Readers Question:

I have a 16 year old daughter who needs auto insurance in Arizona. Can you give me some tips for a cheap auto insurance rate?

Ariel

Chandler, AZ

Ariel, I can give you some tips.

Although the rates for your daughter as a teen is generally higher, it is still possible to find cheap auto insurance in Arizona - you just have to know where to look for.

Auto insurance for teens is designed to protect teenage drivers like your daughter especially if your daughter is inexperienced. Another possibility that can increase her premiums would be if she has a new license and the likelihood of her having an accident is high. Now you could disagree that anybody who just passes their driving test is a liability.

What can you do to get cheap auto insurance for your daughter? Apart from higher rates, you still have the same options as any other when it comes to cheap auto insurance policy. You can choose to take out basic third party cheap auto insurance.

There are some things that you can do to get cheap auto insurance for your daughter and that includes purchasing an older car. Your first auto should never be anything too fancy or sporty; otherwise you will have to pay a fortune on insurance. If you look around however you should be able to find a few good deals to suit her. Remember that there are things that you can do to lower her auto insurance rate. So even if she is a teenager, she can make certain changes that will lower her insurance rate.

Reader’s Question:

My sister had her license suspended in Arizona. Is she still covered by car insurance? She lives in Gilbert, Arizona.

Laura

Gilbert, AZ

Insurance provider’s guidelines and policy terms vary so if your sister was driving without a revoked license and caused an accident in Arizona, she would have to inform his insurance provider of both issues to know for certain if the accident would be covered.

The accident might be covered if her auto insurance policy was in effect at the time of the accident and there is not an exclusion in the policy for invalid licensed driver or the loss of a license. If instead her policy shows that a motorist without a valid license is not covered then she may be left without insurance coverage if she operates a vehicle during her suspension and got involve in an accident.

However, typically the license status at the time of the claim does not change the policy status and the claim would be paid. It is essential though for motorists not to operate with a suspended, revoked or expired license because the individual could be cited by police officer and their insurance may not cover them.

If your sister finds out that his current insurance policy in Arizona is ok and will cover her if she decides to operate with his invalid license it is likely that her current insurance provider will refuse to renew her policy if her license is still revoked at renewal time. So to keep her insurance policy in place at renewal time she will need to reinstate her license.

Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI conviction will affect my auto insurance rates in Arizona?

Ashton

Tucson, AZ

The Arizona Division of Motor Vehicles states that any convictions received and showing on your driving record within the past 39 months will be provided to an insurance carriers who requests a copy of your MVR.

The DPPA requires you to have a “permissible use” for requesting and receiving an MVD record which contains personal identifying information like a photograph/image, person’s driver license, social security number, driver license number, address, name and medical/disability information.

It will depend upon the rating system and the look back period of your insurance provider to know how long your car insurance rates will be affected by a DUI you were convicted of. If your insurance company can see the DUI on your MVR for 39 months then it will likely that you will have higher insurance rates during this entire period.

Reader’s Question:

My wife unknowingly drove without a insurance and license in Arizona. She was hit by another vehicle that ran a red light, driven by a young driver without a seat-belt. What should she expect?

Andy

Glendale, AZ

Typically even without having insurance on your vehicle, your wife should be able to make a claim against the at-fault party’s car insurance policy for the damages to your car.

Typically, if you operate a car without having your license then it is a traffic violation with limited fines ($35 to $150, depending on the state). As for the penalties for driving without a insurance or license, they are usually quite serious in the state of Arizona. Operating a vehicle without a license is a class 1 misdemeanor and penalties can include the vehicle being impounded, a court imposed fine of $300 or more, and 48 hours in jail .

If at the time of that accident you had car insurance but did not have proof of it in the car so were cited, you can show proof of valid insurance for that time period and have the charges dismissed. But if you do not show proof of insurance, the judge may issue a fine in addition to any action taken by the MVD.

Reader’s Question:

In Arizona, what does uninsured motorist insurance cover?

John

Phoenix, AZ

The Arizona Department of Insurance states that Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you or passengers in your car for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a motorist who has no liability coverage.

In Arizona, there is also Underinsured Motorist coverage which protects you or passengers in your car for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a driver who has insufficient insurance to cover the injuries of you or your passengers.

Uninsured motorist coverage (or UM) provides coverage for your loss of earnings ,medical bills, pain and suffering if you suffer injuries as a result of a negligent driver who lacks liability insurance, including a hit-and-run motorist. Underinsured motorist coverage (or UIM) provides coverage in the event that your damages exceed the negligent motorist’s liability coverage.