My cousin has always been a good driver until he gets into an accident he caused recently. He was worried about his auto insurence here in Missouri that it would just increase if he renews his policy. How much will an auto insurence rate increase after a driver has gotten into one accident?

Missouri

James

Kansas City, MO

If a driver has been into one vehicular accident, it’s possible that the driver’s auto insurence rates will increase but it varies from state to state and from one auto insurence company to another. However, it will so much depend on the kind and seriousness of the car accident and who is found to be at fault. If the driver was drunk during the accident, there’s a chance for the policy not to be renewed. He can still be able to get auto car insurance but it would be more costly.

In case the driver has had a good driving record, like your cousin’s case, most auto insurance providers won’t necessarily increase their rates if a driver is found to be at-fault in a rather minor car accident, especially if the driver has been with them for five years. The rate increase depends on several factors like the Missouri state law and the rating plan of the auto insurance provider.

Under the state law or by an auto insurance provider, a minor or first-time vehicular accident may be forgiven. So if you are purchasing auto car insurance, make certain to ask if a specific auto insurance provider has a first-time accident forgiveness program and if so, you might be eligible for it. Then again, there may be serious auto insurance and legal penalties if the accident involves serious physical injuries and if the at-fault driver is under the influence while operating the vehicle. There could be a significant increase in auto insurance rates or even a termination of coverage, subject to laws of the state. Apart from that, there may be huge fines and even jail time necessary.

Are there things I can do to get cheap auto insurance quote?

Mark

Boston, MA

Cheap car insurance is possible. Aside from the fact that you can shop and compare the car insurance rates of different car insurance companies, there are also factors that can be controlled and can help you get cheap car insurance rate. What you need to have is the knowledge which is the controllable and uncontrollable factors.

a. Young adult drivers are more considered as risk drivers because they are more aggressive than any other group of drivers. Because of this, car insurance companies usually charge young adult drivers with higher car insurance premium.

b. Gender is another uncontrollable factor. Statistics shows that female are safer driver than men. Thus, the former group receives cheap car insurance rate.

Although there are uncontrollable factors, there are also controllable factors. Here is the list.

a. If you drive in rural areas, there is a greater probability that you will receive lower car insurance premium than those who drive in urban areas. There is a higher chance that collision and stolen cars happen in urban areas and thus the premium offered is higher to compensate for the risk. If it is feasible in your situation, move from urban area to rural area.

b. Good driving record creates good impression to car insurance companies that you are a responsible driver. In this case, they may offer cheap car insurance or discounts. Poor driving record means you have moving violation or even a single speeding ticket.

c. Sports cars are usually charged with higher auto insurance rate. This type of car poses high risk to car insurance companies because it can be driven in ways that can cause traffic accidents and crashes. If you have an old car, it will be better to stick with it.

d. There is a correlation between risk and occupation. If you work as a pizza delivery guy, there is a higher chance of being involved in an accident because you drive more often.

e. Poor credit history or no credit history at all can also increase your car insurance premium.

Factors like driving experience, business use of cars and the mileage that you drive and safety features can also affect your car insurance premium.

I have a ticket in my driving record. I was just wondering if I can find an insurance company online that will not raise my car insurance with the ticket?

Carl

Baltimore MD

Thank you for asking Carl.

Usually car insurance providers will not quote you expensive car insurance rates, or increase your rates if you already have an insurance policy in file. Generally traffic violations as well as your driving record are being considered as a rating factor when determining your car insurance rate.

Your motor vehicle record (MVR) is used to by auto insurance company to know what type of risk you are as a motorist and so as the risk the motorist is putting the insurance company under to insure them and the automobile they drive. Convictions such as DUI and DWI on a motorist’s driving record shows that the motorist drives recklessly or poorly that is why they are usually given high car insurance rates than the others.

There are various insurance providers that will not increase your auto insurance rates if it is your first minor ticket but it is likely that if you have a safe driver discount it will be removed from your policy. So your car insurance rates will increase a bit. You can get a quote from various comparison website online, just like what you see above, that will help you get a quote from multiple insurance companies all at the same time. This will let you see how each violation can affect your insurance rate.

What will happen if my friend drives my car and get citation for DUI, will that increase my car insurance rate?

Harry

Phoenix AZ

If your friend was given a citation for driving under the influence while operating your vehicle it should not affect your auto insurance in any way. Your friend will get the citation written under his name and and it should not reflect on the vehicle owner’s driving record or car insurance. This means that it will reflect in their driving record as a driver and should not cause you any trouble in your auto insurance rate going up.

Even so, for instance, your friend gets involved in an accident while driving your automobile, the insurance claims will therefore go on your insurance claims record and may affect your insurance rate. Car insurance commonly follows the vehicle first and the driver the second. This means that if your friend get into an accident, it would be your insurance that would kick in first and your friends insurance would be the secondary and would cover the excess if your coverage limits were exceeded.

As the owner of the vehicle, you have liability for those you give permission to drive your vehicle so if the insurance limits were exceeded, then normally, in most sates, the one driving the car and the owner of the vehicle are both liable for all the damages that the motorist may cause while driving the automobile.

Im tired of paying high car insurance rate? Is there even such a thing as cheap car insurance? If so how can I get this? Thank you in advance.

Ron

Miami FL

Car insurance companies want to avoid the risk of paying more so they charge relatively high car insurance premium. As a buyer, you want to avoid paying more from the high insurance premium so you look for cheap car insurance premium by shopping for car insurance rate. Other than shopping, there are other things that you can do to make cheap car insurance rate possible. There are controllable and uncontrollable factors.

a. Because teens are aggressive drivers, they are likely to get involved in a car accident. This group is then charged with high car insurence rate.

b. Another uncontrollable factor is gender. Based on statistics, female are safer drivers than male. Thus, the former receives cheap car insurance rate.

You can make rate cheap by controlling the following factors.

a. Collision and stolen cars are more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. In this case, auto insurance rate is higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

b. If you have a good driving record, you are likely to receive lower rate or discount because insurers will think that you are a responsible driver. Moving violation and even a single speeding ticket can make you look like a reckless driver.

c. Sports cars or new model of cars pose high risk to car insurance company. If you want to purchase cheap car insurance rate, stick with your old car, if you have one. If you plan to buy a car, purchase a car that is cheap but has all the features that you need.

d. The kind of occupation you have correlated by car insurance companies to risk. If your work is delivering pizza, for example, you are also likely to get into traffic accidents or crashes because you are always on the road. In this regard, car insurance companies will charge you with high car insurance rate.

e. Keep a good credit rating because car insurance companies also use this to evaluate the risk you pose. If you don’t have any credit history, get one. Otherwise, car insurance company will automatically assess you as a high risk driver.

Other factors that you need to consider are driving experience, business use of car, safety feature devices and the mileage that you drive.

I just got my license and this is my first time to get auto insurance. Im on my own so I will not be added to my parent’s insurance. What do I need to know. Please help!

Helen

Boston MA

If you are a new driver, you need to know the basic things about the auto insurance policy. There are factors that affect car insurance premium. Since you are a new driver, car insurance companies will usually offer higher auto insurance premium than the standard auto insurance rate. If you think you need cheap new driver car insurance premium, rates should not the only thing that you need to consider. Here are some of the things that you need to know.

a. Consider the amount of new driver car insurance rates that you want to buy. These may depend on different factors. You can consult your car insurance agent to evaluate your needs. The least amount that you need is your state’s minimum required liability. There are additional coverages such as comprehensive and collision coverage that will protect your car in case of collision or if it has been stolen or vandalized.

b. Once you know the coverage that you need, you can now shop for new driver car insurance rates from different car insurance companies. This is the basic step to finding cheap car insurance. When you shop, don’t forget to consider the coverage. Cheap new driver car insurance rates seem attractive but this may also mean fewer benefits and features. Furthermore, also consider the financial strength of the company and those with excellent customer service. These are the things that matters in the long-run.

c. Because a policy is a legal contract, make sure that you understand what is indicated. If there are things that you don’t understand, clarify with your agent.

Here’s the information that you will find in the policy.

• Name of the person covered in the policy
• The limitations and exclusions that will apply
• The coverage period
• The amount included in the coverage
• The amount of premium on the coverage
• Process when you file a claim or report a loss

d. When you have your new driver car insurance policy, monitor and update it periodically.

e. Do not forget to shop around for cheap car insurance. You can find comparison websites just like you see above wherein you can compare various companies with just putting your information once as opposed to getting quotes for each insurance companies which will take a lot of time.

I have a DWI on my record and my insurance si very expensive. Can I do anything to make it lower?

Carmi

Austin TX

If you have a DWI/DUI in your driving record, auto insurance generally higher than those who have no accident or traffic violations in their record. The reason for this is because most insurance providers see drivers which as DUI in their record as a risk.

If you have been convicted of DWI, generally you will be required to get an SR22 in most states. It would be difficult for you to get cheaper car insurance rate if you have DWI on your record. If you try to keep a clean driving record you will eventually get a cheaper auto insurance rate.

The best way to get the cheapest auto insurance rates after you have been convicted of a DWI is to shop around for quotes. There are various comparison website just like the one you see above where you will only have to place your zip code and personal information once, and get up to 12 quotes from various insurance companies. In this way, you will be able to decide easily which companies offer the best quote.

You may also get insurance discounts if you have safety features in your vehicle. Also, you may also be able to get discount if you take defensive drivers course. Make sure what discounts you may be eligible of to help you get the lower auto insurance rate.

I was told that I need to get non standard insurance? What does that mean?

Jane

New York NY

If you are a driver that is considered high risk for insurers because of DUI conviction or multiple traffic violation, it may be difficult for you to find a standard auto insurance. A Non-standard auto insurance is a term to classify insurance sold to drivers whose having a hard time finding auto insurance at standard or preferred rates. Some insurance providers specializes with just non-standard insurance business.

Non-standard auto insurance is usually for motorists who are unable to buy coverage in a standard market which can be due to several reasons such as a poor driving history, DUI, sports car, or insurance lapse in policy, etc.

Basically, if you did not meet an insurer’s standard or preferred risk underwriting criteria, you will end up gong to a non-standard insurer to get the auto insurence coverages that you need.

Expect a high auto insurance cost with non standard insurance especially if you do not have a good driving record. You will need to shop for the better price because cost varies from one company to the other. If you can maintain a clean driving record, you will eventually get cheap auto insurance rate.