Archive for May, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Can I purchase auto insurance in Chicago, IL using my Canadian license?
Jim
Chicago, IL
You may be able to begin a policy with your Canadian license but most insurance companies would require you to get a US license first, in this case from Chicago Illinois, within a short period of time for the insurance policy to remain in active.
To get more information on how to obtain an Illinois State license, you may check with the IL DMV. It is noted there that motorist moving to Illinois may use their valid driver’s license from their home state or country for 90 days.
You may get an Illinois driver’s license or identification card only if you are becoming a legal resident of the state of Illinois. If you have a valid driver’s license from Canada, you may use it to drive in Illinois throughout your stay (if you do not plan to become a permanent resident of this state). Plus, the state of Illinois does not recognize the international driver’s license (IDP).
May 21st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I have insurance on one of my automobile but not on the second one. I have a good driving record but I just got ticket for driving without insurance, what do I have to do?
Johnny
Joliet, IL
Illinois law requires all cars that is operated and registered in Illinois to be covered by liability car insurance. One way this law is enforced is by an individual being issued a traffic ticket and convicted in court for driving an uninsured car. Once The Secretary of State for IL is informed about your conviction the license plates for the vehicle will be suspended.
Penalties for first time offenders is a minimum $500 fine for driving an uninsured car. If you are operating a car while the registration is suspended for no insurance you will receive a minimum fine of $1000. Since you were found driving without ca insurance for your vehicle in Illinois, the first thing you should do is obtain car insurance for that car.
May 21st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I just moved from Illinois to Florida. I was required by the state to carry an SR22 insurance policy in Illinois. Is it true that I have to continue carrying SR22 even though I am already licensed in Florida?
Jim
Aurora, IL
SR-22 insurance is actually used differently in different states. Generally, an SR-22 insurance policy is a auto liability insurance policy required to reinstate your drivers license after it has been suspended or revoked. SR-22 insurance is uniquely suited for these situations, because the insurance companies are required to notify the department of motor vehicles if the policy is canceled, terminated, or lapses. If your car insurance policy has been cancelled your license will typically be suspended until the car insurance policy is brought current or reinstated. You need to carry an SR-22 insurance policy for a certain period (usually three years) after the end of your suspension or revocation. This applies under the laws of most states,
If you applied for a license in Florida, you will most likely need to continue with an SR22 insurance policy. You may check with DMV in Florida and Illinois to verify if you are still required.
May 18th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I received a no insurance ticket in the state of Illinois and I paid a fine for it already. Am I still supposed to get SR-22 insurance for this?
Paul
Chicago, IL
According to the Illinois Motorist Services that if you are cited for not having the state mandated insurance on your motor vehicle then the license plates of first time offenders will be suspended until a $100 reinstatement fee and current evidence of insurance are provided.
Repeat offenders on the other hand are required to serve a four-month suspension period, pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide current evidence of insurance before being eligible for reinstatement.
Anyone who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of driving without liability insurance or who receives court supervision for a mandatory insurance violation or is required to file proof of financial responsibility (SR22 certificate) for one year, or face a driver’s license suspension.
You may check with the Illinois Service for Motorist at the Secretary of State to verify this information.
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I am twenty years old, living in Chicago, Illinois without a job and looking to get non-owners auto insurance.Is it possible to acquire non owners so that I am able to drive my fathers car to look for a job? I still live in the same household with him.
Tim
Peoria, IL
Non-owners car insurance policies are for motorist who do not own a car but be aware that typically this policy will not cover you driving other vehicles owned by family members or other members of the household in which you reside. Therefore a non-owners policy would not help cover you to drive your father’s vehicle since you still live in the residence with him.
If you live in a household, normally, even if you are not the registered owner of a car but drive it, you should be on the car insurance policy for the car. So since you do live in the same household as your father you would need to be on his auto insurance policy. Most insurance providers require that all household licensed drivers be listed on the car insurance policy. If you are not listed then you may see about being added and if need be paying for your portion of the car insurance bill, which will likely be cheaper than you buying your own auto insurance policy.
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
How many years do I have to carry the SR22 auto insurance in the state of Illinois? I have a DUI offense in 2000.
Danny
Chicago, IL
In Illinois, Financial Responsibility Insurance or SR-22 is the tool the state uses to monitor the insurance of problem motorists.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a very serious offense that is classified in Illinois as a violent crime. The offense will permanently remain on your driving record If you are convicted of DUI. If you are arrested and/or convicted, you will be be fined and/or imprisoned or you may lose your driving privileges. Repeat offenders may face greater penalties.
To reinstate your license after a DUI, the Secretary of State (SOS) monitors insurance coverage, by means of the SR22, for a period of time specified by law. The Illinois SOS does not state exactly the amount of time each offense requires the SR-22 to be maintained but we have seen many times that Illinois requires it to be maintained for at least 36 months (3 years).
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I have just moved from England to the United States. I have an international driver’s license but have not applied for an Illinois driving license yet which is where I will be living. Can I get an insurance quote from someone without having to do a driving test?
Lionel
Decatur, IL
You will need to get a valid United States driver’s license before you can get a quote for the Illinois auto insurance. In some cases, you will need to have a valid U.S. license in order to buy insurance, anyway. There are some auto insurance companies in Decatur Illinois who will quote you and sell auto insurance to you with your international driver’s license. But, they will require you to get your regular driver’s license within thirty to forty-five days of your policy’s inception date, or they will cancel your auto insurance policy.
If you get your valid United States driver’s license and you still need a quote for auto-insurance policy, you can get a quote and have the ability to purchase your policy immediately online.
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Do homeowners typically get lower quoted rates than people who are renting when they are applying for car insurance Evanston Illinois?
Rita
Evanston, IL
This can vary from one car insurance company to another whether being a home owner can give you a lower rate quote or not.
Car Insurance companies rating systems and underwriting rules differ so some may factor in if you are a homeowner while others may not.
In Evanston Illinois, there are many car insurance companies that will give you a discount if you have both your car insurance and homeowners policies both through them. Typically this is referred to as a multi-line discount.
So while it varies by car insurance company and their filed rates, in general those owning a home do receive lower rate quotes. Some car insurance companies that offer homeowners or renters coverage may ask this question just to see if they can qualify you for a multi-policy discount.
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I got a speeding ticket in Joliet, Illinois in March of 2004. My mother is looking for car insurance quotes for me. I am thinking if this is still on my record, and if my mother will find out. How will this affect my car insurance quote?
Jeremy
Joliet, IL
When you are convicted of a moving violation (typically when you pay the fine and thus plead guilty) in Joliet Illinois, the IL Department of Motor Vehicles assigns points to your driving record. These points no longer count 2 years from the date of the violation but will remain on your driving record for a period of five years.
So the speeding ticket you received from 2004 in Joliet Illinois would still be on your driving record. When a car insurance application requests information on violations you have received in the past you or your mother will need to list this speeding ticket.
If you do not list it, the insurance provider will likely find out about it when they run your motor vehicle record (MVR). They may ask why it was not listed and then have to recalculate your car insurance quote based on this new information. Insurance companies in Joliet Illinois differ on their rating systems so this one speeding ticket may or may not affect your car insurance quotes.
May 3rd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Why is it that auto insurance web sites dont let you get a non owner quote? All site I have checked requests vehicle information and does not give the option of “no vehicle” that is why I am not able to proceed any further on the website without vehicle information.
Mary
Peoria, IL
Well, not all auto insurance companies in write non-owners policies or perhaps some insurance company’s’ online systems are not set up for non owners policy quotes. Most insurance providers Peoria Illinois request information on a vehicle on their website so you will need to call for a non-owners quote.
Non-owners auto insurance is a type of liability insurance, it only covers the named insured while operating vehicles. In Peoria Illinois, a non-owner policy contains Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. This depends on the type of coverage you choose for your policy, the policy will cover you up to the limits you choose.
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May 3rd, 2008
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