Reader’s Question:

I asked for instant quotes from different automotive insurance companies here in Arizona, but all of them gave me very high prices. Now, I was thinking if I could buy cheap teen automotive insurance online. Can anyone give me advice on this?

Maria

Arivaca, AZ

You know, Maria, it is not really a big surprise that you received high amounts when you asked for quotes from automotive insurance companies there in Arizona. Even if you go online and ask for instant quotes for automotive insurance, I am 100 percent sure that you will receive the same prices. I am afraid that this is the harsh reality of teen automotive insurance. You may be puzzled because of this.

The explanation is actually simple. Automotive insurance companies all around the United States of America perceive teen drivers as hazards on the road. Even if your teen driver is a responsible driver, we still cannot deny what the statistics show. According to statistics, the sum of all accidents involving a teen driver is larger than the sum of accidents involving people who belong to the older age brackets. Since automotive insurance companies are hesitant of clients that are high-risk drivers, the result is high-costing automotive insurance premiums.

Now, the only thing you can do is try to lower the price. If you are on a tight budget, you can attempt to take some useful steps in reducing what you are going to pay for teen automotive insurance.

If you already have an existing automotive insurance policy, I suggest that you include your teen driver as one of the drivers to be covered in the policy. The discounts available for this are called multidriver discounts. Just ask for information from your automotive insurance company regarding this matter.

The next thing you can do is have your teenage kid take basic driving courses. For this, you may want to contact high schools around your area that offer basic driving courses. If not, contact private establishments that do. Finishing a basic driving course is considered evidence of your teenager’s being responsible on the road. So, automotive insurance companies become more trusting.

So, just remember that whether it is online or not, the prices would still be high unless you do something to lower them. I hope you find what you are looking for. Good luck.

Tags: auto insurance online, auto insurance premium, Car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

I let my 19-year-old son use my car once in a while. This makes me quite worried because he goes out a lot. My car insurance provider here in Arizona doesn’t exactly give good service, so I’m thinking of switching to another company. What level of service can I expect to receive from other car insurance companies out there? How much help can they be if my son ever gets into trouble?

Marilyn

Glendale, AZ

My advice is for you to first ask your auto insurance providers there in Arizona what services are available in their package. How much would that cost you? Tell them about your concerns and ask them how they normally handle such. Finally, try to ask around about how soon and how well they respond. Nothing beats experience when it comes to these things.

The companies with reputedly good service usually have trained representatives who respond to accidents in about two hours or less. They can assist you in accident scenes, your work place or your home. Several car insurance companies have partnerships with vehicle repair shops. You can directly take your car to these pre-approved shops and wait for your agent. This makes resolving your car trouble faster and generally more efficient.

If you can afford it, you can also choose car insurance providers with coverage that help you if you ever need towing, flat tire changing or delivery of fuel and fluid. If you have to rent a car because yours has been damaged, some insurers also reimburse what you spend on car rental.

Many of these services may be available 24 hours but first, ask whether or not they are. I hope this gives you peace of mind.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

Needing help in Arizona. I just bought a new car, so I won’t be using my old car anymore. The vehicle insurance on the old car is up for renewal. Should I still renew it?

Cathy

Mesa, AZ

Hi there, Cathy. That’s a great question to ask. Each state in the USA has its own policies on vehicle insurance, even for vehicles not in use. Fortunately, Arizona does not require that unused vehicles be insured. However, you should not just stop your vehicle insurance. There are some steps to take to make sure that the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicle is properly notified about the status of your vehicles. You will have to apply for de-insurance of your old vehicle with the DMV. This way, your vehicle will not be suspended for lack of insurance. I think that if you go to their website you will be able to do this online. However, if your vehicle is already de-insured, you will not be able to drive it in the streets of Arizona until you have it properly insured again. If you are caught driving this vehicle without the proper vehicle insurance, you can be fined from $500 up to $1,000 and have your vehicle registration and license suspended. If this happens, you will have an even tougher time getting insurance for any of your vehicles and your vehicle insurance rates will most likely increase. Aside from this, the state may require you to ask your automobile insurance company to file an SR-22 in your behalf before you can resume driving again.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m planning to get motor vehicle insurance here in Flagstaff, Arizona. I’m just wondering how the premium is computed. Also, I was told that I may have to pay an excess in case a wreck happens. I would like to know how it goes. Thanks!

John

Flagstaff, AZ

Hi John, first of all your motor vehicle insurance premium is computed based on many factors, therefore it entails different computations. However, you would notice that your insurance agent there in Flagstaff, Arizona may have to get certain data from you such as the type of vehicle you’re using, where it is kept or garaged, the names of drivers other than you, including their respective ages, your previous records on driving, and your insurance policies. All these may have to be considered to determine the most appropriate insurance premium for you.

For the excess that you’re asking, this refers to the amount that you may have to pay when you claim. You may refer to your insurance certificate for the types of excess. Let us not forget to read the fine print. However, there are certain exemptions to paying an excess. One is during an accident involving two vehicles and you, as the driver of one vehicle, were found to be not at fault. However, you must be able to personally state the details about the other vehicle’s driver such as his or her name, home address, contact number, and the vehicle’s registration. Also, you may be exempted during an incident wherein your vehicle is the only one involved and you as the driver are not found at fault. In this case, you should also be able to identify (and prove) the persons at fault and state their personal details (i.e. name, home address, contact number).

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My car was hit by an ambulance in Phoenix, Arizona while it was parked. Will the ambulance be liable? I don’t wanna go straight to the police, insurance or the hospital as I might be laughed at.

Rodney

Phoenix, AZ

Hi, Rodney. Accidents with ambulances are always dicey. It is always a long process under normal circumstances, if you know what I mean. When the sirens of the ambulance are wailing, you are supposed to give way to the ambulance as they are in an emergency situation. You will be asked if didn’t you hear the siren and then it will turn out that you are the one at fault and be required to take tests or something to see if you really are fit to drive.

Anyway, in your case, you are quietly parked on a side street in Phoenix, Arizona. Now, that is a different matter altogether. More or less, you can go after them as it was clear it was the ambulance driver’s fault. However, the burden of proof is on you to show that the ambulance did hit you. You can check with the nearest hospital if the driver reported the incident, and also that way, it will make things easier as the driver indeed acknowledges that he bumped a car along the way but was not just able to stop due to the urgency of the moment. But first and foremost, report the incident to your auto insurance broker to give the “how to go about it” in more details.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

When I try to register my automobile I was told that I need to get an SR22 because I have a lapse on my car insurance. I thought SR22 is only required if you get caught driving without car insurance or if you got convicted of DUI or DWI. I only have a lapse on my insurance? Is this possible? I live in Chandler, Arizona.

Tom

Chandler, AZ

Yes, it is possible in in Arizona to be required to obtain an sr22 insurance if you had a lapse on your car insurance coverage. Usually, the sr22 insurance is required as a result of a DUI or various traffic violations. Your previous auto insurance provider notify the state of Arizona if your auto insurance policy lapse, canceled or expired. After the state received notification from your insurance company that your car insurance lapsed, they will send your notification through a certified mail that you need to show proof of automobile. Your drivers license and vehicle registration will be suspended if you fail to provide proof of liability insurance to your state.

If you want to reinstate your drivers license and vehicle registration you will be required to provide proof of insurance and obtain an SR22 certificate of financial responsibility in the state of Arizona. You will have to carry and maintain an SR22 for a period of three years from your suspension date.

If you want to know more about insurance laws in the state of Arizona, you may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance. You may be able to ask them what you need to do to reinstate your drivers license if it has been suspended.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Greetings. I am a former resident of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and has just recently moved to Phoenix about a month ago due to work-related issues. I intend on settling here and have already moved in most of my stuff from Havasu. I haven’t, however, updated my my new address with my auto insurance. Will my insurance cover the cost if ever anything happens to me even if my personal information is not updated?

Noel

Phoenix, AZ

Hello, Noel. To answer your question—Your auto insurance that you acquired in Lake Havasu will cover damages and expenses to you and your car even if your residency is not updated as long as it happens within the said coverage period of your policy and as long you can provide proof of your former address, your date of moving to Phoenix, Arizona and the date of when the policy came to effect. This also means that you have to update all legal identifications including driver’s license, as well as your car registration. You may opt to do this on the next renewal of the said documents. Just be sure to provide a copy of your driver’s license, your car’s registration and police report, in case anything happens, to your auto insurance before they approve of paying for the damages. Proof of identity is what’s most important. State ID, DMV license, Social Security and other primary legal identifications is a must. However, if your auto insurance finds other inconsistencies with your personal information through your other identifications, they can assume that you might be giving false personal information.

Your auto insurance will question such inconsistencies and ask for a plausible reason for such event.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance cost