Reader’s Question:

I heard from a cousin who also lives here in Brockton, Massachusetts that car insurance premium will not increase after getting your first moving violation. He said that he was cited for over speeding for the first time and there was no effect on his car insurance rate at all. Is there any truth about that?

Destin

Brockton, MA

To better give you a clearer answer let me tell you something first about the revised Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP). This plan provides opportunities to Massachusetts’ best drivers to avail of discounts on their car insurance rates and for bad drivers, improvement on their driving skills thus leading to an improved driving record.

The revised SDIP follows a point system wherein drivers are assigned surcharge points whenever they are involved on at-fault vehicular accidents or have traffic violations committed dating back to the last 5 years of their driving records.

Also, if a driver is able to maintain a clean driving record for a period of 5 years, he or she is entitled to receive “Excellent Driver Discount” while drivers with 6 years or more of spotless driving record will receive “Excellent Driver Plus Discount”. Said discount on car insurance premium could be as much as 17% for some cases.

For your question, you’ve mentioned it was your cousin’s first speeding violation, as per SDIP, no surcharge points will be given for first time offenders of a non-criminal minor moving violation. So, with this, it means no increase on his car insurance rates also.

To find more information about the SDIP, check with your Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR).

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

Reader’s Question:

I am looking for car insurance rates and came across with the term “primary use”. What exactly does primary use mean? I own several vehicles and I have auto insurance policy in Glendale, Arizona.

Frida

Glendale, AZ

Nice to hear from you Frida.

Primary use is defined by auto insurance companies as the reason for using a certain vehicle. As you’ve mentioned, you have several vehicles, so car insurance companies use the “primary use” in classifying driver’s needs and usage of the car. These can be vehicles used for the purpose of the following: work, school, farm, pleasure, and business.

Every auto insurance company use different names in categorizing primary use for vehicles but usually they follow these:

1. Work: Vehicle driven to and from your work
2. School: Vehicle driven to and from your school
3. Pleasure: Vehicle used for pleasure-related activities like vacation trips etc.
4. Farm: Vehicle used for farming activities
5. Business: Vehicles used for business purposes

To better give you more information about primary use you can ask your insurance agent in Glendale, Arizona. And since your looking for car insurance rates you can also opt to check for available online resources like websites. It’s as simple as entering your zip code here.

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

Reader’s Question:

I just recently moved here in Durham, New Hampshire. I heard from my boyfriend that New Hampshire does not require its residents to carry auto insurance on their vehicles. Is this true?

Brianna

Durham, NH

Yes, you heard it right Brianna.

The state of New Hampshire does not require its residents to purchase auto insurance policies on their cars or vehicles they use. However, if you are involved in a vehicular accident and you are found to be at-fault and you do not have auto insurance policy, then you will be required to:

• Post a cash or bond that amounts to the damage that resulted from the vehicular accident;
• Purchase auto insurance policy and;
• File an SR-22.

These requirements must be met for you to be able to drive legally in NH. If you are wondering what auto insurance policies you will be required to purchase after having involved in a car accident where you are at-fault these are the:

• Liability Coverage (25/50/25)
• Medical Payments Coverage ($1000/occurrence)
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage ($25,000 bodily injury protection/ person and $50,000 bodily injury protection total for multiple people involved)

I would suggest that it’s better to keep auto insurance policy even if it’s not required by law in your home state. This way, you always feel safe that there’s something to back you up in an event of a vehicular accident. You can start looking for auto insurance rates in Durham, New Hampshire by checking the available websites.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online

Reader’s Question:

My daughter will be moving here in Berkeley, California to live with me. She doesn’t have car insurance. I have auto insurance on all of my vehicles. Will she be allowed to drive and use my car?

Ivy

Berkeley, CA

It is mandated by California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law that every owner and driver of a vehicle be financially responsible in an event that a vehicular accident happens. This law guarantees that all cars or vehicles driven in California have liability insurance policy which provides financial responsibility for injuries or damages that would result from accident, no matter whose fault it is. This also removes vehicles that are not insured from the streets or highways.

Since you’ve mentioned that you have insurance on all of your vehicles then there wouldn’t be a problem on letting your daughter drive your car. However, since she will be living with you under the same roof, then it’s probably best if you add her under your policy.

Ask your insurance agent in Berkeley, California to know if your daughter will be covered by your car insurance policy if she is involved in an accident. Check available websites if you’re shopping for auto insurance rates.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I just bought a car and I have 3 days to get insurance on it, how can I get insurance in Henderson NV over the weekend? Is there a place to get insurance online or even possibly temporary insurance?

Janice

Henderson, NV

There are a lot of insurance places open on weekends so it’s not going to be hard for you to find one. Not too long ago I got tags, insurance, and everything on a Saturday!! If there’s no place in your Henderson, Nevada that’s open during weekends, don’t worry, it’s easy to do it online. Just do a Google search and a list of places should show up; giving you more options!!

Most insurance places are open on Saturdays; if not maybe you can print off the proof of insurance online. Fill out the form online, buy the policy (credit card or check), then you can print your ID cards. It’s very easy and takes only about 15 minutes and you don’t have to talk to a representative, it’s all done online.

Temporary insurance may be useful in your case where you have just purchased a new vehicle. You may arrange for a day or two of temporary insurance which will cover you driving back from the dealership; however, temporary coverage should not be seen as a replacement for a standard yearly car insurance policy. It is purely for cases like the ones outlined here, or in emergencies. It can prove very useful, and easier than trying to negotiate a second vehicle on your current auto insurance policy!

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

My auto insurance policy is about to lapse. I know that having a lapsed insurance would mean having my license and registration suspended. What should I do to prevent this from happening? And if my license and registration were suspended, for how long will it be suspended?

Bobby

Babylon, NY

Surrender your registration and license to New York Department of Motor and Vehicles ASAP. By doing this before your insurance lapses, then you would prevent having a suspended license and registration. However, if you pay a civil penalty fee, you will not be asked to surrender your plates for 90 days or shorter suspension. But remember that you cannot use this option if: the insurance lapse is beyond 90 days or you have chosen to pay the penalty within the 3-year period.

Following are the amounts for civil penalty calculated for each day of the lapse:

” Day 1 to day 30: $8/day
” Day 31st to day 60: $10/day
” Day 61st to day 90: $12/day

Now, for your second question, if you had a lapse in your insurance and was not able to surrender your car plates, then your registration will be suspended on the number of days that you keep your vehicle plates but does not have insurance coverage. If it exceeds for more than 90 days then your license will be suspended for the same number of days that your registration is suspended. And for you to reinstate your license, you must pay $25 termination fee once the suspension ended.

It’s always best to make sure you keep insurance policy to avoid any problems. If paying too much for your insurance policy is the reason why you can’t keep your policy then start shopping around for insurance quotes in Babylon, NY. You can start right now by just entering your zip code here.

Tags: auto insurance lapse, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Why do my insurance rates in Lauderhill Florida go up even if I didn’t file for any claims?

Jordan

Lauderhill, FL

Your auto insurance rates can go up for a number of different reasons; some of these are under your control while others are not.
Examples of factors you can control are; your driving record, claims record and credit report. Depending on your state’s insurance laws and your insurance company’s rating system, your car insurance rates normally increase after you get ticketed or if you’re charged with DWI or DUI.

However, when your state allows insurance companies to raise their rates, you can’t do anything with that. Insurance companies do regularly raise rates to cover the increasing costs they pay out for claims.
To know specifically why your rates went up, check with your insurance carrier in Lauderhill Florida. When rates increase or change, your insurance policy renewal notification should indicate the reason.

Or, you may also contact your state’s insurance regulator, which is the state agency that car insurance companies must file their rates with, to find out about your insurance company’s rating system and if the state approved rates to be raised.

As a consumer, you can protect by shopping around for other insurance companies in your state to make sure you are getting the best auto insurance rate possible.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost

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