Reader’s Question:

I have an auto insurance policy with medical payments. Do I have to reimburse the insurance provider for the medical payments?

Harry

Gulfport, MS

I think your question to be, do you have to reimburse the car insurance carrier for medical payments? Insurance carriers differ on their guidelines but medical insurance on car insurance policies usually only pays in excess of what your primary or personal medical insurance does not pay.

If your primary medical insurance paid and you were also reimbursed by your car insurance carrier for the same medical bill you might owe them money back. However if the car insurance medical coverage did what it is intended to do, pay the excess that your personal medical insurance did not cover, you should be fine. If you need information regarding your specific car insurance policy contact your insurance broker or agent.

Reader’s Question:

My father gave me his car. The vehicle is in both our names and I am now married. What do I have to do to add this car to my husband’s insurance policy?

Tyler

Chicago, IL

Usually, you can add a car to your spouse’s insurance policy by an endorsement. An endorsement is a document which is attached to the policy that changes or modifies the original policy in some way. You will have to let your husband’s insurance provider know your father is also on the registration. Some insurance providers may require you to remove your father from the registration. Other carriers will permit his name to remain on the registration and will ignore him entirely. Still, other carriers will permit his name to remain on the registration and give you a choice. They will inform you to either list him as an additional motorist on the policy or they will tell you to specifically exclude him from the policy. If you have to list him, and you choose to exclude him, the insurance carrier will probably have an extra form for you to sign.

Reader’s Question:

I am getting married soon. Is it true that my car insurance rates would go down when I get married? How can that be? I live in New Jersey.

Ed

Clifton, NJ

Very interesting question, Ed!

Yes! Getting married will surely help you save some money on your car insurance in New Jersey. (Though I certainly hope you’re not getting married just to save a few dollars on auto insurance, huh?)

Do you have a wild guess why? It’s simply because auto insurers would see you as an entirely new and better person when you get married. Apparently, married people are much safer risks for auto insurance companies since they drive more responsibly, get fewer tickets, and much less likely to file claims as compared to the dingle drivers. You might want to send out a thank you note to your auto insurer once you get your next auto insurance premium after your wedding day!

But what is you’re already married? Can you still lower your auto insurance premiums? For starters, you can always consolidate yours and your spouse’s auto insurance policies under one company. By doing so, it is most likely that your auto insurance company would grant your reduced premium as compared to having 2 policies from different companies.
Another option is to get a multi-policy discount by finding a company that handles homeowner’s or renter’s insurance along with your auto insurance policy. This can considerably lower you auto insurance premium.

Reader’s Question:

Would it be cheaper if my girlfriend and I have a one auto insurance bill for all the vehicles that we separately own if we live together instead of separate insurance coverage with different insurance companies in Illinois?

Jim

Chicago, IL

It could be cheaper if you and your girlfriend get a multi-car policy for your household provided that you find an insurance company in Chicago, IL that permits for both of your cars to be on the same policy without you two being related or married.

If you find an insurance providers Chicago, IL that finds this insurance policy acceptable, then typically a multi-car insurance policy will be a lot cheaper than individuals that have separate policies on their own. A multi-driver or multi-vehicle discount may apply so ask the insurance company and also ask if there are any other discounts that you or your girlfriend may receive.

One of the best ways to get the cheapest priced insurance coverage is to do comparison shopping online for car insurance policies. You may start browsing individual insurance company websites to check for cheap auto insurance quote.

Reader’s Question:

Am I going to have cheaper insurance with hybrid autos? If so, can you give me some suggestion?

Richard

Bakersfield, CA

On 2005 some car insurance companies began giving discounts to hybrid car owners. The Farmer’s Insurance Group has announced a 5% discount in California for hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.

It has been reported that Traveler’s insurance gives a 10% discount on hybrid insurance. This discount only applies to certain states and car insurance coverages. If you are interested in finding discounts for hybrid car insurance you should shop around and perhaps contact your state’s insurance regulator to check if they have a list of insurance companies who allow such a discount. This is a great way to have a cheap car insurance.

Reader’s Question:

If someone listed on my car insurance policy got into an accident, does my insurance rate go up? I live in Milwaukee, WI.

Paul

Milwaukee, WI

If an individual that is listed on your insurance policy had an accident in your car and a claim is paid out from the insurance provider for the accident, it is possible that your insurance rates or premiums might go up. Insurance providers factor in collisions and claims paid out when figuring car insurance rates.

How much it might affect your car insurance rates will be determined by how your insurance providers calculates their car insurance rates. So you can either ask your insurance provider about their rating system or their rates must be filed with WI insurance regulator, so you can contact this government agency.

Reader’s Question:

Im trying to look online for the answer. Here’s my question: If I am required to carry an SR-22, will this affect the policies of all other drivers in the household?

Ingrid

Chicago, IL

If an individual in a household is being required to carry an SR-22 then it should not affect the other car insurance policies of other drivers within their household.

The car insurance policies of these other drivers will need to reflect that driver (the one with the SR22) and exclude the driver. If those car insurance policies will not exclude the motorists and are needed to cover the motorist then those policies could be affected.

If the motorist does not have an SR22 on any policy, then the household insurance policy will need an SR22 for the motorist.

Reader’s Question:

Can I get an SR-22 even if I do not own a car?

Bonnie

Good Question Bonnie.

The answer is yes.

The type of SR-22 for people who need this certificate of insurance but do not own a car is called non-owners SR22.

Generally, a non-owners SR-22 will allow you to drive any car that you are given permission by the car owner to operate a vehicle and verifies to the state regulatory body that you have the financial responsibility.

This non-owner policy does not cover you in any car that you operate. Each state varies, but generally it will not cover you for a vehicle registered to you, one in your household, or a vehicle provided for your regular use. If you have a car registered to you, one in your household, or someone provides a vehicle for your regular and frequent use, you should NOT purchase a non-owner policy. You should only buy a non-owners SR22 only if you do not own a vehicle or have access to a car on where you can place your sr-22 on.

You may be able to get a non-owners liability SR22 insurance policy with any insurance companies. Shop around to check which insurance company may be be able to give you the cheapest policy.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Am I going to be notified by the DMV if I no longer need to carry the sr-22?

John

Good Question John.

It actually depends upon the law of the state and guidelines of the Department of Motor Vehicles whether they will notify you or you need to call the state about removing the SR22. In some states, DMV will send notification that you no longer need to carry the SR-22, while other states may not require their DMV to do so.

If the DMV is not required to let you know when your period to carry the SR-22 is already up, then you were likely told already when you started carrying the SR-22 when you would be able to cancel it.

I would suggest that you check with your state DMV to get information if your SR-22 time limit is up and if so how to go about canceling it. You may also talk to your insurance agent about removing it or you may need to provide your insurance agent with some documentation from the DMV that you are no longer required to carry the sr-22.

In most states when you terminate your SR-22, your insurance company will need to file a SR-26 to notify the state that you terminated the SR-22. This is a form showing the cancellation of SR-22 financial responsibility certificate insurance in the form of sr-26.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I have an sr-22. Does this cover the other car in case of accident if its my fault?

Amy

Good question Amy.

The sr 22 is your certification that you have meet the states minimum financial responsibility coverage.

The coverage would cover the other car if your state includes the Property Damage Liability.

The property damage liability covers you if your vehicle damages someone else’s property. It could be any property aside from the car you hit on the time of the accident. It is also your legal defense if they file a lawsuit against you. It is recommended that you buy enough of the insurance to give you coverage on the damage that your car might do to the other vehicle. The coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in your policy.

If you select a limits that are too low, this might be risky financially. If the damage exceeds your limits, you are responsible for the amount above your limits. You might be forced to liquidate property or your assets. You can help yourself by against this risk by purchasing liability limits for both your current assets and future net worth.

Goodluck!

MariCAR