Reader’s Question:

I am about to get car insurance policy in Texas. Can you give me some tips here?

Jack

Corpus Christi, TX

Good day, Jack. Having your car insured can prove to be a tough task, but if you just ask around I’m sure a lot of people will help you. If I am to give you a tip on getting your car insurance, that’ll be on the requirements that the law in the state of Texas mandates. In case you do not know, different states here in this country have different laws that govern car insurance. Here in Texas (I am from Houston, by the way), there is a minimum bodily injury liability limit of $25,000 per person that is injured to a total not exceeding $50,000 for every accident. Also, $25,000 is the minimum amount for the coverage of property damage liability. In order to familiarize you to the terms, this coverage of the bodily injury and property damage liabilities are often referred to as 25/50/25. But I heard that as of April of this year, requirement for higher limits already went into effect.

I also need to remind you that Texas is a tort state. This means that in a car accident, there has to be someone who is at fault. The tort law of this state is in contrast to the no fault law of some other states. In a tort state, the person at fault in an accident and his insurance company is going to be the one responsible for all the damages.

Jack, the easiest way is actually to hire an agent that would arrange all of your auto insurance needs. I’m sure that there are some reliable ones there in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Anyways, good luck and I hope I was of some help to you.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

In the state of Texas, what will happen if I get into an accident and I was found to be at fault? Will the damages in my car be paid by my insurance?

Cris

Amarillo, TX

Typically, the party who is not at fault will be the one to claim for the reimbursement of the damages made on him and his vehicle. Your insurance company will be the one handling that in the event that you were insured during the time of the accident. Otherwise, you would have to pay the damages from your own pocket. If you are insured, the amount that your insurance company will be paying the third party would depend on how much coverage you have per bodily damage, vehicle damage, or damage property. For example, if you damaged another vehicle and you carry $50,000 in your vehicle damage insurance, then your insurance company would have to pay the third party $50,000. You may have to check with the local laws of Amarillo, TX about Personal Injury Protection because in a state where this is required, the coverage for bodily injury would have to be prioritized regardless of whose fault it was.

With regards to your vehicle, since you were found at fault, you could only claim under your collision coverage which is is included, I think, in your physical damage. Typically, this coverage is paid in the form of a deductible. The deductible may range from $100 to $1,000 depending on how much you agreed on with your insurance company. So if your damage amounted to $300 and your deductible is $500, you would have to be responsible for the whole amount and not the insurance company.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

I got into a wreck 2 months ago in our town here in Austin, Texas and my car was deemed a total loss. Can I still buy my car back?

Adam

Austin, TX

Yes, typically, in Texas (as in most other states), if your car has been found to be a total loss, you will have the option of buying it back from the auto insurance company for its salvage value - that is if you want to keep it and repair it on your own. Insurance companies usually have their own guidelines when it comes to buy back so you may have to inquire with your insurance agent there in Austin, Texas regarding the process on how to get things done with their company.

In Texas, I think you can keep your car if you are willing to deduct its salvage value from what the amount settled with your insurance company. But you have to make sure that the cost to repair the car will not exceed the car’s actual cash value. Otherwise, the insurance company will not agree with the buy back. If you need information about your car’s salvage value, you may contact your local salvage yards for estimates.

You may also ask your local government to check on how to go about the registration of your vehicle once you’ve bought it back. Typically, they know how to determine type of branded title (salvage or rebuilt) your car will have after the buy back. You would have to research on this one because it is hard to find insurance policies for a car with a branded title so I suggest you shop around for the best insurance deals to make sure you get the right coverage that you need.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Help! I hail from Dallas Texas, and I think I just got the short end of the stick from an accident. Oh, my God, my car got hit by and uninsured motorist. Although there was no serious injury or damages incurred, I’m still concerned. Is there some way for me to be protected from incidents like these in the future?

Belle

Dallas, TX

Hello, Belle! I can understand how you feel right now. It is disappointing how some motorists can be so irresponsible. I don’t know how many are out there in Dallas Texas. I am glad that there was no major damage to both you and your vehicle. Anyway, there are some measures that you can take to ensure that you are safe and protected by your automotive insurance company.

I do suggest that you take a few minutes off your busy schedule and check what you have on your insurance policy. If you are covered comprehensively, then you won’t have any trouble. But the thing is, most of the time, a great number of us regular folk don’t really drive vehicles that merit us to go with comprehensive coverage. With comprehensive coverage, as the name suggests, you get protection from acts of God, and to an extent, even automobile replacement. Other than comprehensive coverage, to add to what your state tells you to get i.e. liability coverage, you can check out Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist coverage as a substitute. This type of coverage includes bodily injuries to you, your passengers and even your authorized driver from a hit-and-run and the uninsured motorists. Have a safe drive there, Belle.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi. I found a job and recently moved to Lubbock, Texas. My insurance has just expired. Can somebody please tell me where I can get the best car insurance rates and premium coverage for my car?

Diedre

Lubbock, TX

Well, Diedre, we welcome you to Lubbock, Texas, the home of the Texas Tech University, the Warren and Myrta Bacon House, the Cactus Theater and the birth place of Buddy Holly. You will definitely love your new life here in this beautiful city. You probably have not explored this place yet because you apparently are not aware that Lubbock is a small city but you will be very surprised to find that it offers numerous products and services that cater to your different needs. We have a handful of car insurance providers within the city, as well as some more in the neighboring cities. As a matter of fact, there’s one along 82nd Street, another in 20th Street, and I believe there’s one near the University and one along 34th Street. I have already tried some of them through the years and most of them give very reasonable and attractive packages. I’d like to believe that over here, we have lower rates when compared with the other states in the country.

You may also check the pages, they are most probably listed, too, so finding them won’t be very difficult for you. Compare the packages first to see what suits you perfectly, okay? Hope you find it.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m Jenna, and I live here in San Antonio Texas. Can someone explain to me the different types of car insurance coverage? My mom’s buying me a car!

Jenna

San Antonio, Texas

There are many types of automobile insurance coverages out there, and I’m glad that you’re taking the time and putting in the effort to know. That just shows what a responsible person you are. I’ll try to differentiate the major types just as an overview. Try to learn the finer details by asking different automotive insurance companies there in San Antonio, TX.

On the top of the list is Bodily Injury and Liability. This does two things: covers you when you injure someone, and pays your legal fees, should you have any. Car Rental coverage will pay for your car rental fees when, as a result of an insurance claim, your car is indisposed and is being fixed. Collision coverage will protect you should your vehicle collide with something. For damages caused by theft, vandalism and natural calamities, you need Comprehensive Insurance. Credit Insurance will pay off your remaining auto loan balances in the event of death or permanent disability. Full Glass pays for damaged windows. No Fault coverage will pay for medical expenses of everybody that was injured regardless of who caused the accident. Medical coverage, on the other hand, pays the medical bills of your passengers and yourself if you live in an area where No Fault is not available. And finally, Liability Insurance will pay for vehicular repairs or for any damages to stationary objects that were hit.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

How can I make my teen’s auto insurance cheaper in Dallas Texas?

Paul

Dallas TX

Here are some of the tips on how you can make your teen’s car insurance cheaper in Dallas Texas.

Be sure your teen driver takes a driver improvement course. In most states they require young drivers to take a driver education class. In addition to that, most auto insurance carriers provide cheaper car insurance rates to young drivers who have taken, and successfully completed, a driver education class.

Advice your teen to do well in school since by making good grades in school some insurance company may offer discounts on their auto insurance rates.

It is cheaper if you keep your teen driver on your auto insurance policy. It is much cheaper than paying car insurance rates for a separate auto insurance policy. Also, if your teen has his or her own automobile, some insurance company offer if you have more than one vehicle in your car insurance policy.

Speak with your car insurance agent on what other discounts that is available to you and ask them how else you can get your teen’s car insurance rates lower.

Tags: auto insurance, cheap auto insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My daughter does not own a vehicle, do I still have to add her to my car insurance policy in Laredo, Texas?

Amanda

Laredo TX

Once your daughter becomes a licensed driver most insurance providers will require you to add her on your car insurance policy since she will likely have access to your car and therefore be required for coverage.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance you can remove your teen driver from your car insurance policy by buying a non-owner policy. This however is usually not a good idea since a non-owner policy just provides additional liability insurance when operating a a non-owned automobile. If your teen daughter gets into an accident while operating your automobile, neither your car insurance policy nor the non-owner policy will pay for your automobile’s damage. You might also be financially unprotected if held responsible for an accident caused by your minor teen daughter. So, if the non-owner policy is rated properly, your teen’s liability insurance might more expensive than if she was on your car insurance policy in Laredo Texas.

Tags: auto insurance, non owners insurance

Reader’s Question:

What does “doubtful and disputed claim” mean relating to auto insurance in Dallas Texas?

Harold

Dallas TX

The clause “doubtful and disputed claim” is typically in a car insurance settlement agreement. This is a way that an car insurance carrier tries to minimize their liability and risk. So basically the insurance provider is settling with you but without admitting liability.

Many car insurance settlements also have a clause “hold harmless”. This basically means that when you sign the release, the car insurance claim is over once and for all. With regards to the hold harmless clause, the insurer is saying that if you initiate legal action against the insurance company or their policy holder after signing the release you will be liable for any legal fees that they incur defending your legal action.

The purpose of this is to prevent you from changing your mind at a later time and try to get more money. In this manner if you change your mind and cause the policyholder or insurance carrier to incur defense fees they have the right to sue you to get paid back the legal cost.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

My sister recently got into an accident while driving my vehicle and she is not included in my car insurance policy. The accident however was not her fault. The repairs would cost of about $6000. I have full coverage on my automobile but I am just not sure if my insurance carrier will cover it since my sister in not included on my car insurance policy in Houston Texas. Please someone help me what I need to do.

Johnny

Houston TX

You have a lot of options actually. In Houston Texas you are required to carry property damage liability and this covers the other party’s property in case of an accident and you are found at fault. You will first need to check the other party’s insurance carrier for his property liability coverage to assist you repair the damages to your car. You will need to check with your car insurance carrier if the at fault party does not have property damage liability or no insurance at all. Since you mentioned that you have full coverage on your car, which is collision and comprehensive coverage, you may be able to file an insurance claim under your collision coverage to your car insurance company. There are sometime coverages for occasional drivers or non resident who uses your vehicle occasionally even though they are not listed in your car insurance policy. If your car insurance carrier refuses to assist you regarding your specific situation you may seek legal help to regain your loss.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance