DUI Alabama

Reader’s Question:

I was charge with DUI in the state of Alabama and I would like to know for how long am I required to maintain an SR22?

Vince

Birmingham AL

If this is your first conviction for DUI or driving under the influence in the state of Alabama, you may be required to make a payment of up to $2,100 or you may be imprisoned for up to a year. It is also possible that you may be required to pay the fine and be given jail time up to one year. Your driver’s license may also be suspended for three months if you get convicted of DUI.

Other than the penalties I have mentioned, it is also possible that you will will be required to acquire an SR22 auto insurance and will have to attend and complete a DUI or substance abuse program if you get convicted of DUI. You will probably have to maintain an SR22 for a period of three years.

I suggest that if you will be needing more information regarding DUI conviction in the state of Alabama, or if you want to know if you are required to get an SR22 Insurance and maintain it for three years, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You may also continue reading other related topics here to know more on how to go about getting an SR22 insurance in the state of Alabama.

Buy Sr22 Insurance

Reader’s Question:

What exactly is an SR22? If I get cited for DUI in Alabama, will I be required to buy SR22 insurance?

Billy

Birmingham, AL

SR22 insurance is a type of financial responsibility that is asked from drivers who were given citations due to traffic violations or accident to show proof of insurance at the time that they were asked to present it. Remember that all drivers are required to carry a proof of insurance whenever they are driving a vehicle. Failure to show proof insurance or any type of financial responsibility may lead to fine payment or requirement to buy SR22 insurance.

The SR22 insurance is normally filed by an insurance company. Once a company decides to carry any driver’s SR22, it automatically takes the responsibility of updating the state insurance regulator about the status of the insurance (whether it is cancelled or not). The state insurance regulator needs this update because they impose a certain time frame at which the SR22 must be carried. If the driver fails to keep the SR22 for the specified period, then another penalty may be given to him.

In Alabama, the SR22 insurance is also a requirement for those who were caught violating car insurance laws. Those who have been cited for DUI or DWI for the first time are typically asked to pay a certain fine. You may not be required to buy SR 22 insurance if you already have an existing insurance. However, if you fail to show proof of insurance, then the court may require you get an SR22.

Senate Bill 4 Raises Auto Insurance Requirements Alabama AL

Reader’s Question:

I’m from Alabama and am due to renew my car insurance policy. Is it true that car insurance minimum requirements have been raised in this state?

Steve

Birmingham, AL

Alabama Governor Riley signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 4 in May of 2008. This law states that the minimum car insurance requirements of the State of Alabama will be raised from 20/40/10 to 25/50/25. This increase in liability insurance is the first in 25 years in this state. This law mandates that if the insured causes a car accident, then his or her auto insurance company will pay for $25 thousand bodily injury for one person, $50 thousand maximum for bodily injury for all persons in the vehicle, and $25 thousand to pay for destroyed property, including but not limited to public property and the other driver’s car.

A similar bill concerning increase in financial responsibility requirements was vetoed by Governor Riley back in year 2007 for lack in the implementation period. This latest version of minimum limits legislation has for new policies a ninety-day implementation period and for renewal policies a one-hundred-eighty-day period. The State of Alabama believes that this period is enough for all car insurance providers to adjust their operational procedures accordingly and for policyholders to be given timely notice. With the minimum liability raised, uninsured motorist insurance, which is not mandatory in Alabama, was also raised to the same point as the liability insurance. With this increase in minimum liability insurance, policyholders will definitely see an increase in their rates from $20 to $30 annually. For those who availed of the uninsured motorist insurance, expect an increase of around $13 to $15 yearly.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance law, liability insurance

Buy Auto Insurance Online Alabama AL

Reader’s Question:

I know that people are doing things online, even purchase auto insurance coverage, but I am just not very comfortable with it. I heard my friends talk about it here in Alabama. Is it really safe to purchase auto insurance online?

Jenny

Birmingham, AL

I had the same reservations, too, when I first considered the idea of purchasing auto insurance online. That was three years ago. And since then, I have changed auto insurance company once and renewed my auto insurance coverage several times through the web site of my auto insurance company. Of course, I feel safe because my auto insurance company has a very good reputation. This reputation of theirs extends to their web site, as well.

You should do the same thing, too. Choose a reputable auto insurance company in Alabama, and check if they offer their services online. Perhaps this would lessen your apprehension. You may also ask around, check online forums, too, about auto insurance sites that are trustworthy. I asked a lot of my friends, too, about auto insurance sites that are safe. Check if any of your friends purchased their auto insurance online, you can try that auto insurance if you don’t feel very confident.

If you decide to purchase auto insurance online, you will discover that it is way much better than doing it any other way. The convenience is priceless. You just go to a web site, ask for a quotation then go to a different web site for another quotation. It’s way faster, too. It beats calling their agent or their local office and asking their representatives.

Tags: auto insurance online, auto insurance policy, Car Insurance Company

Cheapest Teen Car Insurance Alabama AL

Reader’s Question:

I bought my darling daughter her first car for her birthday. Can anyone here tell me how I can get the cheapest teen car insurance available here in Alabama?

Greta

Birmingham, AL

Your daughter is surely going to have one heck of a shock when she sees this sweet gift of yours. I do not want to spoil the party, but you will also be shocked when you see the prices of teen car insurance there in Alabama.

Like in all states nationwide, first time drivers are viewed as high-risk drivers, and car insurance companies are only too wary to insure them. You may ask why. It is because teen drivers get into more accidents, and in most of these accidents, the teen drivers are at fault. So, you really cannot blame the car insurance companies because they are just trying to be wise with their money.

However, even if this is the case, it does not spell doomsday for your finances. Because I tell you there are ways to lower what you are going to pay for the car insurance of your darling daughter.

Now, just pay attention and take note of everything that I am going to say next.

First, you should include your daughter in your car insurance policy if you already have an existing one. Having multiple drivers in an existing policy makes you eligible for some discounts.

After doing this, proving to the car insurance companies there in Alabama that your daughter is a responsible motorist and would not likely be in a car accident is the next thing you do. How do you do this? You do this by enrolling her in a basic driving course or a defensive driving course, which are available in some high schools and some private institutions. Just ask around there in your city. Your daughter having good grades in school may also be used as proof.

So, if you are successful in doing all of these, the result will surely be the cheapest car insurance for your teen daughter.

Good luck!

 

Tags: auto insurance premium, cheap auto insurance, teen, teen insurance

Car Insurance Coverage Birmingham, Alabama AL

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

Cheapest Auto Insurance Birmingham, Alabama AL

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

New Alabama Car Insurance Liability Limits

 

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

 

SR22 Birmingham Alabama AL

Reader’s Question:

I currently have restricted driver’s license in Alabama due to a prior DUI but at one point in Birmingham. I was driving outside my restrictions. I crashed my car due to a road hazard and given that my insurance policy is current, I am still anxious that my insurance will not pay for damages even though I was not driving to or from work which is what’s mandated by my restricted license provisions.

Michael

Birmingham, AL

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

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…

Based on the typical exclusions listed, it seems like you will have coverage afforded unless there are other exclusions listed on your policy.

Tags: sr22, SR22 filing

Car Insurance Birmingham Alabama AL

Reader’s Question:

My car insurance premium was raised once by an auto car insurer in Birmingham, Alabama because of a bad credit. In my opinion though, I do not think it is relevant to do that. I do not even think that can be lawful in Birmingham, AL.

Gary

Birmingham AL

Different people will have different views on this debate on car insurance premium with relevance to credit standing.

The pro people say that basing car insurance rates on credit allows car insurance companies in Birmingham, Alabama AL to more accurately predict risk, making rates lower for everyone. The anti people say that bad credit does not make someone a bad driver in Alabama. Even if many people with bad credit are bad drivers, it doesn’t mean that good drivers with credit problems should be punished as well.

However, what’s interesting to know is that most people agree that car insurers should notify car insurance policyholders should car insurance rates increase due to a bad credit. After all, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) clearly stipulates that that people have the legal right to be notified when they are declined for credit, employment, or insurance, on the basis of their credit history. However, the same Act is unclear on whether or not car insurance companies have to notify you if your bad credit results in higher rates. This now leaves legislature issues which we need to watch out for.

Since laws always come a long way to get perfect for everyone, the least you can do is to watch your credit so that you will keep your car insurance rates at level for now.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance

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