Category: DUI Lawyer Questions

Can I Take My Son Off My Arizona Insurance Policy If He Got a DUI?

| August 1, 2009

My youngest son, who is a named driver on my car insurance policy here in Arizona, was charged with DUI. Is it possible to just take him off my policy and ask him to get his own car insurance without having an effect on my policy?

Garett

Deer Valley, AZ

The guiding principles and rating systems of car insurance companies vary so you have to check with your insurer in Arizona to determine if your son’s DUI will have an effect on your car insurance premiums. If he is still under your car insurance policy, it is possible that your car insurance premiums will increase because of his DUI charge since alcohol-related violations are generally taken seriously by car insurance companies.

As you understand, the driving history of any licensed driver on a car insurance policy or in a household could affect the car insurance rates and the insurer’s choice to insure the car. Some violations could be a reason for the car insurance company to refuse to insure you or to ask you to pay higher car insurance rates.

You must determine what you would have to do to take off or rule out your son from your car insurance policy by getting in touch with your car insurance agent. In the event that your son gets his own car insurance policy, you are most likely be asked to present a proof of his policy to your car insurance provider so that he can be taken off as a driver on your car insurance coverage. In case your car insurance premiums go up, then you have to begin shopping around for new car insurance policy.

What are the Penalties for DWI in Arizona?

| April 5, 2009

2 days ago I was charge with DWI and Im wondering what the penalty for that in Arizona. Will I lose my license? How much is the increase with my car insurance?

Franz

Chandler, Arizona AZ

Any driver in Arizona that has a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% while driving or is in actual control of a vehicle can be convicted of a DWI or Driving While Intoxicated if caught. This level of BAC has shown to significantly impair a driver’s ability to effectively drive, making it more likely for a drunk driving accident to occur. Anyone convicted of a DWI can expect costly fines and jail time. One would also need to carry a DWI insurance coverage one he/she is allowed to drive again.

The state of Arizona has the following punishments for a DWI offender: $450 fine + $500 DWI Assessment, up to 10 days in prison, and 30 – 360 day license suspension for the 1st offense. $900 fine + $1,250 DWI Assessment, 90 days incarceration, and one year license suspension plus the need to install (at the offender’s expense) of an Interlock Ignition Device after the 2nd offense.

3rd time offenders are fined $1,350 + $250 DWI assessment and an additional $1500 Aggravated DWI assessment, 4 months incarceration, and three years license suspension. All vehicles owned by the driver must have the Interlock Ignition Device.

Getting the right kind of DWI insurance policy is important not only because it is a state requirement, but also because it can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your auto insurance coverage. The Web is a great resource for anyone looking to get the most affordable DWI insurance coverage today.

With the many dedicated online DWI specialists and auto insurance portals, these days it only takes a few minutes to access and compare the latest DWI insurance rates, coming from a variety of specialized auto insurance companies and providers, for the most affordable insurance policy in the market. These portals save you time and effort, while helping you get your life back on the road as quickly as possible.

What is the Minimum Liability Insurance in Arizona?

| February 20, 2009

How much car insurance do I need if I decide to just get liability coverage here in Arizona? I was told that I can get the cheapest car insurance if I go with just the minimum coverage.

Sandy

Glendale, AZ

It is really hard to understand the ins and outs of car insurance and a lot of people find it to be so confusing. As part of car insurence, liability coverage would be for bodily injury and property damage. This type of insurance coverage would pay for the damages and injuries you caused to other people in an accident up to the limits of your car insurence policy. It is required for you to get at least the minimum required liability coverage in Arizona which is said to be the cheapest car insurence.

Liability coverage would pay for the medical expenses of an injured individual and for property damage that may have incurred in an accident you cause. In the event that your car insurence policy provides coverage in case you get sued by the other party, your insurance would pay for an attorney for your defense.

To get the cheapest car insurence in the state of Arizona, you can go with the minimum requirement for liability coverage which is 15/30/10. This means $15,000 for bodily injury for a single individual, $30,000 for bodily injury for all the individuals involved and $10,000 for property damage.

What to Look for in A DUI Insurance Companies

| February 11, 2009

I got a DUI here in Arizona and I need to get SR22 as soon as possible for me to drive again. I’m reviewing several insurance companies so I need to find out, what do I have to know about insurance companies before I go with them?

Edward

Coconino, AZ

Following a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in the state of Arizona, you will be mandated to keep high risk insurance commonly known as SR22 insurance. SR22 for DUI is submitted for you by your car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The filing of SR22 for DUI can be done immediately if this would be done online.

If you are in the process of selecting which insurance company to go with for your SR22 DUI, you have to consider one too many things aside from the amount you have to pay. These things include:

–the kind of insurance company you are doing business with
–availability of SR22 insurance policies in your area
–the type of coverage available for your SR22 DUI
–their guiding principle in terms of cancellation and suspension

Perhaps the most crucial thing you have to consider is their cancellation and suspension rules that are included in every policy they have. A number of insurers will terminate your policy and notify the DMV in case you’re even one day late with your premium payment. The DMV then suspends your driver’s license again until you have gotten another insurance company to cover you for SR22 DUI insurance. You have to focus on the numerous restrictions they give you with this concern.

What Insurance Coverage Do I Need When Renting a Vehicle?

| December 11, 2008

I have auto liability insurance here in Arizona and we usually rent a car whenever we travel. What coverage from the rental car company do I no longer need to buy?

Harry

Scottsdale, AZ

Since you have auto liability insurance in Arizona, your own coverage will take effect first in case you get involved in an accident wherein you are at-fault. Also, keep in mind that you do not have to pay any deductible for auto liability insurance.

Rental vehicle company protection for unintentional demise and personal property coverage may not be necessary if you have coverage for health, homeowners or renters and life insurance. That additional coverage will only provide you useless “double coverage” because you are already paying for them on your own insurances. Normally, if you have MedPay coverage from your car insurance or if you have health insurance, it will pay for any medical expense, no matter what vehicle you drive. Your homeowners insurance generally provides coverage for personal property if it is stolen or damaged while in your vehicle. Also, your life insurance would apply anyhow you meet your demise.

Prior to renting a car, you have to go over your car and homeowners insurances so that you know which protection you have while using a rental car. Also, go over the things that the rental vehicle company offers and make a comparison on the coverage that you have. Through this, you could stay away from purchasing coverage that is not necessary.

How To Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discount on your Car Insurance

| December 5, 2008

I heard about this low-mileage discount that can reduce my car insurance costs here in Arizona. How can I possibly qualify for this and could you give me some tips in reducing my mileage?

Sawyer

Gilbert, AZ

Fuel prices are increasing that is why more Americans use public transportation, carpool and combine their errands to lessen their driving. A number of insurance providers are currently offering discounts for low-mileage motorists. Those who drive not more than 15,000 miles annually could save as much as 54% on their auto insurance premiums. The increase in fuel prices is becoming a critical subject in the US and apparently, most of the drivers would like to cut down on their use of fuel. Some car insurance companies would like to inform their consumers about whatever it is they could do to save money.

To be able to cut back on fuel, you could do the following:

–Keep the proper maintenance program of your car so that it can aid in avoiding damage and lessen the costs for future repairs.

–Keep the engine tuned and the tires inflated because if the car runs smoothly, this would boost your car’s miles per gallon.

–Clean your vehicle by removing extra clutter on your car so that you could lessen the weight and boost your car’s miles per gallon. However, make certain that you still have important things in the car such as your emergency kit.

–Prevent quick stops and quick starts because they could boost your car’s gas mileage.

–Arrange your trips such as combining errands into one trip. This way, you could lessen your driving and the amount of fuel that you use.

Your Job Can Affect your Auto Insurance Premium

| December 1, 2008

I have finally gotten a formal job after my graduation and I also need to switch auto insurance companies. Does my job here in Arizona factor in the premiums that I would have to pay for my auto insurance?  I have a DUI on my record :(

Aden

Arivaca, AZ

Yes, the kind of job that you have could influence your auto insurance premiums in Arizona. According to most vehicle insurance providers, they have collected information that scientists, artists and pilots have the cheapest car insurance premiums and they normally pay $935.76 annually. The people who shell out the most for their car insurance premiums are the lawyers, judges, CEO’s and entrepreneurs as they normally pay $1,383.63 annually.

Lawyers, judges, CEO’s and entrepreneurs have extremely demanding types of jobs that need them to use up their time in their vehicles and often use their mobile phones than a typical motorist. Considering all of these things, insurance experts say that these jobs are claimed as “high-risk” and normally pay higher for vehicle insurance than other people.

Scientists are considered careful and detail-oriented, which transform to good driving behaviors. As for pilots, their profession needs them to pay attention to the safety and comfort of other people and this suggests better driving practices. The profession of artists, as well as actors and performers expect them to do their tasks in the city which is why they are more likely to use public transportation rather than driving. This regulates their time in the vehicle and lowering the possibility of an accident.

How To Lower your Car Insurance Rates Even More

| November 27, 2008

I just got the specimen contract of my auto insurance here in Arizona, and I’m not happy yet with how my monthly premiums came out, can I still do something to lower my insurance rates?

Lois

Glendale, AZ

You have all the right not to stick to paying expensive auto insurance premiums there in Arizona. Anyone who is willing to put a little bit of extra effort can definitely find ways to lower the cost of auto insurance premiums, and there is no reason why you can’t be one of them. Here are a few tips and suggestions on how to get good value for your money when it comes to getting a car insurance policy:

1.Understand that you have choices – There are hundreds of auto insurance companies in the United States alone. Most people don’t realize (or realize but don’t act on it) that they can actually shop around and compare auto insurance rates to get the most competitive offers available. The popularity of the Internet as a channel for auto insurance providers to directly market to consumers have made searching for good rates far easier and faster.

2.Bank on a good driving history – If you have been driving accident and violation free for the last three or five years, look for a provider that give good driver discounts.

3.Learn to drive safely – Taking accredited Defensive Driving classes will actually make you eligible for further discounts.

4.Tell your kids to study well – If you have kids and they are doing well at school, ask around to see which provider can give you a Good Student Discount which is available in most states.

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance With A Teenager on your Policy

| November 27, 2008

We’ll be adding our son as a named driver in our car insurance policy here in Arizona as soon as he gets his permanent license. Since he is a young driver and we are told that the rates will be higher for him, is there still a way that we can have cheap car insurance?

Gage

North Pinal, AZ

Young drivers who are under the age of 25 are considered to be the highest risk to car insurance companies because they have so many accidents in which they are to blame. Car insurance providers attempt to control young drivers (age 16-24) from having more accidents by charging them higher car insurance premiums than drivers who belong to another age bracket. You may very well add your son in your car insurance policy in Arizona even though it may not do so much. However, you can get discounts such as multiple cars and safe-driver discounts if your son completed a defensive driving course.

If you’ll get him his own car, make sure that the one that he drives is an economy model, one that is not so high to insure. He may just opt to drive an older car because it is usually considered as lower risk to car insurance providers since the cost to repair or replace it would be not as high as it would be for newer model cars. If the car insurance providers consider it as low risk, this means lower car insurance rates for you and your young driver. If you so this, he can have car insurance policy on his own rather than being a named driver on your policy.

What Happens to your Car After An Accident?

| November 25, 2008

I don’t expect to have an accident and of course, I pray not to. But in case I’ll be in an accident and my car insurance company here in Arizona totaled my car, will they buy me a new car?

Lars

Catalina Foothills, AZ

No one would like to be in an accident because aside from the damage that it will do to you and your car physically, you may also be damaged financially. Not to mention the experience can be so traumatic and frightening. However, even if we try our best to avoid any untoward incidents on the road, accidents still do happen. And if you find yourself in this situation and your car insurance company in Arizona declared your car as a total loss, you would probably want a new car. Unfortunately, that may not be the case even if you consider your car as new.

Sorry to say but even a new vehicle drops some of it worth the moment that you steer the wheel and take it with you. However, some car insurance providers give Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage for newer vehicles. For that reason, you do not have to that much bothered on the value that you will be paid because it would give coverage for a new vehicle. In case you do not have this coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, your insurer will be required to “make you whole,” like how it is described in your policy. This implies that your auto insurance provider would compensate you for the actual cash value of the vehicle, taking away the deductibles for the collision coverage on your insurance policy.

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