Reader’s Question:

I’m from Missouri. I just turned 16, and am looking forward to learning how to drive. Do I need to apply for auto insurance even if I’m just a student driver?

Janis

Springfield, MO

Sixteen is a very exciting age, especially now that you are getting behind the wheel. Not everyone your age is astute enough to ask about such boring details as auto insurance. Mostly teenagers learning how to drive for the first time are thinking about “When are my parents going to buy me a car?” or “Finally the freedom to go anywhere I want!”

So to answer your question - yes, auto insurance coverage is necessary for every driver. Getting a Learner’s Permit means that you have permission to drive but with certain limitations. Although your Learner’s Permit is just a temporary license, you are still required to carry financial responsibility, along with all the responsibilities that come from operating a motor vehicle in public roads.

There are two ways you can go about this. One way is that you can apply for your own auto insurance. There’s a lot of information on the Internet that can help you. Check out the sites of the various automotive insurance providers in Missouri. Each one offers their services differently. Knowing all your options will help you make better choices. You can also be covered under an existing auto insurance policy such as your parents’. As a student driver you’re probably going to have to borrow their car for the first few occasions until such time as you get your own. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your parents about it. Being more experienced drivers, they could tell you a lot more on the nitty-gritty stuff of automotive insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, Student car insurance, teen, teen 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