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 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.

We have three cars at home and only my car is insured, my wife’s and son’s cars are not insured. My wife keep telling me that her car should also be insured together with my son’s car, she says it’s really important to get it insured. Why should one’s car get insured here in Washington?

Todd

Everett, WA

Washington requires all the cars on the road should be insured before getting it on the road. If you have escaped yourself from this requirement, you will not be able to escape yourself from a huge disaster when you got yourself in an accident. Car Insurance is just like having a savings account that you can get in case of emergencies on the road.

Car insurance is just as important as the homeowner’s insurance for with a Car Insurance with you on the road, it will help you survive, not from death or physical injury but at least you will be saved from financial problems in case you got yourself in an accident. Car Insurance doesn’t only cover you in case of accident but also the other party. Car insurance is not supposed to be expensive for the state has set a minimum requirement but this might not be able to get everything covered if you had a major accident. Just imagine yourself getting a car accident which is your fault and the other party is not insured, though it is breaking the law if you don’t get yourself insured, you still need to have both of your mishaps covered. This is how car insurance protects you, not only you but also the other party that makes it really important.

I’m originally from Canberra Australia but have recently moved to East Seattle Washington to work. My problem is, I learned to drive on the other side of the road and am worried I might get into an accident while learning to drive the American way. What kind of auto insurance coverage is available here?

Ethan

East Seattle Washington WA

Hi Mate! Welcome to East Seattle Washington WA. I hope your work works out and that you enjoy your stay here enough to stay.

Now, to answer your question: there are at least six types of coverage you can get when you buy auto insurance. Among these, liability coverage would be the first thing you’ll require. I believe you already know how to drive fairly well, except that you need to adjust to driving on the other side of the road. Liability coverage will allow you to feel some level of security that in case of an accident, your insurance will cover property damage as well as bodily injury. Furthermore, liability coverage will take care of legal fees in case the accident is your fault. The limit of coverage for each of these items will be indicated in your auto insurance policy as a set of three numbers. For instance, 25/50/20 means (a) $25,000 for bodily injury (BI) for each person up to a total of $50,000; and (b) $20,000 for damage to property (PD) will be covered per accident. Note that BI includes medical bills and lost wages, as well, while PD covers repair and/or replacement of property that was damaged.

Should you wish to know more about other types of auto insurance coverage as well as the approximate cost of premiums in East Seattle Washington WA, just key in your zip code in the box on this page. Don’t hesitate to write again if you need more information. Cheers, Mate!

I had this terrifying accident a couple of weeks ago with my wife and two children here in Vancouver, Washington. A van hit us in full impact because it was running to fast. My wife has the most impact that until now she is still under recovery. Do we need to use our own insurance or the other driver’s insurance?

Todd

Vancouver, WA

There is a law here in Washington known as the Tort System of Insurance whereas the driver who is at fault is the one going to pay for it. He will have to use his own Car Insurance to pay for the damage he had caused. He will use his’ for the physical damage and of all medical expenses you and your family has suffered.

Washington Law also includes a minimum requirement for the Bodily Injury Liability is $25,000 for each person who has suffered in the accident up to $50,000 per accident. The law also includes a minimum of $10,000 for the Property Injury Liability. Other Insurance Company in Vancouver, Washington will propose you to get a Personal Injury Protection but it would be better not to accept this since Washington Law does not require it but it is also helpful in paying for the damage you have suffered in an accident. There is also another policy that Washington doesn’t require but it will help you if you got yourself involved in an accident to an uninsured driver or those who has no enough coverage for the accident. There are Insurance Companies that offers you the most reasonable policy nobody can ever imagine even if with a driving record.

How many years do I have to carry SR22 non owners insurance in 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.

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.