Reader’s Question:

Hi. My name is Steve. San Antonio, Texas is a nice city to live in. However, I need to tighten my belt really bad or I will be in financial ruin. Can you give me tips on how I can save from my car insurance premium so I can stay living in the city I love?

Steve

San Antonio, TX

Steve, when times are hard and when hard pressed, we are forced to look for ways to adapt to our situation. We know that car insurance really eats up a large amount of our budget. So, here are a few tips on how to save on your car insurance premiums.

• First and foremost, be sure to follow road rules. Following road rules will keep you from being issued traffic tickets. Drunk driving or DUI apprehension will get you on a high risk list for 3 to 5 years and will result to higher premiums.
• Second, insurers look for clients that stay in one job for at least three years. Staying in one job gives you a profile that you are safe and stable. This will make your premiums go down over the years.
• Third is taking defensive driving courses. Car insurance companies will give you discounts if you show them your certificate that you attended a defensive driving course.
• Fourth, you can move to a safer neighborhood. Moving in the suburbs will subject your car to fewer risks.
• And lastly, avoid making a claim from your policy if it’s just minor repairs. Having zero claims will reward you in less premiums and deductibles over time.

By the way, my wife is from San Antonio, Texas, too. We San Antonians should stick together.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Hey, peepz, I got into a motor accident here in Elyria, Ohio, and my insurance company tells me that I’m underinsured. I don’t know what the heck that means. Can someone please enlighten me here?

Hadrian

Elyria, Ohio

Hadrian, I’m not really very sure but as far as I am concerned, underinsurance is actually a policy option, so that means you were the one who chose that. So, I don’t understand why you were not aware of that. Next time, be more attentive to the papers you are signing and to the agent of the insurance company. Anyways, from what I know, being an underinsured motorist means that the damage in your car is covered, and also, if you have any physical injuries, that is covered as well IF it was the fault of the other motorist and not yours and if that motorist’s insurance policy is insufficient or is already exhausted to be able to pay for all of your expenses.

This actually saves you all the hassle of going to court and pursuing the other party because your underinsured motorist insurance policy will most likely pay for the punitive damages. I don’t know about how it is there in Elyria, Ohio, but in some states, some companies even pay for the property damages. Why don’t you ask your insurance company for more information about being an underinsured motorist because I’m sure that there are certain policies there in Ohio that governs this kind of claims? And also, I don’t know what is going to happen if you’re the party at fault. I guess you would be in real trouble.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance agent, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

How much will be the cost to get an sr22?

Ray

Thank you for asking Ray.

The coverage car insurance obtained that is associated with the SR-22 form will be rated based on all the factors that normally go into rating an insurance policy, regardless of the SR-22 form filing.

Regarding the actual SR-22 form, insurance carriers are typically permitted to charge a fee for filing the financial responsibility form (certificate) or sr22 to the state. State laws vary but the SR-22 form filing fee is typically only $15 to $25.

Your driving history is one of the main rating factor in the cost of car insurance rate. That is the reason why you are required to obtain and maintain the SR-22, to reinstate your license after a DUI suspension. This may affect your auto insurance rate but the SR-22 form itself does not beyond the filing fee.

Goodluck!

MariCAR