Reader’s Question:

I am a teenager (16 years old) in Los Angeles California. I recently got my instructional permit. I am just wondering if I need insurance to drive - even if I am driving with a licensed driver that is twenty five years or older?

Michael

Los Angeles, CA

California requires motorists and vehicle owners to carry bodily injury liability limits of $15,000 up to $30,000 and property damage liability of $5,000. If you are operating a vehicle, you will need to be covered for these coverages - regardless if you have a learner’s permit. If you are not listed on a specific policy to operate a specific policy, you may want to consider buying a ‘named non owner’ policy. This insurance policy will provide coverage for liability, uninsured motorist coverages and medical payments for someone who does not own a vehicle and will be driving a vehicle owned by someone else. Since, you are a teenager therefore a minor, to take out your own insurance policy, you will need a parent or legal guardian to sign the application with you. Plus, since you have a learner’s permit, the insurance provider will probably require you list someone on the insurance policy as an additional motorist who has a regular driver’s license and is at least twenty one years old.

Reader’s Question:

I’m thinking of changing positions. If I do the mileage I drive will increase from ten miles 1 way to seventy miles one way. What effect will this on my car insurance? Is a Honda Civic Hybrid vehicle a good choice to buy in relation to a good insurance premium rate?

Ben

Los Angeles, CA

To get more information regarding what the affect on your insurance rates you will need to talk to your insurance company. Adding more mileage may or may not increase your car insurance rates depending on your geological area and other factors, each insurance providers varies on what these variables are. In addition some states use or are thinking mileage based insurance which could affect your insurance rate.

A Honda hybrid vehicle has a lot of parts that carry over from the normal Civic so that helps to make parts easier to get and can assist car insurance costs. In some states, such as CA, certain insurance providers are permitting for a hybrid or alternative-fuel car to get a discount.

Reader’s Question:

I have a vehicle registered in Los Angeles CA, that I will be using in Canada. Can insurance company insure me in Canada in a US registered vehicle?

Harold

Los Angeles, CA

Typically, not if you are going to reside in Canada. If you are going to Canada for just a vacation and not to stay your current car insurance policy will likely cover your car while you are in Canada. There are certain exclusions in some insurance policies that restrict traveling Mexico and Canada, but that is not common. To make sure, check with your insurance provider agent that your current coverages will be enough for Canadian laws.

If your current insurance policy will cover you temporarily, you should check with your insurance carrier for a yellow Non-resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card. This card shows that your insurance carrier has agreed to provide coverage of not less than the minimum legal requirement in any Canadian jurisdiction in which you will travel. You will also need to keep your vehicle’s registration documents with you to show authorities if asked.

Reader’s Question:

I live in LA, California and was arrested for a DUI and caused an accident with no injuries. My insurance was cancelled 3 months ago because of non-payment. I had no other arrests, judgments and had a clean record until now. What can I expect? I am currently training to try out for Navy Divers I have enlisted but am on a delayed program to prepare for the Navy dive school to begin in Oct.

Jamie

Los Angeles, CA

Unfortunately, driving without insurance in California is a violation of California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility laws. Due violation of this section of the CA vehicle code can result in fines up to $500 plus penalties. This could be a pain, but penalties would vary such as impoundment of the vehicle and suspension of the driver’s license. Plus, if the vehicle is impounded, the owner will have to pay for all storage and tow charges as well.

Not to make you feel worse, but there can be more serious consequences if you are involved in an accident without any insurance. Certainly, you will be due for compliance with financial responsibility laws (SR22, SR22s, SR16) including having to pay for injuries or damages from the accident out of your own pocket. Also, that covers being uninsured and being in an accident. Now since you were also arrested for a DUI there will be other penalties put on you if you are convicted of this offense. Thus, the DMV can take an administrative action against your driving privilege after you are arrested for a DUI, which is related only to your driving privilege. Therefore, the court may take a separate action for the same offense and may involve payment of a fine, jail time, suspension or revocation of your driving privilege, and completion of a DUI program.

If you ask me if there is anything you can do, well for now you may contact the court listed on your ticket to find out more about associated penalties and citations or read some information on the CA DMV website.

Reader’s Question:

I was driving in California on a restricted driver’s license due to a prior DUI. I was driving outside my restrictions. I crashed my car due to a road hazard. Given that my insurance policy is current, will my insurance pay for damages even though I was not driving to/from work as mandates by my restricted license provisions?

Dana

Los Angeles, CA

Presumably, the California insurance company’s provisions and/or exclusions will determine if this is covered under your policy. Since exclusions on a Personal Auto Policy can be different for every carries and state, so you better review your policy:

Of course, there are some typical exclusion follows:
-committing a high misdemeanor or felony, or seeking to avoid lawful apprehension or arrest by a police officer; or
-acting with specific intent to cause injury or damage to himself or others;
-operating or “occupying” an “auto” without the permission of the owner of the “auto” or name insured under the policy insuring that “auto”.
-War (declared or undeclared);
-Civil war;
-Insurrection;
-Rebellion or revolution;
-Any act or condition incident to any of the above resulting from radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of nuclear material.
-and other specified on each policy…

If you look closely here, based on the typical exclusions listed, it seems like you will have coverage afforded unless there are other exclusions listed on your policy.

Reader’s Question:

I was convicted of DUI in Los Angeles, California in March 2002. Will my records be clean by March 2009?

Carrie

Los Angeles, CA

According to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles, even if a DUI was previously taken off your record (due to the previous time period of 7 years), it will now appear back on your driving record and will remain there until 10 years from the violation date. In your case, DUI in March 2002 that was set to be taken off your record after 7 years (by March 2009) will instead stay on your driving record until March 2012.

Any DUI violation under the new California Vehicle Code sections 23140, 23152, or 23153 will report for 10 years. Other non-DUI violations (say, “wet” reckless) that will report to courts and law enforcement for 10 years may count against you for the purpose of determining increased penalties for repeat offenders, but will continue to show on a public driving record for only 7 years. Based on the new California laws, drivers with DUI violation within the past 10 years are not entitled to receive a good driver discount.

Reader’s Question:

I live in Los Angeles, California. I would like to know how long do I have to furnish car insurance after a car is purchased in LA?

Ben

Los Angeles, CA

According to the California Department of Insurance, if you anticipate getting a new, replacement, or additional car, contact your agent or company prior to taking possession. It is important to determine what coverage will be extended and what coverage will have to be added to your current insurance policy. If the new car is financed, you may check with the lender for their insurance requirements.

According to the California DOI most insurance policies within CA provide thirty days automatic coverage for a car that replaces a car that is already on your policy. Normally the coverage is the same coverage you had on your previous car. Inform your insurance agent as soon as possible of any replacement car. If you wish additional coverage, there is usually a requirement that you inform your agent or your insurer within a designated time period.

If your are purchasing a vehicle in Los Angeles that is not replacing a vehicle but adding a vehicle to your current auto insurance policy or purchasing her first car to place on a new insurance policy then you need to make sure your insurance coverages are set up before taking possession of the car. This way you will already have your coverages set up and can show proof if asked for it to be furnished.

Reader’s Question:

My daughter got a possession for marijuana ticket in Oregon and has a CA Drivers license. What will happen with her car insurance?

Arnold

Los Angeles, CA

Oregon and California are both members of the driver’s license compact (DLC) so the Oregon court in which you are convicted of being in possession of marijuana will report this offense back to Los Angeles California.

Since a drug possession offense is viewed by many insurance companies as a major offense this Oregon possession of marijuana citation will likely be taken seriously by your daughter’s car insurance providers. It will depend upon their rating system how exactly the citation will affect her auto insurance rates however such a conviction would usually raise one’s auto insurance rates. To find out by how much your daughter would need to speak with his agent about her insurance company’s rating system.

The California Department of Insurance may also be able to tell her how this Oregon offense will affect her car insurance premiums since companies must file their rates with this state agency.

Reader’s Question:

Ive had an Los Angeles sr22 on file for the past 6 years but I dont think I no longer need it. I live in Los Angeles CA and havent had a ticket in 6 years. How can I find out if I still need an SR22?

Los Angeles, CA

The best and most effective way to know if you need an still need an Los Angeles SR22 is to contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. The California DMV contact number is 1 (800) 777-0133.

Alternatively, you can also visit your Los Angeles drivers license office.

I suggest that you contact the CA DMV because rules and laws are very arbitrary when it comes to an SR22 insurance policy. In most states you can use the webites to know license requirements.

Reader’s Question:

Is the auto coverage insurance in California the same with Florida?

Mike

Los Angeles, CA

No. There are relative differences.

California follows a Tort system, where one must be found to be at fault to be the one responsible for all the damages. Tort system is different from state to state. Florida follows No-Fault system, where regardless of fault, the insurance company will make payments up to a limit.

Uninsured/Underinsures Motorist Bodily Injury coverage is not required both in Florida and California.

Limits in California for Bodily Injury Liability is $15,000 / $30,000 while $5,000 for Property Damage Liability. Aside from Property Damage Liability (PD), Florida requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as basic coverage referred to as a PIP/PD with the following coverage: $10,000 limit for PD and $10,000 limit for PIP. PIP helps pay for reasonable medical expenses.