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 auto 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.

What do I have to do to be able to get good student discount on my car insurance in Bakersfield, CA?

Carmen

Bakersfield, CA

Many insurance providers in Bakersfield, CA recognize and reward good students with a discount. This auto insurance discount is usually offered to single drivers under 25 years of age. This good student discount applies to Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, comprehensive and collision coverages and medical payments, providing that each such young driver meets certain requirements. You may be eligible for a discount if:

• you are a full-time students in high school or
• you are enrolled as full-time students in academic courses in a university or college
• you graduated from a 4 year university and presently have a good student discount applied to your current car insurance policy and the student had a grade average of “B” or its equivalent

My son is 30 years old. He let his car insurance lapse. His car insurance has been canceled for non-payment over the past years. So now he can’t seem to find an insurance carrier to insure his car in Savannah, Georgia. How can he get car insurance now?

Daniel

Savannah, GA

Due to your son having car insurance lapse previously, he is now considered a high risk driver. For drivers such as your son that are unable to find an insurance carrier in the voluntary market that will insure them, many states have high risk insurance companies that will cover these types of drivers.

High risk drivers in Savannah, Georgia typically have to go the GA Automobile Insurance Plan (GAAIP). It was created to give car insurance coverage to eligible high risk drivers who seek coverage and are unable to get such coverage through the voluntary market.

To find out who these insurance companies are in Savannah, Georgia and how your son can obtain auto insurance in GA through the GAAIP so that he can insure and use his car contact the GA Insurance Commissioner.

Can a police officer impound your vehicle just because you fail to show proof that your vehicle is insured in Lakewood, Ohio?

Jones

Lakewood, OH

It is illegal to drive a vehicle without insurance or any form of Financial Responsibility (FR) on the car in Lakewood and in any areas in Ohio. It is also illegal for any car owner to permit anyone else to operate the owner’s vehicle with Financial Responsibility proof. If you are caught driving without auto insurance in Ohio, the penalties can include: driver’s license suspension for a minimum of ninety days and up to two years, license plates and/or automobile impoundment plus fines and court fees.

If you are involved in an accident without insurance, or other Financial Responsibility coverage, in Ohio other penalties may apply. You may have a security license suspension for two years or more and a judgment suspension for an indefinite period, until damages are paid.

If I am in jail, but own a car, how should I still insure it? I am sure I wont be getting out anytime soon. If I don’t get car insurance then my license tag won’t get renewed. But I don’t drive it. What do I do regarding this in Chicago Illinois, can I get a pay monthly only policy?

Alfred

Chicago IL

Most states including Chicago Illinois require that you carry car insurance on the car if it is currently registered. It is likely that if you are not driving the car that you may not have to get insurance for it. You could terminate your registration and return your license tag. You can still insure the car if you want to. You could buy an auto insurance policy like you ordinarily would. You would use the street address where the car is being kept and you could continue to be the named insured. You can quickly and easily get an auto insurance quote and purchase your policy online. You can begin here, its fast and its FREE!

I have a leased a vehicle and it is covered by auto insurance. If I let my daughter or son, who are over twenty five drive the vehicle, are they covered?

Janet

Plymouth, MN

Whether you own your vehicle or have a lease or a loan on it, to check if your children are covered by your current auto insurance policy you will need to read through your insurance policy and check with your insurance carrier.

If your daughter or/an son reside in your household then an insurance carrier would normally require them to be on your insurance policy to be properly covered. If they reside outside of your residence and drive your vehicle with permission, just as a friend might, then they are likely covered under your insurance policy. Some insurance policies have exclusions so that is why it is always good to verify with insurance carrier before permitting anyone that is not listed on the insurance policy to drive your car.

Since this is a leased vehicle you may also want to read over the terms and conditions of your lease to make sure there are no restrictions about who drives your car. If you are not sure after reading over the leasing paperworks then verify with your car’s leasing company to find out if your daughter and son are permitted to drive your leased car.

Just a quick question: I have a 90 year old parents, should they still be driving?

Henry

Los Angeles, CA

It depends upon their abilities actually. While the eyesight, reflexes, hearing, and other faculties of some seniors are more than adequate for operating a vehicle, the driving abilities of other individuals may deteriorate badly with advanced age. These factors cause auto insurance rate premiums to rise for motorists entering their 60s, and to increase thereafter. This increase is usually moderated by other factors, which may include discounts for fewer miles driven per year. Another way for your parents to improve their skills–and probably reduce the cost of their auto insurance–is by taking a driver improvement course.

Can you explain to me what a Good Drivers Plan is? I live in Alaska.

Ray

Anchorage, AK

The Good Driver Plan is a rating program offered by some insurance providers in Alaska and in most states. This Good Driver Plan reduces your insurance rate if you have had no traffic violations or accidents within a specified time period.

There is also a plan called Safe Driver Plan. This Safe Driver Plan has a rating system that assigns points for traffic infractions and certain accidents. Each point increases the surcharge percentage to the baseline insurance rates similar to a merit-rating plan. Therefore the Safe Driver Plan rewards motorists for being safe and without violation infractions or accidents while penalizing those with a poor driving record.

What kind of insurance discounts can I get from insurance providers in Kentucky if I am turning 50 next month. In addition to that I also have a good driving record for several years.

Martina

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Congratulations on having a clean driving record for many years.If you are lucky enough to be retired, some insurance companies will provide a discount to retirees receiving a certain type of pension. There are also some discounts provided to the mature driver however many insurance providers start this discount at age 55.

There are also other discounts that you may want to ask for when renewing your car insurance or starting a new one. Some insurers will give you a discounted rate for low-mileage vehicle use, two or more cars on one policy or having loss prevention devices installed in the car (car alarm, etc). Many insurance providers in Kentucky will give long-time policyholders with no claims and a good driving record or safe driver discount.

What exactly is the definition of motorist list only status? What is the difference between unrated and list driver?

James

Atlanta, GA

Each insurance providers has their own terms they use when they rate an individual for an insurance policy or how they list an individual on a policy. Each state has different requirements for household members and how they are listed, excluded, rated or excluded with surcharge on a policy.

Some states require that all residents be listed on a policy, but in some instances you may want to exclude coverage for a household member.

Since insurance companies have their own different definitions for drivers’ statuses, so you may consult with the insurance provider you know that is using this specific auto insurance terminology or read through the terms of their policy to see what their intended meaning is for “list only” and “unrated” motorists.