Good Driver Car Insurance Coverage
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.
Auto Insurance Non Renewal – Why? I Am A Good Driver
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.
Cheap Vehicle Insurance Rates In Houston Texas
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.
When Can My Auto Insurance Company Cancel My Policy?
Reader’s Question:
My girlfriend just purchased auto insurance for her new car. I don’t have a car and obviously neither do I have car insurance. We are just wondering on how car insurance stuff works here in West Allis, Wisconsin. Can her car insurance company just cancel her policy anytime they want? Or is there such thing as grace period before auto insurance policy can be cancelled by the insurance company itself?
Orion
West Allis, WI
Hello there Orion!
I’ve checked with Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) about your question and I learned that car insurance companies can cancel their policyholder’s auto insurance policy provided that said coverage has been in effect within the 60 days. If an insurer chose to cancel the policy within the mentioned period then they are not required to give out explanation about the cancellation. Other reasons wherein a policy can be cancelled is when a policyholder failed to make a payment for the premium on the due date, fraudulent activities done by the policyholder himself/herself when availing of the policy or when making the claim, or major changes on the characteristics of the insurer.
However, for a car insurance policy to be cancelled, insurer is required to notify through writing the policyholder not less than 10 days before the effective date of cancellation or else said cancellation will not be processed.
If you have any questions about car insurance termination you can ask your car insurance agent in West Allis, Wisconsin or even the Wisconsin OCI.
Are You Canceling Your Auto Insurance Policy?
Reader’s Question:
I’m thinking of switching auto insurance company in Maryland. My car insurance premium right now is so expensive that I don’t think I can afford to pay it. How do I do this? Do I just not pay it? I really need to cancel it as soon as possible.
Akira
Ellicott City, MD
In general, if a policyholder wants to cancel his or her auto insurance all he/she needs to do is to inform the auto insurance company though writing. Included in the letter would be the date on when the policyholder wishes to cancel car insurance policy.
In addition, from what I knew, they are also cases that your new car insurance agent must inform the previous agent about the change. Also, depending on the insurer company’s guidelines, some also ask for the copy of the printed policy to be sent back to them.
Usually, if you decide to cancel a car insurance policy, the insurer will be sending you a form of cancellation request. This cancellation request form needs to be signed by you (if you are the policyholder) and have it returned to the car insurance company.
If you wish to cancel your car insurance policy in Maryland do it in writing. If you chose not to pay your auto insurance policy then it would be cancelled due to non-payment. And by this, it will surely affect your credit history and the next time you purchase auto insurance, you might be charged with higher car insurance premium.
Cheap Non Owners Insurance Policy
Reader’s Question:
Hi, I have a friend who recently got a job here in Sarasota, Florida, and she needs a car to drive to and from work. The problem is they only have one car, and her husband uses it. I was thinking of lending her my car. If something happens while she’s driving, is my auto insurance going to pay for the damages?
Beth
Sarasota, FL
Hi, Beth! To answer your question–As long as she has your permission to drive your car, yes, your car insurance company is going to pay. It doesn’t mean that she has to get your permission every time she uses it–it’s just that you should be able to say that you actually lent her your car. I think, though, that it’s a different thing if she uses your car more than you do. Technically speaking, a car insurance policy is associated with the car itself. However, car insurance companies take note of who the primary driver of the car is also.
One thing you can do is to call your car insurance company in Sarasota, Florida and have your friend added to your insurance policy. If they find out that your friend is the primary driver, and not you, they may say that you have given them false information and not pay. Another thing you can do, and this is better, I think, is to ask your friend to get a non-owner’s policy. This type of insurance covers any car she may drive. But if she gets into an accident using your car, your insurance is who’s going to pay first, and then your friend’s policy will cover the excess amount that isn’t covered by yours.
Where Can I Get Cheap Auto Insurance In Las Vegas Nevada?
Reader’s Question:
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and is it true that hybrid cars are cheaper on insurance because they have less power?
Donna
Las Vegas, NV
Hybrid cars may or may not be cheaper than vehicles with a normal gas or diesel powered engine. It depends on the underwriting rules and guidelines of an individual car insurance company to determine rates for vehicles, such as hybrids.
There are some insurers in Las Vegas, NV that offer discounts if you have a hybrid vehicle. Once such company is Travelers car insurance, in 2006 they became the first car insurance company to offer a discount for hybrid drivers through the whole US. They rolled out a state by state discount and thus by 2007 have 44 states in total that they offer this discount in.
Travelers offers the discount to hybrid owners because their studies has shown that hybrid drivers typically are lower risk drivers. Their research shows that many hybrid buyers are married, between the ages of 41 and 60 and safer on the road then many drivers. They are mature, experienced drivers that are trying to save on gas costs and thus are not typically known to be “lead” foots or risky drivers. There are other car insurance providers though that may actually charge more to insure a hybrid. This is because of the cost of repairs being higher than the same model with a gasoline engine. There are also more components to replace if certain areas of a hybrid car are damaged or inoperable.
The Cheapest Auto Insurance Company In Arkansas?
Reader’s Question:
What should I purchase from a car insurance company in Little Rock, AR for liability coverage?
Faye
Little Rock, Arkansas
Under Arkansas law it requires drivers in Arkansas State, whether in Little Rock, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Fayetteville or somewhere beyond, to have a car insurance liability policy of at least the required minimum limits. This means that every car owner in the state of Arkansas must have liability coverage. Any claims, when you are at fault in a car accident, will be paid by liability coverage. You must be presented by a car insurance company an opportunity to purchase coverage for uninsured motorist bodily and property damage, underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury and personal injury protection coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage when you apply for liability coverage.
If the other driver is at fault and does not have liability insurance, Uninsured Motorist Coverage will cover you and your car. If the other driver is to be blamed and doesn’t have enough coverage to cover your injuries, Underinsured Motorist Coverage gives you additional protection. Personal Injury Protection will provide you with wage loss, death benefits and medical coverage regardless of who is at fault in the accident. Comprehensive and collision coverage may also be purchased for your liability coverage. Comprehensive coverage gives protection against damage to your automobile from acts of nature or other events not associated with driving the automobile. Collision coverage protects against damage to your car when it is involved in an accident.
Liability Auto Insurance Discounts in New York
Reader’s Question:
I live in Buffalo, NY and I will be moving to another state in three months, what will happen if I cancel my liability insurance?
Harold
Buffalo, NY
The car insurance company must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if you cancel your liability insurance. If your insurance coverage is reinstated or you get new insurance coverage, your car insurance company in Buffalo, NY is also required to notify DMV. If the car insurance company does not file an electronic notice about your new or reinstated liability insurance, the DMV will send you a letter about your insurance. Once you receive the letter, read the insert mailed with the letter, and follow the instructions in the letter. You are given 10 days from the date of the DMV letter to prove that you carry an insurance coverage, prove that you sold the vehicle, or show other proof that insurance coverage was not required in New York State. If you do have insurance coverage, also ask your car insurance company to file an electronic notice of insurance coverage with the DMV.
If you do not have liability insurance, you must surrender your vehicle plates to the New York State DMV immediately and make sure you get a receipt. You must respond to the letter you receive from the DMV or surrender your license plates to avoid the suspension of your registration and driver’s license. If your liability insurance is about to lapse and you do not plan to replace it with other car insurance, surrender your vehicle plates to the DMV before your insurance coverage lapses.
Hybrid Car Insurance Discounts ?
Reader’s Question:
I’m thinking of switching to a hybrid car and I heard that discounts are being offered by car insurance companies for hybrid car owners in Los Angeles CA, is this true?
Dustin
Los Angeles CA
Basically, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by batteries. This technology merges the best features of today’s combustion engine cars and electric vehicles. The combination allows the electric motor and batteries to help the conventional engine to operate more efficiently which in effect cuts down fuel use.
The main reason why discount is being given to hybrid car owners is that a research indicates that hybrid car owners tend to fall into the preferred insured category. Car insurance is an assessment of risk; the lower the risk you represent to the car insurance company the lower the premiums they will charge. This is because you are treated as a customer who will potentially be less costly than one who is more likely to make a claim. The discount may not be available in all states and is subject to individual eligibility so contact your Los Angeles CA agent or insurance company to further discuss details about getting a hybrid car insurance.
Even if the market price for cars is steep, the fuel that you save along with incentives like tax breaks do make a hybrid a good and sensible choice. But still, before you say “yes” to a hybrid car, you must do in depth research. Know the pros and cons by talking to manufacturers and owners of hybrid cars.
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