Reader’s Question:

What are the effects of getting two convictions for driving without insurance here at Houston, Texas?

Aaron

Houston, TX

A person convicted twice for driving in Houston, Texas without insurance is expected to be penalized with driving license suspension for two years. This law is stated under Section 601.231.37 of the Texas Transportation Code. Normally, the first conviction would entail a fine from $175 to $350. On the second conviction, settling a fine between $350 and $1,000 would be required. However, this person may still continue driving even with a suspended license provided that he or she would acquire and carry an SR-22 for 2 years from the date of his or her conviction.

An SR-22 is an insurance certificate that serves as a proof that your future is insured even with the absence of a driver’s license. This insurance policy certifies that the driver’s vehicle is insured and that the insurance company is responsible for covering any accidents in the future (if applicable) and for updating the Department of Public Safety (DPS) of Texas about the status of the insurance policy (whether it was terminated, cancelled, or has lapsed).

For those drivers whose licenses have been suspended, it is important to have their licenses reinstated even with an SR-22 on hand. Reinstatement of licenses normally requires a settlement of a fine prior to the issuance of the license and a proof of insurance (SR-22) from the insurance company, and these two must be settled with the DPS.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, drunk driving insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m planning to buy a hybrid car here in South Bend, IN, to save gas, but my friend mentioned something about the negative effect it has on auto insurance premiums. What is that all about?

Rodel

South Bend, IN

Your friend is right. Hybrid cars tend to affect the premium rate of your insurance policy. It’s not that insurance companies does not want you to be mindful of our ozone layer, it’s just that there are factors connected to a hybrid car that increases your risk factor. It’s crazy, I know. Save the environment, feed your insurance company. According to a top insurance company, hybrid cars are more expensive to repair. Its parts cost more. Hybrids have complex parts that are expensive to replace. Owing to the complexity of its part and operation, you would need a “hybrid” mechanic also to handle the repairs. Mechanics need special training to handle a hybrid, and that effectively raises labor cost. Also, it takes longer to repair a hybrid because of its complexity. Labor payments constitute a large chunk of car accident claim costs. The higher the repair cost, the higher the premium rates go. But don’t lose hope just yet, there is still good news. The premium cost will still be cheaper compared to the gas savings you get.

So, it’s still okay to care. You can still go and save South Bend, IN, care about the ozone layer, and save money along the way.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi! I’m Ben from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I would just like to get a clearer picture of what an SR-22 is. A little help, please.

Ben

Colorado Springs, CO

Hey, Ben, how’s it going in Colorado Springs, Colorado? Simply put, an SR-22 is a document required by the state that proves that you have the minimum insurance in compliance with that particular state’s laws. Not everyone needs this, though. You will most likely need one if you have a marred driving record. That is, if you were caught drunk driving, perhaps, or without the minimum required insurance or driving without a license. If you are required to have this, you will have to purchase an automobile insurance and inform your insurance company that you need an SR-22. Your chosen provider will file this form in your behalf with the proper government office, which is usually the Department of Motor Vehicles. Once this has been done, you will again be able to drive legally, that is, with the proper licenses and insurance. As your insurer has guaranteed to the government that you are insured. Once the insurance lapses, so does your right to continue driving. So if you need this, make sure you renew when you have to.

But altogether, it would really be better to avoid all this hassle by ensuring you drive safely, with the proper documents and covered with the right amount of insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I did not pay my car insurance for over a year and I am worried about the penalties that I will be facing now that I am ready to get car insurance again with a different car insurance carrier in Pocatello Idaho.

James

Pocatello, ID

You may still be able to find car insurance company that will insure you but you can expect a higher car insurance premium since you did not have a car insurance policy for more than a year thus there was a lapse on your car insurance. You may have a hard time finding a car insurance company though especially if you were cancelled for non payment and you may also lose any insurance discounts you have in your previous car insurance policy.

You may want to take care of any issues before purchasing car insurance policy in Pocatello Idaho if for instance your license has been suspended due to being uninsured. You may pay any fines associated in your penalties of being uninsured as well.

The Idaho driver’s manual states that you will be required to provide proof of car insurance for the first offense of being uninsured. If you get convicted of being uninsured in a 5-year period, you will be required to provide proof of financial responsibility certificate for a period of 3 years. This proof of financial certificate is also called an SR22 financial responsibility form that you can obtain from your car insurance company in Pocatello Idaho.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Should I expect my auto insurance rate to increase if I reported an accident to my insurance carrier in Deerfield Beach in which I was not found at fault?

Lisa

Deerfield Beach, FL

It is unlikely you would see a car insurance rate increase solely because you were in an accident in which another driver was at fault.

You may receive an auto insurance rate increase if you have been involved in many car accidents altogether in thse same year or in recent years. Even if you had many accidents and were found not at fault in any of them, the insurance carrier in Deerfield Beach may assume there is something hazardous about your driving and therefore may charge you a higher car insurance rate.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

Can I insure my car in Brandywine, DE if I have a revoked or suspended license to have it driven by a licensed driver?

Paul

Brandywine, DE

If you have a revoked or suspended drivers license it will likely be hard to find an insurance company for your car in Brandywine, DE. Most insurance carriers will not insure a driver that has a revoked or suspended license.

Insurance companies that do insure an individual with a revoked or suspended license require the driver to have the ability to obtain a license within thirty days and then get the valid driver’s license within that thirty day period.

Even if you are not driving your car but you want someone to drive you around in your vehicle or want somebody to transport it somewhere, it will need to have auto insurance on it. There are insurance carriers that will permit someone else to insure your vehicle, even if that individual has not insurable interest in the car.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If your kids get married can they still remain on your auto insurance? I live in Bloomington, Illinois.

Clark

Bloomington, IL

Once your kids get married, and if they moved out of your household and into one with their spouse, typically they cannot stay on the parent’s car insurance policy. Normally, your insurance policy in Bloomington, Illinois covers those in your household and typically a child that is away at college depending upon how far away the university is from your residence.

Generally when your children get married and move out of your house on their own with their spouses they will need to get an auto insurance policy to cover their cars together in both their name and their spouse’s name and be taken off of the parents’ insurance policies. If the vehicles the children have are in the parent’s name then you may need to add the child’s name to the vehicle title so they can insure and register the vehicle in their own name now that they are married.

Tags: car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My teenage son is a 17 year old full time college student and living on campus, 30 miles away. He does not have a vehicle. Currently he is on our car insurance policy. In Saginaw, Michigan, can we take him off our insurance policy? If he drives our vehicle on occasion will he be covered by our policy?

Frances

Saginaw, MI

Most insurance providers in Michigan will require you list all household members as drivers - including any children at college or away from home that may operate your car. Coverage is usually extended to any other individual using your insured vehicle with your express or implied permission to do so. But, it usually does not include any relative not listed on the insurance policy or application. You should contact your insurance carrier to determine what your specific guidelines are regarding this concern, since each insurance carrier has different insurance guidelines and rules. Some insurers do look at mileage driven some don’t. It may be possible to add your teenage son as an occasional driver. You also may be able to exclude him off the insurance policy for the time he is in school with proof of his other address. The insurer may go on the assumption that he has access to your car and may require you keep him listed as a regular driver. So you may check with your insurance carrier in Saginaw Michigan to find a resolution to your insurance needs.

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

Reader’s Question:

Can I get an SR22 car insurance without purchasing insurance for my vehicle in Chicago? Is that possible in Illinois?

Mark

Chicago, IL

Most states including Illinois require car owners to purchase a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance coverage before they can legally operate their vehicles. The state of Illinois have financial responsibility law. This means that those involved in a car accident will be required to provide proof of financial responsibility up to certain minimum amount limits. To comply with financial responsibility laws, most motorists buy car liability insurance in Chicago.

You can also purchase a non-owners liability SR22 policy if you do not have a motor vehicle. You may be able to make an SR22 filing in conjunction with your new or current car insurance policy.

Tags: car, car insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Does non-owners SR22 insurance cover policy holders in uninsured cars?

Richard

Little Rock, AR

I would suggest that you verify that any car you drive is insured and not rely upon SR-22 insurance to provide the necessary vehicle coverage. The car owner is required to insure it. Your non-owners SR22 policy would be secondary to that car insurance policy. Typically a non-owners SR-22 policy doesn’t contained coverage for the car (Physical Damage) or other necessary coverages like PIP, UM, and/or PD.

If you borrow a car from a someone and get into an accident while using that car, your friend’s insurance would kick in first. But if, for instance, the accident was your fault and the damage to the other motorist’s property exceeded the liability limits on your friend’s policy, your non owners insurance policy would cover the excess (up to policy limits).