Reader’s Question:

I am 80 years old and I am wondering if I my auto insurance cancel me if I get in an accident because of my age?

Evans

Pembroke Pines, FL

In most states age, driving record and claims history can all be taken into consideration when an insurance carrier decides if they want to start up a car insurance policy with a potential insured or when it is time to renew an insurance policy.

To verify what your state permits concerning age, insurance providers and accidents I would suggest you contact your state’s insurance regulatory body in Pembroke Pines Florida.

For instance in Florida an insurance provider may non-renew your insurance policy (no matter your age) if you have more than one at-fault accident. If you have 3 or more accidents, regardless of who is at fault, the insurer may non-renew your car insurance policy. An insurance provider may non-renew for claims activity, regardless of incidents. Some insurers will require a physician statement for motorists over the age of 75.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long before your car insurance can be cancelled after due date in Central Pasco FL?

Therese

Central Pasco, FL

The insurance company in Central Pasco needs to give ten days notice of cancellation of an car insurance policy in Florida. Typically this is done by insurance carriers mailing bills to policyholders at least ten days before the due date informing that the insurance policy will cancel on a specific date unless the premium is paid. These insurers may then cancel the insurance policy of those who fail to make payments on time.

You can check with your State’s Insurance Regulator to know the specific rules that apply in your state for how long after the due date your auto insurance can be terminated if the premium is not paid.

Tags: auto insurance, car, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

This year I have planned a road trip in the US. I’m planning to drive from Carol City FL to LA and I would like to purchase a vehicle in Carol City. Can I obtain an insurance on a vehicle in USA using my Norwegian drivers license?

Tristan

Carol City, FL

Obtaining USA car insurance using a foreign license only can be not easy. Most insurance providers will require you to get a state license within thirty to forty five days after the inception of your policy in order to permit you to not be canceled. Since you are driving cross country it is doubtful that you will be obtaining a state’s license so if you are renting a vehicle for your trip you might find it easier to get insurance through the rental agency.

If you are planning on purchasing a vehicle in Carol City or shipping over your own vehicle you might be able to find specialty insurance that will cover you but this depends on the car, it could be expensive. You will need to find an insurance provider that offers a USA tourist car insurance policy or a temporary US car insurance program. These insurance policies will likely have an extra surcharge due to you having a foreign drivers license.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile

Reader’s Question:

I will be spending about six of the next twelve months in Brandon, Florida. Rather than renting a vehicle I am thinking of purchasing an SUV. Can I get car insurance as non-resident of the US? Whats the cheapest and easiest way to do this? I am 52 years old with a clean driving record.

Carlos

Brandon, FL

It can be difficult to get auto insurance without having a US state driver’s license. This should not be much of an issue though because the Florida of Highway Safety and Motor Services gives information on how a non-United States citizen can get a Florida license. Florida then requires any seasonal or part-time resident living in FL for ninety days or more during the year to get a Florida personal injury (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) car insurance.

For the months that you are not in Brandon, Florida you must continue to maintain insurance on your car or surrender your Florida tag and registration at the nearest tag office or driver license office. If you choose to do this, when you next return to FL you can register the car after you have acquired proof of FL insurance once again.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, car insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If you have one vehicle that you leased and another vehicle that you financed, is it in the law that you have to have the same coverage on both vehicles? Or can you different have car insurance coverage on both cars? I live in Delray Beach Florida.

Frances

Delray Beach, FL

the Florida state law requires minimum coverage of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL) and if you have been involved in an accident, or convicted of certain violations, you may be required to buy bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).

For financed and leased vehicles the insurance coverage required by the finance company (lien holder) or leasing company goes beyond the state minimum so to include physical damage by means of collision and comprehensive coverage. In your lease and loan agreements you typically agree to carry these coverages on the cars. The coverages you need to have on your leased and financed vehicles, above the state’s required coverage, will depend on the agreements you signed and by Florida state law. Typically a lease will require 100/300/50 for Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. This coverage is a policy level coverage and all cars on the policy will have to have this level of liability coverage, even if they aren’t both leased.

If according to the loan and leasing documents you have different requirements you can therefore carry different coverages on each car.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in my father’s house in Brandon, Florida, but I hardly ever use his vehicle. If I have to drive her car, can I receive a ticket for failure to maintain financial responsibility even though the vehicle has auto insurance, I am not in the car insurance policy, and I am not a regular motorist.

Paul

Brandon, FL

Generally, the owner of the car is responsible to properly insure the car. However, as a motorist, you can be held accountable for not carrying enough car insurance to meet Florida financial responsibility law. So, on a separate issue, if you live with your father and you drive your father’s car - even once - you need to be listed on his insurance policy as a motorist. If your father fails to list you as a driver, he runs the risk of having his insurance carrier deny a claim for an accident that involves you. Therefore, if you are not going to be added as a driver on his policy in Brandon Florida and you are concerned about meeting your state’s financial responsibility laws, you can buy a “non owner” policy. Many insurance carriers offer a “non owner policy to those who drives occasionally but doesn’t own his/her own car. A “non owner” policy typically includes liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages and medical payments.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, driving without insurance, non owners insurance

Reader’s Question:

What is the time limit on an auto insurance claim in Florida? Thank you in advance.

Jerry

Miami, FL

This depends on the state for US requests and the claims. In the UK, you would need to seek legal advice.

In Florida, most injuries like car accidents, dog bite, slip and fall, and motorcycle accidents give you four years to file your claim. But in wrongful death actions — no matter what or how the victim is killed, the time is limited to two years.

It is a best idea to file your car insurance claim as soon as you can. You may contact your specific claims department to determine additional details regarding car insurance claims.

Tags: advice, auto insurance claims, autos

Reader’s Question:

I have one car that I lease and another car that I’m still financing, is it required by law that I have to have the same coverage on both cars or can I have different coverage on both cars? I live in Florida.

Melody

Orlando, Florida

In Florida the state law requires minimum coverage of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) and if you have been involved in an accident, or convicted of certain offenses, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).
For leased and financed cars the insurance coverage required by the leasing company or finance company (lien holder) goes beyond the state minimum so to include physical damage by means of comprehensive and collision coverage. In your loan and lease agreements you normally agree to carry these coverages on the cars. The coverages you need to have on your leased and financed cars, above the state’s required coverage, will depend on the agreements you signed and by Florida state law. A lease will typically require 100/300/50 for Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. This coverage is a policy level coverage and all cars on the insurance policy will have to have this level of liability coverage, even if they are not both leased.

If according to the leasing and loan documents you have different requirements you can thus carry different coverages on each car.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that your insurance payment automatically increase if you make a claim? I live in Tampa FL.

Kelly

Tampa, FL

Thanks for asking. No Kelly, your insurance payment does not automatically or immediately increase if you make a claim. Your driving record and claims history will be taken into account when you start a policy or it is time for your policy to be renewed and depending upon your insurance company’s guidelines and rating system your rates may be affected by a claim.
State insurance laws can differ regarding this issue but putting in a claim with your own insurance company can allow insurance companies to increase your rates. Most car insurance carriers use a threshold to determine if automobile activity claims should cause a surcharge or remove a discount. I see that you are located in Tampa, Florida and the Florida Department of Financial Services discusses rating systems of insurers by stating that insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine a policyholder’s likelihood of experiencing an accident or loss. The cost of car insurance for different drivers varies, as the level of risk for the insurance company varies.

Insurance companies consider drivers as higher risks when they have had at fault accident or received convictions for driving violations. Companies may charge such drivers higher rates for car insurance than those with driving records free of accidents and violations. Each company has underwriting guidelines to determine what kind and how many car accidents or violations during a specified period constitute a high-risk driver. So it could be that one claim will not cause your rates to go up but if you have had a lot of claims made in total against your insurance policy then your claims history could cause an overall rating increase.

Tags: auto insurance claims, automobile

Reader’s Question:

In the state of FL, is it mandatory or optional to include my 18 year old teenage daughter in my car insurance policy? She is going off to college in another state and will not be driving my car?

Oliver

Clearwater, FL

Florida insurance companies require you to list all household members with regular access to your cars for rating purposes. In fact, even at the time that your teenage daughter received her driver’s license, you need to inform your car insurance company of your daughter’s licensing. Whether your daughter needs to be included or not in your policy, it is up to the insurance company’s guidelines. Most often than not, car insurance companies will require a licensed child to be on the policy unless you chose to exclude her. Be aware that when you exclude a person from the policy, they would have no insurance coverage extended to them if they were to drive the car and be in an accident.

If your child is away from you and in your case, since she’s attending college in another state, many insurance carriers will work with you on your policy. Some insurance providers will give a reduced auto insurance rate if your child is living away at school which is over 100 miles away. You may need to shop around for another car insurance provider in Clearwater, FL if your insurance company is requiring you to have your daughter added to your policy even if she’s away.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance