My parents own three cars and I drive each of them once in a while. How would I know if I am covered under their car insurance here in Washington?

Orin

Bellevue, WA

These days, a lot of families own more than one vehicle because most family members are always on the go. Most families register each of their vehicles under only one name since car insurance providers normally check the driving record of the vehicle owner before selling car insurance policy. The other family members then become named drivers on the insurance policy and this procedure is legally accepted and could be able to save money on your premiums. To determine if you are part of your family’s car insurance policy in Bellevue, Washington and have sufficient coverage, here are some things to follow:

–You may ask every family member if your vehicles’ insurance is under one name.

–You may request the registered family member to inform your insurer to include your name in the policy.

–You may contact the insurance provider to verify that you name is included in the policy.

–You may obtain a copy of the policy and verify all the names and be sure that your name has been added properly.

–Examine the kind of coverage you have because in some instances, you could not be covered comprehensively.

–You should drive the car only after getting affirmation that you are included in the policy and make sure that you have a photocopy of the policy when you drive one of your vehicles.

What kind of car insurance can I get if I don’t own a car but would occasionally borrow a friend’s vehicles here in Washington?

Kathy

Bellevue, WA

Dear Kathy, You would want to get a Non-Owner’s Auto Liability Insurance coverage there in Washington. A Non-Owners Liability Insurance policy will make sure that a person who don’t own a vehicle but rent or borrow a car from time to time will have adequate financial capability to compensate for any injury or damages he/ she may have caused a person or property while driving the rented or borrowed vehicle.

Specifically, Non-Owner’s auto insurance will provide the following coverage:

Bodily Injury liability Coverage
Covers you from any claims or lawsuits against you for injuries or deaths you may have caused in a car accident. This also pays for legal fees you may have incurred.

Property Damage Liability
Pays for the repair or replacement of damages caused by a non-owner to private or public properties while on the rented or borrowed car.

This would be a very responsible thing to do in behalf of the person you will be borrowing a vehicle from. It could also mean saving money on having to get rental car insurance should you need to rent a car, which could be much more expensive and charges you on a daily basis. It is highly recommended that you get Online quotes as well whenever looking for non-owners insurance since you can get very good rate comparisons to help you choose the best car insurance rates even if you don’t own a vehicle at the moment.

I got charged with DUI in Washington and it seems impossible for me to get out of this. Would it still be possible for me to win my case or shall I just give it up?

Mae

Bellevue, WA

Nothing would be impossible and anything could still happen if you try to fight your DUI case in Washington. All you need is a DUI lawyer who has an extensive track record of fighting and winning DUI cases. Through an experienced DUI lawyer, it’s not only possible to get DUI charges reduced to a lesser offense, but in some cases, a good DUI lawyer can be able to get them dismissed entirely. The DUI lawyer can also be able to put up DUI defenses applicable in your case. The line of DUI defense includes arguing constitutional violations and challenging blood alcohol content test results.

A DUI specialist would systematically review police reports for any lapses and inconsistencies in procedure. The DUI lawyer could also request complete disclosure concerning the machine used to test your blood alcohol level, the lab certification and the personnel involved in the maintenance and operation of the machine. With all these DUI defenses and more, you don’t have to think that it would be impossible for you to get out of your DUI charge.

A friend of mine asked me to help her find SR22 auto insurance here in Washington because she was convicted for DUI. What exactly is SR22 auto insurance and how can she find one?

Collette

Bellevue, WA

Your friend might have received the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) letter requesting a certificate of financial responsibility because of her DUI conviction in Bellevue, Washington. SR22 auto insurance is really just a form that proves to the DMV that your friend has the minimum liability limits for her vehicle. Because of her DUI conviction, the DMV requires SR22 for drivers they deem “high risk.”

Washington State does not require auto insurance companies to offer this type of insurance but many insurance companies are willing to offer SR22 insurance, but for a higher price.

If your friend is currently insured with a company, you can ask her to check with them first. Ask if they are able to file an SR22 for her and what the filing fee is. Remember that this could raise her rates, depending on the reason the form is needed. If the price doesn’t suit her, you can help her shop around to out which insurance companies offer SR22 and better yet, which one offers the best price.

Hey. I have a very simple question for you. My boyfriend was convicted with DUI in Washington. His license was suspended and he badly needs to get a hardship license. How can he obtain one?

Leizl

Bellevue, WA

I have a very simple answer since you have a very simple question. If his license was suspended in the State of Washington, there are several steps to take to obtain hardship license. He needs to sign up online for a 12-hour traffic school (ADI) class. Then he would have to go to the Clerk of Court and get a “30-day search” of his driving record. If he has received the Letter of Enrollment from the Traffic School and a letter from the Clerk, he can go to the DMV and apply for a hardship license with a Hearing Officer. After that, he needs to complete the 12-hour online course. If he is a ‘habitual offender’ as indicated in the DMV Letter of Enrollment, he must complete the course before he can apply for the hardship license.

Hope I was able to give you the information you need on obtaining your boyfriend’s Washington hardship license. Good luck.

My nephew is on probation in Washington because of a felony theft. Unfortunately, he was arrested yesterday for DWI, and worse, it is his second DWI in 4 years. Will his probation for felony theft automatically be revoked? Can a legal representation would be of any help?

Jason

Bellevue, WA

Of course, getting a lawyer would be of big help so I suggest you do so the soonest time possible. It would be an automatic court ordered Motion to Revoke probation (MOR) and a minimum of 30 days of jail time if you are on probation in Washington State and get arrested for any case. An attorney is the only one who can be able to negotiate jail time. Your nephew will get a copy of the letter sent to the court that placed him on probation to revoke his probation and the date he and his attorney will need to attend the hearing. It would also include all previous probation requirements not met including payments. Expect him to serve jail time since he has a previous criminal record and this is his second DWI in Washington.

My advice is that for him to hire an attorney who has a good reputation over DWI cases. A little warning, though, it may cost you a small fortune to do so. If he was bailed out of jail for the arrest and later finds out that he cannot afford to hire a lawyer before the first court date, the court would likely not allow him a Court-Appointed lawyer. That is because if you can bail him out of jail, you can hire a lawyer as well. If you really plan to help your nephew, you need to make sure that you have the financial resources and, mind you, a very strong level of patience.