Auto Insurance Law » Financial Responsibility Law

Florida Auto Insurance At The Lowest Rates Possible

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:23:03 +0000

If you live in Florida you’re paying more than most Americans as far as auto insurance is concerned. Does that mean that there’s nothing that you can do to lower your Florida Auto insurance rates? No! You can do something now to get lower rates.

Take note of this information even if you’re not a Florida resident but use a car there for up to 90 days yearly. It’s the minimum auto insurance requirement for the state…

You are expected to provide coverage for yourself and your car notwithstanding who’s at fault (Florida’s No Fault Law). The other law (Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law) demands that you have a certain coverage limit for when you’re at fault.

The minimum limit set by Florida’s No Fault Law (for personal injury and property damage) is $10,000. You’re expected (by the Financial Responsibility Law) to have $20,000 for person injury that involves one than one person and $10,000 if it’s just a person. This is in addition to a $10,000 minimum limit for damage to another person’s property.

Now that we have made sure everyone understands what we are expected to do by law, how do we lower our car insurance costs? You have to get as many quotes as you can from different insurance companies. This should have been a nightmare but has been made quick and very easy by insurance quotes sites.

Just by making a request you’ll get five or more quotes from insurance companies that offer their services and are licensed to do so in the State of Florida. You’ll get your quotes immediately after giving the details required in the forms provided. This will take between 3-5 minutes.

This will give you reasonable savings. However, you may still not get all the savings possible for your profile in Florida auto insurance if you do not visit as many as five sites. Three sites should be the minimum if you’re in a haste.

All you have to do now is pick the lowest quote. There’s only an exception to this: If you see a slightly higher quote that provides some extras you really want.

Take some time out to make sure you’re picking the right company. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you use a reputable insurance quotes site. But it would help if you still visit the official website of Florida’s Department of Insurance. You’ll know how an insurer stands there. This is an important step as it protects you from insurers who handle claims poorly.

You can see that it’s not difficult to save a lot without compromising yourself. All you have to do is ensure you use the tips given. Why not start by getting the best car insurance quotes right now?

By: Chimezirim Chinecherem Odimba

Florida Auto Insurance – Lowering Rates Without Compromising Coverage

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:01:53 +0000

Residents of Florida pay around $200 more than the national average. However, in spite of this you can reduce your Florida auto insurance rates by following the advice in this article. Take note of this information even if you’re not a Florida resident but use a car there for up to 90 days yearly. It’s the minimum auto insurance requirement for the state…

Florida’s No Fault Law demands that you have coverage that takes care of you and your vehicle if there is an accident. Another requirement (If you’ve shown irresponsibility) is that you get coverage that takes care of damages caused by you. This is the Financial Responsibility Law.

The minimum limit set by Florida’s No Fault Law (for personal injury and property damage) is $10,000. In the same vein, you may need a minimum coverage of $20,000 for two or more persons’ bodily injury, $10,000 bodily injury for a person and $10,000 for property damage to meet the provisions of Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law.

Now to the issue we are most interested in: How to make huge savings…

You have to get as many quotes as you can from different insurance companies. This should have been a nightmare but has been made quick and very easy by insurance quotes sites.

These sites return quotes from a number of insurance companies in Florida. What do you have to do to get this? Just answer a simple questionnaire that often takes less than 5 minutes.

This will give you reasonable savings. However, you may still not get all the savings possible for your profile in Florida auto insurance if you do not visit as many as five sites. Three sites should be the minimum if you’re in a haste. The reason for this is simply that you have a broader basis for doing thorough comparison.

And, please, bear in mind that the lowest Florida car insurance quote isn’t necessarily what you should go for unless you just want the minimum required by law.

Once you seen your best quote, make sure you check the claims history and rating of the insurer in question. The state’s Department of Financial services can show you that. This is an important step as it protects you from insurers who handle claims poorly.

What this is all about is making sure you make very informed choices as you try to get the most cost-effective Florida auto insurance rate.

By: Chimezirim Chinecherem Odimba

Florida Car Insurance – Understanding The State Requirements

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:20:50 +0000

Florida car insurance requirements are different from that of California, Arizona and other states in USA. So if you are thinking about living and driving in Florida, it is better to have knowledge about automobile insurance requirements in the state of Florida.

First thing that you need to understand about Florida car insurance requirements is that you need to have the minimum auto insurance in order to get a license plate or register your vehicle in Florida. No insurance means no driving in Florida. Plus, you need to carry a proof of insurance while driving.

Minimum Requirements

Requirements relating to automobile insurance in Florida are categorized into two laws. The first one is called the Florida Financial Responsibility Law and the second one is called the No-Fault Law. Under the Florida Financial Responsibility Law, you and the others are protected in the following situations-

You have caused an accident which has resulted in injuries to you and the other party.
Your license is revoked because you have been found driving under the influence of liquor.
Your license has been suspended because you have got too many points.
You are found to be a habitual offender and subsequently your driving license has been revoked.

By: Andrina James

California Car Insurance – Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:49:50 +0000

California car insurance is weaved into the state’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law. This law obliges owners and operators of vehicles to take financial responsibility for their actions. This may seem like a very difficult law to enforce, especially if the actions of an individual have expensive ramifications.

Fortunately, auto insurance makes following this particular law relatively easy. The state of California has statutory minimum limits of liability insurance that all owners and operators of motor vehicles must have. These minimum limits are the bare bones of vehicle coverage for a person living in this state.

California Car Insurance Minimums

The policy needs to include at least $15,000 of coverage for death or injury of any individual in a single accident. The policy also needs to have $30,000 for all persons involved in a single accident. This coverage assures everyone involved in the accident that they will receive compensation for their injuries or losses.

Property damage coverage is also necessary when involved in an accident. Hopefully, this is the only harm done in any accident. California auto policies require a minimum of $5,000 property damage coverage for a single accident. This ensures that there will be at least $5,000 worth of repairs delivered after an accident.

How to Achieve Financial Responsibility

Drivers who live in California are required to have at least the minimum liability insurance or they can opt for another approved means to pay for property damage and injury in case of an accident. There are four ways to ensure financial responsibility that are approved by this state.

A person can make a cash deposit of 35,000 dollars with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is a very expensive approach to assuring financial responsibility but it is an option. Another approach involves a 35,000 surety bond that is issued to a company licensed to conduct business in California.

Some drivers choose to be self insured if they own fleets of more than twenty-five vehicles. These individuals need to have a certificate proving their self-insured status with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Drivers can also opt to simply purchase auto coverage policies instead. California car insurance is the most popular approach to establishing financial responsibility in this state.

By: James Hyder

Oregon Auto Insurance Laws

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:54:54 +0000

Oregon financial responsibility law dictates
that if you are involved in an accident you will be asked to
present proof of ability to cover the cost of damages caused up to a
minimum amount. For this reason most drivers buy automobile liability
insurance.
What type of automobile liability insurance am I required to have in the
state of Oregon?

According to Oregon auto insurance law, you are required to have Bodily Injury
Liability, Property damage liability, Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Motorist Insurance.
What are the minimum liability limits in Oregon?
According to Oregon
auto insurance law, the minimum amount of liability coverage needed for
personal injury is $25,000 person and $50,000 per accident.

The minimum amount of liability coverage needed for property damage is
$10,000. This will usually appear on the policy in the form 25/50/10.

When will I be required to present proof of Insurance?

You will be required to present proof of insurance at time of the
accident. In most cases a card issued by the insurer is sufficient.
Will my insurer required to verify the validity of my insurance policy?
Yes.
Your insurance company is required to inform the Department of Motor
Vehicles if you cancel or fail to renew your auto insurance policy.
What is more, insurers in Oregon are required to verify automobile
insurance policies selected at random.

What are the penalties for non-compliance to Oregon auto insurance law?

Driver’s license suspension and/or revocation, although not mandatory for first time offenders.

OREGON AUTO INSURANCE LAW AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

What are the laws governing Oregon liability insurance

Liability insurance in Oregon is based on the no-fault system.
This means that if you were involved in an accident, you will receive
payment from your own insurance company regardless of who was at fault
in the accident. But Oregon is also an “Add-On” State, which means that
in addition to receiving benefits from your own insurer, you also have
the right to sue the party at fault for pain and suffering and for
other out-of-pocket expenses such as medical costs.

By: Richard Cunninghamm

Arizona Auto Insurance Law

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:58:14 +0000

What does financial responsibility mean?

Like all other states, Arizona has financial responsibility laws which means that if you are involved in an accident you will be asked to present proof of your ability to cover the cost of damages caused up to a minimum amount. To comply with this law most drivers buy automobile liability insurance.

What type of automobile liability insurance am I required to have according Arizona Auto Insurance Law ?

Arizona Auto Insurance Law requires that you have Bodily Injury liability and Property Damage Liability

What are the minimum liability limits?

According to Arizona Auto Insurance Law, the minimum amount of liability coverage needed for personal injury is $15,000 person and $30,000 per accident.

The minimum amount of liability coverage needed for property damage is $10,000. This will usually appear on the policy in the form 15/30/10.

When will I be required to present proof of Insurance?

Within 30 days of registration. If you’ve had an accident you will be required to present proof of Insurance/financial responsibility at the time of the accident. Further, the State requires that you have proof of insurance at all times in your vehicle. In most cases a card issued by the insurer is sufficient.

Will my insurer required to verify the validity of my insurance policy?

Yes. According to Arizona Auto Insurance Law, if you’ve had an accident or you have been arrested, your insurance company will be required to verify that your policy is in good standing. Your insurance company must also inform the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicle if you cancel or fail to renew your policy. And according to Arizona computer data law, insurance companies are required to submit their entire list of policies in force, which the State may compare with registrations.

What are the penalties for non-compliance to the financial responsibility law?

A $250 fine.

What are the laws governing AZ liability insurance

Liability insurance in Arizona is based on the tort liability system. This means that if you were involved in an accident that is not your fault you and/or your passengers have the right to sue the party at fault for pain and suffering, and for other out-of-pocket expenses such as medical costs.

ARIZONA DUI/DRUNK DRIVING LAWS

What is the BAC (blood alcohol content) limit is the state of Arizona?

The BAC (blood alcohol content) limit for the state of Arizona is .08

Will I have my license revoked or suspended if my BAC is above 0.08?

According to Arizona Auto Insurance Law, yes. If you are pulled over by an officer and your BAC test result returns a reading above .08 you will face an on-the-spot driver’s license revocation or suspension. Further, if you refuse to take the BAC test your license will still be revoked or suspended.

What is the implied consent law?

Like most states, Arizona has the implied consent law. This law is base on the premise that because you choose to drive on the streets and highways of the state, you have given your consent to submit to the BAC and or urine test to ascertain alcohol or drug levels.

What is the penalty for violating the implied consent law?

The mandatory penalty for violation of the implied consent law in Arizona is suspension or revocation of one’s driving privilege.

Are preliminary breath tests permitted my law in Arizona?

According to Arizona Auto Insurance Law, yes. In states where it is permitted by law, sometimes an officer will do a preliminary breath test on-the-spot to confirm that you are actually under the influence. An alcosensor machine, a hand-held device, is often used. Although its results are not admissible in court, if the machine returns a positive reading, you may be taken to a police station the take the actual BAC test.

What is DUI Plea Bargain?

In a DUI plea bargain, the driver charged with DUI agrees to plea guilty to a lesser charge than one for which she could stand trial. When this happens, she receives a more lenient sentence, and/or have certain related charges dropped. The DUI plea bargain is prohibited in Arizona.

What is the open container law?

The open container law makes it illegal for the driver and passengers to have unsealed alcohol containers in an automobile passenger compartments.

ARIZONA SEAT-BELT LAWS

Are seat-belt laws enforced in the State of Arizona?

Yes. As of January 1, 1991, driver and all passengers are required to wear seat-belts in the State of Arizona.

Are seat-belt laws primary or secondary in Arizona?

Seat-belt laws in Arizona are NOT primary. Primary enforcement means that an officer may stop an automobile and issue a ticket for violation of the seat-belt law. Secondary enforcement means that the officer may issue a ticket for not using seat-belt if and only if the driver was stopped for some other violation.

What are the fines for noncompliance to seat-best laws in AZ?

$10

LAWS GOVERNING OLDER DRIVERS

Am I required to perform medical, knowledge, road, or vision retests when I renew my license?

Retesting for all drivers is usually required for vision, road retesting is only required under certain conditions. For example, if you’ve had too many accidents over a certain period of time.

Is my doctor required to report a physical condition that may affect my ability to drive safely?

NO

Is there an age limit on driver’s license renewals

Yes. 70 years.

LAWS GOVERNING TEENAGE AND YOUNGER DRIVERS

Do teenage drivers require graduated licensing?

YES. All states have graduated licensing (a rigorous learning period before full driving privileges are granted) laws for drivers 15 to 18 years old.

For what period of time are teenagers required to maintain a learners permit? For a minimum of six (6) months.

Are teens required to own an intermediate or provisional driver’s license before they a granted full driving privileges?

No.

Do young drivers have certain restrictions on night driving?

No.

Can teenage drivers carry the maximum number of passengers allowed in a vehicle?

Yes.

OK. What about BAC (blood alcohol content) level? Are there restrictions on that too?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the answer is yes. Although the BAC level for other drivers is 0.08, Arizona drivers under the age of 21 years with a BAC level greater that 0 (yes zero) could be charged with DUI.

By: Richard Cunninghamm

California Auto Insurance Laws

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:06:18 +0000

California law requires that drivers have evidence of auto insurance if they are driving their own car or someone else’s. People who own a vehicle but don’t drive it are still obligated to have auto insurance in California.

California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law necessitates all drivers and owners of an automobile to be financially responsible for their actions. The statutory minimum limits of liability insurance in California are that the person responsible for an accident that results in the death or injury of one person is liable for $15,000, or $30,000 if there are multiple injuries in one accident. The responsible party is liable for $5,000 of property damage for any one accident.

There are four techniques to realize financial responsibility, including coverage by a motor vehicle or automobile liability insurance policy, a cash deposit of $35,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a certificate of self-insurance issued by DMV to owners of fleets of more than 25 vehicles, or a surety bond for $35,000 obtained from an insurance company licensed to do business in California.

When a vehicle is in an accident for which the driver is established as a legally liable, bodily injury liability covers their liability to others for injuries to them, whereas property damage liability covers their liability for damage to someone else’s property.

All California drivers and owners need to have at least the statutory limits of minimum liability insurance or an approved substitute method to compensate for injury or property damage they may bring about. Penalties are extremely harsh for nonconformity with this segment of the vehicle code. Comprehensive coverage (other than collision), uninsured motorist, medical payments, and collision insurance are not required by law but can be a good investment.

By: Eric Morris

Auto Insurance

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:41:20 +0000

Auto insurance is a contract with an insurance company that helps to protect you against severe financial loss if you are ever in an auto accident Auto insurance is required to protect yourself from road and auto accidents and may include losses for liability, medical payments and any physical damage resulting from the accident. The coverage of a personal auto policy includes the insured, his family members, friends and associates that may borrow the car.

Automobile insurance includes vehicles like cars and bikes and is available for everybody. Most states have laws that require basic auto insurance coverage for every driver. Only some states ask that you display financial responsibility. If you are involved in an auto accident or stopped by a police officer and found to be driving without car insurance or proof of financial responsibility, you will have to pay a fine or specific to the laws of your state which may also include loss of driving privileges. The financial responsibility law states that you have to demonstrate having sufficient assets to settle any judgments against you which may arise out of an auto accident. If you are uninsured and in an auto accident that involves property damage or injuries to people, you will be required to pay for any damages assessed by a court.

However, having automobile insurance does not prevent a person from suing you. It does assure that the financial and legal resources of the insurance company will assist you in defending the suit and paying for the damages in the case of an automobile accident.

Since most states require auto insurance from all drivers, the states have assigned risk plans to assure coverage. The plans vary from state to state, but assigned risk policies are usually expensive, because a bad driving record makes you a bad risk for any insurer. Most auto insurance policies are non-assessable. If you do have an assessable policy, you can be assessed an extra amount if your insurance company has had an extraordinary amount of car accidents that year.

Auto insurance rates have fallen considerably across the U.S. in the last two years. The reasons contributing to this decline are:

Safer cars

Falling crime rates

Stringent drunk driving laws

Increased competition among insurance companies

Ageing of the population

With a growing need for auto insurance, many insurance companies now offer specific auto insurance deals tailored to the consumer.

By: William Brister