Will A Speeding Ticket Affect My Car Insurance Rate
Reader’s Question:
Hi. I would like to know how much will a speeding ticket affect my car insurance rate?
Kelly
Buffalo, NY
If this is your first ticket, it is possible that you will not see any change with your car insurance premium. However, there are other factors that is being considered so it is difficult to say.
States vary regarding car insurance laws. Typically insurance companies are not allowed to increase your car insurance rates after just one speeding ticket.
Different insurers have different guidelines regarding to raising car insurance rate. Some insurers will consider the severity of your citation and increase your premium accordingly. Also, some insurance companies will raise rates after a specific amount per violation.
Since there are various factors being considered , on the average the increase would be $50 more a year.
If you have discount on your car insurance, it is possible that that single ticket can remove the discount and may increase your base rate by two percent.
Cheap Vehicle Insurance in New York
Reader’s Question:
I am planning to purchase vehicle insurance from someone who offers the cheapest rate. My husband however says I should try to look for other firms which are more stable here in the New York area. Is he right?
Kylie
Amherst, NY
The usual thinking most car owners have is that the insurance company offering the cheapest insurance rates is the best and thus, the company they should purchase vehicle insurance from. If you are on a budget, this makes sense. However, not all vehicle insurance companies offering the cheapest rates are considered good insurance providers.
If you are looking for a dependable vehicle insurance company New York, you should not just look into the rates they are offering. You should also look into their financial standing. A good vehicle insurance company New York is financially stable and rated highly by credit rating agencies. This means that the vehicle insurance company can pay you in case you make claims.
A good vehicle insurance company New York should also have good customer support. Their customer service team should be dependable enough especially when you call them regarding your concerns about your insurance policy. You do not want to be with an insurance company that gives you a hard time when you make claims.
Do You Need Rental Vehicle Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I am from Mexico and I am going to New York for a business trip. I will be staying there for just a few weeks; however, I would still need to rent a vehicle to aid me in my work. Can I drive even with just my driver’s license? How can I get insurance if I only have my driver’s license?
Arthur
New York, NY
The International Convention on Road Traffic is formed to institute standardized reciprocal privileges on matters such as driving. This convention includes the United States and some 100 countries around the world. It includes an agreement on allowing foreign drivers to drive in the US using a private vehicle, on certain conditions only.
The NY State Department of Motor Vehicles states that a valid foreign driver’s license is considered to be valid too in the state of NY. However, this foreign driver must confirm that he is still a resident of his own country in order for the NYS to verify the validity of the foreign driver’s license. This foreign license is needed to get an international driver’s permit. This permit does not stand as a driver’s license but only a guarantee that the foreigner has a valid driver’s license in his home country.
Most car rental companies allow foreign drivers to rent vehicles provided that they are above 25 years old, have a valid license from their home country, and have an international driver’s permit.
Most insurance companies do not accommodate foreign visitors who don’t have US driver’s permit. There may be some who sell auto insurance policies but you have to show them valid foreign driver’s license and international driver’s permit. If the foreign visitor has an auto insurance policy in his home country, then he may ask the insurance carrier if they can cover a rented vehicle in the US.
Auto Insurance Question For New York Driver
Reader’s Question:
If somebody else is the primary driver on a car, can I insure and register it under my name in Buffalo, New York? I do not have a valid drivers license by the way.
Kelley
Buffalo, NY
Normally insurance companies in Buffalo, New York require you to have a valid US driver’s license before you can get insurance on a car that is titled and registered under your name. Some insurance carriers will permit you to be excluded as a driver and have someone with a drivers license to be the primary driver on the car. The driving record of the primary driver will be used as the rating factor for the car insurance rate.
However car insurance carriers differ on their guidelines and rules so you might be able to find an insurance company that may allow you to insure the car under your name and have someone be the primary drivers. Some of the reason that this may be allowed, if for instance you are elderly and turned in your license or if you have medical conditions etc.
You can shop around for car insurance carriers in Buffalo, New York to see if you can find an insurance provider that will allow you to insure a car under your name and have somebody else the the primary driver. You may also contact the NYS Insurance Department and see if they can assist you find an insurance carrier that will write a policy for you.
My Car Was Stolen In New York Will My Liabilty Insurance Cover It?
Reader’s Question:
My vehicle was stolen last week and I only have liability insurance so I am pretty sure it is not covered. Should I cancel my auto insurance in NY? Would I be held liable if the thief cause damages to other property with my vehicle?
Cory
Levittown, NY
Since you did not have comprehensive coverage on your car in NY unfortunately you are correct it is not covered for being stolen. You should still have notified your insurance companies of the car being taken without your permission and verify from your insurance broker when you should cancel your insurance policy on the car.
Typically if your stolen car has been recovered but is found to have caused damages to other cars when it was in the possession of the thief, you are not held liable for these damages. Normally to be held liable for damages caused by your vehicle, you would have to give the driver permission to operate the car.
To get consumer help about this situation, beyond what your car insurance agent can tell you, you may try contacting your state’s insurance regulator.
I Got a Speeding Ticket Will My Auto Insurance Rate Increase?
Reader’s Question:
If someone receives a first speeding ticket in Babylon, NY (that is under 14 miles per hour over the speeding limit), can insurance companies raise car insurance rate premiums?
Marie
Babylon, NY
New York state laws prohibit insurance companies from surcharging certain traffic violations. NY Insurance Department only allows surcharges to be applied during the experience period (typically three years) for specified incidents, some of which are:
- accidents causing bodily injury or death, or losses to property in excess of $1,000, where the insured driver is at fault; or
- convictions for certain violations (speeding more than 15 MPH over the legal limit, driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, operating a vehicle while attempting to avoid apprehension by a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it, operating a vehicle in a race or speed test, driving without a license or knowingly permitting an unlicensed person to drive your vehicle, or filing a false insurance claim)
Teen Auto Insurance In New York
Reader’s Question:
My teen got his driver’s license 2 years ago. He is now in college in another state. To my understanding, I was not required to inform my car insurance company about my son so I haven’t told them yet and besides they never asked me. Just recently, we purchased a new vehicle, and my son’s license came up. I got a bill from my insurance company backdated from 7/05-7/07 (what we would have paid) totaling about $1100. I really don’t mind paying more now, but backdating premiums don’t seem right. I am in Brentwood, NY.
Abby
Brentwood, NY
The New York Insurance Department allows insurance company to automatically include children of policyholders to their insurance. This is because in the event that bodily injury or property damage occurs due to that teen’s operation of the vehicle, insurers are permitted to use classifications that reflect a possible exposure for liability on the part of the insurer such a “limited use” classification. However, this reflects the reduced likelihood of an incident due to “occasional” operation by a youthful driver, and is rated lower than if that person were the “principal operator”. And in general, children living away at school (over 100 miles) are eligible for a reduced rate.
If your insurance carrier in Brentwood, NY bills you for prorated insurance charges, legally speaking there is no basis for doing this. However, your insurance company will not do so if your state does not allow it. In the first place, you should have informed your insurance company of your son’s licensing status when he first began to drive. Most insurance companies require their policyholders to list all household licensed drivers and to notify them once their child becomes licensed. Failing to do so could be found as a form of insurance fraud or misrepresentation.
It would be best to contact the NYS Insurance Department to find out for certain if receiving back charges is allowed by your state. The consumer division of this department should be able to inform you if you have a choice or not to pay these charges.
Tags: auto insurance premium, automobile, car insurance rate, teen insurance
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