Auto Insurance Time Frame Washington WA
Reader’s Question:
If I buy a car here in Washington, what is the allowable time frame for me to get automotive insurance?
Anita
Bellingham, WA
The state of Washington requires that liability insurance be carried by licensed operators of motor vehicles. This law is to be adhered upon the operation of a vehicle and it does not acknowledge any grace period for acquiring the said insurance. If you violate this state law and you get caught, you may face penalties such as payment of fine, imprisonment, or suspension of driving license.
The state insurance regulator of Washington notes that since different auto insurance companies have different time frame prerequisites for the addition of a new vehicle to an existing policy, you may have to check with your auto insurance carrier if you will be given a grace period for the insurance application. You may also ask for the coverage of physical damages for the time being that your auto insurance application is being processed.
If you are buying a car and you do not have any existing auto insurance policy, then you may have to obtain auto insurance first before taking home the car with you. If you want to have your auto insurance released on time, you may give the auto insurance company the required information about the vehicle ahead of time.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy
First Time Driver Insurance Washington WA
Reader’s Question:
I just bought my teenage daughter her first car. How can I get cheap auto insurance for her here in Washington since she is just a first time driver?
Elle
Bellevue, WA
Elle, the first thing that I have to tell you is that auto insurance for first-time drivers are higher than the standard auto insurance policies. The reason behind this is that it is typically considered by auto insurance companies that first-time drivers are high-risk drivers. It has been proven through statistics that teenage drivers get into more vehicular accidents than the number of all vehicular accidents involving other age brackets combined.
Now, in order for you to reduce the amount that you are going to be paying for auto insurance, you must consider taking some deliberate steps that are sure to lower your expenses.
First, if you already have an existing auto insurance policy, it would cost a lot less if you just include her in your auto insurance policy rather than purchasing a separate one for her. Multidriver policies with an auto insurance company always generate more discounts and lower prices.
Next, you may also want to think of having your teenage daughter enrolled in basic driving course there in Washington. Contact the school of your daughter and ask them if they offer basic driving courses. If not, you should seek out a private institution where you could enroll your daughter. Having your daughter take basic driving course is like some form of assurance to the auto insurance companies that your daughter is going to be a responsible driver, making her a less risky driver when on the road. The same logic applies if your daughter has good grades in school.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, teen insurance
Driving Without Car Insurance Washington WA
Reader’s Question:
How much is the penalty if I’m caught driving an uninsured car in Washington?
Ben
Bellingham, WA
The state of Washington requires the drivers and owners of the vehicle for a car insurance or other means of financial responsibility for the vehicle. The Revised Code of Washington (46.30.020) states that a failure to show proof of financial responsibility is considered a traffic infraction.. This traffic infraction is subject to penalties assigned by the supreme court
In addition, the citation for operating an uninsured vehicle is a traffic violation, which is subject to a fine of at least $250. Aside from this fine, there are additional fees and assessments that will give you a total amount of around $450.
Part of the penalty is a public safety and education assessment. Furthermore, this offense will appear on your Washington driving record like any other traffic offense.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, driving without insurance
Classic Vehicle Insurance Seattle Washington WA
Filed under: Cheap Washington State insurance, SR22 Washington State
Reader’s Question:
It’s my first time to buy a classic car through an auction bidding here in Seattle, Washington. Do they have insurance for classic cars as I don’t intend to drive it frequently, only during special occasion?
Mark
Seattle, WA
Good question, Mark of Seattle, Washington, and good of you to point out that you don’t intend to drive the classic car frequently. Classic cars are in a different category as normal vehicle insurance quotes, depending on the year, make and model of a car. Now, if you apply standard car insurance to a classic car, more or less, your policy will come out cheap. Don’t smile yet because when you are in an accident, coverage will also be very limited as your coverage is for an over-depreciated car. I’ll be straight up with you, Classic car insurance will definitely be costly as this type of vehicle insurance will assure coverage for the full value of the car in case of a loss. The value of the car will depend on your agreement between insuree and the insurer’s party.
Other things to consider though are special clauses. One of the usual requirements is that you should have a dedicated facility to lock and secure the car when not in use. You may also be allowed to use the car more or less for everyday errands like going to work or dropping the kids. Some insurer may stipulate that their policy will not include to racing-related activities. Be sure to call first your insurer should you have plans to restore your car as there also might be special clauses regarding restorations.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost, car insurance quotes
Auto Insurance Policy Seattle Washington WA
Filed under: Cheap Washington State insurance, Non owner insurance Washington State, SR22 Washington State, Teen Washington State insurance
Reader’s Question:
Here in Seattle, WA, I noticed that most car insurance companies only write six month policies. Why is that? Is that regular practice? Is this the same in other states, as well?
Kurt
Seattle, WA
A six month insurance policy is a regular practice among car insurance companies. Car insurance companies change their rates according to their appraisal of your risk factor. Insurance is about the company having your back when something happens to you, your car, the other car or the driver of the other car. Now, before they gave you a car insurance quote when you first applied for coverage there in Seattle, WA, they checked out your risk factor. They presented a quotation after checking several things out. A six month insurance policy allows insurance companies to recheck or revisit the status of your risk factor and make changes accordingly. They would check if your lifestyle has changed: has it mellowed down or have you taken up drag racing as a hobby. Knowing this, your premium may increase or decrease depending on the outcome of their appraisal. So basically, this can be beneficial for the policy holder, too.
Although, this gives the insurance company a chance to raise premium, this is also an opportunity for the policy holder to lower it. Long term policies are not welcomed by insurance companies as this can effectively immobilize them when the risk factor of a policy holder has increased in the middle of the policy term. If the lifestyle of a policy holder has not or does not change dramatically, then there is no cause for alarm over this six month insurance policy.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company