Reader’s Question:

Does anyone here know how much I would pay for a ticket for driving with no insurance here in Corpus Christi, Texas?

Christie

Corpus Christi, TX

Hey, Christie of Corpus Christi, Texas. In Texas, like in most states, it is actually required for drivers to show some kind of proof that they can pay for any damages that they might cause in case they involve themselves in an accident. Most Texas drivers buy auto liability insurance for this purpose because this is actually the cheapest way. But the basic coverage may not be enough to guarantee enough financial protection for you and your car. The basic coverage in Texas is 20/40/15, which means that the law in Texas requires minimum coverage of $20,000 per injured person to a total of $40,000 for every person injured in an accident and $15,000 for the damages of property.

Now, when you buy an auto insurance policy, your insurance carrier will give you a proof-of-insurance card that you may show when asked by a law enforcement officer or if you’re going to register or renew your vehicle, or if you are getting or renewing your driver’s license or if you are having your car inspected.

If you are an uninsured motorist, and you are stopped by a traffic enforcement officer, Texas has corresponding penalties for this according to the state’s financial responsibility laws. For first offense, you may have to pay a fine of $175 to $350. The next convictions will be more of a hassle for you. You might pay from $350 to $1,000, and they could also suspend your driver’s license and impound your automobile.

So, Christie, I really suggest that you have your vehicle insured. It really comes in handy in times of need.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m from Phoenix, Arizona and I am a new driver and quite new to auto-insurance. Could someone explain to me what Liability coverage is?

Pam

Phoenix, AZ

Hi, Pamela, right? Let’s get the facts straight. Liability coverage is that piece of automobile insurance that is required by most states now. Most states– that means unless you’re a resident of some states like, from memory — Virginia, New Hampshire and Wisconsin, liability coverage will be a fact of life for you. Surely you won’t move states just to skip it, kidding. So how does liability coverage work? Liability coverage works to protect the car owner from accidents that are his or her fault. One article I read about it cleverly points it out that a driver’s good luck or clean slate won’t last forever.

Here are some basics for you to understand the concept. I’ll leave out the clutter. In Arizona, you’re required to have Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and Property Liability Coverage. Bodily injury coverage serves to pay for damages like medical bills, even funerals. Property Liability coverage, this one saves you from the pain of paying for damage to property caused by you. The state requires you go to have a minimum coverage of 15/30/10. What the heck do these numbers mean to you? Simply put, the first number represents $15,000 of bodily injury for one person with a cap of $30,000 (the second number) total for all the people injured. The last number just means you’re covered up to about $10,000 of property damage. If damages exceed the numbers…that will be a different story already.

Tags: auto insurance, Beginner car insurance, New Driver Insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi. In between policies, I got hit by a car that was insured. Is it possible to charge my medical expenses and the repair of my car? This happened in Davenport, Iowa.

Dolores

Davenport, IA

What a lucky lady! You know what, Dolores, you should thank your stars you’re from Davenport, Iowa. Had you come from other states, you would have had a bigger problem. So, right now your one and only problem is if it is possible for the driver at fault who is fortunately insured to cover all your medical expenses and all the costs that the repair of the damages to your car will incur? That is an interesting question. First, I know that your apprehension is that the insurance policy of the driver that hit your car will not cover all your expenses because you are not insured yourself. Well, because you’re from Iowa, the state’s law protects you because it is not mandatory in Iowa to have a vehicular insurance. However,

I really hope you have liability coverage for bodily injuries and property damages because that’s the only requirement that the state of Iowa asks of its residents. As a matter of fact, even if it appears that you are at the losing end because of the absence of an insurance at the time of this accident, you sure can claim liability from the offending driver’s insurance policy because that’s how insurance works in general.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Antioch, California. I have a vehicle here that I do not use and did not place insurance on it. It is parked in the streets. I am just wondering if somebody drive that car and got cited for being uninsured, will the ticket go after my record or to the driver operating the car? I currently live in New Jersey.

John

Antioch, CA

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles financial responsibility must be acquired and must be carried on any car operated or parked on CA roadways. So if your vehicle is going to be parked on a streets you would need to put car insurance on the car.

According to the California Department of Insurance all CA motorist and vehicle owners must have at least the statutory limits of minimum liability insurance or an approved alternative way to pay for property or injury damage they may cause to others. Penalties are very harsh for those who do not comply on this law.

So if you are the owner of the vehicle in Antioch, California and you are planning to parked on the street you would have to have auto insurance on the vehicle and be responsible, if someone operated it while it was without mandatory liability insurance . The fact that you are living out of state in New Jersey will not make a difference to police officer if you permit others to operate an car that that you own without insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

My wife just had her first accident, thank good nobody is hurt. At first I thought it was just a minor accident and the cost of damage for the repair is not that much. But now, I am thinking the other way around, after the repair shop in Chandler, Arizona AZ send us the quote it was such a price and the insurance adjuster provided lesser amount telling us that this is only the collision coverage can cover for. Whew! Any idea, what else can we do?

Rob

Chandler, AZ

Let me start first with your Collision auto insurance coverage in Chandler, Arizona AZ. It is a part of your total comprehensive auto insurance package. Now in your policy, if you can review it. It is agreed in there that the insurance company will carry all the damages and repairs but this is limited to the vehicle. There are times that the value of the vehicle is less than the cost of repair to the vehicle. Collision auto insurance covers the cost of damage and repairs but it doesn’t mean guarantee for replacement or replacement value.

The insurance adjuster only received the description of the damage of your car, he then seek for an estimate for repair of the said damage. Only that, it appears the estimates he had is lesser than the cost of repairs the shop provided to you. I think the amount that the insurance adjuster offered was correct.

The collision auto insurance coverage provided options for you. First, you can accept the offered amount go for the repair and shoulder the excess amount. Second, you can negotiate with your insurance adjuster, but if you are still unhappy with the outcome you can go to the third option. Third, file your complaint at the state insurance agency in Chandler, Arizona AZ. This agency will review your collision auto coverage and evaluate it with your insurance provider. Try to research online too for auto insurance options in your area. Insurance sites like this one will be able to route you to auto insurance rates comparison in your area.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes, collision insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

My daughter has an SR-22 insurance in Houston,Texas. I would like know what we have to do to take it off.

Jason

Houston, TX

An SR-22 is a certificate of insurance in the state of Texas that show proof of automobile insurance with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for the future, as required by law.

The insurance carrier notifies the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) if the car insurance policy is cancelled, terminated, or lapses thus if that happens appropriate enforcement action may be taken. The driving privilege or the drivers license will be suspended if a person is required to obtain an SR22 and there is no SR22 on file.

The form called the SR26 is filed by the company to cancel the SR22. So if your daughter is no longer required to carry an SR22 or the time period to carry this financial responsibility certificate is up already in Houston,Texas, she must inform her insurance company that she no longer needs to carry an SR22 so that it will be removed. Her insurance carrier will probably be needing some documentation that shows that she no longer needs to carry an SR22 insurance.She may be able to get this from the Department of Public Safety and show it to he insurance company so they can file a SR26.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Can I still get a license for my motorcycle, if my drivers license has been suspended in Sanford, Maine? Also do I have to obtain SR22 insurance after my license has been reinstated?

Richard

Sanford, ME

States vary on their laws regarding if an individual with a suspended driver’s license can get a motorcycle license. Some states will permit you to have a motorcycle license while some will not permit it while your main driving privileges has been suspended. States, such as Maine, have the motorcycle license as an addendum to your regular motor vehicle license so it is unlikely that you would be able to obtain it without a valid driver’s license.

As for the SR-22 in Sanford, Maine, some states require a SR-22 when a license is reinstated while others will not. You will need to check with your Department of Motor Vehicles in Maine to check if this document as proof of financial responsibility will be required to acquire a valid driver’s license once again. The DMV should also be able to assist you find out if you can obtain a motorcycle license while your driver’s license is suspended.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know if there is a mandatory suspension for driving without insurance or is it up to the court system and county’s judge? I live in New Jersey.

Martin

Camden, NJ

Driving uninsured is a serious violation in most areas. The penalty for this violation differs from state to state but can include large fines, impounding of your car (and payment of towing and storage charges incurred), license suspension or revocation, community service or jail time. In most states, such as New Jersey, the mandatory penalties for an individual found driving without insurance are even greater than those for an individual receiving a DUI citation for the first time.

This is regulated by each state.

Also, it is likely you will have to comply with the state’s financial responsibility laws by obtaining an SR22 or SR16.

Tags: auto insurance, driving without insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Can I operate any car with SR22 insurance with permission?

James

Baltimore, MD

Under most state and with most insurance company guidelines, yes, you can drive any car with permission as long as no exclusion applies even with an SR22.

But, if you have a non-owners SR22 then coverage is limited to your personal operation of a car not owned by you or any family member in the household.

You can shop around online for a quote on SR22 financial responsibility certificate.

For you to be able to obtain the general price for an SR22 financial responsibility certificate you need to get a quote. An SR22 generally costs an additional $15-$30 filing fee above and beyond your auto insurance premium rate.

Reader’s Question:

What other financial responsibility that may be used other than sr22?

Roger

Thank you for asking Roger.

Most states permit at least one of these following to be used as financial responsibility:

1. A surety bond issued from surety company.
2. Your car insurance policy.
3. A State Motor Vehicle Department bond secured by real estate equity of a set amount
4. A State Motor Vehicle Department certificate for money or government bonds for a set amount on deposit with the State Treasurer
5. A certificate of proof of financial responsibility signed by an insurance agent on a form prescribed by your state’s Motor Vehicle Department.

Goodluck!

MariCAR