I haven’t heard about SR22 car insurance until my friend mentioned it to me. What exactly is it and how do I purchase one?

Jimmy

Seattle, WA

SR22 is simply a document which is required by the law for those who are convicted of certain types of traffic violations. It is simply a proof that those who have it are financially responsible for any damages that they can cause while on the road.

There are many ways for you to buy sr22 insurance. You can start by asking your current automobile insurance company if the offer sr22 insurance. The moment that you get a sr22 insurance quote, you can go online and make comparisons of sr22 quotes with other automobile insurance companies. You will find that some auto insurance companies offer lower rates. Once you determine the best sr22 insurance rate, you can call the auto insurance company which you chose. The auto insurance company will then file a form with your state’s department of transportation.

It’s that simple to buy sr22 insurance. Remember that just like in shopping for automobile insurance; you have to shop around in order to buy sr22 insurance that is cheap and affordable.

Do I need an SR-22 insurance? If yes, for how long?

Dennis

Long Island NY

An SR-22 insurance is a certificate that is state-mandated, which shows proof of carrying car insurance liability coverage. You will only need an SR-22 insurance if you are caught driving without an insurance. Aside from that, an SR-22 insurance is also necessary if you have committed a serious traffic violation like a DUI, and being in an at-fault accident while not being insured. Moreover, the certificate will also be required if you have gotten a lot of tickets or repeatedly violated traffic rules, and if your license to drive has been suspended or revoked. Once the SR-22 filing has been done, your license’s suspension will be lifted. The certificate should stay with you for a specific time, usually three years. Having an SR-22 is like being in a probationary period after your have committed a criminal violation. Within the time period you are required to carry the certificate and your auto insurance policy lapses, the insurance company must report it to the state. The result of which is another license suspension. A point to remember – even if you will move to another state while the SR-22 is still in effect, you must fulfill the filing period in your previous state.

I bought a used car here in Minnesota. Do I have to buy car insurance for it?

Leticia

Bloomington, MN

Basically, different types of coverage are already included in the policy when you buy car insurance. But you have control over the kinds of coverage you want to have, as well as the amount of coverage that you can afford.

Like most states, Minnesota has certain insurance laws that will require you to have at least the minimum car insurance. In some states, before you can register your car, you will need to show some proof that you have car insurance. To put it simply, car insurance is definitely a must-have whether your car is the latest model or a second-hand vehicle.

You should also know that most states require you to have liability coverage included in your insurance policy. The liability coverage of your policy is crucial in providing financial assistance to you should you get involved in an accident wherein injuries to people and damages to property were sustained.

In Minnesota, the minimum state requirement for body injury liability is $30 thousand, while for property damage liability, the limit is $10 thousand. The state of Minnesota also requires you to have uninsured and underinsured motorist liability coverage, as well as a personal injury protection, with a $40 thousand limit.

But you have to give this some thought because sometimes these minimums aren’t enough to accommodate the expenses of a serious accident. Sometimes, it is better to buy a liability coverage that is higher than the required minimum to ensure that you are really protected.

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

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 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 or wherever) will not give you the same rate as it usually would had you insured a brand-new car.

Is car insurance valid in other countries around the globe driving a rental car?

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 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.

If you get caught by the law enforcement officer for driving without insurance, does that go toward your criminal record? Is it a felony?

Richie

Dallas, TX

When you are cited for a traffic violation and you are unable to show proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer, usually the penalties range from suspension of your license and possibly even fines. This type of infraction is typically added to your driving record and it usually remains on your driving record between 7-10 years depending on your state law.

But, some states consider serious moving violations to be a criminal offense as well. Cases where in DUI leads to a fatality, or even death, reckless driving in states can be considered a criminal violation. So if get involved in a more serious infraction and you do not have an auto insurance, it could be considered a criminal offense. Criminal violations usually incur more severe penalties and these infractions remain on your criminal record permanently.

You may be able to contact your state DMV to get more information about about moving violations and the penalties you may receive for driving without insurance. If you are looking for an affordable auto insurance, you may begin by getting free quotes here by placing your zip code above this page.

My son was required to carry an sr22. what is an sr22 and why is it more expensive to have?

Holly

Thank you for asking Holly.

Certain states require sr22 form as proof of financial responsibility by the court or under state law for individuals convicted of a certain traffic infractions. The SR-22 form is filed by the insurance provider to show to the state that the individual who has this insurance policy has car liability insurance in active.

SR-22s guidelines varies in different state so your son will need to get information what the requirements are for in your state. The Department of Motor Vehicles may be able to assist you regarding this. An SR22 is a form that shows you have the necessary liability coverages that complies with the state laws.

Some people thinks the SR22 is more expensive than the previous insurance rate. Actually it is more because the amount of insurance policy they need is more than what they are used to carrying.

Goodluck!

MariCAR