Auto Insurance Companies Washington
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know when auto insurance companies in Washington 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.
Tips For Cheaper Rates On Auto Insurance in Washington
Reader’s Question:
Cheers to my promotion in Washington! I will soon be eligible to buy a brand car and I am both excited and anxious. Anxiety results from my ignorance with auto paper works and insurance. So what do I need to know when buying auto insurance policy in WA?
Matty
Bellingham, WA
Congratulations, Matty!
If you want to save on your car insurance here are a few tips that can help you as you search for vehicle insurance.
The best thing you need to do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to shop around to check what other prices are out there. If the auto insurance price is higher you know you are where you need to be and if you find a lower car insurance rate you always have the option to change.
Another way to lower your car insurance premium is by increasing deductibles. The portion of money you pay before the insurance carrier pays for injuries or damages is called a deductible. You may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your car insurance policy if you choose the highest deductible that you can afford.
Some insurers provide various discounts so make sure you ask if there are insurance discounts that you can take advantage of. You may obtain insurance discounts for lower mileage usage if you live close to your job. Discounts are also given for safety features such as anti-lock breaks and airbags. So make sure you always ask for discounts when buying auto insurance in Bellingham Washington.
The best way to save on you car insurance premium is to maintain a good driving record. Your driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the car insurance premium rate will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, without accidents or traffic violations on your driving history, your rates will be cheaper compared to those with violations on their driving record.
Washington Car Insurance Quotes
Reader’s Question:
How long after purchasing a vehicle do you have to obtain insurance in the State of Washington? What do I need to do to get a free quote?
Carl
Spokane, WA
According to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner for Washington state, the State requires individuals that operates a motor vehicle to have liability insurance. There is no grace period for car insurance liability.
The Washington state insurance regulator states that all insurance providers have different time requirements to add a newly acquired car to the policy. You would need to verify with your insurance company to know if there is a grace period for adding that new car to your existing policy.
If you do not already have an car insurance policy on any cars but are purchasing a vehicle then normally you will need to get insurance before leaving the lot with the vehicle. You can provide an insurance provider information on the car in advance so that the policy can be started.
To get a quote, just ask, call, email or submit your zip code to the advertisers to start the quote process.
Washington Auto Insurance Rate
Reader’s Question:
I received a speeding ticket followed by an accident 30 days after in Washington State. How long will this affect my auto insurance rate?
Kevin
Bellevue, WA
Insurance providers in Washington may charge you more if you have been involved in an accident or have been convicted of one or more moving violations. This is referred to as surcharge. In addition to that, the more claims you file, the more likely your auto insurance rates will increase.
Since the Washington State insurance regulator does not provide any information that suggests the state has a restriction then it will be up to the individual insurance companies’ rating system to determine how long the citations and accident can affect your auto insurance rates. An insurance company will normally rate you on traffic violations and accidents for a period of 3, 5 or 7 years.
Basically the WA DOL ticket and the accident will both stay on your driving record for five years so it likely will be 3 or 5 years that your insurance company will rate you on these incidents. To find from your current insurance carrier and find out how long the speeding ticket and accident (plus claims if there were ones made) can affect your car insurance rates contact your agent.
Do I Need to Have Proof Of Auto Insurance in Seattle Washington
Reader’s Question:
What will be the fine for driving with insurance but without your proof of insurance card in your car? I live in Seattle, Washington.
Rose
Seattle, WA
If you fail to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance in Seattle Washington, its is a traffic infraction and is subject to penalties as set by the supreme court under RCW 46.63.110. According to RCW 46.63.110 an individual found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed $250 for each offense but there are other associated fees that may be added to the penalty amount.
So If you drive without proof of insurance in Seattle Washington, it is punishable by a minimum of $250 fine. There are other assessments and fees that can be added to this fine so it typically costs about $450.
So it looks like that with proper documentation that you were insured at the time of your citation for operating a vehicle without insurance then the court should dismiss the ticket and you will only need to pay administrative costs of $25. You may also contact the WA court listed on your ticket to find out what insurance documentation you will need to bring and to make sure that the fee amount has not changed.
Teen Driver Insurance Washington
Reader’s Question:
My daughter just got her license and I would like to know if it is better for her to get her own policy or should she be listed on ours?
Anna
Seattle, Washington (WA)
It is usually less expensive and easier for a newly licensed teenage motorist to be added to their parent’s car insurance policy than to start up their own insurance policy, especially if it is a teen and they do not own their own car. If your daughter does own her own vehicle then she may get her own insurance policy, but if she is a minor than a parent or guardian will need to sign on the contact with her.
If you have not already done so, inform your car insurance provider that your has become licensed. At this time they should be able to inform you if they require you to add her to your insurance policy or how to set up her own policy on her vehicle.
WA Auto Insurance Quote
Reader’s Question:
My son received a speeding ticket in the state of Nevada, is it true that this will not go in his driving record in the state of Washington. What if you get involved in an accident and its not your fault, will it still be put in your driving record?
Sarah
Thank you for asking Sarah.
States records on a driver’s motor vehicle records (MVR) if an accident has occurred involving them, but do not assign who is at fault. Collisions involving non-commercial cars stays on the individual’s driving record for 5 years from the date of collision. Collisions that involves commercial cars remain on the record for 10 years.
The state of Washington documents accidents on your driving record to show involvement, but the WA Department of Licensing (DOL) does not determine fault for the collisions.
Regarding the speeding ticket that your son received, both NV and WA are members of the Drivers License Compact. This means that Nevada’s DMV should share the information regarding the moving violation to Washington’s DOL.
Some states that are part of this Compact do not to assess points or put the out of state infraction on the individual’s driving record, but others do.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Should I Change Washington Car Insurance Companies Every 6 Months?
Reader’s Question:
I have an international license and Im currently here in Washington for 6 months and Im thinking of buying a car here. Is it possible to change insurance companies every month?
Rina
Thank you for asking Rina.
It will be not easy to get around the issue of getting a US license for insurance on a car by changing insurance provider every month or so. It is difficult to get car insurance with a foreign or international license at first. If you start to terminate auto insurance every few weeks it will show up when you are trying to get new insurance. Insurance providers will likely see this as a red flag and not want to insure you.
Usually, the Department of Motor Vehicle keeps tabs of insurance polices, when they terminate or lapse, to make sure a vehicle is not without insurance. Switching insurance companies so often might cause the Department Motor Vehicle to become questionable. If you want to buy a car, look into getting Washington state license.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
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