What does financial responsibility law mean?

James

Birmingham, AL

A “financial responsibility” law means that you are required by the state to show proof that you have the ability to pay for the accident or damages caused by an accident or if you have been convicted of traffic infraction.

The financial responsibility law will not require a person to acquire insurance or any type of financial responsibility during your registration of your car.

If you get involved in an accident or convicted of traffic violation and you fail to demonstrate the required level of financial responsibility, your drivers license may be suspended or your car registration may be revoked.

The financial responsibility law requirements is not based on faults. In the event of an accident, all drivers involved in the accident must show proof of financial responsibility. If they fail to show proof of financial responsibility, this may result harsh penalties.

Getting car insurance policy is the most common way to adhere to this financial responsibility law.

If I get involved in an accident here in Minnesota where the other driver has no car insurance, will my insurance company pay the damages? What if the costs incurred exceed the limits on my coverage?

Jill

Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota observes the no-fault act. This means that following an accident, individuals involved will have to file claims against their own insurance companies initially for benefits. This law has been adopted to minimize long court battles to determine who is at fault and who needs to shoulder the liability after the accident. Having the no-fault act also means that all motorists are required to obtain the no-fault insurance policy. This type of coverage actually means having Personal Injury Protection (PIP) where an amount up to $20,000 pays for bodily injuries and another $20,000 for funeral expenses and lost wages. Having this type of insurance coverage hinders the ability of a driver to sue the other. However, if medical costs exceeded the limit, the other driver reserves the right to sue the at-fault driver to pay any remaining amount that the PIP cannot cover.

Motorists who have extensive health insurance elect to have the minimum PIP policy. Make sure to read the declarations page on your car insurance policy. If excess medical expenses are stated then you will have to look to your health insurer first. Any amount remaining will be shouldered by your car insurance company. In your case, if you get hit by an uninsured driver, your PIP insurance will definitely assist you financially. But if costs exceed those stated in your coverage limits, then you can sue the other driver for the remaining amount.

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

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.

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

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

A: There are three main types of SR22 proof of financial responsibility which you can file, and those are

• Owner-operator: This means the car you drive is yours, and so you file your SR22 proof of financial responsibility with an otherwise normal car insurance policy. Owner-operator insurance is the cheapest available, although of course it depends on the options you choose.
• Operator: This means you drive, but you don’t own a car. Since with SR22 insurance you need to have an SR22 filed if you want to have your license back and drive legally, then you need to get operator insurance. Operator, also called non owners insurance, is pretty expensive.
• Owner: This kind of insurance usually applies to business owners–for example, if you own a car lot, or if you own a company which has company cars employees can drive, or a rental company with the rental cars. You’re unlikely to need SR22 insurance for one of these kinds of policies.