Reader’s Question:

I’m Alfred from Nevada. Just a question: What are the basic things that I should do at the scene of an accident for car insurance purposes?

Alfred

Henderson, NV

Well Alfred, I suggest you take all the necessary precautions to avoid getting into an accident. But in the unfortunate event that you do, make sure that you still keep a clear mind and remember to do these simple things.

Don’t panic, and make sure that everyone around you is alright. Check your companions, if you have any, and see if you are all there. Then check the other party and see if they had any casualties. Call an ambulance or the paramedics if there was someone who severely injured. Don’t attempt to move anyone on your own because it only might do more harm than good.

Now when you call for the ambulance, don’t forget to call the police station, as well. In most cases, a police officer is needed at the scene of the accident. It is also important to avoid any delays and any possible denials on your claim.

You should also remember to exchange information with the other party. Don’t forget to get the other driver’s name, address, telephone number, insurance agent and insurance provider.

Most importantly, you should call and inform your insurance agent there in Nevada about the incident. There isn’t anything special you must do. But the sooner you report it to your insurance agent and insurance provider the better, because it helps speed up the claims process.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance agent, insurance

Reader’s Question:

How does a driving history in California affect an application for a driving license in San Antonio Texas?

Chris

San Antonio, TX

Both Texas and California are members of the Drivers License Compact. This agreement requires either of the two states to inform each other about violations made by drivers in their respective territories. Therefore, if a person obtains a violation in California, the conviction would be reported to San Antonio, Texas, and vice versa.

If a person from California plans to move into Texas and acquire a driving license there, the person would have to present his or her valid CA driver’s license and would only be given 30 days (after entry to TX) to obtain the new license. The TX Department of Public Safety (DPS) has jurisdiction over the records of drivers in TX, including those who just transferred from another state. The DPS is in the best position to state whether the violation committed in CA would be added to the new record in TX, or not.

With regards to auto insurance, the insurance company may be able to get hold of the MVR to assess the person and to see whether he or she is high-risk or low-risk. There is a possibility that the driver’s driving history in the other state may affect his or her car insurance rate in TX, therefore it would be best if he or she asks for the computation directly from the insurance company.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I live here in Anchorage, Alaska, and I do not have car insurance as of the moment. I’m thinking of getting one, but I have no idea which one to choose. Can anyone give me any pointers?

Merrill

Anchorage, Alaska

Whoa, Anchorage, Alaska, up there to the North. It must be terribly freezing out there. Hehe. Anyways, i am sure that there must be loads of auto insurance companies there from which you could choose, but a good advice of what to do in choosing a good car insurance company is to check the web site (if there’s any, but I’m sure there is, even in Alaska…heehee) of your state’s division or department of insurance. I am quite sure that you are going to see there dozens of information online about auto insurance companies like complaints, alerts, policies, regulations, benefits and other related links that would help you in choosing wisely.

There also has to be some frequently asked questions section where you could get some information that could answer a lot of your questions. You should also check out the consumer complaints section to give you an idea of which companies are most likely to give you a splitting headache when you are already making your claims. But if your state does not offer that information, you can just visit the other states’ sites because in this way you would be able to compare the terms and premiums of the companies. If visiting web sites do not help you, you can also check out some body shops and ask them which companies they would recommend because i’m sure they might have some concrete ideas since most probably, they handle with insurers almost every day. If this still doesn’t work for you, you can always hire an independent agent who could guide you to choosing the best company for your auto insurance needs.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance online, car insurance cost, car insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

A tree limb fell on my windshield and I would like to know if my liability insurance in Boise, Idaho will cover this?

Jane

Boise, ID

No, if a tree limb that damaged your windshield will not be covered under your liability insurance. I suggest that you check with insurance agent if your property damage insurance will cover the damages.

Your property damage liability covers you if your vehicle damages other people’s property. Normally it is their automobile, however it could be a a house or a fence or any other property damaged in an accident. Bodily injury liability may also give for a legal defense if another driver in the accident files a lawsuit against you.

You will need a physical damage of comprehensive coverage on your vehicle so that your windshield will be covered from the tree limb.

If you only have the liability coverage in Boise, Idaho and you do not have the comprehensive coverage on your car your car insurance will not pay for the damage to your windshield. You may be able to obtain car insurance policy quotes on this website for physical damages of collision and comprehensive so that in the future your vehicle will be fully protected by your auto insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

I have an SR22 and I am wondering what exactly does an SR22 insurance cover in Nashua, New Hampshire?

John

Nashua, NH

The New Hampshire Department of Safety states that an SR22 is a form that shows proof of liability insurance and is filed by the insurance carrier licensed to sell insurance in the state of New Hampshire.

The SR22 insurance certificate shows that you are complying New Hampshire responsibility laws and is usually mandated by the state if you have had an accident without car insurance or due to any serious traffic infraction. This certificate is filed by your current car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicle and in case it has been cancelled, the DMV will be notified.

The minimum liability limits for liability coverage in the state of New Hampshire is 25/50/25 and this means bodily injury liability limits of $25,000 per injured person up to $50,000 per accident and property damage liability limits of $25,000.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Where do I get the SR 22 form? I also need to know the process. Thank you.

George

Chicago, IL

The SR-22 form is something that the insurance provider has and will file once you have bought the insurance required of you by the state. Policyholders may be given this form to take to the license office in Illinois. In some case, it can be downloaded in websites or mailed. Some insurers offer instant SR-22s, while other insurance companies require it to be filed before mailing it to you.

If you are required to carry an SR-22, then you should contact your car insurance agent and advise them of the needed filing with our state. The form must be filed by an insurance carrier licensed through Illinois insurance regulatory body normally.

If you are unable to find an insurance company that can file the SR-22 form for you then check with your IL insurance regulator who should be able to advise you where to find an insurance carrier in your area that you can buy the required insurance from.

Tags: sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long are you required to carry SR22 auto insurance because of a DUI in Colorado? I have insurance in Loveland CO.

Pete

Loveland, CO

The state of Colorado requires a SR-22, a financial responsibility certificate, be acquired when you are convicted of drunk driving. The sr-22 certificate itself is not an insurance policy, but instead is a guarantee by the insurance provider that you will keep insurance in effect for a certain period.

If you are required to have an SR22 form and do not keep the SR22 certificate current, the insurance provider will notify the Colorado Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) at which point your drivers license will be suspended.

The amount of time that are required to have the SR-22 is typically three years. According to Colorado legislator under some case, such as those with an alcohol related driving violation, it could be for a different period, as long as the insured’s license has been restraint.

So it would seem that the SR-22 form would have to be maintained for either three years or for a period equal to the duration of your license suspension or revocation in Loveland, CO. To verify for sure you can contact the Colorado Motor Vehicle Division.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI, sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I co-sign for an car loan in Clifton, New Jersey and the primary on the loan does not carry auto insurance, will I be responsible in the case of an accident?

Ben

Clifton, NJ

If you co-sign on a loan in Clifton, New Jersey it is likely that you could be held responsible if there was an accident and the car was not properly insured. As a co-signer you are partly responsible for those who drive the vehicle and what happens while they are driving by what is called vicarious liability.

The financial institution that is the lien holder on the car will usually require collision and comprehensive coverage above the state’s mandatory liability auto insurance. This way their investment is the car is protected. If the insurance lapses on the car they might decide to take out insurance on the car themselves and add the cost, which will be high, to the loan.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Ive had an sr22 auto insurance on file for the past five years but I think I dont need it anymore. I live in California and havent had a ticket or any traffic violation in five years. How will I find out if I still need an sr22 in California?

Jim

Los Angeles, CA

The most effective way to know if you still need an SR22 is to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state of California. You may contact the California DMV can be reached at 1 (800) 777-0133.

You may visit your local drivers license office in CA.

I suggest that you contact the DMV because laws and rules are very arbitrary when it comes to an SR22 insurance policy. In most states you can use the internet to verify our license requirements.

Tags: auto insurance, autos, sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Can a full coverage be carried on a new car under SR 22 car insurance? I live in Virginia.

Karen

Alexandria, VA

Yes, you can always buy more coverage than what the state of Virginia mandates. You have to file the financial responsibility certificate or what is commonly called as SR-22.

Thus, if you have recently bought a new motor vehicle and need not only liability coverages but full coverages, meaning physical damage coverages of comprehensive and collision, then you should be able to get all of these coverages on your car insurance policy.

If you cannot get both types of coverages with your current insurance company you can get free car insurance quotes by using your zip code form in this site.