1. Homeowners Insurance – Cover the Right Value

Don’t insure your home for its market value—that includes the land, which doesn’t need coverage. Instead, insure it for the cost to rebuild: materials, labor, and permitting. Current inflation may necessitate a review of current limits.

2. The Truth About Red Cars

Red cars don’t cost more to insure, but they do catch the eye of law enforcement. You don’t want to give the police an excuse to stop you for weaving/speeding and determining you are Under the Influence. Both DUI’s and tickets are expensive.

3. After a Serious Accident

Your insurance won’t drop you immediately if you cause a major accident, but your DMV record and premiums will take a hit. It will also be more difficult to get insurance with another company.

4. Small vs. Large Cars

Smaller cars often have lower property damage repair costs, and safer risk profiles, making them cheaper to insure.

5. Comprehensive Auto Insurance – Misleading Name

“Comprehensive” doesn’t mean everything. It only covers non-collision losses like theft, vandalism, storm damage, and animal impacts.

6. Car Theft Realities

Older cars are a favorite target for thieves—parts sell well…often called Midnight Auto.  Don’t ignore anti-theft protection just because your car isn’t new.

7. Lending Your Car? Know This:

If a friend crashes your car, your insurance is on the hook. Insurance Coverage follows the car, not the driver.

8. Out-of-State Tickets Count

Think that a  speeding ticket in Arizona won’t matter? Think again—it will add points to your California record.

9. DMV Point System – Watch It Closely

  • 4 points in 1 year, 6 in 2 years, 8 in 3 years = license suspension
  • Accidents = 2 points each
  • Traffic School may remove 1 point after trial, but tickets still show for insurance purposes.

10. New California Auto Liability Limits – Effective 1/1/25

Minimums increase to $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident (from $15K/$30K). Thus, no person can collect more than $30k, and everyone together in the car, has a total maximum coverage of $60k.

11. Exceeding Your Policy Limits

If damages exceed your coverage, you’re personally liable. This can mean lawsuits, wage garnishment, or asset seizure are possible.

12. UM/UIM – A Must-Have

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you when the other driver has none—or not enough. This is essential in the Coachella Valley where so many neighbors are uninsured.

13. Umbrella Policies – Big Protection, Low Cost

Instead of over-insuring your auto policy, find out what limits qualify you for a $1 million umbrella policy. It’s often available for a few hundred dollars more, and only kicks in when other coverage is exhausted. It’s a smart safety net.

Final Word

Drive smart, stay insured, and remember: Uber is cheaper than me. Drive sober or get pulled over.

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 Give this card to officer with license, registration and insurance:

 

Upon the advice of my attorney, Dale Gribow: I respectfully invoke my constitutional right to remain silent and do not consent to any questioning, or search, without my attorney present.
Please contact attorney Gribow before proceeding further: 📞 (760) 837-7500; ✉️ [email protected]

Mr. Gribow advises: ❌ The Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs), and the Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) breath test, at the scene, are Voluntary-unless I am on probation.
✅ I respectfully decline to participate in these roadside tests, but I am willing to cooperate by taking a blood test, as required by law.

⚠️ REMEMBER: REMAIN SILENT
It’s not what you said... It’s what they think you said.
Insurance companies and law enforcement, can lie and deceive in conversation, and are not on your side. Only your lawyer is ethically bound to be on your side.
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