Carry A High Deductible

When you place your deductible rate high, let’s say $1,000 that will mean that in case of an automobile accident and your insurance company is accountable to cover the claim (usually meaning YOU were responsible of the accident) you would then pay out the very first $1,000 of the claim.

Car insurance provider do that so you will end up less likely to file a claim, because you will end up responsible for $1,000 of that claim. You’ll never want to report a claim for anything a smaller amount or even slightly more than your deductible amount because of a high probability your future rates will increase.

If you are a safe driver, then chances are you’ll not report a claim and can keep your savings you will end up rewarded with for having a high deductible.

Should you do have a claim, you simply pay the deductible amount if the insurance policy pays the claim. So 2 things have to happen here before you’ll be liable for the $1,000. You have to have any sort of accident and report a claim, and you should be at fault and your insurance pays the claim.

Other deductions

• Combine insurance policies that you have because car insurance companies usually give discounts for multiple insurance polices if you get it with the same company.
• Retired and active military gets discounts as well
• If you are a senior, you can get reduced car insurance rates
• Being a member of an oranization can allow you to get discounts on your insurance depending on the insurance company
• If you are a student and you have a GPA of B or higher, you can get discounts as well
• If you have taken a defensive classes lately, you can get lower car insurance
• Does your vehicle have all the available safety features like side impact airbags
• If you have a small compact car, that means you will get lower car insurance compared to those who are driving luxury cars
• How is your credit score – a low credit score can effect your premiums
• Living in an area with low crime and traffic rate generally gets lower premiums

A friend of mine was charged with DUI here in 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.

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.

I have a DUI conviction a year ago here in Washington. I need to renew my auto insurance. What will happen to my insurance? Is there a chance that it can be renewed?

Cyrus

Seattle, WA

Most insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or if you are applying for a new policy. Sometimes, tickets, accidents and DUI convictions could escape their attention or do not end up on your motor vehicle record. But if they find out about your Washington DUI conviction, two things are likely to happen.

First is that your insurance company would likely raise your car insurance premiums and label you as a high-risk driver if it finds out you have been convicted of DUI. Second is that your insurance company may cancel your mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term, especially if you’re currently in a preferred class. They would send a notice stating why you’ve been canceled.

Washington state law requires DUI convicts to get an SR-22 from their insurance company so you cannot hide. Your insurance company would have to provide the DMV with an SR-22 form which removes your license suspension by providing the state with proof of your insurance. If your insurance company cancels your auto insurance for any reason, an SR22 also means your insurance company would have to notify the DMV about this. You will likely have to file proof of insurance for three or five years with Washington DMV in this case. Some insurance companies do not offer SR22 policies, so you may also be canceled or non-renewed because your insurance company can no longer provide what you need.