Reader’s Question:

What does Uninsured and under insured coverage mean? I noticed this while reviewing my existing policy for my cars here in Largo, Florida. Do I really need both of these?

Loren

Largo, FL

Coverage for Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists, to some, might not seem like an absolute necessity to some since most would think everyone has their auto mobiles insured and that by having “insurance” would automatically mean they will be covered in an accident, regardless. However, it is highly advisable that you understand and maintain these policies.

Basically, Uninsured Motorists coverage within your policy would pay for damages incurred in case you or your automobile gets involved in a car accident and the at fault party does not have any insurance to cover you. Depending on limitations, these might include medical expenses and auto repairs. Similarly, Underinsured Motorists coverage will pay for all the medical expenses or auto repair or any other damages incurred that the at fault party’s insurance is not able to completely cover all payments or is insufficient.

The choice of keeping these in your existing policy for your automobile in Largo, Florida, is of course, up to you however keep in mind that not all people will have insurance coverage in case you get in a car accident with them and that could mean thousands of dollars worth of medical fees, legal fees and repair expenses you might end up shouldering when your insurance could have paid for everything.

Tags: auto insurance policy, auto repair, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have insurance for my car here in Austin, Texas but I’m wondering if I should trust a friend to use it since I’ll be leaving the country for a while? Should I ask him to get Insurance for himself or would my car insurance coverage be enough?

Rudy

Austin, TX

It is highly recommended that you ask your friend there in Austin, Texas, to get a non owners auto insurance before considering leaving our car under someone else’s care or use. Although most would think one insurance policy would be enough one can never be too careful. If your car gets involved in an accident and the damages accumulated exceeds what’s covered on your auto insurance policy then your friend’s non-owners coverage will fill in for the rest. This should save you from the frustration and hassles, not to mention thousands of dollars worth in potential savings, of not having additional insurance coverage for an incident you weren’t even involved yourself.

It is important to note though that even if your friend is covered by a non-owners insurance policy, it is still your auto insurance policy that will take effect first and take care of all the damages incurred under the coverage. Once these damages or liabilities exceeds what’s covered under your policy then your insurance company can have your friends non-owners auto insurance provider fill in for the remainder of the costs. These would include coverage for liabilities, Payment for medical bills incurred as well as coverage for you if the motorists involved in the car accident are under insured or uninsured.

Tags: auto insurance, non owner’s auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a car policy in Washington, DC, I had a recent car accident in Maryland, can I use my PIP benefits?

Amber

Washington, DC

When you have an accident out of state, in your case in Maryland, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits should still be in effect and valid for you to use. Most car insurance policies provide extensive coverage in other states, Canada and US territories/possessions. If the financial responsibility requirements where you are traveling are higher than your insurance policy limits, your insurance company will meet the higher requirements.

So you have to contact your Washington, District of Columbia (DC) insurance company first to see about placing a claim for your injuries you sustained in your Maryland accident and make sure that your PIP coverage extended to your travels into Maryland. So that you have a concept of the different minimum insurance limits for District of Columbia and Maryland they are listed below. District of Columbia state law mandates a minimum Bodily Injury Liability coverage of $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $10,000. This basic coverage is commonly referred to as 25/50/10 coverage.

On the other hand, Maryland’s minimum amount of liability coverage required by State law is: $20,000 for bodily injury per person; $40,000 bodily injury per accident; and $15,000 property damage. Uninsured and underinsured coverage of $20,000 for bodily injury per person; $40,000 bodily injury per accident; and $15,000 property damage. In addition, Maryland law requires insurance holders to purchase $2,500 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for each person named in the policy, however, PIP coverage may be waived.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

What are the proper steps to filing an auto glass claim in Flagstaff, Arizona?

Andrew

Flagstaff, AZ

You need to first inform your insurance company about the loss. Many insurance companies will cover the windshield repair in your car, so you may want to contact your insurance company in Flagstaff Arizona and report the loss.

When reporting the loss, give as much detail about the loss as possible. You need to tell the date and time which the glass was broken, the extent of the break, how the glass got broken (vandalism, accident, and road hazard), who was in the car when the glass got broken, and any other information that the insurance will request.

Once you have reported the broken glass to your insurance company, be ready to get estimates on the auto glass replacement. Your insurance company may share with you a list of approved windshield repair shops. You should take this list and get estimates from all of the companies on the list.

Once you have the estimates, you should let your insurance company know which auto glass replacement company you want to choose. If it’s an approved company on the insurance’s list of approved service centers, you may get the deductible waived. However, if your insurance company will not waive the deductible, you will be responsible for paying the cost of the service.

This is normally paid right to the auto glass replacement service center. Either you or the insurance company will have to contact the auto glass replacement service center and make an appointment to repair your vehicle. You can either bring your vehicle to their location or most shops today have mobile service trucks to come to you.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My brother lives in the state of NY and wants to insure his vehicle under my insurance policy in New Castle, Pennsylvania. His vehicle is registered in New York. Can we do this?

Morris

New Castle, PA

Normally this would not be possible for a few reasons.

One is that likely your insurance provider would not permit you to insure an out of state car that is not garaged at your house, not driven by a member of your household and not registered in the state of Pennsylvania. If you did not provide your insurance carrier the information that it was your brother’s vehicle registered, driven and garaged in NY when adding the vehicle, nor have your brother listed as a driver on your car insurance policy then this could be determined to be misrepresentation, a form of auto insurance fraud.

Another reason that you cannot insure your brother’s New York State registered car with New Castle, PA car insurance is that NY laws require cars to be insured with NYS insurance.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Kenner Louisiana and I just recently found out that my Drivers license was revoked. I was told that I have to get an file an SR-22. How long do I have to carry this? Is it for 3 years? From the date that you file the SR22 or the date of the revocation?

Carmen

Kenner LA

The reasons requiring the SR22 or the financial responsibility certificate, can differ as well as the amount of time in which it must be maintained in Louisiana. To verify if you only need to maintain it for three years and if this amount of time started at the time when you actually first file the SR22 form or when your license was revoked you will need to contact the Louisiana Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Since this has to do with reinstatement of your license in Kenner Louisiana you may want to contact the Motor Vehicle Reinstatement offices which can help you with cancellations of insurance, reinstatements and suspension.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

What will happen if I drive without a license in Minnesota?

Larry

Minneapolis, MN

In Minnesota, driving without a license is a misdemeanor or may even be considered a grave misdemeanor depending upon the circumstances, such as if you are driving with a denied or canceled driver’s license.

The lawyer in the jurisdiction in which the infraction occurred who is responsible for prosecution of such misdemeanor offense. Because of this if you were charged with driving without a license in Minnesota you will need to contact the court listed on your ticket to find out what specific penalties you may be facing.

Tags: auto insurance, Driving without License