Reader’s Question:

If I cause an accident and I have collision coverage for my car insurance here in Washington, DC, how will my insurer pay for my losses if I have brought the car to a body shop for repair?

Gabby

Washington, DC

In case you were the one who was at-fault at an accident and you have collision coverage, your car insurance company in Washington, DC would get the repair bill from the body shop after you have already paid your deductible. This kind of practice is commonly identified as a first-party claim setting. In this instance, your car insurance provider has the power to pay whoever they believe needed to straighten out your loss, provided that they follow the District of Columbia’s insurance regulations. For example, if you own the vehicle, the car insurance company may issue a check intended for you and the repair shop you have selected to repair your vehicle.

Then again, some states have established a “direct payment plan” wherein you receive the payment directly and you could use the finances to pay for the things that the body shop you selected have done on your vehicle. Systems of issuing payments for claims differ by car insurance provider and state. Some insurance provider would write the check out for you and the body shop. The goal is to reduce instances of fraud and assure the repair of your vehicle. Moreover, the insurance provider may not issue you a check in case you selected to repair your vehicle at a body shop chosen by the insurance provider. Insurance companies have exclusive dealings with these body shops in which the insurance company could just pay the body shop directly.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance claims, car insurance company

Reader’s Question:

I would have to take a few moments to understand what I need to buy for my car insurance here in Washington, DC. Other than the required liability insurance, what other coverage can I purchase?

Laurie

Washington, DC

By law, you will be mandated in the District of Columbia to purchase at least the minimum auto liability insurance coverage. The first one would be for bodily injury liability which would protect your properties in case you’re held responsible for a car accident in which other persons are injured or killed. The next one would be for property damage liability which will cover for the repair or replacement of the vehicles or other properties of other people. Lastly, it is also required in Washington, DC to get uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage will protect you from any losses caused by other motorists who have small or no car insurance coverage.

Other than the mandated auto liability insurance, you may also opt to purchase other coverage. First would be the collision coverage which would pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it gets damaged in a car crash. Then you may also opt to buy comprehensive coverage which would cover you from any damage on your vehicle that is caused by any other things than a car accident. Examples of these things include theft, storm, earthquake, flood, etc.

Tags: auto liability insurance, car insurance, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage

Reader’s Question:

My husband just joined the military and we are wondering if military discounts are also available for our car insurance here in Washington DC?

Bennett

Washington D.C.

Yes, it is quite possible for enlisted, actively serving or even reserved military personnel to receive military discounts for their car insurance. It shouldn’t be too much of a difficulty for your husband to apply for this discount even if he is already paying for insurance there in Washington D.C. There are at least a few types of discounts that most insurance companies provide military personnel: Regular discounts, membership discounts for some military-related organizations, and a form of discount provided to those who are deployed to imminent danger zones or areas:

Regular Discounts
Some auto insurance providers offer insurance premium discounts of up to 15% total. This applies to those on active duty, retired, reserved or a member of the National Guard.

Discount by Association
Some providers like GEICO offer special discounts for members of professional associations such as the National Military Families Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Fleet Reserve Association, and The Marine Corps League among others. Your husband should be able to get information as to which professional association where he could qualify for additional auto insurance discounts.

Imminent Danger Pay Areas
As designated by the Department of Defense, if your husband is deployed into an imminent danger pay area or country, he can also get some additional discounts towards his auto insurance rates. These areas may include: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Pakistan, Somalia, Serbia etc. (you can get a complete list of imminent danger countries from your auto insurance provider).

Tags: advice, car insurance, car insurance company, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

Hi! I recently sold my car here in Washington DC but I intend to get another one within six-months, would it be advisable to keep paying my current car insurance policy or just cancel it and get a new one when I already bought a car?

Mary

Washington DC

Good question, it would sound like just another way for an insurance agent to keep your business, but when you are advised by your car insurance provider to maintain your insurance coverage, especially if you intend to get a car again in the foreseeable future, you want to go ahead and take their advise. Regardless if you don’t have an automobile right now you can choose to adjust your coverage so that it becomes a Non-owner’s car insurance, that way even if you are borrowing someone else’s car you still have the financial capability of paying for damages or injuries you might cause others in a car accident. It will also be beneficial for you since, depending on the type of coverage you get, it might no longer be necessary to buy additional rental car insurance in the event you will be renting a car in the future.

It is also necessary for you to know that getting big gaps in car insurance coverage might put you in the position of having to pay inflated insurance rates in the future due to non-continuous coverage. Also, Washington DC’s financial responsibility laws require every driver to carry some form of auto insurance or equivalent financial protection while driving. Regardless which vehicle is being used. Ask your insurance provider if you can drop comprehensive coverage and maintain liability insurance only to keep insurance costs down for the moment.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance online, car insurance, car insurance company

Reader’s Question:

My brother who is based in Washington, DC finally obtained his driver’s license just in time because my mother gave him a new car in his birthday. Now he plans to immediately insure his car for him to use in his work. What factors do insurers consider before lending us car insurance?

Matthew

Washington, DC

One of the important factors I can give you is your brother’s age and gender. Many insurers believe to what previous facts have shown that males and young-aged are more prone to car collisions than females and middle-aged. Moreover, young men are statistically involved in more roadway accidents than middle-aged women.

Since Washington DC is one of the metropolises of US, the place where your brother is using his car matters significantly to insurers. Insurers follow their insurance rates proportionally to the chances of roadway accidents that may occur in a particular place. Washington DC’s highways have many cars and are sometimes risky during the winter season, so expect that insurers in Washington, DC will offer higher rates.

But your brother’s driving history, which is also a significant factor for insurers, may affect your brother’s policy rate. Since your brother is a first time driver, he is expected to have committed no roadway violations yet; hence, he may be given cheaper rate than other drivers. Further, the usage of your brother’s car also matters to insurers. Since you said that it will be used for employment then your brother drives for longer distance compared to a mother who just uses a car to go to and for grocery stores so he may have higher rate.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance rates, driver’s license

Reader’s Question:

I’m from Washington, DC and I would like some tips or suggestions on how to find the best auto insurance here. Thanks!

Owen

Washington, DC

Everyday thousands of people go online and use internet insurance portals to search for the best car insurance rates available. Although traditional insurance agents still abounds, over the years the internet has proved to be a valuable source of information and promotions for consumers and is considered an important market channel by those selling insurance. I suggest you begin your search here. Aside from getting rate comparisons online, here are some other suggestions on how to find the best auto insurance provider for your car there in Washington, DC.

How They Do Business
After gathering insurance quotes comparisons from several sources, narrow down your choices and look into how these companies treat their consumers. Customer service, although it might not seem like it to some, is a very important aspect of a company. You can search online for customer testimonials or go to the Better Business Bureau for this. You will be investing both time and money with whoever you choose for car insurance so it is crucial that you get someone you know will treat you fairly.

Know what you need
Frankly, not a lot of people take the time to evaluate what they would really need from a car insurance provider. A car insurance policy is a collection of different types of coverage. Each has its own area of protection. Collision covers for payments in a car crash while comprehensive deals with damages due to falling trees, hail or vandalism. A good insurance policy allows you to customize your coverage to what you will need.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

I currently have a financed car which I already have insured here in Washington, DC. How important is having gap insurance now that I am just leasing my car?

Orlando

Washington, DC

Although gap insurance could sound insignificant, it is a must if you have a financed car there in Washington, DC. Gap insurance gives protection on what conventional car insurance would not cover. Meaning, this will close the gap between what your insurance provider would shell out if your vehicle is stolen or totalled and what you financed from the mortgage company. For instance, you car is worth $15,000 and you are paying $500/month with a 5% interest rate. Unfortunately (knock on wood), you got into an accident; you were fine, but your car was declared totalled.

Your car insurance provider tells you that at the moment the accident occurs, the vehicle’s value was only $12,000. But the mortgage company would still like to have the whole amount you financed from them; with everything included - tax, interest and other fees, they determine that it is $16,500. So there would be a gap of $4,500 between the $12,000 your insurer is ready to pay you and the $16,500 that the mortgage company is insisting. The difference of $4,500 is what the gap insurance would cover in case anything like this happen.

Tags: car insurance, gap insurance

Reader’s Question:

I totally understand that my sister’s car insurance premiums as a teenager can be high. What do you suggest for her to do to help lessen her insurance rates here in Washington, DC?

Nehemiah

Washington, DC

The current figures on teenage motor accidents are not good that’s why there is no question that auto insurance rates are high for this age bracket. But not every insurance provider has the same analysis on young adults because some discounts could still be available to help your teenage sister save on her auto insurance in Washington, DC. The only ultimate way to reduce premiums for teen auto insurance is for them to be safer drivers, and here are some other suggestions:

–Help your sister keep her driving record clean and tell her to follow traffic rules.

–You may also be a role model to her and let her see that you are a safe driver.

–You may request your parents to put your sister on their insurance policy as a named driver.

–Make sure that your sister understands that getting a good grade in school can help her cut cost on her insurance premiums.

–You could enroll her in a driving education classes because she can get discounts for completing driving classes.

–You may even talk to your sister about alcohol and illegal substance. Tell her that the consequences, especially when combined with driving, are so harsh.

–You may ride with your sister and tell your parents to do the same. You could sit on the passenger seat and call her attention everytime she does something wrong or unsafe while she is driving.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance rates, car insurance premium, teen car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, would it still be possible for my senior citizen family members here in Washington, D.C to get discounts on their high auto insurance rates?

Milla

Washington, D.C

Hello Milla, it may be a bit difficult at first but there is absolutely no reason for your senior citizen family members there in Washington, D.C not to enjoy discounts off their car insurance rates. Many people are surprised to realize that car insurance providers actually increase, instead of decreasing, the insurance premiums of older people. Most wont even begin to do something about it until the realized that their insurance costs has been gradually climbing for years. Here’s a few tips on how to make sure senior citizens keep their insurance costs low
and even get discounts.

Consider Having Senior Citizens Drive Older Vehicles
Those above 55 are already seen by car insurance providers as risky drivers so putting them on new cars will most likely push the insurance costs further.

Shop Around For Discounts
Most won’t realize, but if you actually ask for discounts (and maybe even mentioning legitimate offers from the competition) car insurance companies could actually give you one. They Don’t like to advertise this but senior citizens can get discounts on their insurance policies. If your older family members are retired from the military they may still be able to qualify for military discounts. Some insurance companies also provide special discounts for AARP members.

Drive Safely
Quite obvious but keeping themselves safe on the road helps minimize car insurance rates. Consider defensive driving classes as well for additional insurance discounts.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

It would be really great to have some ideas on reducing what I’m paying for in car insurance here in Washington, DC. Any suggestions?

Carrie

Washington, DC

Who wouldn’t love to get some discounts towards their car insurance expenses? With the rising costs of living and the not so stellar economy we have today, it is a must to be smart about our expenses and put some extra effort in reducing our bills. Car insurance is not an exception. The good news here is that unlike the other bills you’re paying for, you can do a lot to actually decrease your expenses. Here are some tips:

Safe Driver Discount
If you have not been involved in a car accident and have not incurred any traffic or moving violations for the past three to five years then you may be eligible to get discounts for being a responsible driver. You can even get more discounts by enrolling on defensive driving classes that are accredited by your insurance provider there in Washington, DC, not to mention learning some valuable skills in driving safely.

Install Additional Security
Making your vehicle theft-free and safer means a lower car insurance premium. A better air bag and automatic seatbelt system as well as anti-lock brakes and other anti-theft devices are great investments to keep your car safe and secure.

Student and Senior Citizen Discounts
Students that perform well academically may qualify for a good student discount. Additional discounts can be applied if the student goes to school located 100 miles or more from home towards your insurance. Senior citizens can also qualify for discounts. Talk to your insurance agent about senior citizen discounts as well.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance discounts