Assigned Risk Market Auto Insurance New Jersey NJ
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend has the worst driving record in New Jersey. There were so many traffic violations, tickets, citations etc under his name. Just name it he almost got everything under his driving record. And because of this, as expected, we were not able to purchase car insurance through voluntary market. So we purchased his car insurance through assigned risk market. We’ve been under the said market for three years now. And it’s an expensive plan if I may add. Now, what we would like to know is how do we get out of this market? We would like to be considered for voluntary market to avoid paying so much on his auto insurance.
Teresa
Jersey City, NJ
I’m sorry to hear that Teresa. But I got good news for you! According to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, every year if a person renews his/her policy or whenever a new policy is purchased, the auto insurance company will review a person’s driving record. This covers the three-year period prior to the renewal or buying of the car insurance policy.
In addition, auto insurance eligibility points are removed after the three-year period. So, traffic violations or vehicular accidents that were given insurance eligibility points by auto insurance companies are no longer included on the driver’s record provided that it falls out the three-year look back period. So, assuming that your boyfriend’s total insurance eligibility points for the last three years is less than seven points, then he may be eligible to purchase auto insurance from voluntary market again.
For more information about auto insurance in New Jersey, you can also contact your car insurance agent and even the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips
Auto Insurance Rate California CA
Reader’s Question:
I have a cousin who is lives in California. He got a traffic violation before and was allowed to enroll in a defensive class to remove the ticket from his record. However, just last week he had a traffic violation again, this time for illegal left turn. We both know he can no longer enroll in a defensive class to have the ticket removed from his record. How would his traffic violation affect his car insurance rate now? Will it increase so much?
Althea
Buena Park, CA
Whether there would be an increase on your cousin’s auto insurance rate or none still depends to his car insurance company. This is because every car insurance company differs from each other. Car insurance companies follow certain rules and guidelines which may not be followed and applicable to another auto insurance company.
Let’s take a look at what happened to my cousin. She had a clean driving record, no claims at all to her insurance company. The very first time she had a traffic violation, she was cited for parking near a fire hydrant. It was deemed as a minor offense by her auto insurance company so she was “forgiven”. There was no increase on her car insurance rate.
Let’s just hope that your car insurance company would “forgive” your cousin and would not take any action about it. However, if there was so much increase on his auto insurance premium because of his citation then I would say it would be better to consider shopping for auto insurance quotes in California by using the websites. Also, to better help you with your question, it’s better to ask your car insurance agent.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance rate
Auto Insurance Rate with DWI New York NY
Reader’s Question:
I am from New York. I have a NY license and also have a vehicle insured here. When I went to New Jersey to visit my mom, I was charged of DWI. How is this going to affect my auto insurance rate in New York? Will it have a negative impact? I am assuming there is none since it’s an out-of-state violation. Help please?
Bernard
Bronx, NY
Unfortunately there is an effect on your auto insurance rate and it’s big time!
Being convicted of Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) in another state (and in your case in New Jersey) doesn’t mean you can easily get away with it. We have what we call the Driver’s License Compact (DLC). Both your home state New York and New Jersey are members of it. This compact allows its member states to exchange information regarding a person’s suspension or traffic violations. Also, an out-of-state violation would be treated the same way it happened in a person’s home state. Meaning to say, you having cited for DWI in New Jersey would be treated as if you were cited for DWI in New York.
Your charged for DWI would be placed on your record and your car insurance company would find out about it. This is a serious offense if I may add. And having DWI under your name would normally increase your auto insurance premium since you are now considered to be a high risk driver.
You can ask your car insurance agent in New York to give you an estimate on how much increase you would see on your auto insurance premium. If you got too much increase then you can shop for auto insurance quotes using the websites.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate, car insurance tips
Auto Insurance Claims Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My cousin got involved in a vehicular accident last month. It is not her fault. There was no serious physical damage on her part and she just sustained minor injuries. However, there was so much damaged on her car. What I am curious about, is there a certain grace period for filing for auto insurance claim in Florida? I mean since this happened like a month ago, can my cousin still file for a claim? For how long are we given the grace period before we lose our right to file for claims?
Christine
Central Pasco, FL
In general, auto insurance polices statethat in an event of vehicular accidents or loss to the policyholder, a claim must be done the soonest the possible time. By doing this, your car insurance claim would be considered in a timely manner by your insurer. The longer period you failed to file for the claim, the more difficult it would be to set the facts relating to your claims. In addition, if you filed for a delayed claim you must be prepared to explain to your car insurance company the reason for the delay. A claim adjuster would determine the total loss you had and the coverage you would have.
As to your question, your cousin can still file for a claim. As per Florida law, you could file for a claim within the four year period. Meaning to say four years from the time the accident happened. However, I would not suggest you wait that long before making the claim. Once involved in an accident, file the claim as soon as possible to avoid any future problems you might encounter if you opted to delay it.
For more information about car insurance claims in Florida, ask your auto insurance agent.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance claims, car insurance online, car insurance tips
Car Insurance Rate Minnesota MN
Reader’s Question:
I went to Texas for a short vacation and unfortunately I was cited for over speeding. Will this affect my auto insurance rate in Minnesota? Will my car insurance premium increase? Because I heard from a friend that out-of-state moving violations are not counted in Minnesota, so this will not affect my insurance rate in any way. Is that correct? I was also told that all I need to do is to pay the fine and that’s it! No record of the traffic violation would ever show up on my driving record in Minnesota. If that is the case, then I guess I don’t have to worry if this will increase my car insurance rate or not. Correct me if I’m wrong please?
Tessa
Eden Prairie, MN
Well, I think you were advised wrongly.
Both the states of Texas and Minnesota are members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) which means your out-of-state violation in Texas would be reported back to your home state in Minnesota. Thus, saying that your traffic violation in Texas does not count in Minnesota is definitely not true.
In addition, under this compact, out-of-state traffic violations would be taken as if it happens in the violator’s home state. Hence, out-of-state offenses will be treated in accordance with your home state laws.
As to your question if this will affect your auto insurance premium, normally it would. You might see an increase on your car insurance premium since said out-of-state offense would still show upon your driving record. However, this still depends on your insurer. If you see an increase, then you could check the websites for auto insurance quotes in Minnesota.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance rate, car insurance tips
High Risk Driver Auto Insurance Arizona AZ
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend’s auto insurance policy is not renewed by his former car insurance company in Arizona. Now, we’re having so much difficulty finding a new car insurance company who is willing to insure him. He has a very bad driving record I must admit. And I think that is the reason why no one wants to insure him. We’ve tried several ways to purchase car insurance from online to seeking help of auto insurance agent but to no avail. We’re still not going anywhere. What other options do we have if this is the case?
Gwen
Tempe, AZ
I’m sorry to hear that Gwen. But don’t worry so much you still got one more option if this is the case.
Your boyfriend can still be insured through Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan. This plan is created to help drivers who have difficulty purchasing auto insurance policy from traditional ways like what you’ve done. You can apply for this plan through your auto insurance agent in Arizona. Inform your car insurance agent as soon as possible that you are interested to avail this car insurance plan.
If you have additional information about Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan you can write to:
Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans,
P.O. Box 7917
San Francisco, CA 94120-7917
You can also call 1-800-227-4659. They also have a website that you could visit at http://www.aipso.com/AZ/.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips
Property Damage Coverage Arizona AZ
Reader’s Question:
Last week, my boyfriend was involved in a vehicular accident. It was just a minor accident and it was not his fault. The other driver begged not to report said incident to the police so they agreed not to. My boyfriend was paid for the damage. Now my question is, what if my boyfriend is involved in another car accident let’s say this time with a person who has no auto insurance and it is not my boyfriend’s fault. Does the property damage coverage on my boyfriend’s auto insurance policy pay for the damage on his vehicle? We are from Arizona by the way.
Mae
Scottsdale, AZ
It’s nice to hear that you’re boyfriend got involved in just a minor accident. I do hope he’s well.
As to your question, unfortunately the answer is no. Let me first define what property damage coverage is. This type of coverage only protects your boyfriend in a way that it only pays the damage that your boyfriend may cause to the other party’s vehicle or property.
In addition, if you want something that would back your boyfriend up for damage on his own car, then I would suggest getting collision coverage. This would definitely provide coverage if there is something that needs to be fixed on his vehicle if he got involved in an accident wherein it’s the other party’s fault and the other driver has no auto insurance policy.
For more information about auto insurance coverage, ask your car insurance agent in Arizona.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips
Filing Auto Insurance Complaint Arizona AZ
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!
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance tips
SR22 Auto Insurance Policy California CA
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 in 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.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, non owners insurance, sr22 insurance
DUI Auto Insurance California CA
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.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, DUI insurance