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

I am so worried about my brother because he was already convicted for DUI before here in Washington and he is once again charged for it. What are the possible consequences should he be convicted again this time?

Clarissa

Seattle, WA

First of all, it is highly advised that he should have a strong representation on his second DUI case so it is important that he hires a DUI lawyer. A second DUI in Washington means having committed the offense within seven years after the first conviction. This time, the consequences are severely bigger because he might be facing a mandatory jail time. Also, his driver’s license may be suspended for a longer period of time. So don’t ever wait to seek the advice of a DUI lawyer about this matter.

The consequences for a second DUI conviction in Washington include 30 days to one year in prison, 60 days of electronic home monitoring, at least $500-fine and two-year driver’s license suspension.

However, there are also consequences involved even if the case is still in trial, specifically if the first offense was just a recent one. The prosecutor would demand that the suspect has substantial conditions to be released from supervision while the DUI case is still pending. While the real aim of conditions of release is to safeguard the community and keep them secured, prosecutors contend that these conditions would make the accused sober, thus keeping the community safe. Alcohol supervision, electronic home monitoring and some other preventive devices are included in these conditions.

I’m buying a car soon and I want to find out how I can get good car insurance rates for it. Any tips?

Grey

Seattle, WA

Those who have bought car insurance before would tell you that having to call up many different agents or consulting brokers is not the most fun way to spend an afternoon. Luckily times have changed and it is now much easier to find the best car insurance rates for you. Here are some tips:

1. Compare Rates Online – Use car insurance comparison websites. You get free access to the latest car insurance quotes and are able to compare offers coming from many different car insurers simultaneously. This is the quickest way to maximize your chances of finding the best rates out there in very little time at all.

2. Visit Rating Agency Websites – You want to spend some time on the websites of agencies like Moodys, A.M. Best and J.D. Powers. These are independent rating agencies that can tell you which companies have the best scores when it comes to customer service, pricing, claims handling, etc. This will help you identify the best car insurers to go with.

3. Get Some Discounts – Getting cheap quotes is one thing, being able to reduce your total insurance rates is another. Discounts are an excellent way to do this. There are a lot available so there’s a good chance you’ll qualify for at least one. Always ask an insurer about discount options.

4. Optimize Your Coverage – Go on a yearly payment plan if you can, this will reduce your rates or make you eligible for discounts. Remove unnecessary coverage items on your policy as well. You also probably don’t need full comprehensive coverage if you drive an old vehicle as well.

I know that the penalty for DUI offense here in Washington involves jail time. I’m not quite sure though for how long. Can you tell me? Also, can you tell me the other penalties for DUI conviction?

Beth

Olympia, WA

Sure Beth!

For first time offenders, the penalty for DUI offense in Washington includes a jail time for 24 hours up to one year. However, instead of a jail time, the court may allow you to serve a 15-day home electronic monitoring program, which is the minimum time.

Moreover, the fine would be $350 to $5,000. Also, your operating privileges would be suspended for 3 months minimum or 90 days. And after a month or 30 days, you may get a restricted license depending on the court’s ruling. Also, you may be required to get an ignition interlock for your car which you would pay personally.

It would never be a good idea to be cited for a DUI offense. As you can see, the DUI penalty is serious. Plus, once convicted of DUI, your auto insurance rates will be astronomical. And you will be labeled as a high risk driver and this normally makes it difficult for DUI offenders to get insurance provider that would insure them.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for ways on how you can lower DUI insurance rates, you can use the Internet. Shopping for DUI insurance through the Internet can give you affordable DUI insurance rates. So start getting your insurance quotes now to save on your insurance premiums.

I had recently been convicted of DUI and my insurer here in Washington canceled my current policy and they said I should get a DUI SR22 Insurance. I felt very bad about this for I have been insured with them for several years already and now that I had a problem they suddenly canceled my policy. Are they right in doing this to me and what is DUI SR22 Insurance and how does this work?

Bryan

Tacoma, WA

Once a driver is convicted of DUI in Washington, most car insurers will either cancel your current policy or they will never renew it even if you have been having business with them for many years. A DUI SR22 Insurance is a policy that is designed for those who have been convicted of driving under influences’ offense. There are car insurance companies that can give you DUI SR22 Insurance but since you are labelled as a high risk driver it could create more problems in time that’s why you should get a DUI SR22 Insurance.

When a driver is convicted of DUI, they usually want you to present a proof that you have car insurance with DUI for around three to five years with Washington’s Department of Motor Vehicle. Your insurers will file an SR22 form to DMV in order for your driver’s license suspension to be lifted. The car insurance company will charge you the rate depends on your policy and state rules. Every states has a different length of time on how long your DUI conviction remain on the record and as long as the record remains then that is also how long your premium is affected. If you have a DUI SR22 Insurance and had another conviction, the process would be easier and faster and this is something you should get as a responsible driver for we don’t know when accident strikes.

What could be the reason why my brother is being required to have SR22 insurance in Washington and how can he get that?

Aila

Everett, WA

Your brother must have received an alarming letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) asking a certificate of financial responsibility. He need not have to be so nervous because he can definitely get SR22 insurance in Washington.

SR22 insurance in Washington is a certificate filed by an insurance company that will guarantee the DMV that your brother has the minimum liability requirements for his car insurance. SR22 insurance in Washington is being asked for drivers who are considered high risk by insurance companies. There are a lot of reasons a driver is asked for SR22 insurance in Washington, including:

–DUI or Driving Under the Influence conviction
–causing a traffic accident and was not able to show car insurance coverage
–causing a traffic accident that resulted to death
–having numerous traffic tickets or accidents in a short period of time
–reckless speeding tickets

The state does not mandate car insurance companies to offer SR22 insurance in Washington. Still, your brother does not have to worry because there are a lot of car insurance companies that offer SR22 insurance in Washington, but for an additional cost. He can check with his current car insurance provider if they offer SR22 insurance in Washington, if not, he would have to shop around for his car insurance.

Tags: driving without insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, SR22 insurance

I am about to renew my Car Insurance Policy here in Washington and I just had a little accident a couple of months ago. Will my car insurers check my record or since it is renewal they wouldn’t check? And what could be the possible thing that can happen to my policy?

Jim

Tacoma, WA

There are many things that one can be classified as a high-risk driver here in Washington just like when you own a speedy car then you are also considered as a high-risk driver for one can actually have the biggest possibility that you might have an accident. Car Insurance Companies are not complacent in checking your driving record.

If you are for the renewal of your car insurance policy, your insurers will check every detail of your driving history before they allow you to renew your policy or reviewing your policy. If for example you insurers are a too strict regarding with traffic tickets, car crashes or poor credit then you might want to shop for another Car Insurance. Not all Car Insurance Companies are tough with these problems though you might know by now that it isn’t cheap to avail as a high-risk driver. Car Insurance Company might give you a policy but then it is more expensive than the usual for you have the biggest possibility that you might take risk on the road again. Car Insurance Companies is just trying to protect you as well as their interest that’s why they are offering you a bigger coverage.

I intend to purchase a hybrid vehicle here in Washington and I was told that I can save on car insurance using that type of car. How much savings can it cost me for having a hybrid vehicle?

Phil

Kennewick, WA

Car manufacturers are aware that various kinds of hybrids are popular so they are bringing in a lot of new models to meet with an increasing customer crave for hybrid automobiles that match their way of living. And as each hybrid automobile help save the ecosystem, the hybrid car that you intend to purchase in Washington will aid in saving you money as well.

To make having a hybrid vehicle reasonably priced for most people, car insurance providers come about with ground-breaking answers to pay in return for those environmental-friendly motorists. For instance, there are new insurance programs which give bonus to motorists who own or lease hybrid automobiles through providing discounts on their car insurance premiums. Some car insurance providers offer up to 10 percent discount on car insurance premiums to hybrid car owners. They say that giving incentive to customers who have green behavior is their response to the adjustment of customer attitudes toward vehicles. While we are in front of increasing gas prices and environmental issues, car manufacturers are exerting effort to sustain the emerging demand for hybrid cars. The fame of hybrid car would most probably remain to rush forward with new gas economy standards arranged to go into operation in the US in 2017.

My family had just moved in here in Washington for my job offer. I have current car insurance in another state and I just don’t know if my recent coverage is applicable here in Washington. Is there any imposed car insurance coverage here to be followed?

Greg

Kent, WA

Every citizen in Washington is suppose to have a car insurance and because of this there are so many ways of getting car insurance as fast as you can. Car insurance here in this state is a must for the protection of the citizens in case they get any accidents or troubles along the way.

The other thing that the state asks with regards of car insurances is that they should at least have a Liability Coverage or at least increase your Liability Coverage than getting a lot of different coverage with different minimums since even if you combine the different coverage minimums it still not enough to meet all the claims in any accident on the road. Though Car Insurance Companies offer you such other car insurance coverage like collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, uninsured or underinsured motorist and the like it doesn’t mean that the State of Washington impose you to get these coverage. In any offers whether the car insurance company or the state you still have the final say. If the state imposed something about such coverage and if you don’t think you need it you just have to relinquish or get a reduction form telling them about your decision.

I was advised that if I will have a loan on my car here in Washington, I need to get gap coverage for it along with my insurance. What exactly is this gap coverage and what does it have to do with having a loan on my car?

Marc

Lakewood, WA

The horrid fall of your new vehicle’s value the moment you drive it away from the seller’s area can have shocking and unwarranted burden on your pocket if your vehicle will be declared a total loss in an accident. In case you are eligible for a payment on your totaled vehicle on your car insurance in Washington, your insurer will give you the actual cash value of your automobile. Then again, the total payment your car insurance provider estimates as the vehicle’s actual cash value could be thousands of dollars further than what you have a loan from the bank or finance company. Because you will be accountable to pay the rest of your loan even if your vehicle is totaled, you may need to produce hundreds, possibly thousands in cash, except if you purchased gap coverage.

Your gap insurance coverage would pay the disparity between the approximation of your car insurance provider’s actual cash value of your vehicle and the money that you still have a loan from the bank or financial company. You may think that when your vehicle is totaled because of an accident, you will recoup the amount you owe on the vehicle or the money you paid for it if it is new enough. Apparently, vehicles do not cling to their value similar to what you think. When you drive away the vehicle, you have immediately lost some of the fees that you paid for.