Reader’s Question:

I was given speeding tickets in Wyoming last year and in Montana last month. Will these violations appear in my Washington driving record? Is this going to affect my automotive insurance rate?

Louie

East Seattle, WA

Like Washington State, Wyoming and Montana are also members of the Driver License Compact (DLC). Therefore, whatever violation you commit in those states will be relayed to the Washington Department of Licensing (WA DOL) Office and would eventually appear in your Washington driver’s record. Under 46.21.010 of the Washington Revised Code, it is stated that the licensing authority of DLC shall report all convictions and violations made in another DLC member state to the licensee’s home state. This report shall state clearly the violation, the action/s taken, and the plea for guilty or not guilty.

Since all your traffic violations in your home state and in other DLC member states are recorded in your MVR, then your automotive insurance policy carrier will definitely see them once they decide to pull your record. Typically, automotive insurance companies base their policy rate computations on different factors. However, it is common practice to use the driver’s record as one of the bases, too. This rating procedure is acknowledged, though not mandated, by the state’s laws. Therefore, with your MVR in their hands, it is possible that your automotive insurance rates will go up once your driving history has been factored in.

If you need to find out if the speeding tickets you got from Wyoming and Montana would affect your policy rates, ask your automotive insurance agent for their rating system.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I heard from my friend that here in Arizona no matter what type of auto insurance coverage I have, if my windshield is broken, it would be replaced by my insurer. The reason is because auto insurance companies are required to do that. Is this true?

Tiffany

North Pinal, AZ

The state of Arizona has a financial responsibility law. This is created to make sure that in an event of a vehicular accident, the person/s involved has/have sufficient money to pay for the damage/s. The required auto insurance coverages are bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage.

Going back to your question, damage on the windshield would fall under full class coverage or comprehensive coverage. Both auto insurance policies are optional in the state of Arizona. Hence, with this, auto insurance companies are NOT required to cover for windshield damage, regardless whether you have those coverages or not. Auto insurance company can only pay for those damages if a policyholder has full class coverage or comprehensive coverage.

For more information about auto insurance coverage, ask your auto insurance agent in Arizona. If you are looking for auto insurance quotes, feel free to use the websites.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips

Reader’s Question:

I’m planning on purchasing a new car here in Norman, Oklahoma, but am a bit tight on the budget. Do I really need to get auto insurance or can I choose to just get insurance some other time?

Marge

Norman, OK

All car owners in Oklahoma are legally required to also purchase auto insurance when they buy new cars. Proof of auto insurance is, in fact, the very first thing they will look for when you register your newly purchased car with DMV.

The state’s mandatory auto insurance policy ensures that damages arising from vehicular accidents are adequately covered. Such damages may only be minimal in some instances but in most cases, the costs arising from vehicular accidents are quite heavy.

Your personal liability for damages arising from accidents attaches when it is determined that your negligence caused the accident. In the absence of adequate insurance coverage, you may find yourself emptying your bank account especially when the damage is extensive. If you do not have sufficient funds to cover the damage, you may find yourself in an even tighter situation wherein the other person may file damages against you in court, thereby leading to additional litigation costs on top of the actual damage incurred. If you’re worried about insurance costs, though, there are several affordable insurance options that you can look into that may fit your tight budget. Most insurance companies offer comparisons and quotes for auto insurance via the web and you can even buy budget car insurance online.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My friend is asking me to loan my car to her because her car is in the repair shop. What I would like to know is if she’s involved in a car accident, whose auto insurance coverage would pay for the damage? Would it be mine or hers? We are both from St. Paul, Minnesota.

Tatiana

St. Paul, MN

With your question, I am assuming that your friend has her own auto insurance policy. If that is the case, in an event that she is involved in a car accident using your own vehicle it her own car insurance policy that would cover for her injuries. However, the case is different though if she doesn’t have car insurance policy. If that is the scenario then, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce the “basic economic loss benefits” will be covered by your car insurance company.

As to the damage incurred on the vehicle, it will be paid by your own auto insurance company. This is depending though if you have collision and comprehensive policies. For other cases, it might also be covered by the car insurance policy of the other vehicle.

For more information, do check the information on your auto insurance policy. Also you could ask your car insurance agent in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips

Reader’s Question:

I am a 16-year old driver turning 17. My dad is planning to buy me a new car as a Christmas gift. I heard that car is one of the factors in getting lower auto insurance premium. What are the cars that are cheap to insure in Santa Ana, California? I just wanna make sure that my dad’s car insurance rate would be affordable that’s why it’s ok for me if he’s gonna buy me an inexpensive car.

Dante

Santa Ana, CA

That’s nice to hear Dante.

It’s true that the more expensive your car is the more expensive the auto insurance premium would be. To answer your question, according to vehicle retailers, the following are considered to be inexpensive to insure for the first 5 years of ownership:

• Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon
• GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan
• Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan
• Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan
• Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe
• Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD 4dr SUV
• Saturn L300 1 4dr Sedan
• Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
• Saab 38600 Linear 2.3t 4dr SportWagon
• Buick Century Special Edition 4dr Sedan

Remember that aside from the car you are driving, there are still several factors that affect auto insurance rate in Santa Ana, California. For more information about factors that cause auto insurance premium to go up or down, don’t forget to ask your car insurance agent. Happy car shopping!

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, car insurance tips, teen car insurance

Reader’s Question:

For some misfortunate event, I was involved in a car accident last week. It was my first ever car accident in my entire life. What’s even worse is that it was a hit and run. It was totally not my fault. I have comprehensive coverage on that vehicle. However, I don’t have collision. Will my GAP coverage be able to pay for the damage on my vehicle? I am from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Val

Sioux Falls, SD

This is really a very unfortunate event in your life and I’m really sorry to hear what had happened to you.

I am assuming that the reason why you’re asking that is because your primary auto insurance did not cover for the damages incurred on your vehicle. If that is the case with you, then you GAP insurance would not be able to pay for the damages also.

For a GAP auto insurance to cover you, your primary auto insurance company should pay for the actual cash value (ACV) of your car first. However, since you’ve already mentioned you don’t have collision coverage then, it’s only expected that you insurer would not pay for your claims. Because, this kind of accident falls under the collision coverage.

For more information about auto insurance claims, feel free to ask your auto insurance agent in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance claims, car insurance tips

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that getting auto insurance for a 55-year-old person is more expensive as compared if you are only around 35 years old? I heard this from a friend. What does age has to do with auto insurance rate? Can you explain this? I am from Manchester, New Hampshire.

Dave

Manchester, NH

Every auto insurance company differs from each other. They have their own guidelines in setting auto insurance rate for a particular person.

Some car insurance companies do consider a person who is 55 years old as a safe age. Meaning a person from that age group still poses a lower risk to be insured. Thus, it is still inexpensive to insure a person from that age range. However, some auto insurance companies believe that a person who is 55 years old or above poses higher risk. That is because some auto insurance companies believe that a person’s ability to drive safely decreases as a person ages.

I would suggest asking your auto insurance agent about how age affects a person’s auto insurance rate in Manchester, New Hampshire. Also, bear in mind that auto insurance rate is not based in age alone. There are a lot of factors that insurers consider and one of them is driving record. I would suggest keeping a clean driving record at all times is one sure way of saving on your car insurance premium.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, car insurance tips, cheap car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have auto insurance with my insurer for five years now. I am a good payer since I always pay my car insurance bill on time. However, when I was about to renew my auto insurance policy with them, they declined it. The reason they gave me is because I had three minor accidents wherein it was entirely my fault. Can my auto insurance company in Sandy Springs, Georgia not renew my policy just because of that? Is it legally right to decline a renewal because of the claims made by the policyholder? It is my understanding that the reason why I have auto insurance is to have something to back me up in an event of a car accident.

Brad

Sandy Springs, GA

I’m sorry to heat that Brad. However, according to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, a car insurance company may choose not to renew a person’s policy if said person had more than one instance of at fault accident for a period of three years. Also, if a policyholder’s total of claims made amounts to $750 or even more.

Since your car insurance company in Sandy Springs, Georgia decided not to renew your policy, then it’s the best time for you to get another auto insurance company. You can ask the help of your auto insurance agent or even check the available websites. Also, to avoid this from happening again, please do practice safe driving. No matter how minor an accident is, it’s still an accident and would affect your driving history and the chance of renewing or getting a car insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance law, car insurance online, car insurance tips

Auto Insurance Cancellation Athens-Clarke County Georgia GA
Reader’s Question:
I used to drive an old car, a 1989 Honda Civic model. However, just recently I decided it’s time that my Honda retires and bought a new car. I awarded myself and ended buying a high performance car - Lotus Elise. I added that vehicle under my auto insurance policy. And I was shocked to receive a notice of cancellation of my policy from my insurer. The reason for the cancellation was because I owned a Lotus Elise. I think this is unfair on my part since I always pay my car insurance bills on time. Can my auto insurance do that?

Eric

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

I’m sorry for what happened Eric.

That exactly happened to my boyfriend too. He was driving an old car and switched to a high performance car. And what he got was a notice of cancellation from his car insurance company after he added said vehicle.

According to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, adding a high performance car (like Lotus Elise in your case) could result in the change of risk on your part. As you see, driving a high-performance car makes one a high risk driver. Hence, your auto insurance company’s decision to cancel your policy is legal.

I would say now is the best time to look for another auto insurance company in Athens-Clarke County Georgia. You could ask your car insurance agent or check the websites.

Auto Insurance Claims Augusta-Richmond County Georgia GA
Reader’s Question:
I was involved in a car accident last week. Fortunately, I only suffered minor injuries and it was not my fault. The law enforcement officer at that time gave a ticket to the other driver, since it was clearly his fault. However, the other driver’s auto insurance company in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia is refusing to pay me for any damages. They thought that I’m still somewhat to be blamed for the accident. This is not right! Can’t the Insurance Department force them to pay for my damages? I mean, since it’s been established that it was the other guy’s fault.

Benny

Augusta-Richmond County, GA

It’s nice to know that you suffered just minor injuries.

Going back to your question, unfortunately it is not within the legal responsibilities of the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner to determine who is at fault in a vehicular accident. Thus, the said office cannot force auto insurance companies to pay or settle the claims made. The said office’s role regarding third party claims like what happened to you is in fact very limited. It is mainly restricted to making sure that the other party’s auto insurance company is handling a fair investigation.

It appears to me that you will need some legal help. So, I would suggest it is best to seek legal help for you to know what exactly is needed to be done. I hope it would end up favorable on your part. And I also hope for your speedy recovery.

Auto Insurance Law Mount Prospect Illinois IL
Reader’s Question:
My husband and I are about to celebrate our third wedding anniversary next month. We are considering on going to Mexico again since that is where we first met. Now my question is, I have auto insurance coverage on my car in Mount Prospect, Illinois. We will be driving to Mexico using my car. Will my Illinois auto insurance coverage be extended in Mexico? If that is the case so does that mean we don’t have to worry about getting a Mexico auto insurance right?

Norma

Mount Prospect, IL

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary!

I am sorry to disappoint you Norma but according to the fact sheet from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Insurance) that I have read, your Illinois auto insurance policy is NOT VALID in Mexico. Hence, before going to Mexico you should purchase enough Mexico auto insurance policy that would cover you while you and your husband are in that country. Please remember that only Mexican auto insurance companies are considered valid in Mexico. American and Canadian auto insurances are not acknowledged in Mexico.

You can start shopping around now to get auto insurance in Mexico. Try the websites to get the auto insurance deal you’re looking. Have a safe trip to Mexico!

Auto Insurance Rate Oak Lawn Illinois IL
Reader’s Question:
I head from my cousin that credit history is one of that factors that auto insurance companies in Oak Lawn, Illinois consider when setting car insurance rate. My question is, if I don’t have a credit card and most probably that would mean I don’t have a credit history can this be taken against me by auto insurance companies? Can they opt to not approve my application just because I don’t have a credit history? How does not having a credit history affect my ability to purchase auto insurance?

Nathan

Oak Lawn, IL

There might be a possibility that not having a credit history might affect your ability to purchase car insurance in Illinois. As you see Nathan, your cousin is correct that car insurance companies do consider a person’s credit history to set his/her auto insurance premium.

However, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Insurance), auto insurance companies cannot use credit history as the sole reason in taking unfavorable action against a person. The state of Illinois requires auto insurance companies to do one of the following in an event that a person does not have a credit history:

Consider a person as having a neutral credit history;
Consider a person as having other than neutral credit history; and
Exclude credit history as a factor in setting auto insurance rate for that person.

For more information about setting auto insurance rate in Oak Lawn, Illinois you can ask the IL Division of Insurance or your auto insurance agent.

High Risk Auto Insurance Orland Park Illinois IL
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend has a bad driving record. And because of that I guess he’s being punished. We can’t get an auto insurance company willing to insure him. We’ve been turned down over and over again. This can’t go on forever. He needs to drive his car and he can’t do that without car insurance in Orland Park, Illinois. Help please anyone?
Beverly
Orland Park, Illinois
I would suggest seeking a help of a car insurance agent so you could avail of the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. This plan is designed to help drivers with poor driving history or owns high performance cars (or expensive cars) to purchase auto insurance policy.
There are a total of four requirements that your boyfriend needs to meet to be able to qualify on this program:
Be turned down by car insurance companies, which you won’t have a problem since you’ve already mentioned that it happened to your boyfriend over and over again.
Has a valid license to drive or is qualified to get one;
Doesn’t have unpaid auto insurance bill for the past three years or 36 months; and
Owns a vehicle that is safe to be operated.
This is an expensive plan. However, maintaining a good driving record while under this plan would eventually result to your boyfriend’s be accepted by standard auto insurance companies in Orland Park, Illinois.

Buy Car Insurance Palatine, Illinois IL
Reader’s Question:
Can you give me suggestions on what I should do when shopping for car insurance rates in Palatine, Illinois? I’m totally new to this car insurance stuff so I find it somewhat difficult and confusing. I really need some help about this. Thanks!

Bridget

Palatine, IL

Surely Bridget!

Just follow these five easy steps and you would see that shopping for car insurance is not as difficult as you imagined:

Make sure to get your auto insurance policy from a reliable auto insurance company. You could contact the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Insurance) to know if the auto insurance company you are considering is licensed by the state to do business in Illinois;

Make sure to find a reliable auto insurance agent. If you decide to purchase auto insurance policy from an agent, then be sure that he/she is also licensed by the state of Illinois. You can check that information through the Illinois Division of Insurance too.

Be careful when shopping. Auto insurance rate is expensive. The key to effectively shop is find out the auto insurance policy that you need, the limits that you need for said policy, and your budget. Be sure to compare auto insurance quotes from different car insurance companies;

Be sure to understand the auto insurance policy you are purchasing; and

Be honest and give accurate information when filling out the application form.

For more information about purchasing auto insurance in Palatine, Illinois you could contact the Illinois Division of Insurance. Also, check the websites so you could start shopping.

Cheap Auto Insurance Huntington West Virginia WV
Reader’s Question:
I would like to keep my auto insurance rate in Huntington, West Virginia affordable. Well, right now I would say it’s reasonably priced. However, I would like to know what should I do the get the lowest auto insurance rate possible? I just wanna save on things I could control and I guess saving on my car insurance premium is one of the things I could do.

Henry

Huntington, WV

There a lot of ways that you could do to save on your auto insurance premium. Let me give you the factors that affect your auto insurance rate to go up or down according to the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner :

The car you are driving;
Traffic violations;
Driving miles;
Claim history;
Driving experience;
Amount of Deductibles; and
Cost of coverage.

In addition, the WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner strongly advise that you do check you car insurance policy from time to time. By doing this, you would know if you are still getting the coverage you need or not. Also, it’s a good practice to shop for auto insurance quotes so you could compare rates in Huntington, West Virginia. You could easily do that by using the websites

Reader’s Question:

I was surprised when I renewed my car insurance. I was charged a higher rate because I moved to Houston, Texas. I use to live in a suburban district also in Texas. Does living in a city really warrant an increase on my car insurance rate?

Deidre

Houston, TX

Always remember, Deidre, that automotive insurance companies compute premiums based on risk factors. The combination of these different risk factors will determine the eventual amount of premium you will have to pay. Most insurance companies take into consideration the following factors that may affect your car insurance premiums: Geography, age, marital status, gender, driving record, vehicle, credit rating, occupation, and insurance claims.

Since you mentioned you transferred to Houston, Texas and got an increase in your premiums, this means that your car insurance company took into consideration your Geography as a risk factor. What makes Houston at a higher risk is because it is the 4th largest city in the U.S. It would mean that more vehicles will be on the move at any given time, giving a higher probability of a car accident to occur. And the insurers don’t like higher probabilities of accidents because that will mean more automobile insurance claims. We’re not just talking about higher incidence of road accidents, but also higher incidence of car theft and vandalism. For sure, area with a high crime rate qualifies automatically for a higher car insurance premium. However, Deidre, you can reduce your premiums too on account of a good driving record. If you can establish that you are not a road risk, your car insurance company will recognize this and will give you discounts on your premiums or they will give you higher deductibles for your comprehensive car insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I heard from a friend that she is going to file for a protest regarding her auto insurance. If I am not mistaken it’s about her auto insurance premium. I am curious, can anyone just file for a protest? Or there are reasons that are needed to be justified first? What is auto insurance protest by the way? I am from Southwest Arapahoe, Colorado if that would help in any way.

Carrie

Southwest Arapahoe, CO

Let me first define what a car insurance protest is. According to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), if there is a modification made on a person’s auto insurance policy, that person or policyholder could make a formal objection and that is known as protest.

However, such protest is only applicable to personal automobile policies only. So that answers your first question. In addition, there are certain reasons why policyholders usually make a protest. And these are the following reasons:

• Change on the auto insurance premium, usually an increase;
• Auto insurance company’s decision not to renew a policyholder’s coverage;
• Policy’s cancellation; and
• Reduction on the auto insurance coverage.

For more information about auto insurance protest, you can contact the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance law, car insurance tips