Reader’s Question:

Hi. My grandfather is 82 years old and lives in Texas. Recently, he lost his driving privileges because he failed an eye exam. Can he still get auto insurance coverage even if he no longer has driving privileges?

Carrie

Pasadena, TX

Auto insurance companies usually don’t offer coverage to someone who does not have driving privileges. However, a senior citizen is an exemption. Senior citizens who lost or voluntary surrenders his or her driver’s license should be able to find auto insurance coverage. This is, of course, does not mean that he still has permission to drive because of the insurance coverage. This means that he can still have someone drive his or her car and know that the car and passenger are covered by auto insurance.

Senior citizens would usually get high premium when applying for auto insurance coverage. That’s a fact. Teenagers and senior citizens are bundled together in this category.

Upon finding an auto insurance company, your grandfather will have to list himself as part of the excluded list of the people with driving privileges that will be driving the car. Your grandfather will need to declare himself as a non-driver and list down the people that he allows to drive the car around.

Finding auto insurance with this type of scenario in Texas is harder because the primary driver or the owner of the insurance will not be the basis of the policy rate. Determining the policy rate and premium will depend on the listed drivers of the policy.

Tags: auto insurance premium, car insurance, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My friend drives my car every now and then here in Texas. He is listed in my auto insurance policy, and he also has his own auto insurance. Now, if he gets in an accident, is it true that his auto insurance will be the one that covers the damage?

Charlene

Austin, TX

Charlene of Texas, you would be wrong. If your friend figures in an accident while driving your car, your auto insurance policy will be the one to step in and handle things. You will be the one who will file a claim. Since your friend is listed as a driver in your policy, this accident will surely be covered.

If your driver friend is the one at fault, your collision coverage will step in. Collision coverage handles accidents where the driver of the car that’s insured is the one at fault. In other words, if the accident has something to do with the driver’s driving skills, collision coverage is the part of your policy that steps up. But if your driver friend is not the one at fault, the other driver’s insurance will have to shoulder the damages.

If your friend was at fault, there is a chance that his or her auto insurance coverage will be included in the equation. If the amount of the damage far exceeds the amount stipulated by your auto insurance policy, your friend’s auto insurance policy will cover the remaining cost. You may need to check the details of your and your friend’s auto insurance policies to be really sure on this.

Unfortunately, even if it wasn’t you who was driving the car, the auto insurance claim will go on your record, and it will affect your auto insurance rate when you renew your coverage.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, collision insurance coverage, non owners 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:

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:

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

Reader’s Question:

I would appreciate if anyone could explain to me SR22 requirements in Arlington, Texas TX. What triggers to require me to get SR22 in Texas?

Barry

Arlington, TX

Violations that trigger an SR22 requirement in Texas would include, but are not limited to: DUI, driving without insurance, reckless driving, or acquiring too many points within a certain period of time. There will be a 2-year period that a filing must be held in Texas. The state of Texas TX will determine the amount of time, and a policy will need to be maintained until that date, or your license will be suspended. Your local insurance company in Arlington, Texas and the DPS office will communicate to assure that the policy is kept in force. As long as the SR22 policy is maintained, your license will remain valid on either a hardship or occupational status.

You have 2 options within the state of Texas to accomplish the SR22 requirement, and get your license reinstated or avoid license suspension. In either scenarios, state minimum liability insurance limits of 20/40/15 must be maintained. In addition to that, you can insure your vehicle in a traditional manner, and obtain the SR22 as an attachment to the policy you have in Arlington. You can have this with liability-only or full coverage, depending on the type and age of the vehicle insured.

Your second option is to obtain a non-owner policy with the liability limits applied to you, and with coverage for vehicles that you operate but do not own. Also called a non-owner SR22 policy, this can also be used if you own a vehicle and already have coverage in place. This way you will not have to involve your existing insurance company in Arlington, TX, and you can still take care of the license problem. This could also apply if you are not a resident of Texas, but have moving violations within the state from past occurrences. The non-owner SR22 is the most popular product so far, mainly for the discretion it provides.

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

Reader’s Question:

I find credit scoring as a way to determine my auto insurance premium rates quite discriminatory and if there is anything I do about this.

Tony

East Jefferson, Texas TX

Government studies in Texas have found that insurance scoring has a disparate impact on young people, the poor, and racial minorities. Many of these proprietary formulae count the use of ‘alternative financing’ against you. Young people, the poor, and racial minorities are more likely to use alternative financing, insurance scoring disproportionately affects them, pushing consumer advocates to fight these scoring models in court.

No one really knows if insurance companies will continue using these scoring formulas once the legal dust settles, but in the meantime be happy that you never run out of options. In fact, you can always shop around for many auto insurance companies out there in East Jefferson, Texas who want to close a sale from you. Not every car insurance company in Texas TX uses credit information in the same way. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars each year by finding the insurer in East Jefferson, Texas who views your credit history most favorably.

On an interesting note, a recent Consumer Reports study found that a customer with a neutral insurance credit score had identical premiums with two companies. After altering his credit information, his premiums went up by 29% with Company A, but a staggering 47 % with Company B!

You probably don’t know if you are with a Company B right now. The only way that you can find out for your benefit is to get multiple quotes online until you find the best car insurance rates will surface in your favor. This site allows you to do that so feel free to get free quotes at no obligation at all!

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, auto insurance application

Reader question:

Can I get a cheap Texas SR22 for non owner drivers?

Malcolm

Thank you for your question, Malcolm.

First of all, let me give those who don’t know an idea of what ceap Texas SR22 insurance for non owner drivers is: essentially, if you don’t own a car, yet have the need to sit behind a wheel once in awhile, be it for work or leisure, then you have the option of getting your license reinstated by purchasing a non owner drivers insurance policy. You will be required to pay higher than average rates and will also only receive limited coverage for it, but it is the only option in many cases.

Now, to your question about cheap Texas SR22 for non owner drivers, it certainly is possible. Mainly, you will have to just compare rates among companies until you find something favorable, but you can also add on discounts to your policy. These are harder to find than discounts for people who own cars, but they do exist. One of them is taking a defensive driving class, and another is buying your car insurance from the same company as you buy your other types of insurance from.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Q: Does having bad credit make my Abilene SR22 car insurance rates go up, and how do I fix it if it does?

A: A bad credit history puts you in a demographic of drivers who file claims more frequently than the rest of people who have a good credit history, and since that adds more risk onto your already very risky Abilene SR22 policy, then you’re likely to have some rates which are through the roof at first and you’ll also probably have trouble getting insured at all.

If you want to have cheaper Abilene SR22 rates, then you need to work on improving your credit history. You will have to do three things to do this: first, in order to get rid of your bad credit, you will have to get any inaccurate items removed from your credit report, and then you will have to pay off what remains; then, you will have to start building good credit, perhaps by applying for a credit card, spending a small amount, and then paying it all off every month.

When you begin paying off your debt to improve your Abilene SR22 rating, it’s important to start paying off the debts which have the highest amount of interest on them so they don’t keep getting bigger.