Reader’s Question:

I’ve always wanted to get the cheapest auto insurance for me to be able to save money for other expenses. I think that I pay too much for it, so how can I get the cheapest auto insurance here in Columbia, Missouri?

Olsen

Columbia, MO

Auto insurance is required once you register and drive your vehicle. The premiums depend on the kind of vehicle that you own. Auto insurance providers also have different criteria to determine the insurance rates. If you are careless, you may finish off paying double or even triple the premiums that you should pay. Some determinants of the insurance premiums are the kind of coverage, condition of the vehicle, your driving record and how old you are. If you plan well, you could get the cheapest auto insurance for your vehicle in Columbia, Missouri.

You may either get in touch with an insurance agent or just search the Internet for the best insurance providers. Most of them have websites that would tell you about their different insurance policies. You should be honest in telling them the information about your vehicle and yourself. You must get an insurance quote instantly and you wouldn’t have to wait so long. You must do this with as much insurance providers as possible and you should be able to get the best and at the same time, cheapest car insurance that suits your specific needs.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My wife was recently recruited by the US Army here in Sioux City, Iowa, and is now serving abroad. We were wondering what kind of discounts can we get for car insurance if we put our policy under her name. Any info is appreciated, Thanks!

Julius

Sioux City, IA

One of the many benefits of joining the military is that you get discounts or get deposits waived to almost any bill you may have under your name. Car insurance is no exception to this. The majority of car insurance companies out there that provides discounts towards military servicemen and servicewomen. Think of it as their way of showing patriotism (and the fact that most military personnel make for very reliable customers).

One notable, military-friendly car insurance provider is GEICO, where Active duty and Retired military personnel, as well as Reserves and individuals serving under the National Guard can get up to a fifteen-percent (15%) discount towards their total auto insurance premiums. Soldiers who have been deployed to countries or areas considered by the Department of Defense as Imminent-danger-pay-areas (e.g: Iraq or Serbia) can expect even more savings and discounts passed towards their auto insurance bills.

It is best to consult your car insurance agent there in Sioux City, Iowa, about offers and benefits of getting your car insurance under your wife’s name. It will also be a good idea to do some research and compare different auto insurance providers if you feel you’re not getting much savings at all. You may be able to get better rates or better discounts with a competitor, or haggle with your current car insurance provider to keep you and your wife as a customer.

Tags: auto insurance, military discount

Reader’s Question:

My boyfriend will visit me here in East San Gabriel Valley, California and will be staying here for a couple of days. He is an American citizen but has Mexican car insurance since he lives and works in Mexico. Is it possible for him to get California car insurance for his vehicle just for a couple of days since he’s planning to drive it when he comes and visits me?

Carmen

East San Gabriel Valley, CA

What I know is that in general, auto insurance in California has a policy period for 6 months or 1 year. This is if you are going to purchase car insurance policy through a regular auto insurance company. However, from what I learned there are auto insurance companies that offer such policy for a short period of time like in your boyfriend’s case, for just a couple of days. You need to look to auto insurance companies that specialize in what they call border insurance if I am not mistaken.

However, before you do that I would say it’s better to ask your boyfriend’s car insurance carrier in Mexico to know if they can extend the coverage while he visits you in East San Gabriel Valley, California. If not, then don’t let your boyfriend drive around California without auto insurance. do you research and find car insurance company that offers border insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that a person’s zip code and physical address affect the car insurance rate? If it does, then in what way? Can someone explain this to me? If it would help, I am from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Charlie

Lake Charles, LA

Every state law differs from each other so as auto insurance rates from every car insurance company. Although, state law has control on auto insurance rates, car insurance companies have also the right to set their own guidelines that they follow regarding auto insurance price.

However, in general, most auto insurance companies do consider a person’s location in setting their rates. Let’s take this scenario as an example. If you live in an urban area, then that means they are more people living in your place thus more cars likely to be driven on the roads. More people and more cars only mean higher chance of getting involved in car accidents. Higher chance of getting in car accident means higher chance for auto insurance companies to cover for the damages and claims likely to be incurred.

But, you must also remember the zip code or address or location alone does not merit a higher car insurance rate. There a lot of factors that car insurance companies consider like your driving history, claims history, driving patterns, age etc.

For additional information for other factors that affect car insurance rates in Lake Charles, Louisiana, it’s best to ask your car insurance agent. If you are shopping for car insurance, use this website.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance discounts, car insurance online, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I am curious on how car insurance rates are set? I know it differs from every state I just wanna have an idea on how it is calculated. I am from Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Rosemary

Idaho Falls, ID

You are correct. Car insurance rates differ from every state and from every car insurance company.

Although I cannot give you exactly the amount on every car insurance rate, what I can do is to give you the factors that affect a person’s car insurance rate. In general, these factors are taking into consideration by car insurance companies in setting their auto insurance rates:

Driving records. If you’ve been involved in several driving accidents then you are considered a high-risk driver which normally means higher car insurance premium.

Claims history. The more often you are involved in a car accident, the more often you are likely to file a claim, thus the higher your insurance rate would be.

Age. Younger drivers, specifically those under 25 are considered high risk driver because according to studies, they are likely to be involved in vehicular accidents.

Car. The general rule of the thumb is, the more expensive your car, the more expensive it is to be repaired, thus the higher your car insurance rate would be.

Location. A more populated place like in cities only means higher chances of getting involved in accident as compared to rural areas. Thus, higher car insurance rates for people who live in the urban areas.

These are just some of the factors that affect your car insurance rates Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ask you car insurance agent for more information or shop around to see if you are paying so much on your car insurance rates or not. Enter your zip code here to compare car insurance premiums in your area.

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

Reader’s Question:

I was recently given a ticket for over speeding and I know this will increase my auto insurance rate. I am from Oyster Bay, New York. I am curious on how long do violations stay in a person’s driving record? Too bad, now I don’t have a clean driving record.

Tom

Oyster Bay, NY

I’m sorry to hear that Tom.

Going back to your question, according to New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) moving violation remains on a person’s driving record for a period of 4 years. This means 4 years from the time the conviction occurred not from the time the violation happened. However, for other serious offense like alcohol or drug related moving violations it would remain for a period of 10 years. Lastly, there are some more serious convictions that could remain in a driving record for more than 10 years. Unfortunately, I was not able to check, on what those serious violations would be.

There are states that allow a person to enroll in a defensive driving class to dismiss a ticket. To make sure if you can choose this option, I would suggest asking the NY DMV for additional information. I am afraid though that being cited for over speeding means bigger possibility for an increased car insurance rate. If you see too much increase on your auto insurance rate after being cited for over speeding you can always try to look for another car insurance company. You can start by using this website and enter your zip code.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I am about toe sell my car to my friend. But I am required to carry SR 22 for a period of 3 years for some violation I did in the past. Now my question is, do I still have to maintain SR 22 even if I don’t have the car anymore? I mean, since I’ll be selling my car I don’t think I still need to have SR 22. I am from Deer Valley, Arizona.

Mike

Deer Valley, AZ

What I know is that in Arizona if you re asked to maintain an SR 22 for a period of 3 years from the date of suspension. So, it appears to me that you need to carry an SR 22 form for a period of 3 years, regardless whether you sell the car or not.

In addition, in general most states require a non-owner SR 22 if you do not own a car. This car insurance coverage allows you to drive cars that you do not own but you were given the right to drive said vehicle by the owner. This policy covers you in an event that you had a vehicular accident. This insurance coverage pays the damages incurred by the other party.

For more information regarding your question, you can check with Arizona Department of Transportation. You can also ask you car insurance agent Deer Valley, Arizona.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am a new driver, just recently moved here in Texas and I’m planning to get my own car. I know I also need to get car insurance. I’m a lost soul and know nothing about car insurance. Help anyone please? I am from Wichita Falls, Texas if that make any difference.

Michaela

Wichita Falls, TX

The basic fact is that no one is allowed to register his or her own car without getting it insured first. And that’s what we’re supposed to follow in Texas. Now let’s say you already have your own car then the next thing you should think is getting car insurance.

Vehicle insurance requirements here in Texas are fairly basic. Just maintain an auto insurance policy for every car that you have then you’re ok. But you should consider that there is some simple requirement that needs to be covered like:

* $25,000 per accident that should cover physical damage or death to one person per accident
* $50,000 per accident that should cover physical damage or death to two or more persons
* $25,000 that should cover for damage in property in an accident

Always remember these are just minimum amount that Texas state law requires. Financial liability from vehicular accidents can be more than what you’re expected so it’s always best to drive carefully. If you are looking for affordable car insurance rates, use our website to find the best deal for you in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, young driver insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have two lovely daughters who are both studying in college. Their university is 60 miles from our house in Scranton, Pennsylvania. They do not live with us anymore but they often visit us once a month. Whenever they are at home, they don’t use my car or my husband’s car. But my insurer wants my two daughters to be insured the same cost as if they are living with us. Why should I do this?

Veronica

Scranton, PA

In most cases, auto insurance companies are allowed to consider all possible users of the vehicle under the same household. This is including children who are away because they are studying but still have the same permanent address with their parents. The reason behind this is car insurance companies are taking into consideration the possible exposure to vehicular accidents of people who live in your household. Thus, the possibility of extending your car insurance coverage to people in your house.

However, if you don’t want to include your daughters in your car insurance policy then you can talk with your agent in Scranton, Pennsylvania and asked your daughters not to be included. According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the first person insured on the policy has the right to exclude any member of the family provided that the person going to be excluded has auto insurance from another auto insurance company or has the Assigned Risk Plan. For additional information you can contact the PA Insurance Department.

Tags: auto insurance, student car insurance, young driver insurance

Reader’s Question:

I was stopped by a law enforcement officer while driving and was asked to show proof of auto insurance at that time. However, I failed to do that because I have no car insurance then. After three hours, I was able to purchase one. I have already sent in the proof that I have car insurance but they told me that I still need to make an appearance before the court. Why should I do that? I’ve already proved to them that I have car insurance after the incident. I am from Plano, Texas.

Patrick

Plano, TX

If a driver is cited for driving without auto insurance or failing to meet the requirement for financial responsibility law but is indeed covered by auto insurance at the time the citation was given, said citation could be dismissed. This can be done if the driver is able to provide proof of financial responsibility which should include the following:

• Contact Information about the insurer including name, address, and contact number;
• Insurance Policy Number
• Effectivity and expiration date of the policy;
• Name and address of the policyholder/s;
• Policy statement/limits; and
• Information on the vehicle (including the make and model of all the cars covered by the policy).

According to Plano Municipal Court, if all requirements were not met, the proof will not be accepted therefore the citation will not be dismissed. As to your question to why you are still required to appear before court, the answer is because you don’t have auto insurance at the time the citation was given. You can only contest the charge and have the citation dismissed if you have auto insurance at the time of the incident. I would suggest you seek legal assistance to help you with the legal actions to be taken regarding this violation.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate