Reader’s Question:

I’m planning to buy a car. I’d like to be practical about things. I am looking for cheap insurance rates. Can you tell me which cars would fetch cheap auto insurance premium? My name is Kevin, and I’m in Trenton, NJ.

Kevin

Trenton, NJ

Hi, Kevin. I’m Rainier, and I’m also in Trenton, NJ. It’s really not just the car that affects the premium rate . The owner has a lot to do with a lot of things. But, yes, the car has an effect on the rate, too. There are certain types of cars that would guarantee a high premium rate. Car types and makes that are statistically proven to be theft prone would fall under that type. If a car is stacked with high tech gears, repair price would be expensive and premium rate will be high. A powerful car would also fall under this category. The faster, more powerful it is, the higher the premium. A mustang, for example, would fetch a high premium as it is a powerful car. The cheapest to insure are small sedans with the most safety features. Bear in mind that cheap cars do not automatically mean that the insurance will be cheap. And also, just because a car is expensive doesn’t mean that the premium will be, too. Safe cars fetch lower premium rates.

Your driving habit and history contributes to the whole premium thing. If you are not a high- risk driver, premium will be lower. Safe car, safe driving history and habits make cheap premiums.

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

Reader’s Question:

Help! My car was stolen. What do I do?

Paul

New York NY

A stolen car is a very bad experience. Here are things you need to do when your car gets stolen.

1. You should contact the law enforcement officer immediately so that a stolen vehicle report will be filed. Usually a car insurance carrier may deny a car insurance claim or will not process it if no police report was filed.

2. Make sure that you contact your car insurance provider after you report the stolen vehicle to the police. Regardless if you have comprehensive coverage or not, you should still inform your car insurance company about the stolen vehicle. Informing your car insurance carrier about the vehicle being stolen if the he one who stole your vehicle causes damages to other people’s properties. Make sure you also inform your car insurance provider if your vehicle has been recovered so that your car insurance claim will be processed quickly.

If you decide not to buy comprehensive car insurance you can verify if your car insurance policy will cover the rental vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I recently received a ticket for driving without insurance Burnsville, Minnesota.So I purchased insurance paid the fine, appeared in court etc. When I was at the courthouse, they did not asked for proof of insurance. Later on, the Department of Motor vehicle told me that my drivers license and license plates were revoked when I tried to renew my tabs! How did this happen? I thought I should be fine after paying all the fees and after I appeared in court. Did I miss something?

Jack

Burnsville, MN

That actually should not have happened. This should be resolved with the MN Department of Motor Vehicles . Tell them that you appeared in court and have satisfied what was required of you. The reason for the court suspend or revoke your drivers license would be if if you are arrested, you failed to appear in court ,charged and convicted for infraction of MN driving law. I suggest that you contact them as soon as possible to resolve this

If they inform you that you did not satisfy the requirements in the state of Minnesota, then you may now be required to show proof financial responsibility insurance.

Tags: driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

I still have the plates on my vehicle and I do not have auto insurance in my vehicle in Greenville, South Carolina. I want to trade it in. I am just wondering what the penalties will be for still having the license plates on my vehicle?

George

Greenville, SC

You are required in Greenville, South Carolina to carry 15/30/10 car liability insurance on your vehicle. If your automobile insurance lapses or cancels you need to return your car license plates and registration to the Department of Motor Vehicle or reinstate your car insurance coverage.

If you want to reinstate your license you will be subjected to is $200 fee and a $5 penalty for each day the car was not insured or the license plates were not turned in. The maximum penalty fee for the first violation would be $400 per automobile.

In addition, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle should have been informed by your auto insurance carrier when your auto insurance lapsed or canceled so your car registration and driving privileges might have been suspended. You will have to verify with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle to check what the penalties are for your specific concern.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI remain on your driving record in Boulder, Colorado?

Lawrence

Boulder, CO

Driving histories provided by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles reflect activity that has been retained for the last 7 years. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicle, records are for 7 years and cannot be limited to show any time period less than 7 years. The DMV records are maintained in accordance with Federal and State law, which includes the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission.

From this Colorado DMV information it would seem that your DUI remains on your driving record in Boulder for seven years. You may want to contact them directly to be certain a driving under the influence does not stay on for a longer period of time.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

When does your license plates revocation begin? Is it when you turn in your plates to the Department of Motor Vehicle or when the DMV sends you the card showing that your license plate is revoked?

Bill

Anderson, IN

You did not say which State and since each State has their own reasons and process for license plates being revoked or suspended you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, or like agency that is requiring you to turn in your license plates, to check when your revocation begins.

You should also find out from the Department of Motor Vehicle how long the license plates are revoked for and when you can have them returned to you. If you lost your license plates because of being without auto insurance, or a lapse in your insurance, then you will likely be required to present proof of insurance to get your license plates back.

Tags: driving without insurance, Driving without License

Reader’s Question:

How long does it take for insurance carriers in Marietta to report my car insurance coverage to the state of Georgia DMV insurance system?

Patty

Marietta, GA

Insurance companies in Marietta and like any other cities in GA issuing or renewing motor vehicle liability insurance policies are required to electronically transmit the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) together with the policy’s effective date to the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division insurance database within thirty days of the date the insurance coverage is to start. This database is called the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System or GEICS and insurance companies must electronically report cancellations and additions or deletions of cars from existing policies as well.

To make sure that your insurance provider properly sent the DOR the policy information, the state of Georgia requests that all car owners compare the VIN on their current insurance card with the VIN listed on their tag receipt or registration certificate. If it does not match immediately contact your insurance company since only they can add, edit or delete information on the GEICS.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am 20 years old, living in Cheektowaga New York and had a lapse in my insurance. I got pulled over yesterday and was ticketed for driving with a suspended registration and license. I have to go to court next week. Is there anyway that I can get new car insurance coverage on my vehicle and do you know what my fines will be?

Philipp

Cheektowaga, NY

Until you find out about obtaining your license reinstated it will be not be easy to find an insurance carrier to cover your car in Cheektowaga. Many insurance providers will assist your start an insurance policy if your license will be reinstated within 30 days.

The New York DMV site states that driving while your license is suspended is referred to in NYS as an aggravated unlicensed operation or AUO. Third degree of AUO is a misdemeanor punishable by a mandatory fine of $200 up to $500, a possible imprisonment up to thirty days or probation and a a surcharge..

To get more information you may contact the NYS DMV which has various information on its website or the Traffic Violations Bureau which can provide you more information regarding how to response to court dates.

Tags: car insurance, driving without insurance, Driving without License, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

My dad had a lapse in his insurance while he was out of the country and he was told by the NYS DMV that he had to surrender the plates for the entire time of the lapse, which was about 5 months. He decided to sell the vehicle to me so I can obtain the vehicle registered under my name so we can start using the vehicle again. I have all the necessary paperwork and got new insurance but at the DMV said that due to the lapse, I am still unable to register the vehicle until the end of the 5 months. Is this true?

Zachary

New York, NY

Yes, it is true that the NYS DMV has the authority to deny issuing you registration on the car thus you cannot register and use the car since the current registration has been suspended as a penalty for having a lapse in car insurance coverage.

The NYS DMV will not issue a registration to any individual unless that individual makes a sworn statement on form FS-2. This statement certifies that the reason for the application in not to avoid the results from the current revocation or suspension. The local DMV Office will decide if the application will be accepted or rejected.

Reader’s Question:

I acquired a certified copy of my driving record which shows that I have no infractions in the last three years but I was in an accident about a year ago in a different state. When I go for auto insurance will they be able to know this or is all they check is my DMV record?

Ross

Appleton, WI

Most states are part of the Drivers License Compact or Agreement which permit them to transfer violation or infraction information between Motor Vehicle Agencies. It could be that your home state or state in which you had the accident is not part of this agreement and therefore the information did not transfer. Or it could be that the system is backed up and that the information will eventually come through and be listed to your DMV record.

Your auto insurance carrier might not show the accident if it is not showing up on your DMV record however if you put in a claim or had a claim filed against your insurance policy it is likely that shows up in their records. If the insurance carrier asks about your record it is always better to be truthful and upfront so that you can obtain an accurate quote.