Reader’s Question:

My mom just bought me a car for my graduation and I am already planning to get an auto insurance here at Arlington, Texas. However, my driver’s license got suspended just recently. I wonder if I can still get car insurance even with a suspended license.

Sean

Arlington, TX

Hi Sean, was your license suspended because you did not have vehicle insurance when an accident happened? In any case, every state, including Texas, has a different set of rules when it comes to requiring drivers to get insurance, and each insurance company has a different set of guidelines, too. If you’ve done some shopping already, you will notice that some car insurance companies would allow you to have your policy processed as long as your license is also in the process of getting reinstated. Some insurance companies provide 45 days until you obtain a valid license, while some companies provide a shorter period. Whichever automotive insurance company you plan to get, just remember that there will always be specific laws, directed to those who are driving on a suspended license and to drivers with no insurance at all. And typically, if you get into trouble, you will have to pay the fine for not only driving without a valid license, but also for not having insurance, too. So to save up for all the possible losses or spending, I suggest you get your license reinstated and also get your auto insurance simultaneously.

Better safe than sorry!

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am just wondering what the car insurance policy cover when I use rental car? I live in El Paso, Texas.

Danny

El Paso, TX

Its a good question Danny.

It actually depends on your car insurance policy.

It would be best if you speak to your car insurance agent in El Paso, Texas to better explain what your car insurance policy covers when you rent a car or you may go over or review your car insurance policy. Your car insurance policy may not cover cars rented for business; it may cover for pleasure, like special events or vacations.

If you do not have the physical damage coverage of collision and comprehensive coverage for your own automobile, you may not have coverage for a rental vehicle. And if you damage a rental vehicle, your car insurance policy may not cover lost revenue the rental vehicle company incurs while the rental vehicle is being repaired; or the cost of a new vehicle if you total the rental automobile.

Tags: auto insurance, rental car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Houston Texas. A car insurance agent called us up and ask if there is any young licensed drivers in the household. I gave my sister’s name and the car insurance agent said that she will be excluded. What happens if my sister borrows my car, will she still be covered?

Jennifer

Houston, TX

Insurance providers requires you to list all licensed household members so they may be able to determine their risk for having these licensed household drivers covered by your auto insurance. When you buy car insurance policy there can be risk to insurance carrier covering all household members that is why many insurance provider requires you to add or exclude a licensed household member. The main reason for all this is because as a household member, you may have access to the vehicle and may drive it anytime.

If your sister resides with you in Houston, Texas then your insurance carrier would want to know. You may have in your car insurance policy contract that you must notify them of licensed drivers residing in your household, so that they can add that person as an additional driver to your car insurance policy and be rated accordingly. If you exclude your sister to your car insurance policy she will not be covered by your car insurance policy if she drives your car and gets into an accident.

Tags: auto insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Im 19 years old and I just got my drivers license and I am just wondering if I need to get car insurance in Beaumont, Texas for the driving test or it is okay as long as the car that I will be using is insured. I will be using my mother’s car.

Mary

Beaumont, TX

I suggest that you verify with the Texas Department of Public Safety what kind of insurance you will need for driving test. Your mother’s insurance carrier will likely require to be listed in her car insurance policy so you may be covered while driving your mother’s vehicle.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, young drivers may be able to satisfy the financial responsibility law by being added to their parent’s car insurance policy. Your mother may expect an increase on her car insurance policy if she adds a teenager to her car insurance policy but it is much cheaper than getting a separate policy.

I suggest that you make sure that you are added to your mother’s car insurance policy in Beaumont, Texas by contacting her insurance company to make sure you will be covered in case accident happens. Insurance companies require policyholders to list all licensed household members to their car insurance policy because if they do not and the insurers finds out later, the insurance carrier will charge the policyholder for the extra premium that should have been paid.

Tags: cheap auto insurance, Student car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My son does not live at home and he is not a student. He is only 20 years old. So I am wondering if we still need to continue to insure him in our car insurance policy in Lewisville, Texas.

Robert

Lewisville, TX

Generally, since your son no longer resides in your household in Lewisville, Texas and is not a student, it is possible that your car insurance company will no longer permit your son to be added to your car insurance policy however car insurance company’s guidelines vary so I would suggest that you contact your own car insurance provider to check if you may be able to exclude your son who is not living with you and not a student.

Most car insurance company would not want to continue to insure your son under your car insurance policy in Lewisville, Texas if your son lives in a separate address. most insurance providers will not insure a car to more than one household so your son may have to buy automobile insurance for the car. So if your son’s vehicle in still on your car insurance policy then you will need to speak with your car insurance company if they will permit you to insure him since most insurers will not allow to insure a car to more than one household in a single car insurance policy.

Tags: car insurance, Student car insurance, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

I purchased new car and I put a collision coverager on it. I am financing part of the car’s purchase price through a finance company. My question is why does the finance company get paid the full amount of the value of the vehicle if the automobile gets into a collision? I mean if they get the full amount of the vehicle, I will get nothing meaning whatever I paid for the vehicle will be lost and Ill be empty handed? I live in Galveston, TX.

John

Galveston, TX

Your finance company holds the title to your car until your loan is paid or satisfied. If your car is totaled, the check will most likely be issued both on your names. Whatever amount is left after your loan is paid would go to you. Your insurance carrier in Galveston, TX will determine the value of your car at the time of a loss and pay that amount to the finance company and to you. Most of the time, as soon as you leave the dealership the value of your car depreciates. So you may be upside down as soon as you leave the dealership lot if you were to get into an crash. You can buy GAP insurance in order to protect yourself from that type of loss. This will cover the difference of what you paid for the car and what the actually value is.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My mother passed away and I would like to know how long do I have to change the car insurance under my name in Northwest Harris, Texas.

Ben

Northwest Harris, TX

Sorry for the loss of your mother. Since terms of auto insurance policies vary you will need to check from your mother’s insurance company in Northwest Harris, Texas how long you have to change over the car insurance policy and what steps to take to have the auto insurance policy for at least your car under your name.

Normally a car insurance policy cancels upon the death of the policyholder, usually by the request of the estate.

It is important in your case to read over the insurance policy issued to your mother. If you need more informations, you may contact your mother’s insurance agent or company for verifications and information on what the process is now that your mother has passed away.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am married and I would like to know if its required to have my husbands name on the policy. We have two vehicles and only my name is on the car insurance on both vehicles. If an accident happens, does it go against my driving record only? We live in Harlingen Texas.

Meyer

Harlingen, TX

If you are married normally you would want both spouses’ names to be on the auto insurance policy. It may be up to the car insurance company’s procedures but if both you and your husband will be driving the cars then both of you will most likely need to be on the insurance policy. If your name is listed as the policyholder on both insurance policies then your husband would need to be listed as a driver for the vehicles.

If your were to buy an auto insurance policy in the future and you are excluded, then your accident most likely will not affect him. But, with a comprehensive claim some insurance company may consider it as an insurance claim for the household - even if you are not listed on the insurance policy as a driver. You may consult your insurance carrier on how they will handle this type of situation.

Tags: auto insurance claims

Reader’s Question:

I got charged of a DUI and will be losing my license in Abilene, Texas. I recently bought a new vehicle and must keep full coverage insurance on it. Is there an insurance that I can get on this car for the time that my license is revoked, so others can drive it for me?

Jerome

Abilene, TX

It can be hard if not impossible to get insurance while your license is revoked or suspended. Once an insurance provider finds out that your license is revoked or suspended your policy typically is canceled.

If there is another person that has registered or co-owns the vehicle with you, they might be able to obtain insurance in their name for the car until your license is reinstated. If not, then the finance company can get “force” insurance, where they take out insurance on the car to protect their asset (the car) however it might not be enough to cover others driving the car.

If you are able to obtain a restricted license, while still serving your DUI penalty, then normally an insurance provider will be able to insure you and your car.

To have a someone be insured to drive your vehicle might be possible through certain insurance providers. Check if this is possible in your situation by obtaining a free car insurance quote here.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI insurance

Reader’s Question:

The insurance coverage on my car has lapsed. It is not not insured at all currently. My friend has a non-owners auto insurance policy with the sr-22. Can my friend drive my vehicle legally with only the non-owners insurance, or is my car required to have its own insurance policy if it is to be driven? I’m in Amarillo, Texas.

James

Amarillo, TX

According to Texas state law, which is the same to most states, every owner and driver of a vehicle must maintain financial responsibility (insurance). If your friend got involve in an accident that was their fault the car’s insurance (thus you as the owner) would be primary. If the car did not have insurance the individual hit could go after you, the owner, personally for the cost of repairs, medical, etc.

Your friend’s non-owner SR22 will be secondary on whatever car he or she drives. So your friend will have to make sure that the car has auto insurance on it as well.

Tags: auto insurance, non owners insurance, sr22 car insurance