Is there such a thing as sr22 auto insurance? I am really confused about this.

Jacob

West Covina, CA

No. There is no such thing as sr22 auto insurance.

What there is, however, is an sr22, which is a bond, or document or certificate that is required by the state to check if an individual is maintaining auto insurance liability coverage. Since this is government mandated, individuals in need of a sr22 will be duly informed by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). More often than not, drivers caught driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, and driving with an expired insurance policy are required to get a sr22 coverage.

The sr22 may be mistaken as an actual auto insurance policy because it must be filed by an insurance firm that officially operates within the area. By filing the certificate with the state DMV, the driver, whose driving privileges have been suspended, can officially use a vehicle once again, for a period of three years. Once the three-year “probationary period” has been fulfilled, these rehabilitated drivers will have their licenses officially renewed.

With the number of auto insurance providers offering sr22 filing services, it would be best to check the state DMV website to find out which companies work more efficiently to adequately reinstate driving privileges.

Hi there. I have foreign drivers license. I will be visiting New York city next month and I am planning to buy a car in New York. Is it possible to get car insurance in New York? How much would that be?

Sherry

New York City NY

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) states that they recognize your foreign driver license if you stay a resident in your country where you get your drivers license. You will not be required to get NYS driver’s license to operate in that state unless you become a resident of New York.

It may be difficult to purchase, register and insure that vehicle. If you are going to be in the US for over thirty days it might be necessary to get a U.S. driver’s license because many insurers will require a valid U.S. drivers license. It is possible to find an insurer that will let you buy a car insurance policy with your foreign drivers license as long as you are in the process of obtaining a U.S. License.

The cost of car insurance will differ depending on the type of car and other factors.

I suggest that you speak with the car dealership that you are purchasing the vehicle from and as possibly a travel club such as AAA in the U.S. since they are likely to have dealt with this situation before.

I have been hearing a lot about SR22 Insurance from people around Texas. What is SR22 and why a driver needs it? Is SR22 only for those who have been convicted with DWI/DUI?

Sarah

Amarillo, TX

SR22 is a state law that gives back the driver his or her driver’s license that has been suspended due to serious violations on the road. Actually, the SR22 is something you can show that you have car insurance if your license has been suspended due to lack of insurance. SR22 requires you to keep it up for a certain period of time and the time depends on your state’s law. SR22 is not only for those who have been convicted of DUI, a driver also needs it if he or she lacks insurance, several speeding tickets but it is more useful for those who drunk drive.

You need SR22 insurance in Texas for you to drive legally, so if your license has been suspended because you don’t have insurance then you cannot have car insurance without your license. Having SR22 in this situation is the only way you can have your license back. But if you have been caught drunk driving, your SR22 will still help you get your driver’s license but cannot help you lower your car insurance rate. Anyway, any reason that you got your driver’s license suspended makes you car insurance rate higher. You need SR22 insurance for you to be allowed to get car insurance as well as to drive but then you still need to traffic rules and regulations for when you get any ticket, it will cancel your SR22.

I live in Texas. I have had late payments in my car insurance premium. Will my rates go high in the future because of this?

Maria

Houston, TX

A number of things may result from not being able to pay your premiums on time. Car insurance providers in Texas will definitely consider your late payments as a negative point against you. This could possibly result in increased premiums in the future. Worse, your insurance provider may also refuse to renew your policy. Much worse, they can cancel your coverage completely.

Delivery of your payment to the car insurance company does not always mean reinstatement of your coverage. They may send back the payment to you through mail if they have cancelled your car insurance policy. Other companies keep the payment to apply to any balance you may still owe them.

But let’s say something untoward happens, like you get into an accident. There you are calling your insurer, and you’re turned down because your policy has been cancelled due to delinquent premium payments. Then since you no longer have car insurance, the state government could cancel your license.

Right now, this scenario may seem a bit improbable or exaggerated to you. But it’s not a good idea to be clueless about your car insurance status, either. So, always keep yourself updated by calling your agent and avoid future headaches.

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. How do I get a cheap quote for it?

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.

In Illinois, is there a law that say I am required to take their damaged vehicle to the  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.

I am not satisfied with one body shop and want my car towed to another shop, do I still need to pay the first one my deductible? I live in Las Vegas Nevada.

Leo

Las Vegas. NV

You would only pay the body shop that actually repairs your car. But, you may be still responsible for any storage fees accumulated and most likely would have to pay those in order to have your car released.

You may contact your Las Vegas car insurance adjuster as soon as possible if you are considering having your car moved to another body shop. This would reduce any unnecessary additional costs.

Hi, I just moved to Colorado from Florida. I still hold a Florida State license. I am just wondering if I should wait until I change my Florida license to Colorado before I buy auto insurance? Are my auto insurance rate dictated by the state I hold my license?

Lorie

Colorado Springs, CO

Auto insurance rates are not necessarily dictated by the state of the license you hold which is in Florida but generally by other factors such as age, your driving record, driving experience, and your geographical location. The geographical location should be where you are a resident of and your vehicle is garaged, therefore the state and town which you are currently living in.

According to the CO DMV if you have recently moved to Colorado, you must apply for a CO title and registration for your vehicle within thirty days from establishing Colorado residency. You must show proof of insurance to your county clerk before registration can happen. You may use your insurance card, a letter from your insurance company (on the company’s letterhead paper), or copy of your insurance policy as proof of insurance.

It is a personal decision if you want to wait buy insurance until after you have changed your license from a Florida one to a Colorado issued driver’s license but if you wait to change over your insurance from Florida to CO you should make certain that your Florida insurance carrier will cover you properly until this is done.

What age required for you to be able to apply for non owners insurance?

John

Evansville, IN

Insurance providers differ on their guidelines for non-owners insurance so some might have age restrictions while other carriers will not. You need to comparison shop to find the provider that is right for your needs.

If you are young teenager and living at home with parents or relatives it is usually cheaper and easier to have you put onto their current car insurance policy. If that is not feasible and if you do not own a vehicle but are licensed and occasionally operate a vehicle, non owners is a type of policy that could work for you. It is essential to ask when shopping for this car insurance, if you will be covered for cars owned by members of the same household because some insurance companies do not allow this.