Reader’s Question:

I have an old car here in Washington, DC and I still pay collision coverage for it. Would it be wise if I just drop it and what other things can I do to save on my auto insurance?

Nigel

Washington, DC

Your collision auto insurance coverage would be used to pay for the repair of your car in an accident that you cause. Your old car will be considered “totalled” if the repair costs would exceed a certain threshold of its value, such as 70%. At that point, the auto insurance provider would tow away your vehicle and offer you the total cash value of your old car. It might not make financial sense to pay for the premium rates for so many years to maintain collision coverage for an old car. In other words, you may opt to drop the collision coverage for you to save on your auto insurance in Washington, DC.

The other thing that you could do to save on your auto insurance is to take advantage of discount for low-mileage. Some auto insurance providers offer discounts to motorists who put less than a certain number of miles on their car every year. You could also be offered discounts for airbags and other safety features and also ask about discounts on antilock brake.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance discounts, collision coverage

Reader’s Question:

Will it affect my car insurance rates here in Washington, DC if I modify my car? Will car insurance companies look at it the same way?

Terrance

Washington, DC

For American people, driving a car is more than just a requirement, it can actually be considered as a way of life. A lot of people even appreciate and are fond of their automobiles for so many reasons of their own. Some people like to drive vehicles that make a strong mark on the public, while some simply enjoy the pleasure of performance. In some cases, the charm of an automobile goes beyond the automobile itself and falls in line with having it as a personal experience. Some people are even pleased to make their automobiles as fashion statements.

But owning and driving any kind of vehicle means having the proper type of insurance coverage and if an individual modifies an automobile, they are changing the primary structure and style of the vehicle intended by the manufacturer. This is one thing that would have an effect on the way the vehicle operates on the roads, no matter if the performance changes. You may check with your current car insurance provider in Washington, DC and see how their regulations govern things like modifying the vehicle. Not all car insurance companies look at it the same way because policies and rates vary between competing companies.

Tags: car, car insurance company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I need to save as much as I can on several things especially on my auto insurance. What do I need to do to be able to find the cheapest auto insurance here in Washington, DC?

Josh

Washington, DC

In terms of purchasing auto insurance, a lot of vehicle owners would like to have the process as quickly as possible. Therefore, they most likely purchase the first car insurance they see that appears to be affordable, regardless of whether they are getting the best deal or not. Not every auto insurance companies are the same. You would be surprised how much amount you could save if you spend only a little more of your time looking around. There are some things that you need to do to get the cheapest auto insurance in Washington, DC and at the same time, provide all the coverage you need.

The most apparent way to find the cheapest auto insurance is to get in touch with as many insurance companies before you decide the one you will purchase. This process would be easier of you have a list of questions to ask and always ask the same questions to each insurance company you call. You need to decide what type of coverage you need and ask what types of plans the insurance company could offer to suit your needs, and then inquire for insurance quotes. If you are getting confused, you could write down all the answers you get then compare them.

Tags: auto insurance, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

In buying a comprehensive auto insurance here in Washington, DC, do you think I’d settle for high deductible to save some money on my monthly rates?

Pat

Washington, DC

The regular auto insurance policy consists of coverage for accidents that happen while the vehicle is moving and for any kind of theft. Comprehensive insurance covers almost any type of accidents you could think of that will damage the vehicle. From high winds and blizzards to vandalism and theft, you could collect on the claim even you couldn’t exactly identify the culprit.

However, do not make the same mistake that a lot of people do when paying for comprehensive coverage. These people discovered too late, much to their sorrow, that purchasing a lower rates comprehensive insurance with high deductible only saved them some amount every time the premiums came due. They did not consider what they will do or how they will come up with the cost to totally repair the vehicle if something happens to it because of somebody breaking into it, or because of any natural disaster. Spending just a little more on your comprehensive insurance in Washington, DC every month and lowering the deductible could well be in your best interest because no one can ever predict what will happen.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance rate, cheap auto insurance, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

My brother is in the military and I was told that he can have some kind of a discount for his car insurance here in Washington, DC. What happens to his car insurance if he goes overseas for a while to serve in the military?

Judy

Washington, DC

Since your brother is currently serving the country in the military, he could be eligible for a discount on his car insurance in Washington, DC. But this will ultimately depend on the car insurance company who gives or would give him coverage. He can speak with an insurance agent to find out for sure if his current car insurance provider or potential provider offers discounts for people in the military. A lot of car insurance companies would offer discounts to a person who is a military personnel, active or retired.

There are some car insurance providers who would allow your brother to drop all of the coverage he has and just keep the comprehensive if he would have to go abroad with the military and he will be storing his car, which means that no one will use it while he’s gone. Also, if he would be based to a country where the government gives him hostile fire pay, a car insurance provider would discount the amount he should pay for his comprehensive policy by as much as 25% so long as it remains in storage.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance policy, military car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My friend was driving my vehicle here in Washington, DC when we were pulled over and he was charged with DWI. Will my insurance rates increase since it is my vehicle and will it be reported to my insurance provider?

Caroline

Washington, DC

Normally, if a ticket is written to a motorist only and not against the automobile, then it would be the driver’s record that will be affected. If this would be the case and your friend got the ticket for DWI in Washington, DC in his name, then it will generally be his license and insurance premiums that will be affected by his DWI charge. It will not have an effect on your insurance rates unless there was a crash or accident which you will be liable for even though you were not the one driving.

The District of Columbia has tough laws against driving while intoxicated. A court conviction of a DC DWI includes punishments or penalties such as jail time of up to 25 days, possible alcohol education and treatment program, fines between $300 and $10,000 and possible installation of ignition interlock device. If you and your friend are in need of an affordable and dependable auto insurance, then I’m sure you’ll find it here so get an online rate quote now from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, drunk driving insurance, DWI

Reader’s Question:

I admit that I am not far from being arrested for DWI here in Washington, DC because I do drink and drive. In case I get stopped for DWI, how would I respond to it or how would I answer the officer’s question?

Francisco

Washington, DC

A lot of people experience more frightening things than being arrested for DWI. In Washington, DC, you will be treated like a criminal because driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of over 0.08% is considered a very serious threat to public safety. You will face hefty fines and lose your driving privileges so it’s good that you know some things before responding to an officer who asks you if you have been drinking if you are pulled over for DWI.

If you are stopped by an officer, he/she has to have a reason to stop you, which is known as the probable cause. The officer must have noticed you driving erratically or driving too slowly but whatever the reason for pulling you over, the officer would have to put it into words in court. If the officer asks you if you had been drinking, don’t lie about it but don’t say anything else other than your identification. If the officer continues to ask you question, you may politely refusing answering them an tell him/her that you want to seek advice from your lawyer first before you do anything else.

Tags: DWI, DWI arrest, DWI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I just got my Washington, DC driver’s license and I was already educated about the hazards of drinking and driving. Do you have any idea what are the penalties for drunk driving in Washington, DC?

Chad

Washington, DC

Driving while under the influence of either substance or alcohol is a big no-no here in Washington, DC. The District of Columbia observes a zero tolerance policy when it comes to DUI and DWI. Due to the fact that the mass media has proliferated on the effects and hazards of drunk driving, harsher laws have been implemented to minimize road mishaps. Of course, corresponding penalties have been severed. DUI and DWI are considered criminal offense here in Washington DC. Enforcers for these laws would be the police and local courts and not just your DMV. If you don’t learn your lessons the first time around, they’ll see to it that you get off the road. Your second offense should not happen within the next 15 years from the first offense. Otherwise, you are headed for a jail sentence of not less than 5 days up to one year and a penalty of between $1,000 and $5,000. Whereas if you incur another offense within the next 15 years, you will be fined with $2,000 to $10,000 and you’ll face mandatory prison time of not less than 10 days to one year.

Now these are really serious penalty for law offenders. And it would actually cost you more than your life or the others. I suggest that you get yourself covered with an appropriate auto insurance in case the unexpected happens.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI cost, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties

Reader’s Question:

I got into an accident caused by another party due to DWI here in Washington, DC. Am I gonna be entitled to file a claim with my auto insurance for diminished value?

Harvey

Washington, DC

Diminished value is actually based in the idea that a car that has been in an accident, regardless of how well the repairs are done, is gonna be worth less than the exact same car that hasn’t been in an accident. If you got into an accident caused by another party due to DWI in Washington, DC and you’d like to file a first-party claim, which means that you are making a claim on your own auto insurance policy, you are unlikely to be entitled to diminished value reimbursement.

The reason behind that is because the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which provides insurance forms and data, authored policy language that insurers could now use in 45 states and Washington, DC, that officially makes them not entitled for diminished value payments in physical-damage coverage claims. This is called the ISO’s exclusion for diminished value which has not been approved in Kansas, Georgia, Hawaii or Maryland.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance online, DWI

Reader’s Question:

I heard that my brother needs to get an SR22 auto insurance because of his DWI charge in Washington, DC. What does SR22 mean and how can he get it?

Jalissa

Washington, DC

The SR22 auto insurance is a form that is issued by an insurance company which removes a suspension order placed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on your brother’s driving privileges because of his DWI charge in Washington, DC. The SR22 auto insurance would provide a guarantee to the DMV that an insurance company has issued at least minimum liability coverage for your brother. This will also guarantee that the auto insurance company will notify the DMV if the insurance ever lapses for any reason.

To get an SR22 auto insurance, your brother can first ask his current insurance company if they offer it. If they do, he can file it with them but if not, he needs to get it from another insurer. In this case, his current insurance company may cancel his policy or non-renew it. He can get quotes from different companies so he’ll know the rates but I believe he can still get the best deal if he gets an online rate quote for his SR22 auto insurance from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, DWI, SR22 insurance