12 terms every California driver should understand before comparing quotes. Each definition cites its authoritative source.
- Good-driver discount
- California §1861.025 mandates ≥20% off base rate for drivers with no at-fault crashes and ≤1 point in 3 years. The highest single-item discount in the Los Altos Bay Area panel.
- Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1861.025&lawCode=INS
- Territory factor
- Rate multiplier based on garaging ZIP filed with CA DOI. Santa Clara County ZIP 94022 sits in a high-cost band reflecting Bay Area repair costs, parts prices, and accident frequency.
- Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1861.02&lawCode=INS
- UMBI (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury)
- Covers medical costs when at-fault driver has no or minimum insurance. ≈16.4% CA uninsured rate (NAIC 2022). Particularly relevant on Los Altos commute routes to Palo Alto and Mountain View.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Comprehensive coverage
- Other-than-collision physical damage — theft, fire, weather, falling objects. Required by lenders. EV and luxury vehicle repair costs make comprehensive more expensive and more necessary in ZIP 94022.
- Source: https://www.nicb.org/sites/default/files/2019-06/glossary.pdf
- Collision coverage
- Pays for vehicle damage after a crash regardless of fault. Required by lenders. $500 vs. $1,000 deductible can shift the Bay Area monthly rate by $35–$60.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Telematics program
- Usage-based tracking (Progressive Snapshot, State Farm Drive Safe & Save) rewarding low mileage and safe driving. Los Altos remote-work households with sub-8,000 mi/yr can earn 15–25% off.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Paid-in-full discount
- Carrier credit for paying the full 6-month or 12-month premium at binding. On a $1,400–$1,800 Bay Area term, saves $70–$144.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- GAP coverage
- Pays the difference between vehicle depreciated market value and outstanding loan/lease balance after a total loss. Required by some leasing companies on luxury or EV vehicles.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Prop 103
- California ballot measure (1988) requiring DOI approval for rate changes and mandating driving record, annual mileage, and experience as the top three rating factors before territory.
- Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1861.02&lawCode=INS
- OEM repair endorsement
- Requires insurer to use Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. Tesla and luxury leasing companies often mandate this in their agreements.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Affinity discount
- Rate reduction through employer or professional membership (Google, Apple, Stanford, credit union). Los Altos tech workers should ask carriers explicitly at quote time.
- Source: https://content.naic.org/consumer/auto-insurance.htm
- Declarations page
- Policy summary page listing named insureds, vehicles, limits, deductibles, effective dates, and premium. Essential for apples-to-apples comparison across Los Altos carriers.
- Source: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/