Reader’s Question:

Do I have to get a comprehensive coverage for my auto insurance here in Kennewick, Washington? Could you explain to me what that actually means and what does it cover?

Darian

Kennewick, WA

A lot of people are having difficulty to differentiate collision and comprehensive auto insurance. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage would pay for the damage to your vehicle that is caused by any unknown entity or what the insurance providers usually call ‘an act of God’. Occurrences such as tornados, blizzards, fire, ice storms, hurricanes, etc are usually under the comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Although these events are normally included in insurance policies, you must carefully review your own comprehensive insurance policy to know the exact coverage for your vehicle.

Just like collision coverage, comprehensive insurance would pay for your vehicle up to the fair market value if any of the ‘acts of God’ damages your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance will not be required for your auto insurance in Kennewick, Washington but you would more likely be required to get it if you have a lease or a loan on your vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

I just recently purchased a vintage car that I need to insure here in Seattle, Washington. Will my car have special requirements if I get an insurance for it?

Fletcher

Seattle, WA

A lot of people who buy vintage or classic cars usually don’t use those cars as their regular car. A lot of vintage cars are kept in very good condition and very well hold a special place in the owner’s hearts. So it would be necessary to buy the perfect kind of insurance for those vintage cars.

Your vintage car in Seattle, Washington would have special requirements in obtaining auto insurance for it. You can insure your vehicle under a normal policy but you could be paying higher insurance rates. Also, that certain insurance policy may not provide coverage for the special needs of your vintage car. Together with the age of your vintage car (older than 15 years), most car insurance providers would require that the car you’d like to insure is not used for commercial purposes and also not used as the primary car. There may also be some restrictions such as the allotted miles you could drive the car. You need to find a car insurance company that specializes in vintage cars because most car insurance companies would not understand that repairing any kind of damage using original and hard to find parts is necessary.

Tags: car, car insurance, car parts

Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine was charged with DUI here in Graham-Thrift, Washington while driving my vehicle. How will his drunk driving case affect my auto insurance rates?

Kailyn

Graham-Thrift, WA

If a friend of yours was charged with DUI in Graham-Thrift, Washington while driving your vehicle, then it would likely not have an effect on your auto insurance premiums. He must have gotten the charge written out to them in his name so that the DUI would go on his driving record and not cause you any troubles.

But if your friend got into a crash while driving your vehicle during this time, then the resulting claims will go on your claims record and hence can have an effect on your auto insurance rates. Insurance normally follows a vehicle first and the motorist second which means that if your friend was drunk driving in your vehicle, then it will be your auto insurance policy that will be gone to primarily and his insurance will be secondary or excess if your limits were exceeded. Also as owner of the vehicle, you have vicarious liability for people you allow to drive it so if all auto insurance limits were exceeded, then in most states, you and the driver could be held accountable for the damage he caused while driving your car.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged just recently for DUI here in Federal Way, Washington. At this early stage of his DUI, what are the things that he should know about?

Camila

Federal Way, WA

Your brother should know a lot of things about his DUI case in Federal Way, Washington especially now that the DUI laws are getting tougher. First of all, a DUI often results in a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, even if the DUI results in an acquittal and before conviction. At the end of the suspension period, he would be eligible to reinstate his license and there is a fee involved, but if his license is revoked, he would have to go through the whole process of getting a new license.

He would also have to be prepared for a hefty fine and he can ask the court if he can have time to pay or pay over time. Most courts would actually prefer that he be able to pay his fines and buy shoes for the baby. It would be much preferable to having to throw him in jail at the taxpayers’ expense. He also has to be ready for a substantial increase on his car insurance. So if he’s in search for a cheap but reliable car insurance, he might want to check out the free quotes available from this website.

Tags: car insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I think I already have a drinking problem and what’s worse is that it could turn out to be a drinking and driving problem. How do you think I can avoid a DUI here in Shoreline, Washington with the current situation that I have?

Fred

Shoreline, WA

A DUI in Shoreline, Washington is a very serious charge because it can mean hefty fine and a jail sentence but it is possible to avoid a DUI charge. You have to watch your drinking habit from now on so if you go out drinking, you can have a designated driver who’s not drinking. If you can’t find a designated sober driver, you can call a cab to take you home when you’re done drinking. You may also seek professional help with your alcohol problem.

You can also talk with your loved ones about your effort to avoid a DUI because of your drinking and driving problem. You could be able to work issues out if you talk about what you’re experiencing. If you’re experiencing things that could cause you to want to drink, and especially drink and drive, talk about what you are feeling with those closest to you. You also have to remember that having a DUI charge can cause you a lot of money. Not only you would have to pay lawyers fee, you also have to pay fines and court fees and have an increased auto insurance rates, so think about these things before it’s too late.

Tags: advice, auto insurance, DUI, DUI cost, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was arrested for a DUI in Ohio a few days ago but we live in the state of Vancouver, Washington. How will this affect his drivers license in WA?

Daniel

Vancouver, WA

Both Washington State and Ohio are members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) so if you are convicted of the driving under the influence you received in Ohio then their courts will notify the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) about this driving under the influence conviction.

The report back to the driver’s home state will clearly describe the infraction, specifying the section of the statute, ordinance or code violated; indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered ; identify what action was taken; or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of a security.

The Washington DOL site states that, they keep a record of moving infractions, convictions for automobile violations and notices for failure to respond or appear to traffic citation on every motorist in the state. This information that goes on your driving history is received by clerk of the courts and licensing agencies so it would seem that the out of state information reported to the DOL would also be put on your driving record in Vancouver, Washington.

The state of WA would take actions against you just as if you received the driving under the influence charge in state instead of out of state. In WA your license may be suspended from ninety days up to four years, based on prior violations and your blood alcohol level for DUI offenses. The Washington DOL could inform your friend more about what could happen if he is convicted of the Ohio driving under the influence.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

In 2005, I was pulled over and charged with DUI in Kent, Washington where I live and I plead guilty of negligent driving second degree. I was wondering when will this be removed from my driving record, when the plea was entered or at the time of the incident?

Alicia

Kent, WA

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) states that violations are placed on your driving record at the time of the violation conviction.

According to the DOL site the most convictions, court findings stating a violation was committed are place on your driving record for a period of five years from the conviction or adjudication date. Alcohol related offense are kept on your Washington driver’s abstract for a period of fifteen years from the conviction date.

Departmental actions, such as revocations, suspension or disqualifications are kept on a WA State driver’s record for five years from the final release date. So if your drivers license was suspended during this process of pleading down the DUI to a negligent driving charge in Kent, WA then that will remain on your record for five years as well.

If you have other questions regarding the amount of time convictions/violations are kept on your driving history or want a copy of your driving record, you may contact the WA DOL directly.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

How many years do I have to carry SR22 non owners insurance in Renton Washington State for a first time DUI violation?

Harry

Renton, WA

In Washington State the usual time that a motorist is required to carry an SR-22 non owners policy is for three years. The reason why you are required to obtain the SR-22 non owners insurance in Renton WA may change the amount of time you are required to carry it though.

You can be mandated by this Washington State to obtain an SR22 non owners insurance for different reasons from a driver’s license suspension reinstatement due to a DUI or DWI, accident without automobile insurance or a second or subsequent violation of leaving a child unattended in a running car, etc.

In Washington, typically when you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must file future proof of financial responsibility, which is an SR-22, for three years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your license for that accident so likely this is what you will be required with your 1st offense conviction of a DUI.

Tags: DUI, non owners insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it gonna be automatic that I would have a rate increase on my car insurance if I’d be in an accident caused by DUI or drunk driving here in Vancouver, Washington?

Herbert

Vancouver, WA

No, it’s not gonna be automatic that you would have a rate increase on your car insurance in case you cause an accident in Vancouver, Washington. Some car insurance companies, believe it or not, give their customers a one-time “get out of jail free” pass. So in case you make a claim on your first at-fault accident because of drunk driving, you may not see any increase on your car insurance premium at the renewal time. But this kind of practice, sometimes known as forgiveness, is not industry-wide so consider yourself lucky if your car insurance company holds your rate steady after a drunk driving accident.

Car insurance companies that forgive those first-time accidents often require that you fit a certain profile so that you will not have a rate increase on your car insurance premiums. If you are shopping for car insurance, it would be a good idea to ask an independent agent or an insurance company if they offer first-time accident forgiveness. It could save you 20% or more on your car insurance over the long haul.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance rate, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

Tags: auto insurance, DMV, DUI, DUI conviction, SR22 insurance