Reader’s Question:

My name is Washington from Spokane, Washington. (Yes, I know). I speak for every car owner here when I ask: How can we avail ourselves of cheaper auto insurance premium? Discounts, discounts, discounts.

Washington

Spokane, WA

Spoken like a true Washingtonian, Washington of Spokane, Washington. Sorry, just had to say that. Now that it’s out of my system, let’s go to your question.

How to get cheaper insurance premium? Most, if not all, insurance companies extend discounts for various reasons. If you have had no accidents listed in your insurance history in the last three to five years, you will get a discount. If you buy other policies (homeowners, renters) from the same company, you will get multiline discount. If you own more than one car and you get insurances from the same auto insurance company for all of them, that’s another discount for you (multi vehicle discount). Buy a very safe car, one with side airbags, for example, you get a discount for it. Some companies will look at what you do and give you discounts. They would offer discounts to teachers, engineers and scientists with good driving records. They have noticed that educators, scientists, and engineers are generally good drivers and that they tend to be meticulous and take care of their vehicles. Also, insurance companies are aware that some occupations have lower risks than others. Teaching and farming are at the top of the list of low risk jobs. In a nutshell, it’s still about risk factor. Insurance companies look at your risk factor, if it’s low, you’re okay.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, Car insurance discounts, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

What are the implications of DUI to my car insurance here in Spokane, Washington? I suppose it can’t be a good thing.

Bill

Spokane, WA

Since when has drunk driving been a good thing? I suppose you already know about the license suspension, lawyer fees and fines. I’m assuming here that you did get convicted of drunk driving. Well, in case you haven’t spent enough yet, on top of everything, you have to worry about higher premium prices for your vehicle insurance–that is if you are lucky. Some insurance companies will actually cancel your policy. And bet the top of your legs that you’re going to have a hard time looking for new automotive insurance. So, let’s say that your company decides to keep you, you lucky son of whatever, as one of their policy holders. You then will be branded as high risk. Your car insurance company is required to submit an SR-22 to your DMV there. It is a document that gives proof that you have the minimum required coverage, and more importantly, it reestablishes your driving privileges.

If you’re thinking that this is easy enough to handle, that it was all worth it since you had so much fun drinking, let me tell you now that not all insurance companies offer SR-22s. Check out your insurance laws there in Spokane, WA to find out. And one last thing, stop being an idiot. Don’t drink and drive.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I just have one simple question. I’m from East Seattle Washington WA, why should I bother with auto insurance?

Jeremy

East Seattle WA

Good question, Jeremy, and actually one that we all have to be educated in. There are three general reasons why you should bother with auto insurance. First, it is required by the Department of Motor Vehicles when you register your car. You will be required a minimum liability coverage while other auto insurance coverage are optional. Of course, you can always upgrade your auto insurance when you are more financially capable. To get an idea of how much liability insurance and other auto insurance costs in East Seattle Washington WA, you can try making use of the space provided on this page. Just enter your zip code, answer a couple of questions and you will get several quotes in minutes.

If you have purchased your car from an auto loan, you will also be required to have auto insurance. the last reason, which can be the most important, is that auto insurance protects you from having to spend tremendous amount of money in cases of auto or vehicular accidents causing bodily harm or damages to the car. And depending on the kind of auto insurance you will get in East Seattle Washington WA, you will even be protected from hail, fire, theft, vandalism and any incidents which you have totally no control over.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

With all these talks about global economic crisis I am really getting nervous. I am trying to save every penny and would really appreciate it if you can give me some tips on how to get cheaper auto insurance in Federal Way Washington WA.

Tess

Federal Way, WA

Yes, Tess; it is indeed rather bleary and bleak. Everywhere around us, you hear that it can be a really bad year. Despite it all, let us not totally despair. We have survived many a crisis in the past and I’m sure that we can survive this one, too.

In some households, insurances may be the first thing to be scrapped when their finances are faced with some difficulties. In other households, however, insurances are a must. This is because the potential expense when something bad happens and you are without insurance will be enormous and can be quite crippling. It is really a matter of how risky you can afford to be.

It’s good that in your household, auto insurance is not scrapped. Apart from the fact that it is required by law, it is also one of the more handy insurances around. There are some ways on how you can save on auto insurance premiums, it just takes a little patience and research. First is to shop around for the cheapest coverage you can get around Federal Way Washington WA. Go online, type your zip code on the space you see on this page and get free quotes which you can compare side by side. The company that gives you the lowest quote online will most likely give you the lowest premium. You can lessen your coverage to include only those that you feel are utterly necessary. You can also ask auto insurance companies in Federal Way Washington WA for discounts when you install anti-theft or safety features in your car.

Finally, you increase your chances of lowering the cost of your premium if you will sustain a good driving record. This will make you attractive to insurance companies and therefore they will offer cheaper-priced auto insurance packages for you.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

With the current economic situation, we are fine tuning our budget. What can we do to lower our auto insurance premiums and find the most affordable car insurance available?

Jonas

East Seattle WA

Hi Jonas,

Thanks for your inquiry about affordable car insurance. You might be surprised that there are ways to lower your cost and find affordable car insurance. We always recommend that all insurance policies be reviewed annually. This not only serves as a good way to refresh your mind about your coverage but to make sure the riders are appropriate and that the policy is tailored to your needs. Suiting the policy to your budget is part of finding affordable car insurance.

Check your driving record to make sure it is accurate. If your have a good record, you may be entitled to a premium discount. Additionally, your policy will be more affordable car insurance if you select an annual coverage instead of a shorter term policy.

Carriers in the East Seattle area will also make your policy more affordable car insurance if you add anti-theft devices to your vehicles. To make your coverage more affordable car insurance, you may want to consider increasing your deductible.

We recommend the easiest way to find more affordable car insurance is to complete the auto insurance inquiry form on this site. You will then receive multiple proposals for affordable car insurance, which you can review at home before finalizing your decision.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle in Shoreline Washington, which car insurance is primary?

George

Shoreline, WA

If the automobile driver was at fault in the accident in Shoreline Washington and had personal injury protection (PIP) normally this would be primary and would extend to the pedestrian they caused injury to. The bodily injury liability coverages of the driver would be secondary.

The Washington State law does not require drivers to have personal injury protection coverage, but an insurance carrier must offer it to policyholders.

If you as a pedestrian is is at fault due to dodging into traffic in front of a vehicle, jaywalking or or some other negligent act, then you would need to check if you own personal injury protection coverages (if you have this as part of your own auto insurance) would cover you and if not then your own health or medical insurance.

If you know someone who was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle and suffered injuries and you need more consumer advice on how to put an insurance claim, then contact the WA Office of Insurance Commissioner directly.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know when automobile insurance companies in Spokane, WA check driving records?

Carol

Spokane, WA

An insurance carrier in Spokane, WA can check your driving record anytime. The most common times that they check your driving records are:

• when you apply initially for auto insurance coverage
• when you request a change to your car insurance policy such as adding or removing drivers, change auto insurance coverage, etc.
• when you add a car to your car insurance policy or change the covered car
• when your car insurance policy comes up for renewal
• every two renewal cycles

Some insurance providers use a random method for checking driving records. Other insurance providers randomly spot check some car insurance policy records at the above intervals. This isn’t common, however it may happen with some car insurance companies.

Tags: Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I currently have full coverage on my vehicle and I went to test drive another vehicle that is not covered. My question is, will my insurance cover it if I were to have an accident? I live in Everett, Washington.

Liv

Everett, WA

Typically this would not be covered under your auto insurance policy in Everett, Washington.

This would be covered under the used car’s owners policy or used car dealer’s policy.

Most auto dealers will have full insurance coverage on your insurance policy, which is called a garage policy. If you sign something taking responsibility for the damages then you would be responsible for those damages. It’s up to you to reject or accept the offer of a test drive based on your knowledge of potential liability.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, car dealers

Reader’s Question:

The registered owner of a vehicle is in a nursing home in Federal Way Washington state. The person has full insurance on the vehicle but cannot renew their drivers license. If someone else drives the vehicle with or without the owner in the vehicle, are they still covered?

Will

Federal Way, WA

If the owner of the car gives another person permission to drive their car typically it would be covered under their insurance. But one should always verify with the owner’s insurance provider before borrowing a friend’s car to make sure the policy would not exclude them for any reason.

If someone uses a person’s car without the owner’s permission it is unlikely that the driver would be covered if they get involve in an accident. Most insurance providers could deny a claim since the driver did not have the owner’s consent to be using the car.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I would appreciate if someone could give me details on SR22 requirements for Washington state. I think I need one due to DUI.

Sam

Seattle, Washington WA

In the State of Washington, if you commit a violation or an accumulation of violations, such as reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI) or (DWI), or refusal to test, at fault accidents or driving without insurance, the Washington DMV will mandate proof of financial responsibility in the form of SR-22 insurance. This insurance is also known as high-risk auto insurance for some auto insurance companies in Washington WA. Washington state requires for SR22 to be temporary, usually running from two to three years.
Not all auto insurance company sell SR22 insurance in Seattle, Washington. SR22 requirement for can be met in two ways: owner policy or non-owner policy. The non-owner SR22 policy will release the license if there is no car to cover by the insured, or if there is already insurance in place. Be wary though that premiums in more urban parts like Seattle could a bit higher, so a broad form SR22 is usually best. Moreover, this type of policy runs 12 months in length, and is typically $300-$600 per year in Seattle, WA.
It is good to know that there is no communication necessary between the insured and his/her regular insurance company regarding the non-owner or broad-form SR22 purchased through some companies in Seattle, WA. As almost a beneficial case always, paying a bit extra for an additional policy should pay off in the long run, and is certainly the most convenient way to fulfill the requirement in Washington WA.

Tags: cheap sr22 insurance, non-owner auto insurance, non-owner policy, sr22, SR22 filing