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 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.

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 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.

What would I do if I get into an accident here in Washington and the auto insurance company of the at-fault driver refuses to pay the bills for the repairs and medical expenses?

Adonis

Spokane, WA

If you get into an auto accident in Washington wherein the other driver is at-fault, his/her auto insurance company might refuse to pay for the repairs of your car and medical expenses of anyone injured. They would probably just say that they did not authorize it so they will not pay it. One good technique that you can use if the auto insurance company of the other driver who was at-fault during the accident refuses to pay for repairs and treatments is to tell them that asking for their consent for the repairs of your car and treatment would delay the process. You can also explain that other charges such as vehicle-storage would increase the amount of your claim and it would mean more legwork for the adjuster.

Additionally, the auto insurance provider of the at-fault driver could not push you to bring your car to a particular repair shop they want to use. Majority of the states let car insurance companies to suggest a vehicle body shop, however, car insurance companies are not permitted to require you to use a particular repair shop. Remember that that would be totally your choice especially that it is your car and you were the victim.

I may have to dispute the figure that my auto insurance company here in Washington gave me regarding the value of my car which has been totaled. How can I argue against their offer and tell them that my car’s worth is more than what they are saying?

Garth

Tacoma, WA

If you do not agree with the figure that your car insurance provider in Washington gave you as the replacement value of your totalled vehicle, there several points that you need to remember. Car insurance companies have exclusive software to find out how much is the amount to replace your vehicle, with its present mileage and its form before the accident, at a dealership in your neighborhood. This may mean that your insurer acquires a bid for the lowest amount the dealer agrees to for your vehicle and not the amount the dealer may charge you. A lot of insurers would search as well within 100-mile range to compare prices.

To argue against the offer of your car insurance provider, you have to obtain price quotes from dealers within an acceptable distance in your area. You may ask Washington’s insurance department to figure out that ‘acceptable’ distance. The figures that you have to come up with should be higher than the offer of your car insurance provider. You should have a proof in writing that the replacement value of your car is more than the amount that the car insurance provider agrees to pay.

I recently got involved in a car accident here in Washington, and I would like to make sure I file my auto insurance claim correctly so I want to know what things I should remember to do.

Brendan

Seattle, WA

Filing an auto insurance claim is just one of those things in life that we hope we never have to do, but don’t want to end up doing wrong. There are, however, a few things you need to remember before filing that claim:

Do you really need to file a claim?
Yes, it is quite understandable, you pour good money in that auto insurance policy for your vehicle there in Washington, so why shouldn’t you file that insurance claim for that scratch on the bumper? Well, its called a deductible, and it can range from $200 to $750 against the amount of money your auto insurance provider will pay your for the damage repair. So if the damage is less than your deductible it is not cost effective. If the damage is minor and you can afford to have it repaired yourself, it would be highly recommended that you do so.

Remember also that once you file a claim, even just calling to inquire about it, your auto insurance company will tend to look at you as a higher risk customer. And this can cause your auto insurance rates to go up.

Keep track of all information you have, names and contact numbers of the other party or parties involved. Also you might get a call from the other party’s insurance provider for your version of the event so make sure you take down notes, especially who called you and what was discussed.

Is it true that my car insurance provider here in Washington can increase my auto insurance rates during winter?

Claude

Bellingham, WA
It is quite possible for your auto insurance provider there in Washington to increase your rates during the winter season. And you can’t really blame them, winter is a very perilous time to be on the road. The likelihood of getting involved in a car crashes due too icy, slippery roads, poor visibility due to fog or snowstorms and the freezing temperature causing havoc to your vehicles machinery, and even the danger of getting hit by frozen tree limbs and other kinds of falling debris. All these factors significantly increases your chances of filing a claim with your insurance provider, thus making this season a “high-risk” season, and hence the higher auto insurance rates.

It is not that difficult to prepare your vehicle for the winter, though. What you would want to avoid is to file for a claim, since this really a major reason for your insurance rates to increase. Here are some tip’s on how to prepare driving for the winter season:

1. Pre-Winter Checkup – Do take your car to a trusted auto mechanic and have them check your vehicles level of anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluids as well as its heater and defrosting system.
2. Drive with Discretion – If the weather is really bad, refrain from going out.
3. Use major roads – Stick to major roads and highways that are well plowed from snow so less chances of accidents.
4. Prepare for emergencies – have flashlights, blankets, stored food & water and emergency towing numbers handy.

My rates has recently been increased by my car insurance provider here in Washington. I’m wondering if my recent traffic violation got anything to do with it. Can you tell me what factors can affect my insurance rates?

Jeffrey

Seattle, WA

It is quite possible that the added traffic violation ticket against your driving record there in Washington may very well caused your increased auto insurance rates. It really depends on how many violations you’ve had before and how the latest violation could have tipped your record off into a “high-risk” driver. There are other factors to consider whenever an auto insurance provider evaluates, or re-evaluates your record. It is quite possible that falling within a certain age group, such as becoming a senior citizen, could have also caused your insurance to increase. Elderly drivers, along with teenagers, are also considered to be high-risk drivers and therefore the cost of insurance for them is high as well.

Your credit history also has an impact on how your car insurance premiums come out. Simply put, a bad credit rating shows your not able to handle your finances or bills well and this will be taken by insurance companies as an indication of how good you take care of everything else, including how safe you are while driving on the road. It is important to realize that the major reason your car insurance provider will raise their premiums is due to an event or something that you may have done that puts you at a higher probability of filing a claim. The added premium compensates for the added risk the company is taking to insure you and your vehicle.

I am not satisfied with the service I get from my current insurance company here in East Seattle, Washington. My auto insurance and other coverage are ending soon so I’ll just cancel my policies altogether. If I don’t pay anything after the end of the coverage, it means that my insurance is canceled, right?

Bo

East Seattle, WA

You could opt to cancel your automobile insurance policy for several causes, and dissatisfaction is one of them. Be careful, though, that if you don’t give enough notification to your insurance provider, you may spend more or worse, it could have an effect on your credit rating. It has been a tradition for the majority of insurance providers to let their customers drop their policy at any time in the course of the policy term. All they need to do is to send a written notification that includes the exact date of termination.

Your auto insurance policy in East Seattle, Washington would not automatically be cancelled at the end of the coverage, so don’t assume that you could drop your policy by taking for granted the next bill. In case you don’t send them a notification that you’re terminating your policy, they would consequently send you a bill in advance for the following policy term’s premium payment. If you ignore it, they would drop your policy and it would go against your credit history. These details are not clearly explained in your policy; auto insurance providers always tell us that we can cancel our policies at the end of the coverage by not paying the next premium, but they never tell us about the consequences for not giving them any notification.