Will Out of State Speeding Ticket Affect My Washington Car Insurance Rate?
Reader’s Question:
I received a speeding ticket in the state of Virginia. What will happen to my premium in Washington? Will that increase my rate?
Robert
Thank you for asking Robert.
Washington DC state and Virginia are both member states of the Driver License Compact (DLC). This means that the reckless driving ticket that you obtained from VA will appear on your driving record in Washington DC.
The DC DMV states that motorist obtain points for certain traffic infractions, whether the offense happens in the Washington or in other states. If you are found liable at a hearing and fail to pay a ticket within the required time, or are convicted of a traffic violation in court, the DC DMV will assess points in the violation. The number of points you will get depends on the type of infraction.
If the DC assigns you points for reckless driving ticket it would be 12 points and suspension of your license. If its assessed as a speeding ticket, the points would be substantially less.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
New Car Insurance Rates in Washington
Reader’s Question:
I live in Washington. I just want to know how long do I have to get an insurance after I purchased a car?
Mikaela
Thank you for asking Mikaela.
According to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner for Washington state, the State requires individuals that drives a motor vehicle to have liability insurance. There is no grace period for liability.
In addition to that, insurance regulator for the state of Washington states that all insurance providers have different time requirements to add a newly acquired car to the insurance policy. You may contact your insurance provider to get information regarding grace period for adding that newly acquired motor vehicle to your existing insurance policy. Most dealers require physical damage coverage on the car before it leaves the dealership.
If you have car insurance already on other vehicles and purchase a new car that needs to be added to your insurance policy you may contact your insurance company to make know if your insurance policy will extend to the new car for a certain amount of time or if you must add the car immediately to the policy to be covered.
If you do not have a car insurance policy yet on any vehicles but is planning to buy a car then you will need to get car insurance before leaving the lot with the car normally.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
What Is The Fine Cost For Driving Without Auto Insurance in Washington?
Reader’s Question:
Can you please tell me the fine if I drive without an insurance in the state of Washington?
Markus
Thank you for asking Markus.
Washington State mandatory insurance law, listed in Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), states that motorist must carry with them an insurance identification card showing proof that you have a valid vehicle insurance policy. The current mandatory limits for WA are 25/50/10.
These numbers stand for:
$25,000 total for bodily injury per person,
$50,000 total for bodily injury coverage per accident and
$10,000 total for property damage per accident.
If you are found driving a motor vehicle without having proof of insurance or of the mandatory insurance law you are committing an infraction. This violation of the law is punishable by a minimum fine of $250. There may be other fees that can be added to this fine.To get more information of the exact amount of your fine you may contact the court on the ticket.
A ticket for driving without insurance is like any other moving violation and will become part of your WA driving record.
To make sure you have at least the Washington state minimum auto insurance coverages so to avoid penalties, you may contact your insurance company.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
I Live In Washington Do I Have to Pay My Out of State Ticket?
Reader’s Question:
What will my happen if I ignore the speeding ticket I received in the state of Texas? I live in Washington.
Denver
Thank you for asking Denver.
Texas and state of Washington are both members of Drivers License Compact (DLC) and Non-Resident Violator Compact. This means that member report information regarding traffic violations that a motorist received back to the person’s home state. So the court in Texas will inform the Washington Department of Licensing of your violation.
In addition to that, the Non-Resident Violator Compact requires member states to suspend or revoke the driver’s license of those who get tickets for traffic violations in other states. Since WA and TX are both part of this it looks like that if you do not take care of the issue the Texas speeding ticket that Washington State could suspend your drivers license until you did take care of the TX ticket.
You may want to read the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 46.23 regarding Washington’s participation in the Nonresident Violator Compact to get more information about it.
The ticket will likely stay with you until you take care of it. you may want to check with a traffic ticket lawyer to get more in formation information on this.
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
Washington SR-22 Auto Insurance Rates
Reader’s Question:
I was required to carry an sr-22 but wasn’t been able to make a payment for it so it was canceled. My question is this, do I need to start the three years again or should I start from the day that I canceled it? Thank you.
Eric
Good question Eric.
It depends upon the laws of the state if you will need to start all over again from the time period that you were required to carry the sr-22 or if you can start from the time where you left off before canceling the future proof of financial responsibility.
In most states you are going to have to restart after reinstating the policy with an sr-22.
In Washington State if an individual whose proof of financial responsibility has been terminated applies for a drivers license within a period of three years from the date sr22 was originally required, that application will be refused unless the motorist applying shall re-establish a proof for the remaining three-year period.
I would really suggest that you check with your WA Department of Motor Vehicles to verify what is required of you regarding the time period in which you must maintain the proof of financial responsibility or SR-22.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
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