Reader’s Question:

I live in Nevada and recently got into a car accident. It wasn’t my fault and I have auto insurance, anyway, but the other driver doesn’t. What will happen to the other driver?

George

Carson, NV

Penalties in various states range from license suspension, fines and/or forced compliance to the state’s financial responsibility laws. According to the Nevada Auto Insurance Law, if someone operates a motor vehicle without auto insurance and gets into an accident, then the registration of the car and the license of the driver will be cancelled. The other driver will then be required to present a proof or certification of future financial responsibility if in case he or she gets involved in an accident in the future and is again found to be at fault. The form SR22 will be filed to show that this uninsured driver now has car insurance coverage for his driving privileges to be restored.

The type of coverage that needs to be purchased will be based on the State of Nevada’s minimum insurance requirements. This coverage is called 15/30/10. These numbers stand for fifteen thousand dollars bodily injury coverage for a single passenger and up to a combined total of thirty thousand dollars bodily injury for all passengers involved in the accident. An amount of ten thousand dollars maximum will be allotted for destroyed property. Failure of the other driver to comply with this car insurance requirement may mean complete revocation of the car registration and driver’s license.

Tags: car insurance law, sr22 car insurance, SR22 Form, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

How are automotive insurance claims processed here in Louisiana?

Eliza

Shreveport, LA

In Louisiana, there are different ways of processing a claim, and you have to familiarize yourself with each detail or step in order to lessen the frustration when a claim is pursued. First of all, you need to notify your car insurance company about the incident that caused damages to you or to the other party involved. A company agent will be assigned to check if the damages brought by the incident are covered by your automotive insurance policy. Once your policy’s coverage is confirmed, an investigation will take place to check on the parties involved. This will determine who the person responsible for the losses incurred is. A series of interviews with all parties and with the witnesses, as well as the incident report from the police, will all be used to support the conclusion of who’s at fault in the incident.

If you have been found at fault, your auto insurance company will be made liable for the expenses brought about by the incident. The auto insurance company will only pay for the damages that arise from the covered loss. However, for those that are beyond the policy coverage and are not related to the accident, you will have to personally settle.

The cost of the financial obligations will be determined after the claims adjuster has reviewed the damages to the property and the bodily injuries. By this time, all the medical bills, prognosis (for projected future expenses), and lost wages would have to be factored in to determine the amount that should only be paid for before the claim is settled.

The last step is the pay out of the damages to the claimant. If the claims adjuster and all the other parties involved were able to settle the claim in a way that all concerned are satisfied, then a lengthy claims process may be avoided. However, if it turns out otherwise, it would be best to seek out legal advice.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance policy, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

My insurance provider here in Missouri asked how long I’ve had my car insurance. Why do they need this information? Is it relevant?

Janet

Columbia, MO

Don’t be too surprised Janet. It is quite normal for car insurance companies to ask the policy holders about the length of time they have had their insurance policy. This is simply a way for them to determine a personalized rate for you. You see, your insurance provider has no way of knowing who you really are, so they need palpable information, such as your insurance history, for them to decide a specific premium rate for you.

Basically, insurance companies look for consistencies or inconsistencies in your car insurance coverage. They equate continuous coverage with low-risk drivers. Meaning, people with intervals in their car insurance coverage might be charged with higher rates because they have a higher risk for accidents. Even a one day break in your car insurance coverage can make you seem high risk to insurance companies. So, if you’re planning to buy new car insurance, don’t forget to buy the new policy before canceling the previous one. Anyway, it is illegal to drive without insurance and getting caught may lead to cancellation or revocation of your driver’s license or license plate.

Call your local agent, so you can discuss with your insurer there in Missouri about the rewards or perks that you can claim for having a good driving history! Try shopping online for free car insurance quotes, too!

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

Hi, folks. Here’s my question: Not that I would do it, but can anybody legally drive a car even without insurance? My name is Anthony, and I live in Tucson, Arizona.

Anthony

Tucson, AZ

Now, that is one heck of a question. I hope we don’t have ourselves a future violator in our midst.

To give you the obvious answer to your question: NO, SIR. You can not and should not drive without auto insurance coverage. That’s just downright irresponsible. I hope I’m not starting to sound like your least favorite uncle. Auto insurance protects you and everyone around your car. Believe it or not, it saves you money when or if an accident happens. Besides, almost all, if not all states require motorists to carry auto insurance policies. All states have this law that basically makes sure that you can pay for damages and claims when you figure in an accident whether or not you are insured. But if you do not have sufficient assets, the state will allow you to purchase the allowed minimum insurance coverage.

Insurance are there to protect your assets. They are there so that people don’t have to go after your assets when you figure in an auto accident or when you hit something with your car. If you are really strapped for cash, check the insurance laws of Tucson, AZ. Find out about the minimum amount of insurance that the state allows.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m planning on buying my kid a car so that I won’t have to bother taking her to and picking her up from school here in Jacksonville, Florida. I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice regarding this???

Malena

Jacksonville, Florida

Hey there, Malena. What exact information are you really asking for? Can’t you go specify and give some examples? In any case, well, if you are going to give your teenage kid driving power there in Jacksonville, Florida, it is definitely going to add up to the premium of your auto insurance policy. But you may be able to cut some costs if you give your kid a car that is the opposite of what she really, really would like to drive because this might make sure that your kid drives really safely. Just one ticket and poof! your kid’s auto insurance rate would go rocket high to god knows what amount. The best cars are, of course, the slower ones so that your kid won’t go overspeeding. Also, used cars are sure to lower the rates of your kid’s auto insurance. And since your kid is a student, you might wanna check out the good student teen driver insurance rates. You will just have to make sure that your kid maintains a B average or above. But that might be some challenge, ey? hehe.

You can also lower your costs if you keep your kid insured under your own policy while, if possible, marking him or her as an occasional driver. And, just ask questions to people and inquire because different auto insurance companies have different quotes for teenage drivers.

Tags: auto insurance, Student car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am familiar with liability auto insurance and comprehensive auto insurance here in Pueblo, Colorado CO. But does anyone know what is bodily injury insurance?

Katie

Pueblo, CO

Sure Katie,

Glad to help. In today’s litigious society, most states now require operators to carry auto liability insurance coverage. Different states set different minimal coverage limits. Bodily injury insurance falls within the scope of your liability insurance. Bodily injury insurance covers all medical expenses, hospital expenses and rehabilitation expenses for all parties injured in an auto accident.

Whatever the minimum bodily injury limits set by the state in which you reside will be the maximum amount of the bodily injury coverage in your standard auto insurance liability policy. Generally there is an individual limit and also a total composite maximum exposure figure. This is the bodily injury coverage available for payments to all injured parties.

These days many bodily injury policies are upgraded by policyholders. This is a topic to discuss with your insurance agent in Pueblo, Colorado CO. He may cite some cases and statistics that will interest you. He will also furnish premium pricing for this additional bodily injury endorsement. Or you can start taking advantage of services offered by insurance websites like this one, which can give you free quotes online using the relevant form.

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

Reader’s Question:

How much does SR-22 insurance form filing cost?

Powell

Brockton, MA

The car insurance coverage bought that is associated with the SR-22 certificate will be rated according to all the factors that normally go into rating an insurance policy, regardless of the SR-22 form filing.

Typically insurance carriers are allowed to charge a nominal fee for SR22 filing to the state. The SR-22 form filing cost is typically only $15 to $25 but state laws vary though.

Your driving history is a rating factor in the car insurance cost so the reason that you are required to get and carry the SR-22, such as reinstating your drivers license after a DWI/DUI suspension, may affect your auto insurance rate premium but the SR-22 form itself does not go beyond the filing fee.

Tags: Car insurance discounts, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

In Warwick, Rhode Island, how long are your required to carry an SR-22 insurance?

Harris

Warwick, RI

Typically, the length of time one will be required to maintain an SR-22 filing is 3 years in Warwick but in Rhode Island since the court sets the time period it may be the standard three years or a different amount of time. To verify what amount of time the court determined for you in your specific case you should be able to contact the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles or read over your court papers to check if they say how long a financial responsibility certificate must be maintained.

If you find out that the time period to carry your SR-22 insurance is up and the state of Rhode Island is no longer requiring you to carry it then the Department of Motor Vehicle or Rhode Island insurance regulator should be able to tell you what process you need to take so that you can terminate the SR22 certificate from your insurance policy. An insurance provider will want proof that the SR22 insurance can be cancelled and will no longer needed to be filed on your behalf to the state.

Tags: sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Are there any requirements that has to be be met before an insurance carrier may apply rating credits or debits to a commercial auto insurance policy?

Lorie

Boulder, CO

There are likely requirements that insurance providers dealing with commercial auto insurance polices have when applying credits or debits but I do not know anything about the commercial automobile industry so for help with finding out what these requirements I suggest contacting your insurance regulatory body in Boulder Colorado.

This state agency may assist policyholders with the rating system of insurance providers and should be able to answer all your questions regarding the application of debits and credits.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Can my girlfriend coming on vacation from UK drive in Ellicott City Maryland with his international license if she hires a vehicle?

Troy

Ellicott City, MD

According to Maryland’s Driver Handbook any nonresident of Maryland may drive on the Maryland roadways provided that the nonresident is in possession of a valid license to operate a vehicle issued by the country or state in which they reside. Motorists with a valid foreign driver’s license may operate a vehicle the same class or type of car in Maryland that the individual is permitted to drive in their home country, as long as they meet the Maryland age requirements.

It sounds that your girlfriend will not have trouble driving in Ellicott City Maryland with his British or UK license. If she only had an international permit that would not be enough to drive with however a valid license from his home country of UK she should be able to drive in MD and other states.

Tags: auto insurance