car insurance in Washington

Reader’s Question:

I received a ticket in BC with a Washington state drivers license. Will this increase my auto insurance rate?

Kelsey

Thank you for asking Kelsey.

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) site states that they keep a record of traffic violations, convictions for motor vehicle infractions and notices for failure to appear or respond to traffic citation on every motorist in the state. This information that goes on your driving record is obtained by clerk of the courts and licensing agencies so it would appear that the out of state information forwarded back to the DOL would also be placed on your WA driving record.

If this speeding ticket is placed on your WA driving record than your insurance company will see this violation the next time they pull up your MVR. According to the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner the insurance rating systems differ depending upon an insurance company’s own guidelines usually rate on various factors including your driving record. To get information if this state speeding ticket will affect your rates, check with your insurance provider on how to go about their rating system.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

auto insurance in Washington

Reader’s Question:

I received a speeding ticket in Maine. Will this show up on my record in Washington state where I am licensed in?

Gina

Thank you for asking Gina.

Maine, where you received your ticket and and Washington, your home state are both members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC). As part of this compact members forward information to other member states when one of their licensed drivers is ticketed for a traffic violation.

Section 46.21.010 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) gives information on Washington’s participation with the DLC. In Article III of this section it states:

The licensing authority of a party state shall report each conviction of a person from another party state occurring within its jurisdiction to the licensing authority of the home state of the licensee. Such report shall clearly identify the person convicted; describe the violation specifying the section of the statute, code or ordinance violated; identify the court in which action was taken; indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered, or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of bail, bond or other security; and shall include any special findings made in connection therewith.

You may check with the Washington DOL to make sure if this out of state speeding ticket will be recorded on your driving record and if there are any other penalties you will face in state for getting ticketed for speeding out of state.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

car insurance WA

Reader’s Question:

I have a suspended license in MI and I’m planning to get a drivers license in the state of Washington will I be able to do this?

Michelle

Thank you for asking Michelle.

I would suggest that you check with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to check if you can apply and get a WA driver’s license while your previous state of Michigan has your license suspended there.

It is likely that WA will require you to get your MI driver’s license reinstated before you can acquire a Washington State license.

According to the Washington law you have 30 days to get your Washington driver license once you establish residency in Washington State. The DOL states that in order to do so you need to turn in a valid out of state license, which your suspended Michigan license would not be.

IN addition to that your driving record from Michigan will be brought over to WA when you get a Washington state license.

To find out and to make sure if you can apply and get a WA driver’s license you should check with the DOL. If you need to reinstate your MI license before getting a Washington license, you may contact the MI SOS to check how to go about doing this so that you can again be licensed to drive.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Auto insurance in Washington state

Reader’s Question:

I just want to know if my car insurance rate will go up in Washington state if I receive a ticket. Thanks.

Jasmine

Thank you for asking Jasmine.

The individual insurance providers in Washington state determine their own rates based on their own rating system. Insurance carrier must provide and submit their rate requests to the WA Insurance Commissioner for review. If this State agency is satisfied with the rate information, they will approve the request of the insurance companies.

Insurance providers base car insurance rates on different factors. The base rate is adjusted based on different factors like your age,marital status, driving history,sex, claims history, location, credit history, and the make, model and year of your vehicle etc. When you shop for car insurance, make sure that each company uses these factors differently.

To get more information about the rating system of your insurance company you may contact your insurance agent or the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner with whom they must file their rates with. They will be able to give you information if the violation will increase your premium.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

sr22 WA insurance

Reader’s Question:

Do I have to start the three years all over again if I am required to carry an sr22 auto insurance and I cancel before the end date and re-purchase it again?

Jerry

Thank you for asking Jerry.

According to Washington State law whenever any individual whose proof has been canceled or terminated and applies for a license within a period of three years from the date proof was originally required, any such application shall be refused unless the applicant shall reestablish such proof for the remainder of such three-year period.

I would suggest that you check with Washington Department of Licensing to verify what is required of you with regards to the time period in which you must carry the SR-22 or proof of Financial certificate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Washington sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I received a ticket for reckless driving and I was ordered to get an sr22. I just want to know how do I have to carry it. It has been 5 years already? What do I need to remove it? I live in Washington.

Ray

Thank you for asking Ray.

It looks like that you were mandated to carry proof of Financial Responsibility (SR-22) Insurance Certificate after a suspension because reckless driving conviction and you need it to reinstate your license. Yes, normally an individual in this situation needs to have SR-22 insurance for 3 years.

To get more information if your period to carry the SR-22 for your reckless driving offense is complete already you may contact the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) or other state agency that required you to carry the SR-22. If your time period for holding the SR-22 has been completed then the DOL or other WA department should be able to inform you what is needed to be done in order stop carrying this certificate of insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

sr22 Washington state

Reader’s Question:

How long do I have to carry WA s22?

Dan

Thank you for asking Dan.

Usually the time that a motorist is required to maintain an SR-22 is 3 years in the state of Washington. It depends on the reason that you are required to acquire the SR-22 that may change the amount of time you are required to maintain it though.

You can be required by the state to obtain an SR22 for different reasons:

1. driver’s license suspension reinstatement due to a DUI
2. accident without insurance
3. second or subsequent offense of leaving a child unattended in a running vehicle

In WA when you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must file an SR-22 or the finacial responsibility certificate, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.

Your may contact the Washington State Department of Licensing to get more information on reinstating license. You may reach the WA DOL hotline at 360-570-7040.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

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