurance, etc.

You won’t need every kind of commercial insurance for any type of business, but you will need the right kinds. For example, a doctor who makes medical apparatuses needs error and omissions coverage and malpractice insurance, but a pediatrician only needs malpractice out of the two types.

A caterer with only one driver needs a different commercial auto policy than a pizza delivery restaurant with ten drivers. A long-haul truck driver needs a different type of commercial auto coverage, tailored to its trip lengths and truck size.

Most businesses begin with a business owners policy (BOP), a package deal for the business that provides the four major types of coverage – liability, property damage, perils, and business interruption. The package costs less than the four policies would separately.

The BOP provides the foundation for a commercial policy. The business can add other types of coverage to it, from commercial auto to malpractice. It provides the essential coverage for less.

Contact Miao Insurance Services serving Pleasanton, CA today to learn about your commercial insurance coverage options. Let us help you obtain the insurance coverage that protects your financial investment in your company.

Why Your New Business Needs Commercial Insurance

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There are a number of challenges and obstacles that a new business may face, and if a financial challenge is large enough, it could be enough to cause them to have to close their doors indefinitely. This is why it is recommended to get business insurance through a company like Miao Insurance Services. Regardless of how long your Pleasanton, CA business has been in operation, commercial insurance ensures you’re protected and can continue in the event of a disaster.

Commercial Insurance Covers You and Your Employees

Business insurance typically covers liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Liability covers you in the event someone on the premises sustains an injury and wishes to pursue legal action against you. Workers’ comp provides protection for your employees if they are hurt while working. In fact, depending on the state where you live, it is required by law to have.

Commercial Insurance Covers Natural Disasters

Natural disasters like earthquakes, fires, and floods can quickly wipe out your entire business, but an insurance policy can cover most of your losses in a terrible situation like this. While your business is being prepared, your insurance plan may cover being set up in a temporary space, lost income while your doors are shut, and/or the money necessary to get back up and running again.

Commercial Insurance Covers Theft

Depending on the severity, theft can bring a business to its knees. Regardless of whether it is computer equipment or inventory, without insurance, you will be left to handle the replacement bill. With insurance, you will receive a payment that’s equal to the value of the lost items. Depending on your plan, you may even receive compensation for lost revenue as you recover.

Don’t let your Pleasanton, CA business get caught uncovered in the event of a disaster. Contact Miao Insurance Services to discuss your options and level of coverage.

Five Good Ways To Maker Your Home Safer

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Keeping the house safe is a priority for most homeowners, especially those with children. Taking the proper precautions to keep your home safe can not only give you more peace of mind, but it can also help with homeowner’s insurance. At Miao Insurance Services, serving Pleasanton, CA, we would like to help you get started with these five tips to keep your home as safe as possible.

1. Always Lock All Doors

Home invasions can happen easily by forgetting to leave a door or window open. If you have a sliding glass door for the entryway into the backyard, don’t forget to lock that as well. You might also want to consider heavy-duty bolts for extra protection.

2. Use Your Alarm System

Alarms work, but only if you use them properly. Systems available in 2021 are far more advanced, picking up any exterior movements, alerting authorities instantly for suspicious activities, and even the presence of carbon monoxide.

3. Use Exterior Lights

Exterior lighting is an affordable and effective way to keep intruders out. Sensor lighting can easily be installed should an unwelcome guest stray toward the home. 

4. Avoid Posting On Social Media When Not At Home

Announcing to the world that you’re on a ten-day vacation isn’t the best idea, as it lets thieves know your home is an easy target. Only let trusted family members and friends know where you are. Consider having a friend or neighbor check the house.

5. Think About The Garage

The garage is a forgotten place of entry for burglars. Your garage door opener is better kept inside the house rather than inside the car.

Miao Insurance Services would like to discuss your next home insurance policy. Contact us today for a free estimate in Pleasanton, CA. 

Why You Should Consider Purchasing Earthquake Insurance

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Many Pleasanton, CA homeowners find it difficult to determine the amount of homeowner’s insurance they need. With the cost of living so high, no one wants to be out more money than they need to, but at the same time, you don’t want to find yourself insufficiently insured when the time comes.

One thing that homeowners fail to consider is the additional types of protection that is offered on top of standard home insurance, such as earthquake insurance. This is an additional expense that should be taken very seriously when you live in an area where earthquakes are common. Here are a few things you should consider when purchasing earthquake insurance. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our team at Miao Insurance Services.

What Type of Damage Tends to Be Caused by Earthquakes?

There is the obvious risk of complete destruction with earthquakes, but this natural disaster can also bring an assortment of threats to your dwelling. Your standard home insurance policy offers protection against structural damage, explosions, fires, gas leaks, etc. However, an earthquake can cause far more damage to your home than any of these threats, and if you do not have sufficient coverage, you will need to pay for the repair/replacement out of your pocket.

What Coverage Does Earthquake Insurance Provide?

Earthquake insurance coverage will vary from one company and policy to the next. However, as a general rule, you will obtain coverage for your home and any replacement costs for your personal belongings. Usually, the policy will offer coverage for additional living expenses in the event you are unable to live in your home due to the extent of damage. Of course, earthquake insurance policies do have coverage limits just like typical homeowner’s policies.

Just like home insurance policies, earthquake insurance endorsements do come in a one-size-fits-all policy. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you’re getting the right coverage for your Pleasanton, CA home. If you need help, contact Miao Insurance Services to speak to an insurance agent.

Insure Your Dream Car With Classic Car Insurance

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Classic cars are like no other vehicles. They are classics in the truest sense, and they are beloved by car enthusiasts all over the world. If you have a classic car, you may need to get classic car insurance to cover it. This is a policy type that is written with just classic cars in mind. If you’re interested in this type of policy, call us at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA.

Covering Your Classic Car

In California, there are two types of auto insurance that are required, so these two coverage types must be in your classic car policy. These are bodily injury liability and property damage liability. In addition to these requirements, there are several optional types of coverage that you can add to your policy. These include collision coverage, comprehensive coverage and more. These can more fully protect you against accidents and damage to your classic car. 

What Is a Classic Car?

Many people wonder how you know whether your car is a classic one or not. To make it even more complicated, there is no one definition for a classic car. That’s why each insurer has its own policies and requirements for classic cars. One may require it to be 10+ years old and culturally significant while another may require it to be 25 years old.

Classic Car Insurance Costs

A classic car often goes up in value instead of down like other vehicles. With these insurance policies, you and the insurance company have to agree about what it is worth and cap the insurance at that number. The amount of coverage largely determines the cost of the insurance, but it is also affected by your age, your driving record and whether you have another vehicle or not. Insurers generally require that classic cars not be your only car and that the classic is driven only occasionally. 

Cover Your Classic Car

To get classic car insurance, call us at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA.

Why Every Renter Needs Renters’ Insurance

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When you rent your home, whether it’s a duplex, house, apartment or anything else, you need to have a renters’ policy in place. This protects you in a number of ways, as it includes several different types of renters’ coverage. Usually, it is required by landlords that renters must have these policies. To get your rental policy, contact us today at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA. 

Coverage for Your Possessions

With renters’ insurance, you get coverage for your belongings that are in your rented home. This coverage protects you if something happens that destroys or damages your possessions. As a renter, if your items were to be badly damaged and you didn’t have renters’ insurance, you would have to come up with all of the money needed to replace your items yourself. 

Protection Against Liability

When you have anyone else inside your rented home, it’s always possible that they could have an accident there and injure themselves. As the one renting the property, you might be held liable for the medical bills and lost wages that result from that accident. With renters’ insurance, this kind of situation is covered. Instead of you being sued for the medical bills, your renters’ policy can pay them. 

Living Well

If something serious happened to your rental and it was rendered uninhabitable, your renters’ insurance policy will help you to move somewhere else and to live elsewhere while the rental is being fixed. Without this coverage, you might not be able to afford to move elsewhere for the duration. 

Your Renters’ Policy

If you don’t yet have a renters’ insurance policy, call us right now at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA. We can help you to find out more about renters’ policies and to choose the right policy for your specific needs. 

Why Every Renter Needs Renters’ Insurance

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When you rent your home, whether it’s a duplex, house, apartment or anything else, you need to have a renters’ policy in place. This protects you in a number of ways, as it includes several different types of renters’ coverage. Usually, it is required by landlords that renters must have these policies. To get your rental policy, contact us today at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA. 

Coverage for Your Possessions

With renters’ insurance, you get coverage for your belongings that are in your rented home. This coverage protects you if something happens that destroys or damages your possessions. As a renter, if your items were to be badly damaged and you didn’t have renters’ insurance, you would have to come up with all of the money needed to replace your items yourself. 

Protection Against Liability

When you have anyone else inside your rented home, it’s always possible that they could have an accident there and injure themselves. As the one renting the property, you might be held liable for the medical bills and lost wages that result from that accident. With renters’ insurance, this kind of situation is covered. Instead of you being sued for the medical bills, your renters’ policy can pay them. 

Living Well

If something serious happened to your rental and it was rendered uninhabitable, your renters’ insurance policy will help you to move somewhere else and to live elsewhere while the rental is being fixed. Without this coverage, you might not be able to afford to move elsewhere for the duration. 

Your Renters’ Policy

If you don’t yet have a renters’ insurance policy, call us right now at Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA. We can help you to find out more about renters’ policies and to choose the right policy for your specific needs. 

Motorcycle Insurance: Does It Cover Riders?

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Motorcycle riders need specialized policies to protect their ride and themselves from various financial difficulties. However, what happens if they add a passenger to their ride? This factor complicates their policies and causes many types of struggles. Thankfully, we at Miao Insurance Services can help to protect Pleasanton, CA motorcycle riders from this type of passenger-based problem.

What Your Policy Will Cover for Riders

When you buy a motorcycle insurance policy, you should look for an extra coverage option is known as “guest passenger liability” coverage. This option is designed to cover any potential problems caused by your rider, such as if they distract you or grab the handlebars as you’re trying to ride. 

However, most motorcycle insurance policies will also cover medical expenses and other financial issues for many riders if you cause the accident. For example, if you crash and your passenger is injured, the liability coverage should help pay for their medical recovery options. 

It is essential to understand that these coverage options will vary based on your insurance company and the policy you buy. In California, most policies must be as comprehensive as possible. Still, some policies provide only strict liability coverage, meaning you may end up paying for anything that a passenger causes during your ride. So consider upgrading your policy. 

Finding an Option That Works for Your Pleasanton, CA Ride 

If you live in California and want a high-quality motorcycle insurance policy that works for your financial needs, seriously consider contacting us at Miao Insurance Services to learn more. We work with many people in the Pleasanton area and strive to create policies that make sense for your needs. And we’ll give you a strong understanding of what your policy covers and what it does not, ensuring that you are properly covered.

Reasons to Consider Getting Umbrella Insurance

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You might occasionally wonder, why get more insurance when I have auto and home policies? As numerous Pleasanton, CA residents can attest to, these policies provide immense benefits for the policyholders. But as Miao Insurance Services advises, they will not be enough to cover various emergencies that you encounter. Below, we discuss reasons to consider getting umbrella insurance.

Claims Are Expensive

If you have been involved in an accident, chances are you are aware of how fast expenses can accrue. Whether you are dealing with property damage costs or lawsuits, primary policies can often get exhausted, leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses. It especially rings true when you cause significant 3rd party injuries or multiple property damage. Umbrella insurance comes in handy here, providing extra coverage for such scenarios, with the compensation provided helping you cover your additional expenses.

Mistakes Can Happen At Any Time

Apart from auto accidents, mistakes can happen at any time. If, for instance, you attend a party and you make false statements against a party or a business, you will likely get a lawsuit for slander. Your guests could also be accidentally imprisoned by your family members, resulting in another lawsuit. Numerous mistakes are excluded from primary cover, requiring you to cover these accidents on your own. Umbrella insurance provides coverage for various everyday accidents, helping to keep you and your loved ones protected.

Gives You Peace of Mind

If you own vehicles, pools, rentals, or businesses, you will occasionally worry due to the risks surrounding these items. Examples of points of concern include guest injuries and customers incurring property damage during a visit to your premises. By getting umbrella insurance, you can rest assured that you are protected when such emergencies arise, helping you live stress-free.

If you need protection, during your Pleasanton, CA residence, umbrella insurance will be your go-to. Contact Miao Insurance Services today to get started on your umbrella insurance journey.