Reader’s Question:

I am preparing a lot of things because I am going through a divorce at the moment. How will my divorce affect my car insurance here in Houston, Texas?

Teri

Houston, TX

You may be going through a tough and distressing time due to your divorce. But this is also just the right moment to re-visit your car insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstances, perhaps you are now the only full-time driver in the household and this could mean that your premiums might increase. What could be harder is that it may rise higher than you could pay for. But there are certain things that you could do to try and maintain your rates down.

Your present car insurance provider in Houston, Texas might have given you excellent insurance coverage and rates at the time you were married but that does not mean it won’t change once you become single again. This is the time that you have to shop around and take a glimpse at your car insurance policy. The things that you needed when you were married could no longer be necessary when you’re single. You might have lost extra income so think about getting higher deductible or cancel your collision and comprehensive coverage. You may not want to do that but these things can make a substantial difference in your car insurance rate.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance rates

Reader’s Question

My car insurance rates here in Corpus Christi, Texas are killing me! Is there anything I can do to lower how much I pay my car insurance company?

Scarlett

Corpus Christi, TX

We all know car insurance is a necessity. Who wouldn’t mind getting a few hard-earned dollars saved? especially with the current state of the economy recently. Luckily there are a number of ways that the average car owner can save money on their car insurance expenses both in the short- and long term. Here’s a few suggestions to start saving on car insurance:

Keep what you need – review your current policy, does it seem to have a lot of fancy features and coverages that promises protection even until the end of the world? Guess what? you probably don’t need them all. Focus on your comprehensive coverage and see if the events listed could really happen to you and if its still worth keeping.

Be a safer driver – Did you know that taking those defensive driving classes can actually qualify you for discounts off your monthly premium? Talk to your insurance agent to get a list of accredited Drivers Education schools there in Corpus Christi, Texas. You also get the added benefit of actually learning skills to stay safe while on the road.

Higher Deductible and Longer payment plan – A higher deductible would mean a lower recurring insurance premium and you may even be able to protect your rates from fluctuating higher with a longer payment scheme like annual payments instead of monthly.

Tags: auto insurance, auto warranty, auto warranty deals, automobile

Reader’s Question:

My sister is staying with me here in Houston Texas for the next two years and I’ve lent her one of my cars so she can go to and from school. Do you think I should designate her as primary driver of this car when I renew the auto liability insurance next year?

Addison

Houston TX

I’d love to have a sister like you, Addison! My sister blows a fuse when I even borrow one of her clothes.

Let me see, well, the rule of thumb is: she who drives the car most often should be named as the primary driver. If your sister intends to use the car everyday, then she should be designated as the primary driver then all other members of your Houston Texas TA household can be named as secondary drivers.

However, if your sister presents a higher risk than you, then you may want to rethink the rule of thumb. You see, the insurer will base its computations of auto insurance premiums on the designated primary driver’s projected mileage, age and driving experience, sometimes even that person’s credit-worthiness. You can actually check how much this impacts on the premiums by getting some online quotes. Just type in your zip code in the form on this site and you can get some free quotes from insurers in Houston Texas TA.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you remember to disclose all the drivers in your household so that you are not suspected of misrepresentation, which could be grounds for denial of coverage.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

This is the first time I’ve ever owned a vehicle and I’ve been meaning to get auto insurance but don’t know what to ask or who to ask here in Irving Texas TX. Can you please give me tips on what type of auto insurance I need to get?

Alexander

Irving Texas TX

Hi there, Alexander. Congratulations on your new car! You know, the law here in Irving Texas TX states that you can’t drive without enough coverage for damages you may inflict on people or things while driving. In fact, the law further specifies a minimum 20/40/15 liability coverage. These three numbers are often referred to as liability limits – the 20 and the 40 means that the insurer provides $20,000 coverage for each person injured with a total of $40,000 per accident while the 15 means that the insurer will cover up to $15,000 worth of damage to property. Remember that any costs in excess of the coverage would have to be shouldered by you; hence, remember to ask what other liability limit levels are being offered by your local insurer.

There are other types of coverage which you can ask about such as:
- personal injury protection;
- medical payments coverage;
- uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage;
- collision coverage; and
- comprehensive coverage.

To help you decide on what you need, I suggest that you key in your zip code in the space indicated on this site to receive free quotes from insurers in Irving Texas TX. Three or four quotes should provide you with an idea, not only of the available liability limits, add-ons and features but also the corresponding costs. A holistic approach to decision-making should give you the best value for your money. Don’t be afraid to ask your insurer for specifics!

Tags: auto insurance, First time driver car insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My dad’s driver’s license is due to expire at the end of the year. We’d like to advise him not to renew it anymore because he’d be turning 75 years old. I was wondering, though, would it still be possible for him to keep the car as well as the auto insurance policy here in Pasadena Texas TX? We just want to make sure he doesn’t feel like he’s trapped at home.

Hannah

Pasadena Texas TX

Well, Hannah, there are US states which allow a person in his advanced age to own a car even without a valid driver’s license just as long as he has a state identification card. Unfortunately, keeping the auto insurance coverage is not as simple because senior auto insurance companies in Pasadena Texas TX usually require a licensed driver to be listed on the auto insurance policy. Sometimes, senior citizens who opt not to continue driving designate or name a fully licensed driver to get senior car insurance; hence, it’s not entirely impossible for your dad to continue his senior car insurance policy.

May I suggest that you first ask for quotes from at least five insurance companies which offer senior car insurance in Pasadena Texas TX. You can do that online just by entering your zip code on the form on this page. These potential insurers offer different terms and premiums based on the extent of senior auto insurance coverage you require for your dad. Don’t worry because you get the quotes for free.

The online quotes will give you a better idea of the options available to your dad in Pasadena Texas TX; once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can probably contact the insurer directly regarding any other requirements they may have.

Tags: auto insurance, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My work involves a lot of driving across the State so I plan to rent a car for the duration of my contract here in Abilene Texas TX so I don’t have to worry about car maintenance. Is there some kind of insurance I can get to ensure I get my money back if the rental company gives me a defective car?

William

Abilene Texas TX

Hi William! Renting appears to be a more popular option these days. I think it’s perfect for when you only need to stay temporarily in an area for work. Besides, it saves you from having to shell out a lot of money to buy a car then quite soon after having to find a buyer for the car you can’t bring to your next destination. I agree; it sure is a relief not having to worry about maintenance, especially since you expect to drive across the state so often.

You are also right to worry about auto coverage even while you opt to use a rented car for the duration of your contract in Abilene Texas TX. You may want to consider rental reimbursement coverage – it allows you receive a specified amount to cover the costs of another rental car in case the one you were using breaks down. Different insurance companies offer different premiums and packages so you may want to compare your options. If you enter your zip code in the space on this page, you can get free quotes from insurers in Abilene Texas TX.
You may also want to look into towing and labor coverage since you expect to be driving long distances. In case your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it should help to ease your mind if you know you’re covered.

Tags: auto insurance, rental car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I was found guilty of drunk driving just a couple of months ago here in Dallas, Texas. And I’m actually dead worried that it might affect my car insurance. Is there a possibility that my car insurance rate will increase to the highest? Is there any chance of pulling myself off from this?

Dan

Dallas, TX

In accordance of the fatal accidents on the road, alcohol-related accidents are actually most of the reasons why car accidents happen. Whenever you are driving drunk in Dallas, Texas or anywhere for that matter, it’s either you are risking your life or other innocent people’s life. And of course aside from these risks, you will get yourself convicted and at the same time you will get a serious penalty from your Car Insurance.

You will only get yourself from the penalties of your car insurance when you are lucky enough that they didn’t see your record yet, for insurance companies check your record only once in three years. There is also a chance that your conviction of drunk driving is still not on the record. I should also advice if your record hasn’t been check yet, that you should not apply for another policy- But if you are unlucky enough that your insurance company found out and had classified you as a “high-risk driver” then the best thing to do is to shop all over at the beginning as for all car insurers vary in rates. But surely your rate will be higher but that’s not the least of your problems sine your policy could be withdrawn or couldn’t be restored.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Questions:

Are there any punishments for those who don’t have any car insurance here in Abilene, Texas?

Jess

Abilene, TX

In Texas, every running or non-running vehicle should be insured. You cannot even register your car if it is not insured. Getting a Car Insurance in Abilene, Texas is not that complicated that you will have problems with it. In this state, just like other states, if you have a car, the bank or other finance companies pursue in offering you a comprehensive and collision insurance. For in this matter, they can have full compensation if you had a severe accident for they are still legally of their car.

If you still haven’t gotten yourself insured even with the simplicity of availing a Car Insurance, here are some of the penalties that you may encounter. This starts with a fine between $175 and $350 for the first offense. And if still haven’t taken seriously about this law then on your second and third offense, the fine will be much higher. And if still stubborn enough to follow the law, then you just have to prepare yourself for your driver’s license suspended and car to be locked away. And this is called “Surchargeable Violation” for you have to pay not only the fine for the ticket but also you have to pay every year for three years for the additional penalty.

Tags: car insurance

Reader’s Question:

It’s my first time to have a car of my own and I can’t just put two and two together since they can’t register my car without any insurance. What are the requirements for me to avail Car Insurance here in Austin, Texas? Is it necessary to just get the minimum coverage?

Elle

Austin, TX

Yes, it is really a policy in Texas that you have to get your car insured first before you can register it. The requirement to have car insurance in Austin, Texas is actually not complicated and not devious. You just have to sustain a Car Insurance for a single vehicle you own—one insurance per car. A Car Insurance is not only to protect you in case of accidents or harm to your vehicles that only concerns the road but for also for any damage you may get.

The policy you must get should at least have the minimum coverage. The minimum coverage is only the State Of Texas requires. But you have to bear in mind that the minimum coverage will not be able to cover your fault. Just like for example if you got a direct monetary responsibility and loss if you are found to be at the wrong place at the wrong time of the accident. To be true, the direct settlements can be much higher than you have expected. And for this, you might have to pay it from your savings. To be frank, I highly recommend you to get a higher insurance policy for you will uncover that it won’t heave the premium much.

Tags: car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I haven’t gotten into an accident here in Waco, Texas and I know that in case I get into one, I am required to pay a deductible. Is there such a thing as zero deductible car insurance so that I wouldn’t have to pay for any damage or injury?

Orville

Waco, TX

The deductibles in your car insurance in Waco, Texas is the amount of money that you would have to pay if you get into an accident before your car insurance kicks in to pay for the rest of the damage or injury in the accident. For you to be able to have a zero deductible car insurance, you need to know first if the state of Texas would allow you to have that. Some of the states only have conventional insurance plans that are subjected to have deductibles.

You may also want to contact a car insurance agent and talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a car insurance policy which doesn’t have deductibles. You can also search the Internet and explore through several car insurance policies that are offered by the larger insurance providers. After that, compare each quote that you get and you will discover that zero deductibles have higher insurance rates but it’s gonna be worth it in case you get into an accident. Then check if you are qualified to have zero deductible car insurance policy because if you have been to a number of accidents, you’re probably not gonna be qualified to have that.

Tags: auto insurance