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 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.

Do I have to get a comprehensive coverage for my auto insurance here in 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 tornadoes, 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 Washington but you would more likely be required to get it if you have a lease or a loan on your vehicle.

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.