Reader’s Question:

I I live in Bronx, New York. Last Friday I was in an accident, was at fault and I received a DWI. My questions, do I still get coverage If I file an insurance claim. I know that my insurance rates will go up drastically in Bronx, but can I still make a claim for this accident?

Penelope

Bronx, NY

Yes, even if you were cited for a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) normally if your auto insurance was in force it should cover the accident. By speaking to your insurance broker or agent in Bronx NY and reading through the terms of your insurance policy you should be able to know for sure if claims for the accident you were in while intoxicated will be covered by your car insurance policy.

You are right that your auto insurance rates will rise significantly, especially if this is your 3rd offense of either Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) or Driving While Intoxicated.

Tags: auto insurance, DWI insurance

Reader’s Question:

How many years do I need to carry SR22 insurance policy after DUI offense in the state of Virginia?

George

Arlington, VA

The amount of time one must maintain an SR-22 may differ in the state of Virginia but typically it must be maintained for three years after a DUI/DWI convictions.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles site ,when 3 years have elapsed from the effective date of the revocation or suspension, the Department of Motor Vehicle relieves the car owner of the requirement of providing proof of financial responsibility. To check if this is true for your case you may contact the Virginia DMV.

All convictions of DWI/DUI of alcohol or drugs are all kept on your Virginia driving history for eleven years.

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

Reader’s Question:

I know someone with a commercial car insurance policy. His new employee received a ticket for failure to provide proof of car insurance in the Oregon. But, he was driving a company car while employed at his old job. Does he have to carry the SR-22 in Eugene, Oregon since he was an employee and he was driving a company car?

Richard

Eugene, OR

The employee should know if he was required in Eugene, Oregon to file a SR-22 or not.

In Oregon the Department of Motor Vehicle requires that your insurance provider file an SR-22 certificate with DMV if

• You failed to provide proof to DMV that you have liability insurance,
• You have been involved in an uninsured accident,
• You have been convicted of driving without insurance,
• You are applying for a hardship or probationary permit, or
• At the time of reinstating your driving privileges following a DUII suspension.

The employee should check with the court to see if the ticket must stay with him or if instead it can be transferred to the owner of the work car.

Tags: driving without insurance, sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

What will be penalties for driving without a license while being involved in a crash, in California?

Tim

Carlsbad, CA

In California the penalty for driving without a license includes not only a court fees and fines but the towing and impoundment of the car the unlicensed motorist was driving. If you have had a prior violation for driving as an unlicensed driver in California, the state may be able to take the car away from you as forfeiture.

If you are licensed, but were driving with a revoked or suspended license, the penalties can include getting the revocation or suspension time longer.

Being in an accident may result into harsh penalties. Also if you are at fault in the accident then you will also have that placed on your driving history. If you have your car insurance up to date then it should cover you, even though you were operating without a license at the time of the accident.

Tags: Driving without License

Reader’s Question:

How long are you required to have SR22 insurance in the state of Decatur, Alabama on a DWI violation?

Brent

Decatur, AL

The penalties for a 1st time violation of a DWI or DUI in Alabama is a fine of $600 to $2,100, up to 1 year in jail or by both imprisonment and fine. Also the individuals driver’s license will be suspended for ninety days.

In addition to the fines and penalties, my friend in Decatur who was charged of DUI was also required to carry SR-22 insurance and attend and finish a substance abuse program.

Under normal circumstances in Alabama the SR2-2 will be required to be maintained for a period of 3 years. But, the Department of Public Safety should tell you how long you will actually be required to file SR22. So I would really suggest that you contact the AL Department of Public Safety to know for sure how long you will be required to carry a SR-22 if you have been convicted of a DWI violation.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

How do I know if I am being charged the right premium by my insurance company in Pocatello Idaho?

Mark

Pocatello, ID

The beginning of your policy should describe the terms of coverage included and the charge for each one. If you need more explanation than that, you can ask your agent or write to your insurance company in Pocatello Idaho for a better explanation.

If you think that you’re not paying the right or best rate, lowering your auto insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars is not easy at all. You can shop around, get all the discounts you deserve, and know a few key strategies that can cut your costs even further. Many large insurance companies regularly change the way they set rates in order to expand their consumer base, which makes it a particularly good time for you to check out your auto insurance options.

Also, you can always compare rates from auto insurance companies available in the market. The price range can be significantly high for the exact same person, and the insurance company that offers your neighbor the best rate may actually be the most expensive one for you. Shop around online, through an agent, directly through a few companies, and see if your Idaho state insurance department has price comparisons, too. Decide to switch insurance company only if you can cut your costs considerably. Otherwise, you may lose a valuable claims-free or long-term customer discount and be more likely to get punished in the end if you receive a ticket or an accident without having auto insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

Do auto insurance companies in Fall River Massachusetts offer coverage for the same class of drivers?

Amy

Fall River, MA

Most auto insurance companies are only willing to offer coverage to drivers classified as having “standard risk”. These are drivers with a history of few violations distributed over a period of years or owners of cars that are not extremely expensive or not statistically at high risk of accidents.

A few companies may give priority on attracting drivers with outstanding driving records since this group of drivers is statistically correlated with low risk of accidents. Auto insurance companies classify these drivers as preferred and are normally charged with lower premiums because chances of accidents are expected to be less.

Drivers classified as “non-standard risks” are drivers that statistically, or through their own driving history, are at higher risk than average drivers. There are a number of companies in Fall River Massachusetts that cover for a broad range of drivers while others may only insure just one type. Some may even establish a group of companies with each member having a different underwriting goal. This allows them the flexibility to insure a broad range of drivers and charge appropriate premiums for each group.
There are some drivers who do not fall into any of these categories and cannot get insurance with any auto insurance company. These people must get insurance through an assigned risk program. Assigned risk programs vary from state to state, but most allow drivers to have access to auto insurance – though often at a relatively high price.

Tags: Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

What is the difference between assigned risk insurance and non-standard auto insurance in Phoenix Arizona?

Aaron

Phoenix, AZ

Auto insurance placed by the state is called assigned risk auto insurance. Most states have some sort of assigned risk plan to assure that you can get insurance coverage. An auto insurance agent first submits your application to the state’s assigned risk plan. Then, the state assigns the application to a licensed insurance company for issuance. The insurance agent may or may not have a contractual relationship with the assigned carrier. In most cases, the assigned carrier is required to offer insurance for three years only.

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can tell you if you need an assigned risk plan. Make sure to contact your Phoenix, Arizona agent and let him know if ever you decide to get an assigned risk plan. Some states may require you to buy the assigned risk plan so that you will be eligible to drive and buy an insurance policy from a private company
As for non-standard auto insurance, it is the insurance purchased from an agent or directly from an insurance company. If you purchased insurance from an agent, that agent has a contractual relationship to the company issuing the policy. The use of non-assigned insurance plans is simply to ensure that you will get wide coverage from different companies.
In states where purchasing an assigned policy is not required, you may shop for a non-standard insurance policy directly from private companies or their agents. You may contact auto insurance companies and see if you qualify for a non-standard policy and if your state allows it.

Tags: Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

What happens if I am pulled over and I dont have my driver’s license with me at the time?

Roger

Austin, TX

State laws vary but generally if you are driving a car and have a driver’s license but forgot it at home, you can be given a ticket if pulled over and requested by a police officer officer to produce it.

The good news is that in most areas they will give you the opportunity to present it before your court date and produce a driver’s license that was valid before the date and time of the original violation so that the ticket can be remove.

Always remember that this differs from state to state. If you were cited for not having your driver’s license in your possession, you may contact the court listed on the ticket and also probably your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to check if you can show your valid license and have the ticket dismissed.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My license got suspended about 10 years ago and I was required to acquire an SR22 form in Ogden, Utah. My insurance carrier still charges me for the SR22 every time I renew my car insurance policy. Am I always be required to pay for this SR22?

Nick

Ogden, UT

Normally three years is a limit on the amount of time one must carry an SR-22. You are informed by the Department of Motor Vehicle, or other state agency requiring you to carry this financial insurance certificate or SR22, how long you will need to carry the SR-22 in Ogden, Utah. If you are not sure of how long you are required to have this certificate of financial responsibility or SR22 you may contact the state agency that first required it of you.

If your time limit for needing to have the Sr-22 is over then you should tell your car insurance company so that this part of your coverage can be removed and thus also the extra cost associated with it.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance