Reader’s Question:

What happens if someone has no license and car insurance got involved in an accident but leaves the scene?

Harry

Clifton, NJ

Leaving the scene of an accident is a very serious violation. In most states, leaving the scene of the accident where there is a personal injury is a crime of the 4th degree. Driving without insurance penalties differ from state to state. For instance, driving without New Jersey car insurance will bring you mandatory penalties imposed that are greater than the first offender penalties for drunk driving or possession of marijuana. Mandatory penalties include automatic a $300.00 fine, loss of license for one year, and a period of community service to be determined by the Municipal Court.

Tags: car insurance rate, Driving without License, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I recently got involved in a car accident with someone and I had no auto insurance coverage. The other vehicle had uninsured motorist coverage. Whats going to happen?

George

Houston, TX

I am sorry to hear about what happened. The specific penalties differ from state to state for driving without insurance and/ or being involved in a car accident without car insurance. You may be held personally liable for the damages you caused even if the other person had insurance. Additionally, you will be subject to some financial responsibility rules that is enforced by your state.

I would really suggest that you contact a lawyer to determine your liability exposure and you may also contact your local driver’s license office to know what action(s) may be taken against your license.

You will also need to find out the insurance status of the other motorist through the local authorities (police report and/or investigation).

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, insurance advice

Reader’s Question:

My nephew was arrested for drunk-driving last year. He’ll be 19 next year. Will his DWI conviction go off his record? And how will his car insurance rates be affected?

Lisa

Beaumont, TX

Thanks for your question Lisa. Whether the DWI offender was a minor or not during the time the violation was made is not going to change the fact that his driving records will still show a DWI conviction.

DWI laws vary per state regarding how long a DWI conviction will stay on a DWI offender’s driving records. In California , DWI record stays for 7 years. In other states, for example, in New Mexico , it stays for 25 years while in Georgia it stays forever.

To know how many years it will stay on your nephew’s driving record and to see if your state has different rules regarding DWIs committed by a minor, I would suggest checking with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area since your state may have different laws to the ones mentioned here.

Lastly, if the DWI conviction continues to stay on his record for a number of years, it will likely affect his auto insurance premium rates by putting him in a higher risk category. An individual in this category can expect the insurance premiums paid to possibly double, maybe even triple. (If he needs to look for a new insurance company he can get a car insurance quote online.)

Reader’s Question:

If marijuana is found in someone’s vehicle by a law enforcement officer and they get a ticket for that, does their car insurance rate go up?

Jim

Denver, CO

It would likely depend upon the type of violation that the motorist was cited for. If it was a DWI or DUI, ticket that the individual received and they are convicted of this offense then it would go on their driving record where their insurance carrier could see it.

A DWI or DUI is considered a major violation and therefore insurance rates could be affected greatly. If the ticket was a different violation but still listed as a drug offense on your motor vehicle record (MVR) then it still would likely affect your auto insurance rates.

Insurance rating systems differ from one insurance carrier to another so if you were cited for an officer finding marijuana in your car you would need to verify from your insurance agent how your insurance carrier rates this type of violation.

Reader’s Question:

Is there anything I can do to get a cheaper insurance if I have a DUI on my drivers record?

Mitch

Jackson, MS

Having a major violation such as a DUI on your driving record can affect your car insurance rates since as a motorist you are seen as more of a risk to an insurance company. In most states if you have been convicted of DUI your license will be suspended for a certain period of time and then when you try to reinstate your driver’s license you will have to have your insurance carrier to file a SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, on your behalf.

The best way to get the cheapest insurance rates after you have been convicted of a drunk driving is to shop around. Comparison shop online Make sure to ask for any discounts that may be available to you. This can be for safety features on your vehicle such as , anti-theft devices, traffic courses, driver improvement etc. Discounts vary from one insurance carrier to another so ask what ones are available to check if you can lower your insurance rates by applying the most discounts to your insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

How does a DWI or DUI affect my auto insurance rate in Idaho?

Uma

Boise, ID

As required by most state laws, insurance companies need to file SR-22 for an individual who has been convicted of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). This is to prove that you have certain types of insurance and you will be able to show an auto liability coverage.

A DWI offense in Idaho basically affects your car insurance policy in two ways. First, your company will keep you insured but will most likely react by raising your premium rates and labeling you as a high-risk driver. Second, your insurance company may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DWI conviction, especially if you are currently in a preferred class. Your insurance carrier will send you notification stating why you’ve been canceled, and then you will have to get another insurance provider while having a cancellation on your claims history.

Some states don’t permit insurance providers to drop you in the middle of the policy term even for a DWI charge, so be sure you know the laws in your state.

Reader’s Question:

I am planning on going to truck driving school. I have had 3 DWIs and the last DWI was 6 years ago. Will I be insured by an insurance company in a commercial car?

Paul

Nashua, NH

Many commercial car insurance companies do not want to insure a motorist with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that has a DWI, DUI or OUI. Since your last DWI was over 6 years ago, you might be able to find an insurance company that will insure you but the costs will likely still be high.

I would verify with the trucking school you are going to attend to for more information since they would typically deal with the insurance carriers that you would possibly want to be insured through. You can also check if the school thinks you will be insurable through an insurer plan once you acquired a job after your truck driving school is over.

Reader’s Question:

In North Carolina, how long will a DUI remain on your driving record?

Anna

Charlotte, NC

The North Carolina Driver’s Handbook does not show how long a DUI or DWI infraction stays on your driving record but it is likely three to seven years. This offense can increase your auto insurance rates for at least 3 years and that if you have multiple DWI offenses within seven years it can be considered to be a felony.

To get more information regarding a DUI/DWI and your North Carolina driving record, you may contact the Department of Transportation. If you are in need of cheap auto insurance for North Carolina begin now.

Reader’s Question:

My brother in law was driving my car over the past weekend. He got pulled over for speeding. He was also cited for DUI and driving without a license in Maryland. Will this affect my car insurance rate?

Carlo

Baltimore, MD

Tickets that your friends or anyone who borrows your car receive while driving your vehicle in Maryland generally will not affect your auto insurance rates. The tickets for speeding, driving without a license and DUI should all have been issued to your brother in law, the motorist, and not the car, so typically will show up on his driving record and affect his insurance rate in Maryland.

If your brother in law had crashed while driving your vehicle in Maryland it would have affected your car insurance since most likely it would be your insurance that would have to pay out on claims that was caused from an accident.

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI on my driving record and I just want to find out if there is anything I can do to get a cheaper car insurance?

Jason

Chicago, Illinois (IL)

Having a major conviction like DUI on your driving record can seriously affect your car insurance rates since as a motorist you are seen as more of a risk to an insurance company. In most states if you have been convicted of drunk driving (DUI) your license will be suspended for a certain period of time and then when you go to restore your driver’s license you will have to get an insurance company to file a SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, on your behalf.

With a major offense like this on your driving record and the needing to file an SR-22 you may not be able to find car insurance with a standard insurance company. A standard insurance company will generally give better rates for those with clean driving records and may not offer competitive insurance rates for those with DUI and other serious related infractions or bad driving records.

The best way to get the cheapest rates after you have been convicted of a DUI is to shop around. Make sure to ask for any discounts that may be available to you. This can be for driver improvement or traffic courses, safety features on your car, anti-theft devices, etc. Discounts differ from one insurance providers to another so ask what ones are available to check if you can get cheaper rates by applying the most discounts to your insurance policy.