How To File An Auto Insurance Complaint in Arizona
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend would like to file a complaint against his auto insurance company. I’d rather not say what the issue is for the fear that this might affect his complaint in some way. How do we file for an auto insurance complaint in Arizona? Can someone help us with this? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Lyn
Coconino, AZ
Hello there Lyn!
I would suggest that it’s best if your boyfriend would try to fix things first with his auto insurance company before filing a complaint. However, if that didn’t work and you think that filing a complaint would give you justice that you need and then by all means do so.
According to the Arizona Department of Insurance, if a person wants to file auto insurance complaint it may done through writing to:
Consumer Services Division
Arizona Department of Insurance
2910 N. 44th St.,
Phoenix, Arizona 85018-725
The complaint letter should include your boyfriend’s: name; address; and contact number and your boyfriend auto insurance company: the name of the company; policy number; and kind of auto insurance. Of course you need to include the details of the complaint also.
You also have the option to call in the Department of Insurance toll free number at 1-800-325-2548 to make the complaint.
I hope all would turn out ok. Keep us posted!
Filing An SR1 With California Auto Insurance Company
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Iowa and I’m licensed in that state. I was driving someone else’s car in California when I got into a car accident. The car is insured but I am not covered in that policy. In what state then should I file my SR-1? What type of insurance must I get where I will be covered even though I don’t own a car? Is there a type of insurance that will allow me to get my license once I purchase it?
Bill
Alhambra, CA
Since the form SR-1 is a CA accident report and the accident happened in California, you will need to file it not in Iowa but in California. If anyone was injured or killed or a property damage cost more than $750, according to CA DMV, you have to report the accident to them, regardless who is at-fault or even the accident happened in a private property, within 10 days. The form is available on the CA DMV website.
You mentioned that the car you were driving is insured but you were not covered. Normally, the owner’s car insurance extends the coverage to the person whom he/she gave permission to drive his/her car unless the policy excludes you or states other restrictions.
In case the car is not insured and you received a citation for driving an uninsured car, you may contact the court listed on the ticket to check whether you or the owner will be held accountable for the uninsured vehicle. If the police officer cited you for driving an uninsured car and being responsible
for not having the car insured, an SR-22 is likely required.
You can obtain an SR22 non-owner’s policy if you still don’t have a car you can drive. If you are required to get an SR-22, you need to add this to your non-owner’s policy. If you are planning to buy your own car, you have to change your policy that will cover your car.
How Will DUI Affect Car Insurance in California
Reader’s Question:
My friend is convicted of DUI in California. How will this affect his insurance coverage? Can the company just cancel
this or do they have to go to a certain procedure?
Kate
Lancaster, CA
Although guidelines of insurance companies and the laws of the state differ, an insurance provider can cancel the policy if the person is convicted for a DUI. The company can terminate the policy once the term ended or cancel the insurance mid-term. The insurance provider should give you a notice on the policy cancellation with an explanation of why the policy was cancelled. You should look for another insurance company in this case. Some states do not allow policy cancellation in the middle of the term even though the person is convicted for a DUI. You may contact the California Insurance Regulatory body in to find out if they allow this.
The policy may remain intact for a short period. Once the insurance company sees this DUI conviction, you will have the option to renew the policy at a high “at-risk” rate because this is considered as a serious offense. After you are convicted for DUI, an SR-22 will be required. You may need to look for another insurance provider in case your friend’s current insurance provider does not provide this insurance certificate even though your friend’s policy were nor cancelled.
Most of the time, DUI conviction increases the car insurance rates.The period where premiums are increased depends upon the state’s laws and the insurance company’s guideline.
Difference Between Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I am really confused. I came across uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages. Are there any differences on those two? Because from what I understand, both coverages would pay for my damage if I am involved in a vehicular accident with another driver who does not have auto insurance. Am I correct or not? I am from Arizona.
Stella
Chandler, AZ
The difference between the two coverages are pretty obvious, from the name of the coverage itself you would be able to differentiate the one from the other.
Uninsured Motorist backs you up for bodily injury if you have an accident with another driver who does not have liability coverage. Just remember the word “uninsured” meaning to say not insure.
Meanwhile, Underinsured Motorist Coverage would support you if you get into an accident with another person who does have not have enough auto insurance to cover for the damages you have incurred. This time the key word is “under” which means lacking of something.
In addition, both coverages – uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage would also support the passengers you have in your car.
I hope, I’ve given you some light on your question. If you have other questions regarding your auto insurance policy, don’t be afraid to ask your auto insurance agent in Arizona.
Can I Buy Back Total Loss Vehicle From Insurance Company
Reader’s Question:
My car was deemed as total loss here in Texas. I was wondering if I could actually buy my car back. I hope someone could help me with this.
Linda
Corpus Christi, TX
Hey there, Linda. I had a similar case as this before, and I asked my agent about it. Although, auto insurance laws differ from state to state, I think that, for this matter, the same rule applies in , Texas. Anyway, my agent told me that, typically, if your car has been deemed a total loss, you have every right to buy back your car from the auto insurance company for salvage value, like if you still want to keep your car or if you are planning to repair it. But the rules on this depend on the insurance company. Different auto insurance companies have different guidelines and regulations that are part of the whole process of buying back your car. I suggest that you check this with your auto insurance company in order to be sure.
I visited the web site of the Texas Department of Insurance. It says there that you can actually buy your car back from the auto insurance company if you agree on subtracting its salvage value from the insurance settlement. If you are going to repair the car, you just have to make sure that the total cost of the repair will not go beyond the actual cash value of the car. For estimates on salvage value, you may inquire from salvage yards there. But take note that the actual salvage value of the car is going to be determined by the auto insurance company.
I suggest that you ask your auto insurance company about this. Also, if you still have any questions, you may want to check out the web site of the Texas Department of Insurance. You will find a lot of useful very information there.
How To File an Auto Insurance Claim in Louisiana
Reader’s Question:
I am quite confused on how auto insurance claims works here in Lake Charles, Louisiana. If let’s say I am involved in a car accident and it was established that it was not my fault therefore it is the other driver’s fault. Where should I file the claim? Would that be with my auto insurance company? Or the other driver’s car insurance company?
Toby
Lake Charles, LA
In general, a person involved in a car accident can file for a third party claim at the other driver’s car insurance company through property damage liability coverage. In addition, you can also opt to file for a first party claim through your own auto insurance collision policy. The damage incurred will only be covered by one auto insurance company – either your own or the other party’s auto insurance company.
The good thing about filing a third party claim is that you don’t have to worry about paying for a deductible or even have the said incident put under your claims history. If you opt to file the claim at the other driver’s car insurance company, I would suggest you also inform your own insurer. By doing this, if ever there is a need for you to file the claim from your own car insurance company in Lake Charles, your own insurer would be aware of the incident and be prepared to take your auto insurance claims.
Do I Have to Add Teen Driver to My Auto Insurance Policy
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend has a teen cousin who lives with him in Mount Vernon, New York. His cousin sometimes borrows his car. Given this situation that his teen cousin only uses my boyfriend’s car occasionally, is there a need to add him under my boyfriend’s auto insurance policy? Because I heard that is isn’t necessary at all.
Ruth
Mount Vernon, NY
In general, auto insurance companies require their policyholders to inform them if there are any licensed drivers living with them. Typically, if a policyholder has a teen daughter or son living with him/her, then he or she needs to inform his/her auto insurance company. Because if not, insurers would call it as a misrepresentation on the part of the policyholder concerning the number of licensed drivers at his/her residence.
The New York State Insurance Department stated that car insurance companies are allowed to take into consideration all the resident operators in rating a person’s auto insurance rate. Hence, insurers usually ask for all possible users of an insured vehicle – whether they use it frequently or not. As to your question, in my own opinion it would be best if your boyfriend would add his teen cousin under his car insurance policy just to make sure that he would be covered in an event of a car accident. However, I would suggest asking your boyfriend’s car insurance agent in Mount Vernon, New York for the best action to be taken about your question.
How To Qualify For Good Student Car Insurance Discount
Reader’s Question:
I heard from my teacher that being a good student will help my mom’s auto insurance bill to go down. I am a teen driver and currently I am under my mom’s auto insurance policy in Portland, Maine. I would say that I have good grades in school so I’m wondering about this discount. How does one qualify for good student discount?
Rica
Portland, ME
In general, car insurance companies offer auto insurance discount to good students. The logic behind this is simple – good students are considered as responsible drivers. Oftentimes, these people opt to stay in their houses and study instead of partying late at night. Hence, this lessens the chance of being involved in vehicular accidents.
To be able to get good student you must meet the following conditions:
- Either a full-time high school/ full-time college or university student/ graduated with a four-year degree course;
- Belongs to the upper 20 percent of the class;
- Has a B average or better;
These are the common qualifications for good student discount. However, every car insurance company differs. For more information on how you can avail of the good student discount in Portland, Maine ask your auto insurance agent.
Auto Insurance Declined Coverage Due To Late Payment
Reader’s Question:
My daughter was driving my car last week when she got into an accident. She just suffered from minor injuries however my car was determined to be totaled. On the same day that this happened, I made a payment for my auto insurance premium. This was after the due date on my insurance bill. When I informed my auto insurance company about what happened, they declined to cover the damage on my car. The reason they have given me is because I paid my auto insurance bill late. Can they do that? Is it legal to do that? I am from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Sabrina
Baton Rouge, LA
I am deeply sorry for what had happened Sabrina. I hope for your daughter’s speedy recovery.
Going back to your question, auto insurance bills are not like utility bills wherein you may be given a grace period before it gets cancelled. In general, auto insurance policy is cancelled if no payment is made on the due date itself or on the date listed on the bill. So I guess that is what happened to you. And yes, it is legal. Auto insurance companies can cancel a person’s policy if he or she failed to make a payment on time.
I would suggest you better practice making a payment on time to avoid this from happening again. For more information about auto insurance you can ask you car insurance agent in Baton Rouge.
Auto Insurance Company Will Not Pay My Claim For Damages
Reader’s Question:
I was involved in a car accident last week. Fortunately, I only suffered minor injuries and it was not my fault. The law enforcement officer at that time gave a ticket to the other driver, since it was clearly his fault. However, the other driver’s auto insurance company in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia is refusing to pay me for any damages. They thought that I’m still somewhat to be blamed for the accident. This is not right! Can’t the Insurance Department force them to pay for my damages? I mean, since it’s been established that it was the other guy’s fault.
Benny
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
It’s nice to know that you suffered just minor injuries.
Going back to your question, unfortunately it is not within the legal responsibilities of the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner to determine who is at fault in a vehicular accident. Thus, the said office cannot force auto insurance companies to pay or settle the claims made. The said office’s role regarding third party claims like what happened to you is in fact very limited. It is mainly restricted to making sure that the other party’s auto insurance company is handling a fair investigation.
It appears to me that you will need some legal help. So, I would suggest it is best to seek legal help for you to know what exactly is needed to be done. I hope it would end up favorable on your part. And I also hope for your speedy recovery.
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