Reader’s Question:

Hi, I’m planning to get my own car and my own car insurance, and I’m wondering how much coverage I should get. I’ve been shopping for insurance policies here at Birmingham, Alabama, and almost all of the agents I’ve talked to told me to get full coverage but my friends told me otherwise. Who should I listen to?

Kristine,

Birmingham, AL

First of all, do your friends have automotive insurance, too? You know, it takes one insured person to know which insurance premium is best for you. But one thing I’m sure of is this: less is not always more. Your friends may think otherwise but when it comes to the road, having more insurance coverage would really be helpful especially if you get into an accident. Although there is no fast rule as to the amount of auto insurance coverage you need to get, most states (including, Birmingham, AL, I think) require a certain level of coverage. But you must be aware that getting the minimum level of coverage entails certain disadvantages too, such as paying the excess amount covered by your insurance policy in case you get into a really serious accident. The worst case scenario would be being liable for thousands of dollars that would have to come out of your own pocket simply because you only got what your state requires. So try not to skimp on your insurance coverage.

You could use the factors I’ve listed below to gauge the kind of coverage you will need:
- Your tendencies to get involved at risks while on the road
- The risk associated with your neighborhood
- The type of vehicle you’re using (this normally pertains to the value of your car)
- Your assets
- The frequency of having a passenger and the personal details about them (you may have to get them covered, too)

Try shopping for more insurance policies there at Birmingham, Alabama before you decide which one to choose so that you won’t regret anything in case the bad thing happens.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

What happens if I drive my friend’s car but I do not have a drivers license in Montgomery, Alabama and got involved in an accident, will my friend’s insurance cover the accident? Does it matter if I was not given permission?

Tyrone

Montgomery, AL

It depend upon the terms of your friend’s auto insurance policy if the owner’s car insurance will cover the accident when the car was operated by a person without driver’s license in Montgomery, Alabama.

Generally an insurance carrier will cover those that you permit to drive the automobile. So if you borrows your friend’s vehicle normally your insurance follows the automobile and will be extended to any accident the driver may have while operating your car.

Yes, it matter if your friend has given you permission to operate the car or not. One of the requirement to an insurance carrier accepting a car insurance claim is that the driver of the automobile had permission to drive it. If you unknowingly takes your automobile without your friend’s permission then most often than not an insurance provider will not accept claims.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My girlfriend rear ended a vehicle last month month. She did not have car insurance in Montgomery, Alabama. The insurance carrier of the other driver sent her a bill of $10,000. I thought that this should go through the court system first?

Randy

Montgomery, AL

Since your girlfriend rear-ended a car then it would seem that the accident were her fault. Since she was driving without insurance at the time of the accident she is being held personally responsible for the damages she caused to the other driver.

The other driver appears to have made a car insurance claim with their insurance provider and was paid out for their damages in the amount your girlfriend is being billed for, the $10,000. The insurance provider is now charging your girlfriend for the monies they paid out, This is know as subrogation. They are permitted to do so since your girlfriend was at fault in the accident and thus can be held liable for the cost of the damages she caused.

The insurance provider can request that your girlfriend pay since she was at fault in an accident and does not have car insurance in Montgomery, Alabama and therefore does not have a car insurance provider to reimburse the other driver’s insurance carrier for the monies they paid out. If she does not pay then the insurance provider can then take her to court to seek a judgment against her. If your girlfriend chooses to ignore the payment request then the insurance carrier will likely take legal actions against her.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

My current vicinity is perfect for me, I just move in and the people around here are so warm in welcoming me I Mobile, Alabama. But when I went out to process the registration of my car and presented my on-going auto insurance card they denied me on registering. I could not see any problem on this and I am sure that my auto insurance is still valid, so what do you think is their point?

Albert

Mobile, AL

Welcome to the community Albert!

I was supposed consider it as a perfect start. But never worry; let’s try to fix your situation. So currently you are here in Mobile, Alabama, in registering your car make certain that you bring with you your current and valid auto insurance card and coverage. It is of high importance that you must bring those requirements. The absence of one of those requirements is one of the reasons for denial. You must register your vehicle and complies with the state regulations of Mobile, Alabama, before you can go out legally on the road. What happened to you is just a normal thing that usually happens to relocated drivers who were not able to adopt right away, but you better be.

The best reason that I could think of on the denial of your application for registration is mainly due to unsatisfied states requirements regarding with your auto insurance policy limits. The limits of your auto insurance policy must coincide with the requirements of the state. Relocating is sometimes really difficult, but you need to establish your relationship with the locals and local insurance representative in Mobile, Alabama right away. The insurance representatives will help you with your current problem and can suggest advantages for you to have proper registration of your vehicle and coverage that will make up to the states regulation.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

What do I have to know about cheapest insurance on a vehicle in Birmingham, Alabama. I do not have any car insurance claims.

Henry

Birmingham, AL

Auto insurance rates depends on many factors whether you will be able to get the cheapest insurance for your vehicle in Birmingham, Alabama. Such factors that you need to consider are the type of engine, if the vehicle is used or new or the category of the car. Usually, older vehicles would have cheaper car insurance on comprehensive coverage. Also, usually it is cheaper to insure family cars with cheap repair cost compared to powerful cars that may be too costly to repair.

One of the rating factor is where the vehicle is garaged. Usually it is cheaper to insure vehicles that are kept in rural areas than in cities.

The best way to get the cheapest car to insure is to research online. You will be able to find websites that list all the cars that are the cheapest to insure and so you can decide which vehicle that will suit your needs.

Tags: auto insurance, cheap auto insurance, cheap cars

Reader’s Question:

Does the insurance company have the right to cancel my policy and take my car if it is totalled in Dothan AL?

Ben

Dothan, AL

If your car is totalled then typically the insurance carrier can decide if the reimbursement payment for the insurance should be for the total loss, instead of paying for repairs. They will take the vehicle then if they make payment for a total loss then . You may have the option not to accept total loss payment, take the money and pay for the repairs yourself.

An insurance provider does not have the right to cancel your auto insurance policy because your vehicle is totalled in Dothan, but there are many reasons a in insurer may cancel an insurance policy. Some of those reasons could be due to accident history or multiple insurance claims. Many state regulations have requirements to protect policyholders from unfair cancellation. If this happens, typically an insurer cannot cancel your insurance policy, but they have the option to non-renew your car insurance policy in Dothan Alabama.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Does full coverage auto insurance on a new car automatically change to liability only after a couple of years or does the insurance company has to call to make the change after a few years? I live in Hoover, AL.

Stewart

Hoover, AL

If you wish to make any changes to your car insurance policy such as dropping your comprehensive and collision so that you only have the state required liability coverages you would need to tell the insurance company, your insurance provider, of the change. Car insurance coverages do not change automatically after a few years.

An insurance company does not make changes to your auto insurance policy in Hoover, AL without you requesting it. In addition if you are still paying for the new vehicle after a few years it is unlikely that you could lower your insurance coverages from from full coverage to basic insurance liability. Normally your lien holder requires you to have the full coverage (comprehensive and collision coverages) on the car since it their asset until you pay it off.

Tags: auto insurance, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I heard that the state Alabama have new auto insurance liability requirements? What is it?

Brandon

Birmingham, AL

Yes you are right. The state of Alabama has increased their minimum limits for car insurance. Recent legislation has been made so that the minimum liability limits for auto insurance in Alabama will go up from 20/40/10 to 25/50/25.

It is expected that those who carried only previous Alabama minimum liability coverages and therefore now must increase their liability limits will see their insurance rates go up a minimal amount, probably up $20 to $30 a year. Car insurance rates for uninsured motorist coverage are expected to go up around $13 for those who also need to up their minimum coverage limit now to at least the same as their bodily injury liability limit amount.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My car was hit in the parking area where I work and no one confessed to the accident the police officers were notified and a damage report was filed. Will I be penalized even when it’s not my fault?

Mike

Gadsden, AL

This is a case where your car insurance policy should protect you when you are not at fault.

When you buy insurance or renew your insurance policy, your insurance provider will evaluate your claims history and based upon their rates and guidelines they will apply any surcharges to your insurance policy.

I do not think that it would be a penalty, but more of an evaluation of your claims record to know your insurability and the likelihood of future claims. The future claim potential may cause your insurance rates to rise.

Tags: auto insurance claims

Reader’s Question:

How long is a new driver covered under their parents auto insurance policy after they get their drivers license? They have insurance in Tanner-Williams, Alabama.

Dan

Tanner-Williams, AL

A new driver may not be automatically covered under their parent’s policy after they obtain their license.

In order to be covered, you have to be listed on the insurance policy declaration page. That means the insurance policy holder contacted the insurance provider and had the motorist endorsed onto the insurance policy. Some auto insurance policies do cover a motorist on a restricted license, but once an operator’s license is acquired they should be added to the insurance policy.

If you are listed on your parent’s policy, you should be covered on that insurance policy until you are endorsed or removed from the policy. I suggest that you contact your parent’s insurance company to know if you are included on the insurance policy and if anything needs to be done to remove you from the policy. If you reside in the household in ,Tanner-Williams, AL it is likely that you should remain listed or excluded from the policy.

Tags: auto insurance, car, New Driver Insurance