Reader’s Question:

I am from Texas but was ticketed for speeding in Oklahoma. Will my car insurance premium increase even if I did not commit the citation in the state where I have my car insurance policy?

Martin
Austin, TX

It is possible that your car insurance premiums will be increased due to out-of-state traffic citations. If your premiums will be increased because of violation out of state, then it will depend on a number of things. These may include your insurance provider’s rating system, or how your state government deals with traffic infractions received outside of the state jurisdiction.

All states in America except Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Massachusetts and Wisconsin, are members of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC). The DLC requires its members to report any traffic citation conviction received by a driver to the state government in which that driver is licensed. Although the other five states are not members of the DLC, some still have agreements with the other states regarding sharing this kind of information. Some states may decide to put out-of-state tickets on your driving record and assess corresponding points to these violations while others do not.

In Texas, some violations do not incur points such as seat-belt violations or speeding less than ten percent over the posted limits. If the government of Texas decides to put that speeding ticket you got in Oklahoma in your driving record, then your car insurance provider will definitely see this the next time they pull your motor vehicle record (MVR) for assessment. To know whether a particular out-of-state violation will be placed in your driving record, contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To know more about your insurance provider’s rating system, call your local car insurance agent.

Tags: auto insurance premium, DMV, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I am 21 female college student transferring school from a university in Texas to a university in New York. What will happen to my car insurance policy once I move?

Zeny

Austin, Texas

Zeny, it really depends on your car insurance company because a lot of factors come into play, like if you are transferring to a place with more traffic and/or increased rates of vehicles being stolen . Considering you are transferring from Texas to New York, a place with a higher crime rate, then definitely your policy will be affected. To be sure, you should talk to your car insurance agent about what factors will have an impact on your policy or premium.

The usual procedure is that you have to tell the car insurance company of your intention to transfer to another place. You have to give them the address and city where you would be living. After one half of the year has passed, then the car insurance agent or the insurance company will reassess your policy. Here, you have the option of retaining the old company, or finding a new one, especially if you will be charged higher rates.

Take note that it is important to shop around until you find a good insurance deal. There are a lot of low budget insurance companies in New York, so it is very tempting to take it. But car insurance is not something you should take lightly. Canvass, look around. You have a couple of months. You can also get estimates online. Once you get the policy you want, then you can terminate the old one.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

Hello there. The auto insurance for my teenage daughter in Texas will be expiring soon. Can you give me any tips on how I can save on her auto insurance this time around?

Eve

Austin, TX

Hello there Eve. I have a teenage son myself and found a lot of valuable information in auto insurance websites. Let me share a few tips for saving on your teenager’s auto insurance.

First of all, you may want to look at your daughter’s GPA. A student that gets high grades can usually get lower rates than most. It’s also a great way to motivate them to keep their grades up especially if you ask them to chip in with their auto insurance policies. Also, if your teen has been driving for around 3 years already and has no ugly incidents, therefore a clean driving record, you may also be eligible for discounts from your auto insurance company. It’s also best if you visit some auto insurance websites that offer products of different insurance companies. These sites can give you lots of information and can even send you quotes from different insurance companies in Texas absolutely free! This way you can compare rates and pick the best one for your daughter. Also, if your car has a good safety rating or if you have safety devices installed you may be able to get further discounts.

That’s about all I have on auto insurance tips. Hope I’ve helped, and good luck raising a responsible driver.

Tags: auto insurance online, Car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

They said that your car insurance rates will go down when you turn in the age of twenty five. What about if you are 21 years old, is there any insurance discounts that is offered? I live in Austin.

Brett

Austin TX

Insurance carrier’s discounts differ as well as their rating systems. In most states there are insurance providers where the car insurance rates for women go down at the age of twenty one and men at age of twenty five, but typically the major price difference is around 21 to 25 and like I said it depends on the car insurance providers rating system and other rating factors.

For most insurance providers in Austin Texas there is an insurance discount offered for three or more years of driving experience. If you are licensed at age 16-18 then this cheaper rating factor may fall under the period when you turn twenty one years of age.

Insurance carrier’s discounts differ so I suggest that you ask your insurance carrier when they lower their car insurance rates regarding age and driving experience.

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

Reader’s Question:

Last night, I was driving my friend’s car when I crash in the parked vehicle. Well there was no damage on my friend’s automobile but there was a damage to the parked car that I hit. I am just wondering if they can go after my car insurance carrier in Austin Texas and not on my friend’s insurance since it was my fault. Is that possible?

Bryan

Austin TX

Car insurance coverage usually follows the automobile first and the insurance of the driver, second, therefore the car insurance claim will normally go through your friend’s car insurance provider as the to be the primary. Your car insurance coverage will be secondary or will be excess if your friend’s auto insurance limits would not pay for the full damages to the other party’s automobile.

If you would like your car insurance in Austin Texas to be used you will need to speak about this with your friend’s automobile insurance carrier. The car insurance agent will be able to assist file the car insurance claim and answer any questions that you have regarding your specific situation.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have full car insurance coverage on my vehicle in Austin Texas, but the vehicle was stolen in a different state from where my car is insured, is it covered?

Grey

Austin, TX

It will depend upon the terms of your car insurance policy and the details of why your vehicle was out of state to know if your vehicle that was stolen will be covered by your car insurance policy.

If you were visiting out of state and your vehicle was stolen then yes, this incident normally would be covered by your comprehensive coverage on your car. So you would make a an insurance claim with your insurance company and tell them of your trip out of state and that the car was stolen while away from your home state.

Another situation is that you are a college student and have your vehicle out of your home state in Austin Texas and it was stolen from the state in which you attend college. As long as your insurance carrier was aware of where you and your vehicle were located and accepted this then normally you would not have issues making your car insurance claim for your stolen car.

Whatever the situations are that surround your car being stolen contact your insurance carrier and see about making an insurance claim. Once you have been assigned an insurance claims adjuster then he or she should be able to provide you more information on if the car insurance claim will be accepted or be denied.

Tags: auto insurance, comprehensive insurance coverage, Student car insurance

Reader’s Question:

If you are involved in a auto accident and they the other driver’s insurance carrier on the police report. How will you find out if they are insured with an insurance company? I have insurance in Austin Texas.

Laarni

Austin, TX

In most states you will need to obtain this information from the law enforcement.

It is the responsibility of the law enforcement to include this information on the accident report. You should contact law enforcement , if there is no accident report, to file a report. If you have an accident report, you will need to contact the law enforcement officer authority that wrote up the accident report.

You may also contact your insurance carrier in Austin Texas and they can help you in this matter.

If you cannot locate the other driver’s party, then you will need to file the auto insurance claim under your auto insurance policy if you have coverage that will cover the auto insurance claim.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Austin Texas and my sister lives in Dallas. is it possible to have my sister’s car in my insurance policy?

Jane

Austin, TX

You may ask your insurance agent in Austin if your current insurance provider will allow you to insure your sister’s car that is in Dallas. Insurance provider’s guidelines vary but normally an insurance carrier would not allow the out of town vehicle to be put on the car insurance policy since the vehicle is garaged in a different location and the your sister is not a household member of the your residence.

Typically insurance providers do not insure cars that is garaged at a different household or for more than one household on one car insurance policy. So to get a definitive answer about you wanting to place the your sister’s car on your insurance policy would need to ask your insurance agent if this is possible or shop around to check if another insurance company would allow this.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

How do I go about adding my 20 year old son to my auto insurance in Austin Texas?

Anderson

Austin, TX

Generally how to add your son to your car insurance policy with your insurance company than you would need to speak with your car insurance agent to get your twenty year old son added. If he lives with you and therefore is a licensed household member you should just need to provide some information on him and get him added on your car insurance policy as a motorist. If he does not live with you then it may be harder to insure you son since he has a different residence than you. Your car insurance agent in Austin Texas though can tell you more.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I have a liability auto insurance and if I lend my vehicle for a day to another licensed motorist, if an accident occurs, would the liability cover that driver? I live in Austin Texas.

Forbes

Austin, TX

Insurance carrier guidelines and policy terms can vary but generally your car insurance liability policy would normally cover another person operating your vehicle if you gave them permission to do so.

Insurance typically follows a vehicle primarily and the motorist secondary. This means that the car owner’s insurance is used first if a someone drives their vehicle and has an accident. If the damages sustained by those putting claims against your liability coverages go beyond your limits then the driver’s insurance would kick in next.

There may be some exclusions due to age, etc as part of an insurance policy so to be sure if your car’s liability insurance will cover you lending your vehicle out to your friend, check with your insurance company in Austin Texas.

Tags: auto insurance