Reader’s Question:

I am thinking of switching to a new car insurance provider because my current one in Indiana costs too much. Aside from the price, what else should I be looking for in car insurance?

Jason

Indianapolis, IN

You have to follow the State of Indiana’s financial responsibility compliance laws. To have a sufficient insurance in this state means having minimum liability insurance to pay for any damages you may cause due to negligent driving. It would also be very wise to have the collision and comprehensive insurance in effect in your future coverage if you did not have it already in your existing one. Moreover, having the protection of uninsured motorist insurance will prove to be handy in cases where you are unable to collect for damages from a driver with no coverage.

Before even switching to a new car insurance provider in the State of Indiana, you have to remember that it is essential to not have a gap in coverage. This means that even before you go ahead and cancel your current coverage, you must have the other one in effect already. This is important as you never know when accidents may happen. Having a gap in coverage can be very risky to you financially. Do some comparison shopping and get as much quotes from various insurers as you can on the Internet. Remember only to check out the websites of car insurance companies accredited in Indiana. Companies who offer competitive prices and offer promos should be the first in your list of potential new providers.

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

Reader’s Question:

I sometimes take my newly purchased car for a quick drive to the grocery store here in Illinois. I haven’t purchased car insurance for it yet. Is it really necessary?

Nicole

Springfield, IL

Whether you use your car for a quick drive to the store or use it to get to and from the office, having car insurance is necessary. Illinois and all the other states each have their own financial responsibility laws. Some are stricter, and others are more lenient. But one basic fact remains, a person must have the capacity to be financially responsible for any damages or bodily injuries he or she may cause while operating a motor vehicle on the public roads. Simply put, that means every driver must have car insurance.

As the different states have varying degrees of severity in their financial responsibility laws, the penalties for driving without car insurance also vary. In some states, it could be suspension of driver’s license for a certain period of time. In others, it could be suspension of the vehicle’s registration. In other states, it could amount to imprisonment. Still in others, it could be as light as simply paying a fine.

In Illinois, first time offenders get their driver’s license suspended and are fined a minimum of $500. If following the law or the consequences of violating it is not enough motivation for you to purchase car insurance, then think about your personal assets. By not having coverage you’re putting them at grave risk. You never can tell when you’ll get into an accident, and you can’t predict how bad the damages are going to turn out, either. Without auto insurance coverage, you’re going to have to dig deep into your pockets to pay for the resulting expenses.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, car insurance law, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

What are the car insurance requirements in Virginia?

Adam

Virginia Beach, VA

The State of Virginia has very lenient regulation on car insurance requirements. All of its residents who own and drive a motor vehicle need to obtain uninsured motorist insurance. This apparently results from the fact that its drivers are not obligated to acquire liability insurance of any sort. The number of uninsured drivers in this state amount to 10% of the total drivers’ population. This means that for every ten drivers on the road, one of them has no coverage at all. And getting involved in a traffic accident with this uninsured individual may cost you a fortune in medical payments and car repairs. So, it would be very imprudent to drive and not have any insurance at all to back you up. Obtaining at least the minimum liability car insurance to further protect you from any untoward road accident could prove to be handy in the future. This insurance will kick in to assist you in paying for damages to the other driver. It will pay for needed treatment to injuries sustained form an accident where you were found to be liable. The other driver’s vehicle can also be repaired at the car insurance company’s expense. If you have the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in effect at the time of the accident, then you will not have to shoulder the expenses for the hospital bills provided that the costs incurred are within the coverage limits.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, car insurance, liability insurance