Reader’s Question:

If you get a speeding ticket in NY but you live in Chula Vista, California (CA), can you take a traffic school and get the speeding ticket remove from your driving record both in CA and NY?

Dan

Chula Vista, CA

You will need to verify with the courts in NY where you received the traffic ticket to check if there is a way in which to take traffic school so that this ticket will be removed from your record. It may be possible also that if you take a driving course through New York that the ticket is taken off or not seen as a conviction and therefore will not be transferred to Chula Vista, California.

If instead the ticket information is reported to back to your home state it will likely be put on your California driving record and assigned points to it. It is unlikely that you could take traffic school in CA to remove the points or ticket.

In California to take traffic school you must be approved by the judicial officer or court clerk in the county in which the violation was written. Since the ticket was not received in CA this does seem unlikely but you may verify with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to be sure.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile

Reader’s Question:

I received a drunk driving violation in Los Angeles California. Due to deployments with the military I was only able to finish three months of my six month classes. I now want to purchase a vehicle of my own, is that possible if I have a DUI in California?

Bea

Los Angeles, CA

There is no California law that I know of that would not permit you to have a vehicle in your name due to a previous DUI conviction in Los Angeles California. What you need to verify though is if your license has been revoked or suspended because of not completing your alcohol education classes that were likely appointed by the court. If your license is not valid than it might not be easy for you to find a car dealership that will sell you a car due to this fact.

To make sure that you have taken care of all outstanding issues regarding your DUI in Los Angeles California and that you have a valid license, you should contact the CA Department of Motor Vehicles.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I live in Los Angeles California. My vehicle has small dents on its underside. I do not know what cause the dents. I reported it to the insurance provider as comprehensive damage, but they considered it as collision claim. What do I do to make it as comprehensive claim?

Ben

Los Angeles, CA

Collision coverage means the impact of your insured vehicle with another object or upset of your insured vehicle. Loss caused by missiles, fire, falling objects, theft or larceny, explosion, windstorm, earthquake, hail, water, flood, malicious mischief or vandalism, riot or civil commotion, colliding with a bird or animal, or breakage of glass are other than collision losses Your loss would be covered under your collision coverage, since your car was likely struck by other objects (unless you can show proof that the damage was done by one of the items that would be covered by your comprehensive coverage). Your auto insurance policy in LA California should pay for these damages less the deductible that applies.

Tags: auto insurance, autos

Reader’s Question:

What will be the penalties if I get caught driving with a suspended license in the state of California? I also would like to know if this will make my license suspended even longer?

Marie

Los Angeles, CA

The California Vehicle Code states that if a suspended motorist is caught driving a car the California Highway Patrol has authorization to tow and impound the car for up to thirty days. If you have a prior conviction for driving while with a suspended license in California it is possible that the car could be taken from you by the state of California as a forfeit.

Other penalties for continuing to operate a vehicle with a suspended license may include getting your license suspension time lengthened or your license may be revoked, fines or even jail time. In California this is a serious offense as it is in most states.

Once your suspension is lifted you must provide proof of financial responsibility.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile

Reader’s Question:

I have a daily passenger that rides with me to and from work. Do I have to add him to my car insurance policy in Los Angeles CA?

Mickey

Los Angeles, CA

Normally, if your friend is only riding as a passenger and not driving your vehicle they do not need to be added to your insurance policy as a driver. If you take turns driving the vehicle to work then you should contact your car insurance company to see if they cover the passenger and part time driver under your current insurance policy or if you would need to add him to it.

If you are worried about medical coverage, your insurance would generally cover your passenger up to your limits. In most states, your passenger’s medical expenses would be covered by bodily injury liability, uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (pip) coverage, depending on what type of accident may occur and who was at fault at the time of incident. But again, you may still have to check with your car insurance company to make sure on your limits and coverages that will cover your daily passenger properly in LA California.

Tags: auto insurance premium, automobile, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I just moved to Los Angeles, CA and I heard from a friend that CA has a new auto insurance pricing system based on driving record, unlike what it used to be which was based on zip code? What does it mean?

Kate

Los Angeles, CA

In CA, auto insurance companies must now set customers’ premiums primarily on driving record and the number of miles driven annually and significantly limit the impact of ZIP Code on rates. For years, drivers in certain neighborhoods paid dramatically more than people living just across the ZIP Code line, because of insurers’ reliance on geography in premium setting.

Auto insurers are required to submit plans that would base policyholders’ premiums based on a driver’s record, the annual miles they drive and the number of years they have been licensed must each have a greater impact on insurance premiums than ZIP Code or such other factors as marital status, which has historically had a major impact on premiums. Therefore, there will still be geographic variation in premiums, but not nearly of the scale described in the examples above. Also, drivers who have historically been overcharged solely because of their address will see the most significant relief.

Tags: auto insurance premium, automobile

Reader’s Question:

Does making a claim mean higher insurance rates in California? How much am I looking at?

Larry

Berkeley, CA

Many factors are involved after your insurance company has decided to raise your premiums. It doesn’t follow any hard and fast rules so you might find yourself getting double- or triple-whammied by your individual circumstances.

Your savings might help offset any increase due to an accident if you turn 40 and enter a lower-risk category, or if you buy a car that’s less expensive to insure.

After your first at-fault accident, many auto insurance companies follow the Insurance Services Office’s (ISO) standard of increasing a premium by 20 to 40 percent of the insurer’s base rate (not your current rate). Base rate is defined as the average amount of claims paid plus the insurance company’s claims-processing fee. According to the ISO, the surcharge is 20 percent of the base rate for multicar policies, and for 40 percent for single-car policies.

What can you do regarding this situation? Some insurance companies have “accident forgiveness” guidelines, but the qualifying variables can vary. You should consult your Berkeley,CA insurance agent when you buy or renew your auto insurance policy or if there is accident forgiveness available in your policy and how to qualify.

Tags: auto insurance, autos, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

What are basic reasons for an insurance company to deny a claim?

Cassey

Los Angeles, CA

Insurance companies may deny a claim depending on state laws and its existing guidelines and policy terms. Misrepresentations, omissions, concealment of facts, or incorrect statements can lead to your claim being denied. In general, anything considered to be fraudulent or misrepresented as part of a claim will result to its denial.

For example, in the state of CA, failure to notify your insurance company in a timely manner of policy claims may result to your claim being denied. Due to this delay, your insurance company’s right for making an adequate investigation has been prevented.

Since there are other reasons an auto insurance claim can be denied and reasons may vary from one insurance carrier to another, it would be safe to check with your Albany, NY insurance agent to see what specific reasons they have for denying your claim.

Tags: automobile, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it illegal for me to give a different registration address on my car insurance? The reason why I’m thinking of doing this is that if I use my parents’ address, the car insurance rate is reduced to almost half. I currently live in Los Angeles, CA.

Sandy

Los Angeles, CA

Yes. It is illegal and a form of insurance fraud to give false information on your insurance application. The California Department of Insurance defines specifically states that fraud occurs when someone knowingly lies to obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled or someone knowingly denies some benefit that is due and to which someone is entitled.

Both you and your parents will be in trouble if you try to obtain auto insurance from your parent’s address instead of your own address where the car is actually garaged which as was previously mentioned, a form of insurance fraud or misrepresentation. If you did obtain insurance using your parents’ address and this false information was later discovered, your car insurance could be cancelled and if an accident occurred it may not be covered.

It is best to be honest with your insurance company and use your correct address instead of committing fraud. It’s not worth the risk even if it means lower rates. There are other options available for you to cut costs for your auto insurance. You can speak with your Los Angeles, CA car insurance agent about discounts or if there are driver programs in which to participate so that you can reduce your premiums.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I have a work insurance for driving a tractor-trailer in California, why do insurance carriers want to place me down as a new driver?

Larry

Los Angeles, CA

California insurance providers vary on their definition of what a new driver is. Even though you have car insurance at work to drive a truck some carriers might not consider this as previous auto insurance since it was not on a personal car. If you only had a commercial driver’s license and not a passenger auto driver license’s until now many insurers would consider you as a new driver since you do not have a driving record with passenger cars.

To know more on the reason specific insurance providers term you as a new driver you will need to ask the insurer how long you will be designated as a new driver on your auto insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, New Driver Insurance