Reader’s Question:

I am new driver from Alabama. There a lot of things I still don’t know. I heard something about SR-22 auto insurance. What is this? Am I required to have it? And also, what states require SR-22 Certificate? Is it required here in Alabama?

Adolfo

Tuscaloosa, AL

Hello Adolfo!

The SR-22 Certificate is required by the state to prove that a particular individual has auto insurance policy and that his or her policy meets what is required the law.

However, you must remember that not everyone is required to have this. In general, only those drivers who have the following violations are required to maintain SR-22 for usually a period of three years:

• serious moving violations including driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI)
• driving without insurance that resulted to accident where you are determined to be at fault
• several traffic violations within a short period of time
• suspension or revocation of license

As to what states require SR-22, it would be much easier for me to list down the states that does NOT require filing for SR-22 certificate: Delaware (DE), Kentucky (KY), Minnesota (MN), North Carolina (NC), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), Oklahoma (OK) and Pennsylvania (PA). The rest of states that I have not mentioned do not require SR-22.

If you have more questions about SR-22 certificate in Alabama, it’s best to ask your car insurance agent.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I heard that the state of New York is a no fault state. Given this, is there something like a limit when it comes to auto insurance coverage? I mean what is the state required minimum limit for auto insurance in New York?

Anne

Niagara Falls, NY

Yes you are correct.

The New York state has a no fault system. This means that if you are involved in a vehicular accident, regardless if it’s your fault or the other party’s fault, your own auto insurance company automatically covers for your damage. This claim still depends though on the limits you have on your car insurance.

All states in the US require minimum required limits when it comes to car insurance. Your home state New York follows 25/50/10 coverage. And according to the New York Department of Insurance this means:

• $ 25 to cover for bodily injury/ person
• $ 50,000 for Bodily Injury for all persons
• $10,000 for Property Damage/accident

In addition, there is also a required $ 50,000 mandatory no fault coverage. This is required hence all motorists must have this. And from what I know, in general, motorists carry higher limits that what is required by NY state law.

You can always ask your car insurance agent for more information about car insurance in New York. If you are shopping for auto insurance quotes, use this website to get better deals.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance online

Reader’s Question:

I’m from New Hampshire and am quite aware that drivers are not required to have car insurance. What could be the reasons why my teenage son was required to obtain one?

Sharon

Manchester, NH

The State of New Hampshire still has this very traditional and old-fashioned philosophy of minimized regulation. This is why car insurance coverage is not required to its drivers. But while New Hampshire does not force its motorists to carry at least the liability insurance, some drivers are required to carry it.

Normally, a violation or conviction for traffic infractions triggers this car insurance requirement. A driver convicted for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in New Hampshire will be required to obtain minimum liability insurance. Another case could be accumulation of multiple Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Demerit Points.

A notice will be mailed by the state informing a driver of insurance requirements. Since your son has been required to acquire liability insurance, he must have had multiple traffic tickets or a DWI violation (and just hasn’t informed you yet). The state will request proof of financial responsibility from his insurance carrier. This form, the SR22, will be filed by the insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles on your son’s behalf to show that he has obtained coverage. If he has been charged with DWI, the SR22, meaning the liability insurance coverage, will be carried for three years. If traffic tickets triggered this insurance requirement to your son, then you can expect high insurance rates.

Tags: DMV, DWI insurance, liability insurance, sr22 car insurance, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I heard that Kentucky is a no fault state. What does no fault really mean? Does this mean that when I get involved in an accident no one is going to be determined as the at fault party? Both parties are considered innocent? I’m just confused right now and I hope that someone can help me with my confusion.

Gerry

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Surely Gerry I’d be more than happy to enlighten you. You are correct in some way. But let me just give you a clearer explanation about your question.

The state of Kentucky is a choice no fault. This means that you as a driver have the option to choose whether you’ll go for tort liability or the no fault car insurance method.

Let me define first what the tort liability is. Under this system, restrictions regarding lawsuits are not applicable. Hence, if you get involved in an accident and you are the at fault party then you can be sued by the other party for the pain they incurred from the said accident.

Meanwhile, if you choose the no fault auto insurance, then you must buy personal injury protection. This will provide coverage for the expenses related to injuries and other cost incurred from the accident. Let me emphasize that this coverage would provide support no matter who the at fault party is. Thus, your auto insurance company will automatically provide coverage and pays for you .In exchange for this set up, you are required to give up some of your rights to sue the other party. This works for you too. You may not be sued by the other party also. However, this still depends on the gravity of the accident and the financial matters involved.

If you have additional questions about no fault auto insurance in Kentucky, do not forget to ask your car insurance agent.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance law, car insurance tips

Reader’s Question:

My boyfriend just recently purchased GAP insurance in Iowa. I am quite confused on what GAP insurance cover. Does this mean that in case of death, GAP insurance will provide coverage? Just to clarify, I’m not wishing that my boyfriend be in that situation. I just wanna make sure that he’s getting the insurance he needs. Thanks!

Minnie

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hi there Minnie. I hope so that your boyfriend will not be involved in any vehicular accidents at all.

Going back to your question, GAP insurance does not normally offer coverage for death. To give you a better understanding what GAP insurance cover, let me give you a scenario.

I’m assuming that your boyfriend is still paying for his car. Let’s say he purchased it by loaning. Then he met a vehicular accident (which I hope he won’t) and as expected there would be damage on his car and it’s declared to be a total loss. Your boyfriend’s auto insurance company declared the current worth of his car for $25,000. Hence, they will provide you that money. However, the original worth of his vehicle is $35,000. So there’s a difference of $10,000 that your boyfriend still owe to the company who loans him the car. That’s where GAP insurance kicks in. It provides coverage for the balance that needed to be paid by your boyfriend to the financial company who loans him his vehicle.

With this scenario, I don’t see how death can be covered from GAP insurance. However, just to make things clearer, I would suggest it’s best to ask your boyfriend’s car insurance agent on the term and conditions of his GAP insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance online

Reader’s Question:

A tree branch fell and hit my windshield. Now, it’s all broken, and I’m just waiting for the glass to fall off. Will my automotive insurance cover this damage? Are there any rules here in Florida that says anything about broken windshields?

Antoine

Miami, FL

In most states, a comprehensive coverage of a vehicle covers glass breakage. Often, if it’s the windshield that gets broken, repair or replacement is done immediately. The windshield is considered as the most important window for the driver, therefore it is typically given that much attention to prevent related future accidents. Auto insurance companies that cover this kind of damage require that you buy comprehensive coverage that comes with a full glass/windshield coverage listed in the deductible section. However, there are certain states that don’t cover this at all.

In Florida, there are rulings that waive the deductible on the physical impairment coverage if you need to have your broken window (such as the windshield) replaced. With this, it is expected that drivers will immediately take care of their damaged windshield, so as to avoid further damage or accidents.

If your auto insurance policy has physical damage coverage, contact your auto insurance agent to claim for the replacement of your damaged windshield. The company will most likely notify you for any deductible that is due for that replacement. You may also try to ask the insurance agent to explain to you the terms and conditions of your policy with regards to your claim, as well as the state laws that may affect this coverage to avoid confusion in case a similar incident happens again in the future.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

I have the basic auto insurance coverage that is required in Arkansas. And now, I am planning to make some changes on my car insurance coverage. I am planning to purchase the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. I just wanna know, are there any required limits for having this kind of coverage? Or can I just set the limits myself? I am on a fixed income so I’m thinking if getting this kind of policy will hurt my budget. Thanks for the help!

Jonas

North Little Rock, AR

Hi there Jonas! I am on fixed income too and I even have two kids that I send to school. But I still considered the importance of maintaining uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

So let’s go back to your question. Yes, there is a state minimum required limit for this kind of coverage. According to Arkansas Insurance Department, the state required limits for bodily injury uninsured motorists coverage are as follows: split limits of $25,000/person, $50,000/accident or single limit that amounts to $50,000.

In addition, you also have the option to add property damage uninsured motorist coverage. The limits can be up to your auto insurance policy liability limits. But since this is optional, you have also the option to also reject this type of car insurance coverage.

For more information about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage feel free to contact the Arkansas Insurance Department or your auto insurance agent.

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

Reader’s Question:

I got a quick question about car insurance rate in New Jersey. My friend received his traffic ticket for not wearing a seat belt. This is the second time he had a violation like that. The last time he was cited was about two years ago. Now my question is this, since this was his second time for being cited for failing to wear seat belt, will his car insurance rate increase?

Lara

Camden, NJ

What I know about seat belt law in the state of New Jersey is that it is considered as a primary offense at present. Before it was only considered as a secondary offense. Now, given the fact that seat belt law is a primary offense and this will surely be under your friend’ s driving record, I think it’s only normal that your friend will see an increase on his car insurance premium in New Jersey after being cited for the said violation for the second time.

However, you have to remember that every car insurance company handles traffic violations in different manners. For some companies, they may take this violation in a negative way and will impose an increase on your friend’s car insurance premium. For others, they may cancel the car insurance discounts that your friend is getting. And for some, they might just let this pass. Meaning to say, they may forgive your friend and will not impose any change on his auto insurance premium.

The best way to know if there will be an increase on his car insurance rate will be to ask your friend’s car insurance agent in NJ. If the increase is too much, then your friend may consider shopping for auto insurance quotes by using the websites.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance law, car insurance tips

Reader’s Question:

I am about to buy a car insurance policy here in Nevada. But before I do, I want to know where car insurance companies put the money I paid them for premiums.

Scott

Sparks, NV

I appreciate you wanting to know about something as important as your car insurance. Now, the major element in determining car insurance premiums is the cost of paying for accidents, as well as the expenses connected with settling them. Some other outlay is for marketing and advertising, salaries and commission for the agent and broker, and general overhead expenses. Expenditures are offset by the earnings by the insurance provider when they invest the money you pay for premiums.

Results of car insurance underwriting basically has a cycle that goes on for several years and can also affect your premiums. They usually have a several good years then some bad years then back to good years. If the investments that they have made good earnings, they may delay the expenses and casualty in underwriting. Some companies like to have some excess beyond expenditures and offset expenses, so they can accumulate more profits. Some states also impose that the insurance companies have some cash reserves above the minimum, which usually affects premiums.

Now before you purchase anything, look around and get quotes from different providers. You should also ask your agent there in Nevada about some discounts that you can avail of, so you can get the highest possible coverage for your money. Good luck!

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance premium, Car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes