Reader’s Question:

I am from Massachusetts. A car was barely hit by my son while we were in a slow moving traffic. The SUV owner filed a claim though there was no damage on the bumper of his car. Because of this claim, my son received a surcharge notice. What grounds can we use to appeal to the merit board?

Ken

Lowell, MA

The surcharge points in Massachusetts applies when the driver is determined to be at fault by more than 50% in an accident which results in a damage in property or injury that is worth over $500.

To determine if the accident is more than 50% at fault by the driver, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance requires
to use Standards of Fault (211 C.M.R. 74.00) which provides the common types of accident where the driver is considered to be at-fault by more than 50%. One of the examples is when the car collides with rear of another car. Unless enough evidence is presented to overcome the presumption that the driver is more than 50% at-fault, this will be the basis of the hearing of the appeal.

Once you are determined by your company to be at-fault in the accident, you will then receive a surcharge
notice from your insurance provider. You will also find instructions on appealing surcharges to the Board of Appeals
in the surcharge notice. Unless you become successful in appealing, the surcharges will remain on your record.

The appeal has a filing fee of $50 and has a filing period of 30 days after the surcharge notice was received. Failure to file an appeal within this period will forfeit your right and the points will remain on your record.

In case the points are placed on your premium, this additional premium must be paid while waiting for the date of appeal to avoid from having the insurance company to cancel your policy. If you become successful in your appeal, the insurance company will give a refund for paying the excess premium.

If you did not win in your appeal with the Board of Appeal, you can bring this matter to the Superior Court. You can also contact the customer service of the Merit Rating Board at 617-351-4400.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

When I read about auto insurance policies on the Internet, I always encounter SR-22. What exactly is this? I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, by the way.

Maria

Albuquerque, NM

The reason why you always encounter SR-22 in automobile insurance discussions is because it is a car insurance form that is usually required to be filed by many state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) during certain situations. An SR-22 provides a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles proof that a driver abides by the minimum auto liability insurance requirements of the state where he lives in. Such instances where you’ll need to file an SR-22 form are being caught without the state’s basic liability insurance requirements or being caught under the influence of alcohol (DUI). In these situations, the license of a driver is typically suspended, and before he can have his license reinstated or have his car registered again, he will need an automobile insurance company licensed by the state (in your case, it’s Albuquerque, New Mexico) to file an SR-22 form on his behalf.

If in the event that an automobile insurance company ceases to provide auto insurance to the driver or that a driver’s auto insurance policy is terminated, the automotive insurance company must inform the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles about this. If this is the case, the license of a driver is also suspended until he files proof that he has auto insurance that is mandated by the SR-22. In most states here in the country, it is required for a driver to maintain an SR-22 from around three years to five years.

Also, even if you move to a different state, most states require that you abide by the requirements of the SR-22, in addition to the SR-22 minimum liability requirements of the state you move into.

But just a reminder, not all insurance companies offer to file SR-22 forms, so just check with your local auto insurance provider.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My daughter is planning to move from Idaho to Greeley, Colorado. When can he change car insurance?

Sam

Greeley, CO

Yes, your daughter will need to change his insurance coverage however she may not need to change her car insurance carrier. Your daughter should notify her current Idaho insurance company that she is planning to move in Greeley, Colorado and know how long they will continue coverage on her automobile. She need to know the CO State laws for changing over the registration, title and driver’s license when she is a new resident of Colorado because this should help her decide when she should change over her car insurance.

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) states that if you are a CO resident who drives an automobile or motorcycle on public roads and highways in the state of CO, you must have the appropriate valid Driver’s License. A resident is defined as a citizen who has lived in Colorado for ninety continuous days; or upon becoming employed in Colorado, whichever comes first. So your daughter will need to get a new driver’s license within this time period in the state of Colorado.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance cost, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I got involved in a car accident two months ago while driving my parent’s vehicle and got totaled. I am now purchasing a new vehicle and would like to get car insurance in Bloomington, Minnesota. The car insurance company is asking if I have been in an accident for the past five years. Should I say since the car insurance claim in the accident was not under my policy?

Ben

Bloomington, MN

Since the car insurance claims record in the accident was under your parent’s auto insurance, it would be your driving history under your name that would list the accident since you were the operator of the car.

When applying or renewing information for car insurance policy +you need to provide accurate information. So when applying for auto insurance and you are asked if you have been involved in an accident in the past five years you need to tell them the truth.

If you leave off information on your car insurance application for you to get lower car insurance rates, most states will find this to be a form of fraud. Therefore if you provide incorrect information the insurance carrier’s car insurance quote for you will not be accurate.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

I lost control in the snow and hit the tree. The vehicle was totaled. I only have the minimum liability coverage in Buffalo, New York and I would like to know if my auto insurance will cover anything for the accident? I do not have the full coverage since I am paid off with the car.

George

Buffalo, NY

If you only have minimum liability required car insurance in Buffalo, New York then I do not think, this would cover damages to your own car.

If you were injured in the accident when your car collided with the tree you will be able to make a car insurance claim against your personal injury protection coverages. However, you do not have coverage for your car without having the extra physical damage coverages of comprehensive and collision.

In your case where you lost control of the car in the snow and hit the tree you need collision coverage in order to make a car insurance claim for the damages to your vehicle. This is the reason why it is essential to keep physical damage on your vehicle, this means state required liability coverages plus comprehensive and collision, even if you have paid off your financial company or paid for your vehicle in full when you bought it. Without collision and comprehensive if you are in an accident where you are at fault you will have to pay for fixing the car out of your own pocket or be out of a vehicle if the automobile is a total loss and cannot be fixed.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

My 18 year old daughter is covered under our car insurance policy in Manchester, New Hampshire. She does not have car insurance on her vehicle. Is she covered if she gets into an accident while driving her own car?

Vince

Manchester, NH

The state of New Hampshire does not require auto insurance but if you are at fault in an accident and you did not have car insurance coverage, you will be required to obtain one.

I suggest that if you own a car you obtain at least some type of bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage.

Since the car of your 18 year old daughter is not listed on your car insurance policy in Manchester, New Hampshire it is unlikely that your insurance carrier would cover her if she gets involved in an accident while driving her vehicle. You will need to verify with your insurance carrier to know for sure if she is covered in her vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I already have a health insurance and a life insurance in Omaha Nebraska NE. I just recently purchased a car and was told that I need to get auto insurance. What is an auto insurance? Isn’t having the two insurance enough already?

Rodel

Omaha NE

Hi, Rodel! I always like to meet people who appreciate the value of insurance. Insurance are there to offer financial assistance in cases when there are unfortunate events such as accidents, or worse, death. I can see that in this particular area, you are sufficiently covered already. Please take note, however, that auto insurance is an insurance specifically crafted for vehicles. It offers financial assistance for the policy owner to have the car repaired or replaced, as needed. Moreover, when you register your new car in the Department of Motor Vehicles in Omaha Nebraska NE, you will be required to have some form of auto insurance.

To ensure that you optimize your insurance and that you don’t pay for some coverage you already have, it will be best to review your existing policies. When you shop online by entering your zip code on the space provided here, make sure that the type of coverage you have selected excludes those already offered by your health insurance. For this setup, it will be safe to set up meetings with some local insurers in Omaha Nebraska NE. Make sure to bring your existing insurance with you so you and your insurer can jointly analyze the best type of coverage you would need under your auto insurance.

Remember that there are many insurance companies in Omaha Nebraska NE and it would be best to visit several before you choose which one to have a contract with. Remember that an insurer is someone you will have to deal with in the long run and you should feel comfortable with him or her.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

I wonder if you could help me. My father is thinking of buying me a car in Oklahoma and he will register and insure the car in Oklahoma under his name. I will be added as the primary driver on the car insurance policy. However, I live in St. Charles, Missouri. Is this possible?

Fred

St. Charles, Missouri

Your father will need to speak with his car insurance provider and see if it is they will allow that kind of arrangement but generally most insurance providers will not allow this. Most insurance carriers will not allow the car to be in more than one household in a single car insurance policy so I dont think they will permit a car to be insured in Oklahoma and garaged in St. Charles, Missouri.

Another reason why that kind of situation will not work is that state liability laws are different in Oklahoma and Missouri, that is why the car needs to be insured in a state where it is garaged and driven.

The state of Oklahoma, requires minimum insurance of 25/50/25, while in the state of Missouri requires minimum insurance of 35/50/10 and uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50. I suggest that for you to be get proper insurance in Missouri, your father may have to include your name on the title of the car so you can register and insure the car in Missouri.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

In Illinois, is there a law that say I am required to take their damaged vehicle to the Springfield Illinois insurance carriers referred shop?

Clark

Springfield, IL

No I am not aware of any law that say you can take your damaged car to your Springfield, Illinois insurance carrier’s referred repair shop.

You are not required in the state of Illinois to use the insurance carrier’s preferred shop, or any that they referred you to. The Illinois Department of Insurance states that you are not required to use your insurnce carrier’s suggested repair shop for your wrecked car to be repaired. So you may be able to choose your own shop to repair your car but, if your repair shop charges more than the insurance provider suggested shop, you may probably have to pay the difference.

According to the Illinois Department of Insurance there is no law that states limits the number the company can ask for or how many estimates you must submit. Your insurance carrier may ask for various estimates to determine the median cost to fix your car.

Tags: Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

Is car insurance more expensive for a new vehicle as opposed to an older vehicle?

Peterson

Anaheim, CA

Generally an older used car will cost less to insure since it is worth less than a brand new vehicle normally. In addition, cost of parts and repair tend to be lower for a used vehicle compare to a new vehicle and thus if the vehicle must be repaired after a wreck the expense should be less for the insurance company to fix the used vehicle.However it will still depend on the type of car as well as the age of it.

If you are looking for a vehicle to purchase and are trying to decide between a older car or a new vehicle in Anaheim, CA, you can obtain a car insurance quote on each car to check what the price difference would be for each to be insured.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes