Auto Insurance Law – The Risks/Consequences of Driving Uninsured
Reader’s Question:
Will my wife get in trouble if she drives around Ohio without her auto insurance card? She doesn’t have insurance yet on her vehicle and I don’t think she has any plan of getting one anytime soon.
Arthur
Cleveland, OH
Driving around without carrying auto insurance coverage is the last thing that you’re wife (or anyone else who drives) should be doing. Ohio, like most states today that have financial responsibility laws, requires everyone of its driver to carry adequate amounts of auto insurance at all times while on the road. So technically, you’re wife is breaking Ohio auto insurance law for continuing to drive without coverage.
If she does get caught driving (or is involved/caused an automobile accident) and is unable to show proof of auto insurance coverage on the spot then she can immediately lose her driving privileges, among other things. Aside from serving a suspension period (that can be as long as a year) she would need to settle a reinstatement fee. Your wife may also need to acquire an SR22 form and maintain it along with adequate insurance or a surety bond with Ohio’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) before any form of driving privilege can be reinstated.
Aside from administrative penalties, both you and your wife are also exposed to a huge financial risk for not carrying auto insurance. The cost of a major automobile crash can easily run up to tens of thousands of dollars. She could be sued for bodily injuries and property damages to any third-party she happens to injure during an accident. Unless both of you are capable and willing to shoulder these costs, then it is highly recommended that you help your wife understand the significance of auto insurance.
Cheap Car Insurance Policy in California
Reader’s Question:
Will a California driver’s license be accepted in Mexico? Will my car insurance policy take effect in that country, as well?
Nancy
San Francisco, CA
Any full valid United States driver’s license, including the one issued in California, will be honored in Mexico. But with regards to your car insurance policy, you will need to purchase a new one since your existing coverage will not take effect in that country.
You can obtain this Mexico car insurance coverage from legitimate car insurance companies in California. You can also acquire Mexico car insurance at its border cities. It is important to note that the amount of coverage to obtain in this country should be equivalent to the current car insurance policy you have in California. You may also elect to add higher limits on liability insurance just to be on the safe side.
If you will be renting cars, it is wise to obtain a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), so as to relieve you of any responsibility in paying for the damages sustained by the rented car while in your custody. Always remember that traffic accidents in this country usually entail jailing the individuals involved until the one at fault is determined. Likewise, any individual will be detained until the capacity to pay for any damages caused is ascertained. Any person found liable for any ruined property and/or serious bodily injuries may face criminal charges from the Mexican government.
Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, Car Insurance Company, rental car insurance
Texas Teen Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I am 19 years old and will be getting my driver’s license soon. Where can I get free auto insurance quotes in Texas?
Jill
Austin, TX
Surfing the Internet is one way of ensuring that you get free auto insurance quotes with the most competitive rates especially if you are a first time driver.
Firstly, you should know all the insurance requirements of the State of Texas. 20/40/15 coverage is what it is generally called. These numbers represent the maximum that the carrier will pay for damages you have inflicted. $20,000 will be for a person’s treatment of bodily injuries. Meanwhile, if there are two or more passengers in the other party’s vehicle, your insurer will pay up to $40,000 for their bodily injuries. If there were properties ruined, and these may include any public or private property, like the other driver’s vehicle, then your insurer will shoulder up to $15,000 to cover for these damages.
If your vehicle is financed, then your financing company will definitely require you to buy Collision and Comprehensive Coverage. This will assist you financially if repairs are needed following an accident. This insurance also pays for the cash value of the vehicle if it was declared totaled.
As a first time driver, you need to know that buying as much auto insurance as you can afford is the best way to protect yourself. So getting Personal Injury Protection (PIP) would be a very wise thing to do especially now that medical care is getting expensive. This insurance will pay for your hospital care and rehabilitation. It also provides much needed financial assistance if you are unable to get to work because of sustained injuries.
Additionally, Uninsured Motorist Insurance is a safeguard against financial difficulty following accidents where a driver without auto insurance is not able to pay for your medical care and vehicle repairs.
Now, that you know all these, you may obtain comparison rates from websites that offer free auto insurance quotes. This way, you know all your options and get the best auto insurance for your money.
Need Auto Insurance?
Reader’s Question:
I’m new here in Connecticut and I have to get auto insurance ASAP and I just have a question about it. Is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required in this state or can you do without it? I just feel that it’s very important for every driver to have it and some other types of optional coverage so I think I’ll get it even if it will not be required. I really need auto insurance at a very affordable price right now, please give me some pointers.
Luke
Stamford, CT
Several auto insurance carriers in Connecticut are battling against one another to provide the most competitive prices for your auto insurance. You could collect different quotes from several auto insurance carriers with the assistance of their agents and brokers and then select the most appropriate auto insurence for your automobile. For your auto liability coverage, you need to get $20,000 for one individual and $40,000 for all individuals for bodily injuries in one accident and $10,000 for property damage. You may opt to get higher auto insurance coverage to get the best protection for you and your vehicle.
In the state of Connecticut, it is required that you get uninsured and underinsured auto insurance coverage to protect you and the passengers in your vehicle in the event of an accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance or someone who doesn’t have enough coverage. The minimum coverage that you can get is $20,000 for one individual and $40,000 for all individuals in an accident. In the event that the auto insurance coverage of the at-fault driver is not enough, you could get your medical and other costs through underinsured motorist coverage.
Though not required, the other types of coverage that you can get for your auto insurance include collision, comprehensive, towing, rental charges, medical payments, etc.
Cheap Auto Insurance Policies in Texas
Reader’s Question:
Among the various auto insurance policies available in Texas, what’s the cheapest I can get without compromising on quality of the company or lack of coverage?
Lisa
Dallas, TX
Residents of Texas spent an average of eight hundred twenty dollars on auto insurance in year 2006, and an estimate of .5 % to 1% decrease in rates has happened since then. Compared to other states, auto insurance policies in this state are not exactly the cheapest, but they are not in the top ten most expensive, either. There are around 127 auto insurance companies across the state of Texas. Each one of them probably has various low-cost packages that they offer to residents who are thinking of tightening their budget. If you are looking for the cheapest one you can find, it would most likely help to simply look for a policy that only has the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements.
Texas financial accountability laws mandate that its drivers have liability coverage. Auto insurance liability in this state works in the following manner. For the bodily injuries of a single driver, twenty thousand dollars worth of medical expenses is owed by the insured driver found guilty of causing the accident. If there was more than one occupant in the injured party’s vehicle, a combined expense of forty thousand dollars in medical treatment is due. For any damages to property, and this includes the victims automobile, the driver found guilty must recompense a minimum of fifteen thousand dollars. Collision, comprehensive and uninsured auto insurance is also available. Since these are supplemental and not required by the state, adding these to your policy would definitely raise your auto insurance premiums. If you want the cheapest it would be best to stick to the minimum requirements.
Raising your deductible amount is the fastest way to lower your annual premiums!
Basic Houston Texas Car Insurance Coverage
Reader’s Question:
I just bought a new car and my friend told me I would have to get insurance. What is the required Houston Texas car insurance coverage?
David
Houston, TX
The 25/50/25 basic Liability Coverage auto insurance is a must. If the car is mortgaged, you also need to get Collision and Comprehensive coverage. Aside from these three insurances, the Texas Automobile Personal Policy also recommends that the following be considered:
1. Medical Payment: car insurance do not cover medical expenses for everyone in your car in case of accidents. The Medical Payment insurance should cover this.
2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This insurance usually covers eighty percent of extra medical expenses like a nurse or wages that are lost due to an accident. . A minimum of $2500 is required and if you refuse to take any, it must be done in writing.
3. Towing & Labor
4. Rental Reimbursement: In case you might need to rent a temporary car while your own is under repair, this coverage will address the expenses incurred.
5. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): This insures driver and all passengers inside the car regardless if insured or not. Bodily injuries are non-deductible but property damages are charged $250. This insurance is only effective if the accident is reported. Refusal will also require a written document.
What Should My Limits Be For Auto Liability Insurance in Arizona?
Reader’s Question:
I recently spoke to an auto insurance broker here in Arizona who told me that I am required to buy at least $25,000 worth of liability on a car insurance coverage, is that for real?
Tom
Phoenix, AZ
In essence, yes, you will need to buy a certain level of coverage from your auto insurance broker there in Arizona (or from anyone who is allowed to sell car insurance in your state, for that matter). Your car insurance broker was probably referring to the minimum levels of liability insurance that you need to get, as stated by the financial responsibility laws of your state.
To be more accurate, you need to get a coverage that has 15/30/10 on liability insurance. This means that your policy should be able to pay someone $15,000 at the least if you happen to cause bodily injuries in a car accident, $30,000 worth of coverage for all people that got hurt in the car accident and $10,000 that will be used to pay for loss or damages that is caused to property.
Again, these are the least amounts of liability auto insurance that you can get but it is highly recommended that you buy more. You can easily be sued for higher amounts than what the state minimum requirements are so if you can buy more, buy as much as you can afford. Also, don’t forget to shop around, just because you are dealing with a human doesn’t mean you are getting the best rates. There are many auto insurance portals like this web site that provides accurate insurance quotes, can even help you find discount auto insurance offers as well as compare rates from many different carriers.
Who Has The Lowest Senior Car Insurance Rates
Reader’s Question:
My insurance payment is causing me to worry too much. DO you know any auto insurance agency that provide low car insurance for seniors?
Roger
Indianapolis, IN
Getting a few hundred off your payment would be great knowing the uncertainties facing workers these days, especially for senior drivers. Older drivers may feel their insurance payments to be burdensome now that prices of commodities are going up. You may think that you are not eligible for any discounts because of your age. Do not worry, there is always a way for enjoying a low cost car insurance no matter how old you are. Being in the older age bracket may even work more to your advantage!
Do you know that people who are 50 years old and above get lowest car insurance for seniors? That is true. People your age are looked on by insurers as the most responsible drivers on the road. Older drivers are moderate drivers, meaning, they don’t drive fast on the road. They maintain reasonable speed and tend to follow the rules. As a result, very few fatal at-fault accidents happen. Insurers like people who do not make them pay a lot for bodily injuries and property damages. However, this advantage is not extended to those who have reached 75 years of age. Based on statistical evidence, people of this age tend to get involved in major accidents, which exposes insurers at high risk.
No matter your age bracket, though, a clean driving record will surely get you a low cost car insurance that will lower your rate. A clean driving record implies that the driver has not filed claims against his insurer. Insurance companies offer huge discounts to premium rates when you have accumulated a lot years without filing a claim. They show their appreciation by lowering the amount you will need to pay for your premium. If you have not filed a claim this year, keep it up and enjoy the discount in your next renewal.
17 Year Old Driver Cheap Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
Im only 17 and I practically pay for my own car insurance. I cant afford it. Its too expensive! Is there any way I can lower it down?
Frances
Seattle WA
A high insurance rate is very heavy on the budget, particularly for someone who is still young and does not have a high-paying work. People below 25 are normally getting expensive insurances, which are higher that people older than them. This happens since many people of this age group have been involved in major accidents, resulting to insurers paying a lot of money for bodily injuries and car repairs. Obviously, insurance companies do not like paying often. They would want to lessen their risks. But since teenagers have shown time and again that they would always be speeding on the road or being on the road far more than the ideal, insurers have no choice but to raise rates among teenagers.
Despite this outlook, there are still ways for a young driver to get an affordable insurance. If you are new, you will need to keep your record good for the next few years to establish your responsibility as a driver. While in the process, what you can do is to enroll in a defensive driving subject that will enhance your driving skills. This course is favored by insurers because the driver becomes more adept when handling a car on the road. After passing the subject, inform your insurer so that it can take that information into account the next your policy is due for renewal. As a student, getting a good grade is a way for you to land a good job in the future. There’s so much more this! You can actually get an insurance discount if your average happens to be a B or higher. If not, work on it a little to get that grade and enjoy the discount. You may need to work it out a bit and slow down on going out during school days.
Cheap Full Coverage Auto Insurance In Mississippi
Reader’s Question:
I got an auto insurance quote that gives me full coverage. What does it mean? Aren’t insurance policies supposed to cover for everything?
Mariel
Jackson MS
Mississippi insurance companies give people an auto insurance quote depending on a number of factors. This could be age, gender plus a lot more. What some forget is that the type of coverage is also included in the computation. Coverage is the benefits that a policy gives a holder in the event that something happens like an accident. In the automobile insurance business, coverage is divided into four general types.
Let us first look at the most important coverage you can have and that is liability. One benefit that liability coverage gives you is protection from being sued by people who experienced injuries in an accident which was mainly your fault. Be careful when looking at the benefits. This type of coverage has what is known as split limits. For example, your policy could state that you have $300,000 worth of coverage. What this can means is that $200,000 is the limit for bodily injuries while $100,000 is for property damage. So if you are involved in an accident and the other party would need to spend $250,000 for medical expenses, you have to shell out the remaining $50,000.
But what about medical expenses for the injuries you sustained? Some auto insurance quote also has medical payments coverage. If liability coverage pays for the injuries done to the other party, this type of coverage will pay for the injuries you experienced. This coverage will also protect and pay you regardless of who was at fault.
You can also have coverage that will protect your own car. There are two categories for this coverage. First there is collision coverage, which obviously, covers you against collisions. Other-than-collision or comprehensive coverage will insure your car and cover for losses resulting from theft, fire, vandalism and yes, even animal accidents.
Finally there is coverage against uninsured motorists. This will help you recoup losses if the accident was caused by a party who were either uninsured or you failed to identify.
Hopefully that clears it up for you Mariel. Ask your agent or the company itself what offers are included in the Mississippi auto insurance quote that they gave you.
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