Archive for June, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My friend borrowed my vehicle and wrecked it and he said she has Springfield SR-22 insurance. Will this SR-22 insurance cover the damages in my car?
Robbie
Springfield, IL
Typically the auto insurance follows the vehicle and not the driver, so the insurance that would kick in, regardless of the motorist and whether they have Springfield SR-22 insurance or not, would be yours, since it’s your vehicle.
But, if you exhaust your coverage–like if the damages are $15,000 and you don’t have that much coverage, then the Springfield SR-22 insurance coverage of your friend will kick in to cover the excess. Your rates may still increase.
June 10th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
If I have to purchase a Chicago SR-22 policy, will my insurance rates go up in Illinois?
Tom
Chicago, IL
It is most likely that your auto insurance rates will increase after purchasing a Chicago SR-22 policy, and probably by quite a bit. Most individual’s do. But, it isn’t certain. There are a lot of factors that might affect your insurance rates.
If, for instance, you are in the preferred category of motorist when you first obtain your Chicago SR-22 policy, then many companies will permit you to keep your rates along with your good motorist discount. If you’ve been a long time policyholder, you might get the same treatment.
June 10th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Naperville, IL, but I’m moving to Texas. Do I still need my Naperville SR22 insurance?
Mel
Naperville, IL
Although you are moving to a new state, and you will be obtaining a license in that new state so it would seem that you would not have to comply with any license restrictions from your old state, Naperville SR22 insurance is different. You need to continue meeting the requirements of your Naperville SR22 even while you live in Texas until the period of SR22 filing is up.
June 10th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I do not have a vehicle currently but I do have a driver’s license. Am I required in Illinois to buy insurance to drive my friend’s car on a some occasion? I live in Rockford, Illinois.
Joseph
Rockford, IL
The state of Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/7-601) states that it requires all car owners to have minimum amounts of car liability insurance. According to the IL Division of Insurance, lending institutions may require physical damage insurance to protect their interest in a financed car.
Generally, the car owner’s policy on a car that you may borrow on a some occasion should cover you as a motorist. For instance the Illinois DOI states that the typical bodily injury liability coverage pays for bodily injury to another individual or property damage you cause due to the negligent operation of a car. It may also pay if the accident was caused by a member of your household living with you or an individual using your car with your permission in Rockford, IL.
You may not be required to have your own insurance policy if you do not own a vehicle in Rockford, IL, nor have a vehicle in your household whose insurance policy you could be put on, then you can obtain a non-owners policy. Non-owners insurance typically is additional coverage to provide you liability protection for when you are at fault and do not own a car.
June 4th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
In the state of Illinois, how long will a DUI remain on your driving record? I live in Rockford, Illinois.
Jill
Rockford, IL
In Illinois, a DUI conviction does not come off of your driving record in the. A DUI stays on your driver’s abstract forever.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) a traffic violations such as speeding, improper lane usage, disregarding a traffic control light, etc. stay on a driver’s record for 4 to 5 years from the date of conviction. If the ticket forms the basis for a revocation or suspension, the information will be carried on your driving record for a minimum of 7 years from the date of reinstatement.
In Illinois, drug/alcohol offenses stay on a driver’s record for a lifetime according to the SOS.
To verify how long your insurance provider can rate you for the DUI you can speak with your insurance agent to see how far they “look back” for period goes and check with the IL Division of Insurance to verify what state law says about this situation.
June 4th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My sister is 19 and she still lives at home. She has not received her drivers license yet, but she does have her permit. For him to be able to drive, does my mother have to put her on her insurance policy in Peoria, Illinois?
Archie
Peoria, IL
Typically, insurance providers in Peoria, IL require that they are informed of the status of all household members. This means if a daughter or son has acquired a permit or license the parents should inform their insurance company and find out if the person will need to be added to the policy.
Some insurance providers in Illinois will want to add a motorist with a permit to the policy while other providers’ guidelines permit them to wait until the individual is fully licensed to add them to the policy. Your parents will need to talk with their insurance agent to check what their current insurance company requires of them concerning your sister.
The Illinois Division of Insurance, states that IL law requires you to have insurance before you operate a vehicle. For teens or minors living with their parents the IL DOI suggests being added to their parent’s insurance policy since this usually is the cheapest and easiest way to get insurance.
June 4th, 2008