Reader’s Question:

I have asked around Fort Smith, Arkansas, and I noticed that different automotive insurance companies require different data from me. What information should I really give to the auto insurance agents and why?

Brenda

Fort Smith, AR

Different insurance companies require different data from you because they need to know what kind of auto insurance premium is appropriate for you. Of course these companies are also thinking about their own, that’s why they need to get your portfolio in order to determine if you would also turn out to be a profitable client or not. Normally, since these companies cannot foresee the future, they choose people who are likely to be “good risks.” With all the applicants that they have, they categorize each and every one of them as who are potentially good risks and who are those who may turn out to be more of a liability to their company. That’s the reason why some insurance companies turn down certain clients (you may encounter some of these insurance companies when you finally get the result of your insurance applications there in Fort Smith, Arkansas) But basically, a vehicular insurance company determines a premium by these following factors: age, sex, marital status, type of vehicle, regular passengers of the vehicle and regular drivers of the vehicle other than you (including their age and sex), place where the vehicle would be garaged, type of risk involved in the neighborhood (where you live). There are also some other hairy details that the insurance company may require you to state, but basically these are the risk factors that they need to consider to be able to determine the kind of premium that you need.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance agent

Reader’s Question:

I just got a speeding ticket three weeks ago here in Little Rock, AR. I know that may affect my auto insurance rate. But I want to know what other factors insurance companies look at in determining insurance premium rate.

Peter

Little Rock, AR

Me, I got one last week. Not a nice month, huh? No worries, though. First (and hopefully the last) a speeding ticket does not really catch the insurance companies’ attention, but don’t make a habit out of it. Your question: what makes insurance company frown and raise your insurance premium rate? Actually, there are lots of factors. Some can be helped, some not. I’ll try to give you the big ones. Of course, number one on the list is driving history. Stay on the road when driving. Check your speed, stay within the speed limit. When you figure in an accident, even when it’s not your fault, the companies will still get alarmed. Then there’s personal profile. Yeah, it’s an unfair world, but some people are riskier to insure than others. Insurance companies believe that men are riskier to insure than women and teens are reckless drivers (hormones and inexperience and all those things). They also favor insuring urban folks than city folks. You’re from Little Rock, Arkansas. This makes you one. This may have something to do with your temper. Grumble, frown, and smirk. They also check if you’ve had continuous insurance coverage. They’d want to know if you’ve been driving around without insurance, which is a bad idea anywhere. They’d also check if your policy has been cancelled before. This gives them an idea about the kind of customer you’d be.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know if my car insurance rate will still increase in Little Rock, Arkansas if for example I got a citation for speeding, went to court pay the court cost and the points was not added to my driving record.

James

Little Rock, AR

Your car insurance rate in Little Rock, Arkansas will usually be affected if you were convicted of a traffic violation. The auto insurance carrier is more concerned of the actual violation itself than the points that was assigned to your driving record.

If you were still convicted of the speeding violation and was placed on your driving record, your insurance carrier will be able to see this therefore it will affect your car insurance rate. But if the speeding violation were reduced down to a non moving violation the it is likely that your car insurance rate will not increase.

If this is your first ticket in your driving record, some insurance carriers will not increase your car insurance rate. So it will depend on your car insurance company’s rating system in Little Rock, Arkansas if this speeding violation will affect your car insurance rate or not. However if you good driver discount on your car insurance policy, this may be taken off when you renew your car insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know if collision or comprehensive insurance in Jonesboro, Arkansas would cover hit and run?

Frank

Jonesboro, AR

The terms of insurance policies vary but generally an insurance carrier will accept an insurance claim under collision coverages for damages sustained to your car caused by a hit and run motorist.

When you see that your vehicle has been damaged by an unknown driver, hit and run, motorist you should contact police officer to make a report. Your insurance company may not require the police report however it is better to have it then need it and not to have made a police report.

When you use your collision coverage to repair your automobile keep in mind that the deductible will be due that you choose for that portion of your insurance policy at its inception.

Typically collision coverages cover damages to your vehicle when your vehicle hits, or is hit by, another car, or other object. A hit and run that clearly shows another vehicle or object collided with your car should be covered under your collision coverages.

Read over the terms of your car insurance policy in Jonesboro, Arkansas and talk to your car insurance agent about making a report for the damages your car sustained by a hit and run incident to verify your collision coverages would be used in your specific case.

Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

If I own a car, but my adult daughter drives it and insures it, am I liable for any damages or injuries if my daughter causes an accident? We live in Fort Smith AR.

Jenny

Fort Smith AR

The owner of a car is typically liable for the actions of anyone that drives that car.

So, the owner could be held liable even though your daughter insures and drives the car. There are cases where prosecutors or other parties may seek damages from the responsible party only and there are situations where state laws limit responsibility to the person involved in the accident.

As the owner of any vehicle, you should be certain that it is properly insured and that all liability is covered, regardless of who has the vehicle under their control, custody or care. For instance, if you owned a home in Fort Smith AR but your daughter was living in it and has renter’s insurance. You would still be responsible for the house and you could be responsibility for any damages that happens at that house.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am looking to add my son to my insurance policy in Jonesboro, Arkansas while he is a full-time student in Canada but my insurance carrier would not cover him in Canada. What should I do?

Oliver

Jonesboro, AR

If your insurance company in Jonesboro, Arkansas will not extend coverage to your full time student son in Canada, you can get help on obtaining the Canadian auto insurance that your son will need on the car he will be driving in Canada. I would suggest that your son may seek help from the student services department of the university he will be attending.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) states that all B.C. drivers must have Basic Autoplan coverage, no matter what they use their car for. It gives you with the minimum insurance coverage that the law says you need to get to be on the road here.

Tags: auto insurance, Student car insurance

Reader’s Question:

What should I do to get my driver’s license reinstated in Pine Bluff Arkansas?

William

Pine Bluff, AR

I suggest that you contact the AR Office of Driver Services, a part of the AR Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), to determine specifically how to reinstate your drivers license since it can differ due to the reason suspension of your driver’s license.

Some of the reasons that Arkansas will suspend your drivers license is if you have accumulated too many administrative points, been involved in a major accident or were arrested for a DUI.

Generally the court in Arkansas will decide when you can apply for driver’s license reinstatement at the time of your conviction. A drivers license suspension can last from a number of days to months in Pine Bluff AR. You can expect to pay on special liability insurance or SR22, fines and reinstatement fees.

Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a friend who rides with me every day to and from work. Do I have to add him to my auto insurance policy in Fort Smith Arkansas?

James

Fort Smith, AR

If your friend is only riding as a passenger and not driving your car, typically they do not need to be added to your auto insurance policy as an additional driver. If you take turns driving the car to work then you should contact your insurance provider to check if they cover the passenger and part time motorist under your current insurance policy or if you would need to add him to it.

If you are concerned about medical coverage, generally, your insurance policy in Fort Smith Arkansas would cover your passenger up to your limits. In most states, your passenger medical expenses would be covered by bodily injury liability, personal injury protection (pip) coverage or uninsured motorist coverage, depending on what type of accident occurred and who was at fault. But again verify with your insurance carrier to make sure your limits and coverages will cover your passenger properly.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My daughter has had several accidents and they want me to exclude her as a driver from our cars. The problem is that if I sign their paper, it will also exclude her as a passenger in my cars. Is that possible, can they do that? If she is in someone else’s car, will that person’s insurance pay if there is an accident and she is hurt? I live in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Ray

Fort Smith, AR

It may differ from insurance carrier to insurance carrier, but, generally, when you exclude someone from driving, your car insurance policy’s insurance coverages are not extended to that individual if that person drives. Now, the coverages usually extend to the individual if that person is a passenger in your cars. I would suggest that you contact you insurance carrier to make sure your current understanding is correct. Now, if your daughter is a passenger in someone else’s car, the owner of the other car may have coverages that will cover your daughter like Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Motorist.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I am probably the most unfortunate driver right now. I am from Canada with international driver’s license and got charged of DUI in Little Rock, Arkansas…what can I do with the suspension? I will be staying here for another 30 days and that can be trouble if I need to leave.

Pamela

Little Rock, Arkansas

You can immediately call the issuing agency of your international license for more details on what you can do.

I am not so much aware for international ruling on DUI, however I can give you basic information for Arkansas AR.

SR-22 insurance policy is a rider to a high-risk auto insurance policy that you might have in AR. It is a guarantee, by the insurance company from Little Rock, Arkansas, that the driver has and will keep in effect at least the very basic mandatory liability insurance for a specific period of time. This serves as a mechanism for the State of Arkansas to monitor the driver’s responsibility to obtain and maintain an SR-22 insurance policy in AK. Although, it is important that you are aware of the fact that not all insurance companies can or will provide SR-22 insurance coverage.
You never run out of options to get your license reinstated.

Although what you have is an international privilege, the state of Arkansas in particular requires a simple remedy through purchasing a liability insurance governed by Arkansas minimum requirements of 25/50/25.

Tags: DUI auto insurance, high risk auto insurance, sr22, SR22 filing