Reader’s Question:

If a person gets caught driving in Washington without auto insurance, how much would the violation cost him?

Jason

East Seattle, WA

In the state of Washington, a registered driver is required to have a liability insurance policy to show that he can be financially responsible for future incidents that may cause damage to him and to another party. This is a mandatory law, having a certificate of deposit and a liability guarantee. However, if you own a business, and more than 26 vehicles are registered under your name, you must be self-insured (which is a different insurance altogether).

The mandatory insurance law under the Revised Code of Washington states that as a driver in Washington, you must carry with you a proof of insurance (in the form of an insurance identification card) to verify that your vehicle’s insurance policy is up-to-date. You must carry this proof of insurance at all times and be able to present it when the need arises.

If you are caught driving an uninsured vehicle, you will be charged with a traffic violation and will be required to pay a fine amounting to $250. Typically, there are other fees that are added to this amount, so you might end up having to pay around $450. You may also be required to attend a public safety and education program as part of your penalty for this offense. If you commit the same offense, you may end up not just paying fines (which would be higher than what you previously paid for), you may also end up having a suspended license or having your car impounded.

Tags: car insurance law, driving without insurance, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I received a ticket for not wearing a seat belt in California. Will my insurance provider find out this traffic violation?

Neve

Los Angeles CA

If you are convicted for the seatbelt violation, the citation will appear on your CA driving record. Your insurance company will then know about this offense once they check your Motor Vehicle Record or MVR.

The car insurance rates should be according to the years of experience in driving, the mileage driven in a year and the driver’s safety record based on CA Proposition 103. The insurance companies can also use 16 optional rating factors, which received an approval from the CA Insurance Department. These factors may include the characteristics of the vehicle like the safety features, marital status, the location where the car is garaged, and the type of the car driven.

Your offense for not wearing a seatbelt may increase your rates since driver’s record is a rating factor for insurance providers. You can contact your insurance agent to find out the rating system of the company.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m planning to buy my friend’s car which has a “rebuilt” title (it used to be considered as a total loss). My friend’s been driving it for months already and I know that it’s in good condition. However, I’m worried that if I buy it, I may have a hard time getting it insured. I’ve asked some insurance companies here in Milwaukee, WI and they all couldn’t get me the exact answers that I need to hear. My concern is, if I buy the rebuilt car, will I get an auto insurance coverage that has a lesser rate?

Dave

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I’m pretty sure you know by now that you would really have a hard time finding an automobile insurance company that would insure your rebuilt car. Most insurance companies do not insure rebuilt vehicles for the reason that these vehicles have more chances of breaking down and getting the driver into trouble. These companies believe that brand-new vehicles are safer than those which have been totaled due to accidents. That’s why some of these companies consider a vehicle as a total loss even if the cost of its repair is just 51% of its actual cash value. They would rather make a one-time payment for a totaled car than make small but continuous payments for rebuilt cars that are more likely to break down again.

In case you find a company who is willing to insure your rebuilt car, expect that company to offer you a “stated amount” for your insurance. This stated amount is what you could expect in case your rebuilt car gets into a wreck. However, if that company does not give you a stated value policy, expect them to pay your car’s “actual cash value”. This would be computed according the car’s current value less its depreciation and the deductibles that you choose.

I hope by now you know that insurance companies (whether it’s in Milwaukee, WI or wherever) will not give you the same rate as it usually would had you insured a brand-new car.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

Is my Manchester, New Hampshire car insurance valid in other countries around the globe?

Monique

Manchester, NH

Hey, Monique! Your Manchester, NH auto insurance coverage is usually not considered effective if you’re driving outside the U.S. and Canada. However, there are rental car companies that make it easy for you to buy insurance when you rent a car. And if you’re not sure of the insurance requirements of the country you are visiting, you can start looking for answers with the rental car company.

Basically, you should purchase car insurance from the foreign car rental company that is similar to your auto insurance coverage in the United States. If you’re going to tour different countries, make sure that the rental car company provides you with a car insurance that complies with auto insurance regulations in all the countries where you planning to drive.

I would also suggest that you book your rental car reservation early. There are some companies that give out discounts for early reservations there in Manchester, NH. You can also ask different questions about auto insurance coverage abroad, driving conditions in a particular country or city, and generally what to expect and how to prepare, especially if accidents might occur. And if you have the time (and money), it’s also wise to shop around for your car’s auto insurance coverage abroad.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, rental car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m from California. I have a car in my parking lot and is never moved or turned on. Can I keep this car until I purchase a car insurance? I live in Berkeley, CA

Frank

Berkeley, CA

Generally speaking, the state requires all vehicles to be registered and thus insured. However, it depends on the state whether you can or cannot keep an unregistered and uninsured vehicle in a parking lot. It may be possible to store the car there until you obtain a registration and purchase an insurance. It may also be illegal and may be towed if the
vehicle is found to be without registration or to have expired registration

It may also depend upon where the car is parked. If the vehicle is parked in public, registration and insurance are probably to be required. If it is in private, it would likely depend upon signage that there is at the lot of the owner and also the law of the state.

If your car is inoperable, you may get a special status from the DMV. In California, the state’s law requires vehicles to have current registration if they are stored, driven, towed, parked on public roads or highways or parked in an off-street public parking facility. If your car is inoperable and would not be in any of the mentioned status, you could get an application for non-operational status and pay a non-operation (PNO) fee. Once the non-operational status is on your vehicle’s record, this will remain until you decide to operate the vehicle and pay the full registration renewal fees.

You can also check with your state’s DMV to learn what the state allows for in your situation.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I choose to lower my deductible, what will happen to my car insurance premium in Aurora, Illinois?

Viktor

Aurora, IL

Normally if you choose to lower your deductible amount your insurance premium will increase in Aurora, Illinois. If you increase your deductible amount on the other hand your car insurance rates would go down.

If you have Physical Damage coverages of comprehensive and collision coverage on your car insurance you can request higher deductibles for your Comprehensive and Collision coverage. The amount of money you have to pay before your insurance carrier starts paying the rest is your deductible.

If you choose to lower your deductible and it increases your car insurance cost then be sure you talk with your auto insurance agent to be sure you are obtaining all the car insurance discounts available to you. If you are obtaining new car insurance discounts for safety features, theft deterrent devices, etc this may help balance out the increase to the car insurance policy you are incurring from lowering your deductible amount and getting cheap car insurance.

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