Reader’s Question:

I want to give my parents a new car for their 25th year anniversary, but I want to know how I could cut costs on their automotive insurance since they are both already senior citizens. We live here in New Hampshire. Can anyone give me some advice?

Tom

Manchester, NH

Tom, you are such a sweet kid to make this gesture for your parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. And since you are a sweet child who reminds me of my own kid, I am going to help you out with your problem.

Automotive insurance policies can be quite costly at times, depending on the profile of a person. Several factors have to be considered in pricing, like driving record, credit history, gender of the person applying for automotive insurance, etcetera. So, knowing information about how automotive insurance works would help you greatly in lowering your expenses.

Anyway, here are some ways to reduce what you are going to pay for your parents’ automotive insurance.

First, I suggest that your mother be the one to carry the automotive insurance that you would be applying for. This is because women are generally considered less hazardous on the road. Statistics show that men are greater risks on the road than women. It is for this fact that automotive insurance companies are more open to the idea of giving discounts to female drivers.

Now, your mother’s being a senior citizen, partnered by the fact that she is a female driver, is going to further lower the automotive insurance premium. Why? Because senior citizens are entitled to a lot of discounts. You should definitely take advantage of these discounts.

As final words, all I can say is that there still are a lot of ways to further lower automotive insurance prices. We just have to know how the industry works and how we could use our knowledge in reducing what we have to pay for. Just go online and ask for instant quotes from different automotive insurance companies. This service if for free, and through this, I am quite sure that you would find the best cheap automotive insurance that would best fit your needs. You could also contact some independent automotive insurance agents there in New Hampshire who are experts on this matter.

Tags: auto insurance policy, senior car insurance, women car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My girlfriend has an insured car here in California, which I drive occasionally. Will her auto insurance company cover it if I get involved in an accident?

Matt

San Francisco, CA

In most cases, an existing auto insurance policy covers your incidental and temporary use of the car. Other companies do not have this, though. They will only cover those listed under the policy. So, it is best that your girlfriend calls her local auto insurance agent in California.

If you are not covered, then it would be best to have your name listed under your girlfriend’s policy. Or you may also opt to purchase your own non-owner’s insurance policy. But this may probably cost more than adding you to her current coverage.

It is also important to read and review what type of coverage your girlfriend purchased for the car. Since California only requires its motorists to carry the minimum liability insurance, and if your girlfriend indeed only has this coverage, then your medical and repairs costs will not be covered if you were responsible for an accident. This is because minimum liability only covers for treatment of bodily injuries and damages sustained by the other motorist’s car.

This is why collision and comprehensive insurance is necessary though not a requirement in California. This will cover for medical care and car repair of the insured following an accident. It is advisable that your girlfriend add your name to her policy. It would also be wise to add more coverage in the policy. This will consequently increase her premiums, so you might want to contribute a portion for the cost of insuring a car that you also use.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage, liability insurance, non owners insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have recently moved to Texas and am planning to buy a car. Do I need to have automobile insurance policy before I can apply for a Texas Driver’s License?

Bill

Austin, TX

Yes, you have to have an automobile insurance policy before you can apply for a Texas Driver’s License. People applying for a Texas Driver’s License are required to present proof of automobile insurance coverage. Texas traffic laws require motorists to shoulder expenses for the accidents they get involved in. Texas residents meet this by availing of an automobile liability insurance policy. Automobile liability insurance pays for the costs incurred after an accident. These include hospitalization expenses to treat injuries, for you or the other motorist. Automobile insurance liability coverage also shoulders the cost of repairs done or replacement of the other motorist’s car. You must have adequate liability insurance to pay up to $25,000 in medical expenses for one person or up to a total of $50,000 in medical expenses for everyone injured in the accident. You also must have a minimum of $25,000 automobile liability insurance coverage for repairs or replacement of the other party’s car. Vehicle repair or replacement and medical expense can be very costly. For that reason, minimum automobile liability insurance might not be sufficient to cover your obligations if you are responsible for a serious accident. It would be smart to avail of a higher automobile liability insurance coverage, although this may result in a higher policy premium.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance premium, car insurance law, liability insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hello, I’m Hannah of San Antonio, Texas. I got a ticket from a policeman for drunk driving two years ago and not have gotten any since then. Will I be rated a low risk driver now? If not, how long will it take before I am taken off the list? I will be renewing my car insurance in three weeks.

Hannah

San Antonio, TX

Hi, Hannah. So, now you know the effects of police reports to your insurance premiums. It hurts our pockets a little bit, doesn’t it? In the auto insurance industry, normally, it takes 3 to 5 years from the date of violation before you’re written of the list. Drunk driving offenses are looked on very seriously by auto insurance companies. Having a record of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol just makes you a very high risk driver. The reason for this is because most fatal accidents result from… you guessed it… the driver was either smashed from alcohol or high on drugs.

Automobile insurers want to be sure that you’re cleaning yourself up, and that’s why you are given 3 to 5 years to establish a good driving record. Depending on the severity of the accident, if no fatalities were incurred, then you can try to plead to your insurer for 3 years, instead of 5, to place you back to a good driver status. You can also earn additional good driving points if you attend seminars from your local Department of Motor Vehicle offices in San Antonio, Texas. No more tickets since then? Good. Keep up the good work.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI insurance

Reader’s Question:

Just a theoretical question. What if a family member drives my car, this family member is not listed in my policy, and then he has an accident? Will he or she be covered by my insurance policy? Janice of Kenosha, WI.

Janice

Kenosha, WI

Janice, this is when the importance of thorough reading comes in. It’s not fun reading them, but read the fine prints anyway. Auto insurance companies have mastered the art of writing fine prints, and we should learn to master the skill of reading it. There really is no general answer to that question. Some auto insurance company would only cover the ones listed in the policy, the ones you acknowledged, while others would automatically insure immediate family member.

There are auto insurance companies that would cover any one that you, the primary insured, allow to drive the car. To avoid scenarios like this, it is best to make sure that you include the usual drivers of your car in your policy. If possible, include your buddy that usually drives you home when it’s not safe for you to drive. You need to check with your auto insurance company and be sure about the details, check the inclusions and the exclusions, etc.

If you inform your insurance company that a member of your household, for example, will not drive the car, they will have you exclude that person. Let this remain a theoretical question. Be very mindful of your insurance policy and always be safe in Kenosha, WI.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

What will happen to the insurance coverage for a vehicle if the insured and the owner of the car has his drivers license revoked? Can the car owner have someone else operate the vehicle? I live in North Miami FL.

John

North Miami, FL

The insurance carriers vary when it comes to their rules and guidelines regarding what happens with your car insurance policy once your drivers license is revoked or suspended. So I would really suggest that you speak with your car insurance carrier to check if they are terminating your car insurance policy while your drivers license is not valid.

If your car insurance is not going to cover you during this time period and nobody in your your household is on the car insurance policy to operate the car in North Miami Florida, some insurance carriers do permit for somebody else to operate and get insurance for the car although they do not have insurable interest on the vehicle.

Some insurance carriers permits this type of car insurance coverage so to check if it will work for you, you may start now obtaining an auto insurance quote.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

How many years do I have to maintain SR22 insurance in Washington State for a DUI offense? This is my first violation.

Ariel

Enumclaw Plateau, WA

The usual time that a motorist is required to carry an SR-22 is three years in the state of Washington. The reason that you are required to obtain the SR-22 may change the length of time you are required to maintain it though.

You can be required by the state of Washington to obtain an SR22 for different reasons from a driver’s license suspension reinstatement due to a DWI/DUI, accident without proof of car insurance or a second or subsequent violation of leaving a child unattended in a running car, etc.

The process you need to take to reinstate your drivers license after your DUI are determined by a lot of factors, whether you were previously involved in any DUI offense and your blood alcohol content.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long does it take to remove your insurance points for a DUI in Newark, New Jersey?

Carl

Newark, NJ

Once a motorist is convicted of a violation, both the New Jersey insurance providers and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) can assign points and evaluate surcharges. The insurance points placed by insurance companies are known as insurance points or insurance eligibility points.

They are the same generally as the points imposed for motor vehicle points; but several major violations that do not have motor vehicle points assigned to them will result in an evaluation of points by the insurance provider. According to the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) fact page on purchasing insurance, insurance eligibility points for an accident or violation are removed when the incident falls outside the 3-year “look back” period. It would seem that your DUI insurance points would thus be taken off after three years but to be sure verify with your insurance company in Newark or the DOBI.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

How long does a drunk driving violation (DUI) remain on your driving record in New York State?

Roger

Hamburg, NY

In the state of New York, you may be arrested for any of these violations: driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more (.08 BAC), driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while ability impaired by a drug (DWAI-drug), or driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI).

If you are found guilty of any drug or alcohol-related driving offenses, the court must suspend or revoke your license at the time of your sentencing. The license itself will be immediately taken, even if the court permits the person a 20-day continuation of driving privilege.

In New York State, a conviction that either drug-related or alcohol-related stays on a person’s driving record for exactly ten years. If a motorist is convicted of the same offense during that ten year period, the driver can receive additional penalties.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

How much does your auto insurance rise after your 1st accident? I am insured in Ames, Iowa.

Naomi

Ames, IA

The amount of an car insurance increase in insurance rate after your first accident will depend on various factors such as state law and your insurance provider’s rating plan in Ames Iowa so it is difficult to provide an actual average amount.

If you have had a good driving history, and you have been with a particular insurer for more than 5 years, there are some auto insurance providers that will not increase your car insurance rates if you are found to be at-fault in a relatively minor car accident.

If instead you were drunk driving or were racing on the street and got involved in an accident, you are likely going to be obtaining a big increase in your auto insurance premiums. There could be severe legal and insurance consequences if there is a major accident and you are the at-fault driver with serious bodily injury . There could be a dramatic rise in car insurance rates or even a termination of coverage, subject to state law.

Tags: automobile, car insurance rate, drunk driving insurance, DUI