Automobile Insurance Question Clearwater, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My mother can no longer drive her vehicle. It is registered and insured in Clearwater, Florida where she has a home. She is in Massachusetts right now and will no longer be going down to FL. In order for her to cancel the auto insurance she needs to return the license plates. Can she return it to a Massachusetts DMV? Thank you!
Francis
Clearwater, Florida
Your mother will need to return the FL license plate to FL since that is where the registration and tag on the vehicle was issued. According to the FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) when you have sold a vehicle, are taking insurance off of a vehicle or moved out of state and registering the automobile there you must return the license plate to a FL driver license or tax collector office.
The Massachusetts’ Registry of Motor Vehicles would not be able to process or accept your mother’s license plates since they are from out of state and have out of state registration associated with it. Your mother does not have to go to Clearwater Florida to return the plates though, the state of FL does accept license tags returned in the mail. Your mother may want to send the license plate certified mail or in a different way that has verification that the Florida HSMV received the plates so that in the future she can have proof she sent the license plates back when she cancelled her auto insurance.
Tags: auto insurance
Driving With Revoked License Coral Springs Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My drivers license is revoked in the state of Florida, can I operate a car in Coral Springs, Florida with my Canadian license?
Justin
Coral Springs, FL
You will need to verify with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) to check if it is legal or not to operate a vehicle in Coral Springs or in any part in Florida with your Canadian driver’s license after your FL drivers license have been revoked.
It is likely that you will not be able to drive a car in the state of Florida legally with your foreign license while your FL license is under revocation. When your Florida driver’s license has been suspended or revoked normally it means that all your driving privileges in Florida have been taken away.
Tags: auto insurance
Auto Insurance Claim Hialeah, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My vehicle was parked where I reside and the parking lot was flooded in Hialeah, Florida. My vehicle retained water inside because of this flood. I want to know if I am covered for this?
Brent
Hialeah, FL
You will have to read over the terms of your car insurance policy and discuss your particular case with your auto insurance agent but generally if you have Comprehensive coverage on your car than this type of coverage normally covers your car for damages caused by something other than collision.
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your vehicle if it is damaged by flood, fire, or animals or got stolen. So if you have this coverage on your vehicle it should cover the loss you described of your vehicle flooding by high water in Hialeah, Florida. If you only had Liability insurance on your car then the flooding of your vehicle would not be covered by your car insurance policy.
Since your car has been in a flood, you should report this loss to your insurance carrier and speak to them about the details to the licensed claims adjuster that should be assigned to your insurance claim.
Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance
Auto Insurance Claims Cape Coral, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My friend had no auto insurance and was hit by another car. It was the other driver’s fault, but the other driver’s insurance provider in Cape Coral is telling my friend to pay for the damage to the other car. The insurance provider told her that if she doesn’t pay $3,000 in 10 days she would go to jail. What is she responsible for?
Leslie
Cape Coral, FL
I suggest that your friend contacts an attorney to determine her rights and what she may or may not be responsible for.
If it is the other driver’s fault, then your friend is not responsible for the other car’s damages or claim. If the other driver is found to be at fault, then the other parties insurance provider in Cape Coral FL is responsible to pay for your friend’s damages. She can ask the claims adjustor that if she is not at fault, why is she responsible for anything and which entity will put her to jail and to whom does she expects to pay the said amount
Hope this information helps.
Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance
Auto Insurance Hialeah, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
My girlfriend and I live together in Hialeah, Florida. She owns two vehicles and I frequently drive those vehicles. Must I be added as a driver on her car insurance policy?
Janet
Hialeah, FL
Yes, though insurance carrier’s guidelines can differ most insurance companies will require you to be added as driver on your girlfriend’s insurance policy since you live together in the same household in in Hialeah, Florida.
The underwriting rules of most insurance carriers require that all licensed household members are added on the insurance policy since they will likely be driving the vehicles, and in this situation you do frequently. So to be properly covered under your girlfriend’s insurance coverage you will need to be added according to most insurance company’s guidelines.
To know exactly what her insurance carrier requires your girlfriend should contact her insurance broker and tell them about you living in the same house and driving her cars on a regular basis.
Tags: auto insurance
Driving Without Insurance Gainesville, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
I do not have the money to continue my auto insurance in Gainesville, FL. If I dont get caught and did not get involved in an accidents, would I still be penalized for not having car insurance?
Johnston
Gainesville, FL
Yes, it is illegal to operate a vehicle uninsured in Gainesville, Florida or anywhere else in the state of Florida according to the FL state statutes.
If you will not cause an accident but were found by police officer to be driving without car insurance you can be cited. Automobile insurance is required for a registered car in Florida to be on the roadway.
Even if you were not caught by the law enforcement officer due to following the laws of the road and staying out of accidents, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) would normally find out from your previous insurance company that you terminated your car insurance policy and see that a new policy was not started therefore you have a lapse in your auto insurance.
Tags: auto insurance, driving without insurance
Auto Insurance Points Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
Do two auto insurance points make your car insurance rates go up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Alexander
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Yes, two insurance points could possible cause your car insurance rates to go up. It would still depend on your insurance carrier’s rating system if your car insurance rates will rise due to two insurance points.
According to the Florida law, your first minor violation will not surcharge your car insurance rates, however it may not allow for discounts depending on the insurer.
If your state permits insurance points to be used and for insurance providers to use their own rating system, some states like MA have the state controlled surcharges, then you would need to contact your insurance company in Lauderdale, Florida to verify how two insurance points will affect your auto insurance premiums.
Tags: auto insurance
Motorcycle Auto Insurance Brandon Florida FL
Reader’s Question:
If I decide to purchase a used motorcycle and pay it off, am I still required to even have auto insurance to be able to drive it in Brandon, Florida?
Julius
Brandon, FL
According to the State of Florida drivers are not required to have motorcycle insurance to register a motorcycle in Florida, but, if a motorcycle driver is charged in an accident with injuries, then the owner of the motorcycle is financially responsible for bodily injuries and property damage to others.
If no auto insurance was in effect for the motorcycle at the time of the crash, in Florida than bodily injury and property damage liability insurance must be bought and kept for three years to avoid suspension of license and tag/registration or to reinstate license and tag/registration after suspension.
So liability insurance for motorcycle in Brandon FL is voluntary and not mandatory unless you have caused an accident however it is highly recommended to be bought for your own protection. If you plan to carry passengers it is also a best to check if you need extra insurance coverage for them.
Tags: auto insurance