Archive for August, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Will a seat belt violation in Oak Park, Illinois cause insurance premium rates to go up for a teenager?
Wilma
Oak Park, IL
A citation for a seat belt offense that goes on your Motor Vehicle Record, which a conviction for this violation does show up on an IL driver’s record, is considered teen by most insurance providers but could still increase the insurance rates of a teen depending upon an insurance carrier’s rating system. With some insurers, a small violation may take off discounts and with other insurers it may impose a surcharge. The young driver or his/her parents would need to verify with their insurance carrier to find out specifics about how the carrier’s rating system works.
To get more information on a safety belt ticket violation in Illinois, it is likely that the young driver was cited for a violation of the Illinois Seat Belt Act, which is non-point violation.
Tags: auto insurance, automobile, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance
August 30th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I received a traffic ticket in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but I have an IL license. I have not received a speeding ticket in many years. The attorney said the state of Wisconsin will probably assess a three point violation to my drivers license? How will this affect my Illinois license and car insurance in Cicero.
Robert
Cicero, IL
The state of Wisconsin is not a member of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) while your the state of Illinois is a member of DLC. This Compact permits member states to share information regarding tickets received out of state back to the state in which the driver was licensed.
According to the Administrative Code out of state traffic violations will be added to your IL driving history and assigned points. IL does not have a point system for traffic violations.
As for your auto insurance, once the Wisconsin speeding violation is put on your Illinois driving history it will depend upon your insurance carrier’s rating system if the speeding will affect your car insurance rates in Cicero or not. You should be able to contact your insurance broker to provide you information on your insurer’s rating system or the IL Division of Insurance where insurance companies must file their rates with.
Tags: auto insurance, traffic violation
August 29th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My Illinois drivers license was revoked after my 2nd DUI offense in Bolingbrook, IL and I was denied for reinstatement at my last hearing. I would like to know what states should I move to that won’t deny me a driver’s license because of my DUI in Illinois?
Pat
Bolingbrook, IL
If you are going to move out of Illinois, your 2 DUIs are likely to follow you. Most states are part of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC) that means member states share driver license information.
Your former DUIs in Bolingbrook, IL and current revocation of your license in Illinois should therefore be seen by whatever state you choose to move to. There might be some states that are willing to give you a restricted license or permit you to operate a vehicle with a permit if you have an interlock ignition system. To check of what states might permit this you should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state(s) in which you are interesting in moving to.
Tags: auto insurance, automobile
August 24th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I received a no insurance ticket in Rockford, Illinois and I paid a fine for it, am I supposed to get SR-22 insurance after the citation?
Anthony
Rockford, IL
Illinois Motorist Services states that if you are cited for not having the state mandated insurance on your vehicle then the license plates of first time offenders are suspended until a $100 reinstatement fee and current evidence of insurance are provided. Repeat offenders are required by law to serve a four-month suspension period, pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide current evidence of car insurance before being eligible for reinstatement.
Any individual who receives court supervision in Rockford, IL for a mandatory insurance violation or who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of driving without liability insurance is required to file proof of financial responsibility (SR22 certificate) for one year, or face suspension of driver’s license. Check with the Illinois Service for Motorist at the Secretary of State for more information and to make sure that the violation you were ticketed for does not require you to obtain a SR-22.
Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance
August 14th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Does a teen-age child need to have a car insurance to drive their parent’s car in the state of Illinois? We live in Cicero, IL.
Tyler
Cicero, IL
Normally, the requirement of adding a newly licensed child to your auto insurance policy is stated in your insurance company’s guidelines and is not a mandate from your state. Majority of insurance companies would require you to list all licensed drivers living in your household on your insurance policy so that they will be properly covered to drive your cars in cases of accident claims. You should contact your insurance agent as early as your teen-age child has obtained his driver’s learner’s permit to see if you need to add him during this stage or you can wait until he is fully licensed before adding him to your policy.
What will happen if your insurance company is not informed of the licensing status of your teen-age child and is not added during the time of an accident involving him operating your vehicle? It may be possible for the insurance carrier to deny your accident claim. There are also instances of insurance companies covering the claim initially but then charging you for the premiums that should have been previously paid for if your teen-age child has been added early on.
You can also shop for auto insurance quotes in Cicero IL for your teen-age child car insurance online.
Tags: auto insurance online, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance
August 14th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
If after completely restoring my 1965 Ford Mustang two-door convertible which cost me $8,750 ( the work needed replacement for the dented quarter-panels, fixing some rust, painting the exterior with the original color, reupholstering the interior, and adding a new rag top), the car is now worth about $22,200. How would my car insurance rate in Champaign, IL be affected now that my car should have a higher market value?
Jane
Champaign, IL
Now is a good time for you to buy a stated-value policy if you do not want depreciation to start at the $8,750 you paid, but at the $22,200 your car is now worth. Without a stated-value policy, it is going to be harder for you to convince your insurer of the increase in your car’s value.
You also could get your insurer to provide you with a rider for improvements, but really the compensation will come on the back end. The appraiser should include upgrades, and you should definitely take credit for things that improve the value of your car. It is always advisable to touch base with your Champaign, IL agent or insurance company before you get into an accident; to be sure any upgrades are covered.
A word of warning though: Not all car improvements will result in an increase your car’s market value. In some cases, what you may see as an improvement may actually hurt your car’s value. Let’s say putting your truck on a high frame with huge wheels may make you feel like you’re on top of the world, but your insurer may not agree that it increases the value of the car since these changes appeal to a limited audience.
Tags: auto insurance
August 14th, 2008