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

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

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

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

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

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

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