Reader’s Question:

My wife was recently recruited by the US Army here in Sioux City, Iowa, and is now serving abroad. We were wondering what kind of discounts can we get for car insurance if we put our policy under her name. Any info is appreciated, Thanks!

Julius

Sioux City, IA

One of the many benefits of joining the military is that you get discounts or get deposits waived to almost any bill you may have under your name. Car insurance is no exception to this. The majority of car insurance companies out there that provides discounts towards military servicemen and servicewomen. Think of it as their way of showing patriotism (and the fact that most military personnel make for very reliable customers).

One notable, military-friendly car insurance provider is GEICO, where Active duty and Retired military personnel, as well as Reserves and individuals serving under the National Guard can get up to a fifteen-percent (15%) discount towards their total auto insurance premiums. Soldiers who have been deployed to countries or areas considered by the Department of Defense as Imminent-danger-pay-areas (e.g: Iraq or Serbia) can expect even more savings and discounts passed towards their auto insurance bills.

It is best to consult your car insurance agent there in Sioux City, Iowa, about offers and benefits of getting your car insurance under your wife’s name. It will also be a good idea to do some research and compare different auto insurance providers if you feel you’re not getting much savings at all. You may be able to get better rates or better discounts with a competitor, or haggle with your current car insurance provider to keep you and your wife as a customer.

Tags: auto insurance, military discount

Reader’s Question:

My teenagers are coming over to visit me here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and would be bringing some friends with them. They want to rent a car to go around but they are under 25 so I’m wondering if my kids will be allowed to rent a car if they are under my car insurance policy?

Susan
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Most large car rental companies are either very hesitant to (or downright refuses to) allow anyone under 25 to rent vehicles. The fact is these companies are trying to avoid, as much as possible, risks and losses in their end of the business. Said risk mostly arising from underage/ teenage driving.

There is still a possibility that your teenagers could be allowed to rent a vehicle there in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provided that you are able to find a car rental company that provides this option. Your teenagers should also be listed as a named driver under your car insurance policy, and that said policy has collision and liability coverage that will extend to your teenagers and it allows them to get into a rental agreement without requiring your name to be on it as well. So it is very important that you talk to your car insurance agent as well about provisions in your car insurance policy, as well as any limitations that might come with it for you and your teenagers. Sunshine Rent A Car is among some of the car rental specialists in Florida that allows under 25 drivers with proper car insurance coverage to rent their vehicles.

You should also look into your credit card policy. Most credit card holders are entitled to have some degree of auto insurance that comes with using their credit card for car rentals and this may be enough to get your car rental agreement. There’s also some car rental company that will allow you to rent a car without personal car insurance as long as you agree to purchase the necessary coverages with them. Rates could go from 9$ to 20$ a day with this.

Tags: auto insurance, car

Reader’s Question:

I heard from my aunt that there are mandatory and optional car insurance policies in Massachusetts. What is a mandatory auto insurance policy? And what is the optional car insurance coverage? I am from Framingham, Massachusetts.

Bettina

Framingham, MA

Massachusetts is a no-fault state. This means that if a person is involved in a car accident, regardless of whose fault it is, that person’s auto insurance company will automatically cover the damages depending on the limits on the policy.

The Massachusetts State has a mandatory auto insurance polices as follows:

1. for bodily injury to the other party: $20,000 for every person; $40,000 for every accident;
2. for bodily injury caused by a party that is not insured: $20,000 for every person; $40,000 for every accident;
3. for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that has a minimum required limit of $8,000; and
4. for damage to property with a required limit of $5,000

Those above mentioned polices are mandatory. According to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance the optional policies would include: increased limits both for bodily injury to the other party and bodily injured caused by an uninsured party; medical expenses coverage; collision policy; comprehensive coverage; substitute car’s coverage if your main vehicle is being repaired; and coverage for labor and towing in an event that your car broke down.

For more questions and information about auto insurance law in Framingham, Massachusetts you can ask the MA Department of Insurance or even your car insurance agent.

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

Reader’s Question:

I live in Brockton, Massachusetts. Last week, my roommate got involved in a bender fender. He does not have auto insurance so he just paid for the damage and both parties agreed not report it to the police. If this happens again and this time a law enforcement officer was called to the scene, would there be a punishment even if it’s a bender fender?

Chelsea

Brockton, MA

Yes, there would be a punishment.

Regardless if you are involved in a bender fender or in a serious vehicular accident that doesn’t change the fact that you are driving without car insurance, which you are not supposed to do in the first place.

Let me just tell you, it is required by the law that all cars operated in Massachusetts be insured. If you drive around without auto insurance and you were caught by a police officer then you’re up to bigger problems. Not only will you be asked to pay for $500 fine you could also go to jail for not more than 12 months plus your driver’s license can also be suspended.

Tell your roommate to get auto insurance ASAP. I would recommend using this website to get the different car insurance rates in Brockton, Massachusetts.

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

Reader’s Question:

My cousin told me that that driving records, claim history or even credit history affects the rate of car insurance. He also told me that any negative change on those things would surely make my auto insurance premium to go up. That’s the reason why I’m keeping my best to maintain good driving record and credit history. Aside from the things I’ve mentioned are there other things that affect the auto insurance rate to go up in Greater Newark, Delaware?

Owen

Greater Newark, DE

Well your cousin s right. The things you’ve mentioned do affect car insurance rates. I learned from my dad that adding another driver under your auto insurance policy will also increase your car insurance premium. This is because the more drivers you have under your policy, the higher the risk is to be involved in car accidents.

Also, if you change the vehicle being insured to something fancy or expensive that will also increase your car insurance rate. When my dad bought me an expensive car, the increase on his auto insurance rate is something I did not imagine.

And lastly, I remember, when I had my new expensive car, my dad added GAP insurance policy for that new car. By doing that, his auto insurance rate even becomes higher. So I guess it’s obvious that adding another insurance coverage would mean a change on your car insurance premium.

Those are just some factors I remember that caused an increase on my dad’s car insurance rate. You could always ask your car insurance agent in Greater Newark, Delaware for other factors that will cause an increased on your car insurance rate.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate, good driver discount

Reader’s Question:

I am turning 18 this December. Since, I’ll be an adult, would this mean I’ll get lower auto insurance rate in Huntington, West Virginia. Because I heard from a friend that age is one of the factors that affect auto insurance rates. Am I correct?

Ramon

Huntington, WV

Unfortunately, you are getting it wrongly.

It is true that among car insurance companies, age is one of the factors that they consider in setting car insurance rates. However, turning 18 does not mean you are safer to be insured.

In fact, you are still considered a teen driver, thus you are riskier to be insured as compared to adult drivers. But in general, once you have reached the age of 25, car insurance companies will consider you safer to be insured. Because according to studies, drivers who are 25 years old and above are less likely to be involved in ca r accidents as compared to younger drivers.

So once you reached the age of 25, I would say you inform your insurer in Huntington, West Virginia, to see if they offer a discount for this age bracket. However, before you do that, make sure that you maintain a clean driving record. Because being 25 is useless if you have under your driving records several traffic violations.

Tags: auto insurance, student car insurance, teen car insurance, young driver insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am a mother of two. Both my teen sons are under my auto insurance policy. And honestly, it is very expensive to have them both under my policy. Can anyone help me and share their ideas on how they save on car insurance in East Orange, New Jersey?

Raquel

East Orange, NJ

I understand what you feel Raquel. I am a mother of three too. And it is really expensive to have teens under your policy. I could share you some things I did that greatly help me in reducing my car insurance premium in East Orange, New Jersey.

First, study each policy you have. If you have an existing health insurance, then there’s no need for you to get additional medical insurance from your auto insurance company;

Second, if you are buying a car, NEVER buy an expensive car, it is a fact that it’s more expensive to be insured;

Third, increase your deductible. Doing this will decrease you car insurance premium;

Lastly, shop, shop, and shop for car insurance quotes. There are so many auto insurance companies in East Orange, New Jersey with competitive quotes. All you need to do is to compare car insurance rates and you’ll be amazed on how rates differ form every car insurance company. And the good thing is you can start doing that by using this website and entering your zip code.

Tags: auto insurance, student car insurance, teen car insurance, young driver insurance

Reader’s Question:

I need simple and easy to understand tips on how to save on my mom’s car insurance premium. I am a teen driver and I’m about to get my first car. I am under my mom’s auto insurance policy. I don’t need technical terms so I guess what I really need are just plain simple lay man’s term that I could understand. By the way, I live in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Thank you in advance.

Roberto

North Las Vegas, NV

To make things easier I would just give you just 3 simple ways on how you can save on your mom’s auto insurance rate:

First, type of car. Tell your mom not to buy you expensive car because it’s expensive to be insured

Second, don’t go out partying but instead study hard. If you go out every night you have higher chances of being involved in accidents. Also being a good student qualifies you for a discount on your mom’s auto insurance rate.

Third, don’t use your car everyday but instead learn how to commute. With this, you also decrease the chance of being involved in car accidents and can avail of discount for low mileage drivers.

There, three simple ways which I know you can very well do. For more information on how you can save on car insurance don’t hesitate to ask your car insurance agent in North Las Vegas, Nevada or also check this website for more useful information.

Tags: teen car insurance, young driver insurance

Reader’s Question:

My girlfriend told me that I need to check from time to time my driving record to make sure all information is correct. According to her, it’s very important that I maintain a clean driving record to avoid an increased on my auto insurance rate. How do I request for a copy of my driving record in Niagara Falls, New York?

Paolo

Niagara Falls, NY

There are several ways to get hold of a copy your Department of Motor Vehicles driving record. Let me just give you the common methods that people used.

First, is through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. All you need to have is an internet connection and a credit card. However, you can only choose to do this if your address has not been changed. Your record will arrive in two weeks time through mail. Search fee amounts to $10.

Second, you can also order through telephone. If you are from area codes 315, 518, 585, 607, and 716 call 1-800-225-5368. On all other area codes you can call 1-518-473-5595. Total fee to be paid is $15 ($10 for search fee and $5 for processing fee).

Third, is through mail. The form MV-15 can be used to order your DMV record. Fee for this is $10. There is an address listed on the form wherein you can send the needed information like photocopy of your proof of identity and money order or personal check.

For more information you can always check with the New York DMV.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance online

Reader’s Question:

I am moving to South Aurora, Colorado in a month from now for my new work. I just wanna know, will I be required to purchase auto insurance in Colorado? If I don’t have car insurance policy and I was caught driving will I be put to jail?

Maria

South Aurora, CO

Congratulations on your new job Maria!

The state of Colorado follows the 25/50/15 car insurance system. This means the minimum required limits would be: $25,000 for every person to cover for bodily injury, $50,000 for every accident to cover for bodily injury; and $15,000 for every accident to cover for damage to property

I am not aware if you would go to jail if you are driving without auto insurance in Colorado. However, what I know is that, if you are caught driving without car insurance in, you will be fined $500. This only applies if it’s your first offense. In addition, there would be a 4 demerit points on your driving record. Having this violation alone would mean a very high car insurance rate for you once you purchase one. For second time offenders, the fine would go up to $1,000 plus suspension of your license for four months. For third time offense, fine is still $1,000, licenses suspension for 8 months, and you may be asked to do community service for a total of 40 hours.

If you are having a hard time looking for car insurance quotes, you could try using this website. Just enter your zip code and you’re good to go. You’ll get so muh information about auto insurance rates in South Aurora, Colorado.

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