Reader’s Question:

I was convicted with driving under the influence of alcohol. How will this affect my insurance and how much am I going to pay? I live in North Carolina.

Carl

Thank you for asking Carl.

States take convictions concerning alcohol drinking as being serious and have harsh penalties. Typically, alcohol offenses are taken very seriously by car insurance providers. A motorist who is driving a vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol can be considered quite a risk for insurance providers.

Insurance providers have different rating systems so you can verify with your insurance company and check how this violation conviction may affect your premiums.

Since you live in North Carolina, you may also can contact the NC Department of Insurance to get more information about the NC Safe Driver Incentive Plan.

This Plan that 4 SDIP points (insurance points) are being assessed for Driving by an individual less than age 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs. This can cause an insurance premium to go up 90 percent.

If your insurance rates increase try shopping around for affordable car insurance premiums. You may get quotes online from websites of this insurance companies.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I live in WA and Im 17 years old. I received a second degree negligent driving ticket. I want to fight it in court so this will not affect my insurance rate. How do I do this?

Gina

Thank you for asking Gina.

Washington state does not have a point system and does not assign points for traffic violations. If a licensed motorist receives 4 moving violations in one year, WA driver’s license may suspended for 30 days unless the driver attends an awareness group meeting.

An individual found to have convicted of a traffic infraction will be assessed a monetary penalty that is prescribed by the Washington supreme court. About every two years for inflation, the supreme court adjusts the schedule of fines and penalties .

There is no penalty for traffic infractions shall exceed $250 according to the current monetary schedule. An offense of a second degree negligent driving citation has been assigned the top fine of $250.

You will need to contact the entity listed on the back of the ticket and ask how to do fight the citation. You might be able to reduce the charge or may be allowed to take driving school to dismiss the charge.

According to the Washington Department of Insurance, insurance companies may charge a surcharge to motorist convicted of serious moving violations so if the traffic infraction ends up making it onto your driving record then your insurance rates would definitely be affected. But this will still depends on the rating system of your insurance company.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Hi! Im 17 and I do not have a debit account. Im planning to buy a car and insurance for it. How to I go about doing that? Thank you.

Gwen

Good question Gwen.

You may still be able to buy an insurance policy for your car even though you do not have a direct debit bank account just as long as you have the means of paying for the insurance policy in some other way.

If you buy a car insurance policy through some insurance companies accept payment in the form of: Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express), checking account, saving account, prepaid debit card or third party. If you have chosen an insurance company where to purchase an insurance from, you may ask them about payment options that they have available, whichever is more convenient to you.

Be aware, since you are a minor. You will likely need to have a parent or legal guardian to sign the insurance papers along with you. The insurance policy is a legal contract and most states do not permit a minor to make any legal contract. This is the reason as to why, generally, it will be required of your parents or legal guardian to sign contracts along with you until you become a legal adult.

You may be able to get more information about car insurance and coverage offered from the website of these individual insurance providers. It is best to inquire first and compare prices from this companies and choose which can offer you the cheapest deal.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Im 16 years old and I want to know what are the factors that affects my insurance rate so I would know how to lower my premium.

Rizza

Thank you for asking Rizza.

Theres a lot of factors that go into determining your insurance rate. You will provide that information in insurance company form, and they can calculate your rate to tell any 16 year old how much their insurance will cost. There are hundreds of factors that go into a rate. On average, a 16 year old can expect to pay 2.52 times the base rate for their car insurance. Here are the factors that affects your insurance rate

1. Your age
2. Marital Status
3. Gender

Here are some of the factors that you can change to have a lower insurance rate:

1. Accident claims
2. Geography
3. Driving violations
4. Your vehicle
5. Credit rating
6. Occupation

Here are some additional factors that may affect your premiums:

1. driving experience
2. Miles driven per year
3. Distance to work
4. Business use of the vehicle
5. Whether or not you currently have auto insurance
6. Theft protection devices

Hope this information will help you determine how you can lower your insurance rate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Am I obligated to inform my insurance company that my teenager son just received his license?

Rain

Thank you for asking Rain.

NY state statue may not require you to inform your insurance provider that your teenager son received his driver’s license but it likely that the terms and condition in your policy of your insurance provider may require you to notify them. Most insurance provider mandate that their policy holders inform them of all licensed members within their household.

According to the New York Department of Insurance, you should inform your insurance provider of any changes that may happen while the policy is in effect, including the addition of a licensed driver in the household.

An insurance company, by law, must change your premium if it discovers certain information (e.g. other persons operating your vehicle) that may affect the rating exposures. If the insurance provider finds out by other means that your son is a licensed driver in your household and is not listed, it could cause you problems in the future if you did not inform them.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Im a minor and I want to know if the seat belt violation will increase my rate.

Henry

Good question Henry.

A seat belt ticket violation that is placed on your MVR, is considered minor by most insurance providers but may still increase the auto insurance rates of a teenager which depends upon the rating system of the insurance company.The teen or his/her parents may inquire with the insurance company on how the rating system works.

To get more information in Illinois’ safety belt ticket, it is likely that the teen was cited for a violation of the IL Seat Belt Act, Illinois Vehicle Code 12-603.1. This is is non-point offense. The seat belt in law Illinois states that all front seat occupants are required to be protected by a safety belt or safety restraint system, regardless of age. Passengers under age 16 regardless of location in the vehicle must be protected by a safety belt or restraint system.

It is also noted that during the first 6 months of a teen within the graduated licensing process or until they reach the age of 18, are limited to only one passenger under the age of 20 (except immediate family which includes siblings or children of the driver). All passengers under age 19 (changed from 18 as of January 2006), with a driver under age 18, regardless of location in the vehicle must be belted.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

What is the cheapest car to insure for a teenager?

Ramsey

Thank you for asking Ramsey.

Usually, the less expensive cars are the cheapest to insure.

Moreover,4 door cars, 4 cylinder motors and minivans are usually the cheapest to insure.

Here are some of the cars that cost the least to insure in the first 5 years of ownership:

1. Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon
2. GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan
3. Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan
4. Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan
5. Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe
6. Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD 4dr SUV
7. Saturn L300 1 4dr Sedan
8. Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
9. Saab 38600 Linear 2.3t 4dr SportWagon
10. Buick Century Special Edition 4dr Sedan

You can get as many quotes for various vehicles as you’d like in different insurance company website.

If you are looking for an older car, you may consider the following factors like reliability, price and safety.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Should I add my teen in my policy before she can drive my car? I live in CT. Thank you.

Regine

Good Question Regine.

It is not the law of state that requires a parent to list or add a newly licensed child to their auto insurance policy but instead the insurance provider’s guidelines that require the child to be added in the policy.

Almost all insurance providers require that you add all licensed motorist in your household on your insurance policy so that they will be properly covered to operate your cars. If your child has just received their permit you should call your insurance provider to check if you need to list your child now or if you can wait until they are fully licensed before adding your child in your policy.

If the insurance provider is not notified of the licensing status of your teen and is not listed as an additional driver and then he or she operates your vehicle, it is possible that a claim will be denied by the insurance company. Some may cover the claim but then you will have to pay for the premiums that should have been paid previously for the teen to be on the policy.

You may contact the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) if you have any questions regarding the CT car insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Im 15 years old and I want to know what will happen if I get caught driving with a friend with just a learner’s permit. I live in Florida.

Tara

Thank you for asking Tara.

According to the Florida statute 322.1615 under subsection 2, when operating a motor vehicle, the holder of a learner’s driver’s license must be accompanied at all times by a driver who:

1. Holds a valid license to operate the type of vehicle being operated;
2. Is at least 21 years of age; and
3. Occupies the closest seat to the right of the driver of the motor vehicle.

Subsection 3 also states that a person who holds a learner’s driver’s license may operate a vehicle only during daylight hours, except that the holder of a learner’s driver’s license may operate a vehicle until 10 p.m. after 3 months following the issuance of the learner’s driver’s license.

In addition, a licensee who violates subsection (2) or subsection (3) is subject to the civil penalty imposed for a moving violation and fined in accordance with chapter 318.

To get more information on penalties for breaking a restriction, you may read through the Florida statutes regarding a FL learner’s license. You may also contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) for the exact penalty courts in your situation.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Do I still have to insure my teenager on my policy since she/he is already 18 years old? They still live with me. Thank you.

Marcia

Thank you for asking Marcia

Yes.

Almost all insurance providers will require you to continue to have your licensed daughter or son listed on your auto insurance policy as long as they live in your household, even if they are already 18 years or older in age. Normally your insurance company will want all licensed drivers living in a residence listed on the policy so they will be properly covered.

Most insurance providers will require that a son or daughter that is away at college but returns home for the summer remain on the policy as well since he or she will likely operate the family vehicle(s) when at home.

To get more information on your insurance provider mandates, since insurance provider guidelines differ from each other, you may contact your insurance agent. Ask if there are any specific state insurance laws governing this situation.

Goodluck!

MariCAR