Reader’s Question:

If my teeange son and daughter, come to visit us here in Clearwater, Florida and we give them permission to drive our cars, are they covered if they get in an accident?

Alice

Clearwater, FL

Normally if you permit a friend or relative that does not live in your household to borrow or use your car on an infrequent basis then your insurance coverages will extend to them and therefore the car will be covered if they are in an accident.

Insurance carriers guidelines and terms of insurance policies can vary though so you should read through your insurance policy as well as speak to your insurance agent regarding the issue to be certain your insurance policy does not have exclusions for lending your car to your teenage children when they come to visit you. Your car insurance agent should also be able to tell you which of your coverages are extended to those that you give permission to operate your car but who are not listed as a driver on the insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, Young driver car insurance

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