Posts filed under 'SR22 insurance'
Reader’s Question:
I own two cars. I also have car insurance on all of my vehicles. Next month, my sister will be coming over to stay with me for a few days. I am thinking of letting her drive my second car since I don’t normally use it and I know she would need a car to drive around the city. Now, my question is, since I own the car if she is involved in a car accident (and God forbids), will my car insurance policy cover her or not?
Tessa
Bolingbrook, IL
In general, car insurance follows the car and not the one driving the car.
With this, I would say yes your sister will be covered by your car insurance policy. But before you feel confident with this, I would say you better check the other factors that may affect auto insurance coverage for your sister.
You also need to make sure to check your auto insurance policy and that your policy specifically does not list your sister as an exclusion or does not say something about policy exclusions.
To make sure that your sister will be covered, it’s best to ask with your car insurance agent in Illinois. I’m hoping for a great and safe vacation for your sister!
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance online
January 1st, 2009
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend has been driving without insurance for a year now. If he is caught driving without auto insurance does it mean it’s an automatic suspension? Will his driving be privileges be suspended right away in Illinois? How about in other states? Do they automatically suspend licenses too?
Abigail
Arlington Heights, IL
No it’s not an automatic suspension.
In the state of Illinois, if you are caught driving without auto insurance for the first time, you will be asked to pay a fine amounting to $ 500.00. However, remember this is just the minimum fine which means it still could go up given additional charges that may add up. On the other hand, if you are driving a suspended vehicle because of non-insurance, the fine amount to a minimum $ 1,000.00.
Moreover, as to your question if that is being followed in other states, it does not. Every state law differs from each other. For example in the state of Ohio, driving without car insurance (or failing to meet the required financial responsibility law) means suspension of driving privileges for a minimum of three months or 90 days up to 24 months or two years. Also, the vehicle will be impounded.
For more information about driving without auto insurance in Illinois, you can check with your car insurance agent or with your state Department of Insurance.
Tags: car insurance law, car insurance online, car insurance tips
December 29th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My car got rear-ended here in Illinois. I strongly think it was staged. I’m worried that this will go to my auto insurance record and raise my rates. What should I do?
Kenneth
Cicero, IL
Sadly, auto insurance fraud is quite becoming a prevalent practice in America. Scams have resulted in costly losses for auto insurance companies. And to compensate for this, auto insurers raise their policyholders’ premiums.
Since you have been involved in an accident you think was staged, it is very important to know all the details of the accident. Take note of the names, phone numbers and addresses of the individuals involved in the accident. Be mindful of giving out your information, though. You do not want to fall victim to identity theft, too. If you can find witnesses willing to talk to your auto insurance company, do so. This is a good safeguard since you suspect the whole thing to be staged. Although the other motorist’s insurance company in Illinois may well cover the medical and repairs cost, it is still good to have a witness back up your story. Talk to your agent about your suspicion, so he may call the other party’s auto insurance company to launch an investigation. If this is done and the other party is found to have staged the accident, then you can hope that the negative record on your auto insurance policy will be removed.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company
December 8th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
What do you think is the better way to buy auto insurance in Illinois? Online or through an agent?
Pam
Chicago, IL
Hi Pam, there are some pros and cons to buying auto insurance through an agent and online. Let me list some down for you to help you decide.
If you buy your auto insurance the traditional way where you go through an auto insurance agent, you get comfort from establishing a personal relationship with your agent. Your agent will be familiar with your history and will be in the best position to find the auto insurance product tailored to your needs. However, agents may be inclined to sell a certain brand of auto insurance, most likely the brand that will give them the most in commission. This bias on their end may end up costing you more. Also, the information you receive about auto insurance will be limited to your agent’s knowledge.
On the other hand, if you buy auto insurance online, there are so many sites that offer information on auto insurance. You are also able to get instant auto insurance quotes that will allow you to compare auto insurance rates from different companies all in one go. You are no longer limited to the insurance companies in Illinois, you can get auto insurance from a company in other states, as well.
Of course, ultimately the decision will rest on where you are most comfortable purchasing auto insurance from.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance online, car insurance quotes
November 29th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Hi. I live in Chicago, and some friends here have been telling me about auto insurance deductibles and how this can reduce my auto insurance premium. How does this go?
Liza
Chicago, IL
Hi, Liza. Usually the most common advice regarding deductibles and lowering auto insurance premium is: raise the deductible and the auto insurance premium will go down. Of course, there are other things to consider when we start to think how our auto insurance premium increases every now and then, but this rule about raising deductible to come up with a cheaper auto insurance premium is very much applicable.
But first, what is a deductible? And what is it for? A deductible is what you pay before the auto insurance company’s coverage will kick in. If your car needs to be repaired, you need to pay the agreed deductible first before the auto insurance company pays anything. If the deductible is $1,000, then you have to shell out that amount first before the auto insurance company pays the rest of the repair job. If the repair costs $1,300, you shell out $1,000 first, and then the auto insurance company will take care of the remaining $300.
Why is this? According to auto insurance companies, if the insured party also takes part financially in the payment of repairs, the insured will not be so reckless in driving the car. This also results in the insured not filing a claim when the repair cost is lesser than the deductible. If the repair cost is just $300, why file a claim and pay $1,000?
The higher the deductible, the lower the auto insurance premium. You need to contact your auto insurance agent to know the details regarding this. As a rule, do not declare a deductible so high that you won’t be able to keep up with it when you need to file a claim in Illinois. Select a deductible according to what you can afford and your evaluation of your risk. Usually comprehensive and collision insurance are the ones with deductibles.
Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance premium, comprehensive insurance coverage
November 27th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Can you give me suggestions on what I should do when shopping for car insurance rates in Palatine, Illinois? I’m totally new to this car insurance stuff so I find it somewhat difficult and confusing. I really need some help about this. Thanks!
Bridget
Palatine, IL
Surely Bridget!
Just follow these five easy steps and you would see that shopping for car insurance is not as difficult as you imagined:
- Make sure to get your auto insurance policy from a reliable auto insurance company. You could contact the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Insurance) to know if the auto insurance company you are considering is licensed by the state to do business in Illinois;
- Make sure to find a reliable auto insurance agent. If you decide to purchase auto insurance policy from an agent, then be sure that he/she is also licensed by the state of Illinois. You can check that information through the Illinois Division of Insurance too.
- Be careful when shopping. Auto insurance rate is expensive. The key to effectively shop is find out the auto insurance policy that you need, the limits that you need for said policy, and your budget. Be sure to compare auto insurance quotes from different car insurance companies;
- Be sure to understand the auto insurance policy you are purchasing; and
- Be honest and give accurate information when filling out the application form.
For more information about purchasing auto insurance in Palatine, Illinois you could contact the Illinois Division of Insurance. Also, check the websites so you could start shopping.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, car insurance tips, cheap car insurance
November 13th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My boyfriend has a bad driving record. And because of that I guess he’s being punished. We can’t get an auto insurance company willing to insure him. We’ve been turned down over and over again. This can’t go on forever. He needs to drive his car and he can’t do that without car insurance in Orland Park, Illinois. Help please anyone?
Beverly
Orland Park, IL
I would suggest seeking a help of a car insurance agent so you could avail of the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. This plan is designed to help drivers with poor driving history or owns high performance cars (or expensive cars) to purchase auto insurance policy.
There are a total of four requirements that your boyfriend needs to meet to be able to qualify on this program:
- Be turned down by car insurance companies, which you won’t have a problem since you’ve already mentioned that it happened to your boyfriend over and over again.
- Has a valid license to drive or is qualified to get one;
- Doesn’t have unpaid auto insurance bill for the past three years or 36 months; and
- Owns a vehicle that is safe to be operated.
This is an expensive plan. However, maintaining a good driving record while under this plan would eventually result to your boyfriend’s be accepted by standard auto insurance companies in Orland Park, Illinois.
Tags: car insurance online, car insurance rate, car insurance tips
November 13th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I head from my cousin that credit history is one of that factors that auto insurance companies in Oak Lawn, Illinois consider when setting car insurance rate. My question is, if I don’t have a credit card and most probably that would mean I don’t have a credit history can this be taken against me by auto insurance companies? Can they opt to not approve my application just because I don’t have a credit history? How does not having a credit history affect my ability to purchase auto insurance?
Nathan
Oak Lawn, IL
There might be a possibility that not having a credit history might affect your ability to purchase car insurance in Illinois. As you see Nathan, your cousin is correct that car insurance companies do consider a person’s credit history to set his/her auto insurance premium.
However, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Insurance), auto insurance companies cannot use credit history as the sole reason in taking unfavorable action against a person. The state of Illinois requires auto insurance companies to do one of the following in an event that a person does not have a credit history:
- Consider a person as having a neutral credit history;
- Consider a person as having other than neutral credit history; and
- Exclude credit history as a factor in setting auto insurance rate for that person.
For more information about setting auto insurance rate in Oak Lawn, Illinois you can ask the IL Division of Insurance or your auto insurance agent.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance law, car insurance online, car insurance tips
November 13th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My 18 year old son still lives with me in Chicago Illinois, do I need to add him to my car insurance policy already?
Chicago IL
Mary
Yes.
Most insurance carriers in Chicago Illinois will require you to have your licensed son added on your vehicle insurance policy as long as they live in the same household with you, even if they are only 18 years or older in age. Your insurance carrier will normally want all licensed motorist in your household listed on the policy so they will be properly covered.
Most insurance carriers will require that your son that is away at school but returns home for the summer stay on the car insurance policy as well since your son will likely drive the family automobile(s) when at home.
If you want to get more information on your insurance carrier requires, since insurance provider rating system and guidelines vary from one insurance company to company, so you may contact your insurance provider regarding this. Some insurance provider may allow you to add your teenager if she has a learners permit already and some will not.
Tags: auto insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance
November 12th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Hi I’m Arnold from Peoria, Illinois. I just wanted to know why it costs so much to insure teenage drivers?
Arnold
Peoria, Illinois
Hi Arnold. You’re right, teen driver insurance usually comes with a hefty price. This is because of the numerous studies out there that prove that teens have a relatively higher chance of getting into accidents compared to more experienced drivers. Also the younger the teen, the even higher chance there is that the driver will get into an accident. According to the studies, a 16 year old teenager has an even higher chance of encountering a mishap compared to, say, a 19 year old. But despite the pessimistic outlook on drivers’ statistics, the important thing is that there are ways to reduce the risks of getting into an accident, no matter what your age. First would be to become an educated driver. So read up on your driving manual and the tips and tricks to be safe on the road. Another way would be to maximize supervised driving. This will allow you to coach the teen on how to keep safe based on his or hers actual driving habits. Also, try to limit nighttime driving. They say a lot of the accidents occur during nighttime. Even though your teen may be responsible, there are a lot out there that practice drunk driving even in Peoria, Illinois. Better safe than sorry. The good news is, if you can teach your teen to be safe now, this can mean a discount on your insurance the next time around.
Tags: car insurance cost, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance
November 9th, 2008
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