JSP & Associates Insurance Services, INC

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s an umbrella policy?

An umbrella policy is a policy that sits above your home, auto, MC, boat, RV that gives an additional layer of liability protection. Umbrella policies usually start at $1 million in coverage and go up from there. The average cost is $300 a year.


What’s a deductible?

A deductible is the amount you have to pay in the event of a loss, like a copay at the doctor’s office. This is the amount of liability you assume with the policy for a covered property loss. With an auto policy the deductible is usually $500 for collision and can be lower for comprehensive. Home policies should have a deductible of $2500, but are commonly lower


What makes a good driver for a policy?

A California good driver is someone with no more than 1 point in the last three years. There can also be no suspensions longer than 30 days in that same three year period. major violations like a DUI or reckless driving will remove the good driver discount for a ten year period.


Do you offer life insurance?

Yes JSP and Associates offers term, whole and universal life


What discount can you get with my policy, how do I get discounts?

Companies have several discounts you can qualify for including good driver, multiple policy, professional, alumni, marriage, mileage, good student, distant student, safe driver.


How can I get a quote from JSP & Associates?

Either reach out directly to our office at 707-463-1010, you can also contact us via email on our contact page https://www.jspinsuranceservices.com/contact where there are a handful of people waiting to receive your inquiry. Or please stop by our local offices at 387 N. State St. suite 101 Ukiah, CA 95482. We write with many highly rated carriers and have bilingual agents available to provide free and reliable quotes.


What paper work do I need to change/transfer my auto and home policy?

If you are insured with a company we already represent signing a simple broker/agent of record change would transfer your policies to our agency with no premium change to your existing policy. The insurance companies want the clients to be happy with their agents and if they aren’t they want them to be able to move without a hassle. If you are with a company we don’t represent it is best to have your declarations page for each policy available so we can give you an apples to apples comparison.


What questions will be asked of me when I’m applying for auto insurance?

It can be pretty straight forward requests like name, date of birth, do you have any tickets or accidents in the last three years. We will also be asking about the vehicle(s) that you want to insure. If possible have the registration or VIN number available so we can make an exact match to your vehicle. Once again if you are currently insured it is best to know exactly what coverage you have so we can do a true apples to apples comparison. So your declarations page on your current vehicle will be helpful if we’re getting new insurance for you.


What questions will be asked of me when I’m applying for home insurance?

When requesting an insurance quote for your home there are a few basic details that we will need. First, address of the home, including square footage and year of construction. If this is a home that you already have insured then having a list of the existing coverages will make the process much more efficient and concise. The companies will also want to know about claims history for the last five years and probably one of the most important questions are distances to the fire department and the public fire hydrant.


Why should I use an insurance agent?

Insurance agents are required to have a license to be able to discuss coverages and are also required to do continuing education so we can stay up to date on the insurance rules and regulations in our state. When you work with a licensed insurance agent you will have someone who listens to your situation and tailors a policy to fit your needs. In most cases, the agents are paid directly by the company with no additional charges being passed on to the client. The companies would rather an insured agent help clients, someone who fully understands their policy and coverages and can help you with the day to day problems or solutions. Some companies only use agents, that way you will get access to the company as they do and not sell directly to the consumers. Using an agent you trust is very important. Your livelihood depends on it.


Do I really need older low value car?

In California it is required by law that you at least maintain liability insurance on a vehicle that will be used or parked on public roads. The minimum limits in the state of California are $15,000 per person for injuries, up to $30,000 per accident, and $5000 in property damage. Coverage to replace your vehicle is not required. Call our direct line to figure out if you need full coverage or just liability insurance. 707-463-1010


What’s the difference between collision coverage and comprehensive coverage?

Collision covers damage to your vehicle caused by physical contact with another vehicle or object. While comprehensive coverage is damage caused to your vehicle by other than a collision. This would include your vehicle being stolen, fire, flood, vandalism and many more. Call the direct line to see if you would need comprehensive coverage in your area.


What can affect my monthly auto insurance payment?

There are several factors that companies look at when considering an insurance rate. Number of years you are licensed is a big factor. If you have less than three years in California you don’t qualify for the good driver discount at 20%. Another factor besides length of time with a license is your driving record. More than two points in three years or a major violation in the last ten years (DUI, Evading Police,..etc) will remove the good driver discount from your policy. Other factors that go into determining the rate are; zip code where you live, and distance from your home to work. The farther you have to drive one way to work the more expensive your insurance will be as your probability of an accident increase the more you drive.


What’s the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker?

Insurance agents and insurance brokers can both help you buy an insurance policy. Insurance brokers represent the consumers who use them and can help them shop for policies from multiple different insurance providers. But insurance agents represent the insurance provider that employs them and then they help sell policies from just that single provider. JSP & Associates is an insurance broker. We provide quotes from multiple different providers to ensure you get the right policy for your needs.