Hi. I just moved here to Alabama a couple weeks ago. Since I plan to buy a new car, can anyone tell me the amount of car insurance that I need to get? Thanks! BTW I need sr22 coverage since I have a DUI on my driving record.

Brendan

Montgomery, AL

Hello there buddy! That’s a good question to ask. If you want to drive around Alabama legally, I suggest you hook up with an insurance agent and get yourself car insurance coverage for the following amounts: 1) bodily injury liability insurance coverage of $20,000 for each person up to a maximum of $40,000 for every accident and, 2) a property damage liability coverage of $10,000.

Alabama uses the tort system for vehicular accidents, which simply means the party found to be at fault in an accident has to file the claim with his car insurance company and will be liable for any costs due to the accident. Of course, these are just the minimum auto insurance required and you are more than welcome to get coverage for more than these amounts.

Personally, I would suggest that you also shell out some bucks for some personal injury protection and uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, as well. I’m sure that with extra car insurance coverage like this, you get more peace of mind. The extra cash you shell out will pay off in the event that you do get into an accident.

If you haven’t purchased a car yet, I suggest checking out different vehicles safety ratings. Some cars get cheaper auto insurance than others.

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.

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? She has a DUI on her record, so I guess she still needs SR22 coverage

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.