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
Will Seat Belt Violation Cause My Car Insurance To Go Up?
Reader’s Question:
I received a seat belt violation in Yonkers NY and I would like to know if this may cause for my auto insurance to go up? I also heard that this violation may take off my insurance discount, is this true? I live in a New York state.
Denver
Yonkers, NY
If this seat belt offense is your first and only minor moving violation in New York State then it should not cause a surcharge to be added to your car insurance policy.
If you already have other traffic violations on your NY driving record then an infraction of this seat belt violation could cause your insurance rates in Yonkers NY to rise but if this is your first minor moving violation then a surcharge would not be charged and therefore your premiums would not be raised due to only this citation.
Your insurance company may take off a safe driver discount, etc for a traffic violation though so you should check with your insurance agent or company for information on your insurance company’s rating system.
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