Reader’s Question:

I want to add my nanny in my car insurance policy. Unfortunately, she does not have a clean driving record in Georgia. If we add her under our existing car insurance policy, our rates double. Is there a cheaper way to have her insured?

Liz

Atlanta, GA

Firstly, you need to ask yourself if adding her would be really necessary. Insurers in Georgia would be asking you if she lives in your house, and if she drives your car for thirty consecutive days at a time. If this is not the case, then you need not include her under your policy since your current one may well cover her if anything untoward happens while she’s behind the wheel.

Another thing to consider before adding her to your policy is her driving record. Since you stated that she does not have a clean driving record in Georgia–What could be her previous traffic citations? Was she involved in a car accident before where she was found at fault? Did she get speeding tickets or committed any other traffic violation? If she has a driver’s license, why doesn’t an insurer agree to cover her?

If car insurance companies think that she is a high-risk driver based on her driving record, then shouldn’t you be having second thoughts on taking the financial accountability for her car insurance? And would you really trust her to drive your kids to and from school if she doesn’t have a clean driving record?

Investigate first. Then if you really are bent on adding her to your car insurance policy, you can always shop around or ask for discounts from your car insurance provider.

Tags: Car insurance discounts, car insurance rate, high risk insurance, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I gave my son his car so that I wouldn’t need to take him to and fetch him from school here in Georgia. How does student automotive insurance work?

Agatha

Atlanta, GA

Agatha, if your son is a first time driver, this may spell trouble for your finances because teenage automotive insurance do not come in low prices. This is because teenage drivers are considered high-risk drivers by automotive insurance companies due to the high number of accidents involving teenage drivers.

However, there are steps you can take in order to turn your expensive teen automotive insurance to a cheaper one. So, what are these steps?

Include your son in an existing automotive insurance. This is going to make you eligible to avail of discounts. Discounts are available for multiple drivers, multiple vehicles and multiple policies in an insurance company. You may want to take advantage of this.

Also, since your son is a high school student, you should make sure that he gets good grades in school. You might be puzzled by the connection of this to your teen’s automotive insurance premium. The logic behind here is that automotive insurance companies would view your son as a responsible kid who is thus capable of being responsible as well on the road. Responsible drivers are highly unlikely to get themselves into road accidents.

Another way of doing this is by having your kid enroll in a driving course, basic driving course or defensive driving course. There should be accredited establishments there in your area in California that offer this kind of courses.

If you follow these tips, paying for your teen’s automotive insurance should not be much of a worry. But in any case, the coverage of your teen’s automotive insurance still depends on what you are going to specify to the insurers. So, just ask for some quotes from different automotive insurance companies.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, Student car insurance, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am Dwayne and I am 59 years old now and will become a senior citizen in a few months. When I approach 60, will I still be able to get insurance for my automobile here in Atlanta, Georgia?

Dwayne

Atlanta, GA

Dwayne, I know what’s going on your mind right now. Probably, you’re thinking you’re not insurable anymore the moment you hit 60. Or if you can get insurance at all, you’re probably thinking you’re car insurance rate will eat your pension away. Well, Dwayne, let me tell you something to lift your spirits up. Senior citizens are among the least risk rated drivers. As you know, something that comes with age is driving experience. Compared to a teenager driver, I will trust an old yoke anytime, any day. Another good thing about seniors is they would be more observant of road traffic rules. Always remember, Dwayne, as long as you can drive, you are insurable.

To save money, try to get quotes from all insurance companies servicing Atlanta, Georgia. Or for faster results, the internet has almost all information about auto insurance. You can also get quotes through the internet. A lot of insurance companies give discounts if you drive less than 10,000 miles in a year, so take note of that. If you have more than one car, insuring them with one auto insurance company will also get you more discounts. No one will stop you from driving if you are healthy, so it is important to stay healthy. I mean, why punish yourself by trying to drive in your retirement if you have arthritis or diabetes, or any conditions that may affect driving. So, Dwayne, you have nothing to worry and are still insurable as long as you are healthy. Enjoy driving.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m here in Atlanta, GA. The name is George. If my car gets stolen and then the yellow-bellied thief figures in an accident and runs away, is there a chance that the people affected by the accident chase after me and my auto insurance?

George

Atlanta, GA

Now, wouldn’t that be a colorful story. Of course, we know that it happens. Thief takes your car, figures in an accident or uses it for who knows what and leaves the car somewhere dented and without gas. If the bad guy figures in a car accident, hit another car, a fence, or worst, a pedestrian, you will not be held responsible for the damages. That’s the nice part. The bad part is you will have to pay for the repairs of your car from your own pocket. I don’t think it’s a good idea to hope that the bastardly evil doer’s insurance will cover it. I don’t even think the bad guy has insurance. But even if the thief is apprehended and has auto insurance, I don’t think his or her (to be gender sensitive here) auto insurance company will include cleaning up after the thief in his or her (again, sensitivity) insurance policy. Of course, you’ll have to prove that the car really was stolen in the first place. Make sure to inform the proper authorities when your car gets stolen and get a police report. That’s added footwork but you won’t regret it as it will cover your back.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, and I just want to know if whether my car insurance is going to pay first, or is it my own personal insurance, in case I get into an accident?

Mike

Atlanta, GA

Well, it will depend on whether you’re driving your own car, if you borrowed it, or if it’s a rental. If you’re driving your car, both your car insurance and your personal insurance will cover you. It’ll be your owners’ policy that kicks in first, then your personal insurance will cover the rest of the excess amount. Take note that your personal insurance will cover you, not the car. This, of course, goes without saying that it wasn’t you that caused the accident. If you are at fault, you can bet your stars that the insurance company of the other person involved will go after you to try to recuperate any financial damages you may have caused. If what you’re driving, however, is not your own car, a different process is involved. There is such a thing called non-owners’ insurance policy or rental policy, and that’s a different topic altogether. As with all kinds of insurance, policies, prices and processes vary from insurance company to insurance company and from state to state.

Ask your agent there in Atlanta, Georgia. These are some of the things you should’ve known before you bought your insurance policies.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I made the payment for the full year on my car insurance and I got into an accident recently and my vehicle is unable to get fixed so my automobile insurance was cancelled. Do I get a refund from my car insurance company in Atlanta Georgia for the amount that I have not used in my car insurance payment?

Brandon

Atlanta GA

Yes, of course! Since you made a payment for the full year and your car insurance has been cancelled since you do not a vehicle to place the car insurance on, you may be able to request for a car insurance payment refun from your car insurance carrier in Atlanta Georgia for the months of car insurance that you paid in advance and will no longer be using.

If you are going to buy a new vehicle so you can replace the vehicle that can no longer be fixed due to an accident, then I suggest that you cancel your automobile insurance but you need to transfer it over to the replacement automobile.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

I have an SUV and got rear ended by a cab driver. His insurance company only wants to give less than twenty dollars for my rental car a day. This is not enough to rent the same car I use everyday, so what do you think I should do? I live in Atlanta Georgia.

Jack

Atlanta, GA

Your own auto insurance policy in Atlanta Georgia generally has a rental vehicle allowance to provide you transportation while your car is being repaired. If your vehicle is beyond repair then the rental vehicle period might continue while you are in the process of negotiating the settlement for the car.

In your case, the driver who was at fault has the responsibility to give you with whatever you need to be in the same situation you were before the accident. They may try to negotiate for the amount and provide a set limit, however you have the right to require them to provide you with the same situation you had before the accident. You have the right to sue the at fault party which may be the Taxi company, including the insurance carrier that is representing them.

If it is important for you to rent a bigger car then you may try negotiating the extra cost for this with the insurance carrier. If you want to verify if there are any state guidelines for this case, you can try contacting the consumer division of your state’s insurance regulatory body.

Tags: auto insurance, rental car insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I have been in a car accident and it is the other party’s fault, Can I sue the other driver’s insurance company and my insurance company in Atlanta GA?

Halley

Atlanta, GA

Typically there are provisions in your auto insurance policy about your ability to request arbitration or sue. You need to read through your insurance policy, and check if there are any evaluation provisions or special limitations to sue your own insurance carrier in Atlanta GA.

It is not necessary to sue typically in order to be properly compensated. Many states inact laws to limit lawsuits related to auto accidents. For instance, no-fault laws are created to guarantee person’s insurance policies cover them regardless of fault in an accident.

Most auto insurance claims are settled without using a lawyer in Atlanta GA. Parties involved in an auto accident may face civil liability, criminal liability or both. The state usually starts a prosecution only if anyone is severely injured or killed, or if one of the motorist involved was clearly grossly negligent or driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired at the time the accident happened.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

We are starting our own business and we are trying to figure out what are the requirements for having business insurance on the vehicle in Marietta, GA.

Cook

Marietta, GA

The requirements for having business car insurance on a car may vary according to state laws and insurance provider guidelines.

You should select Business Use car insurance if your car is regularly used for occupational responsibilities, such as traveling between locations for business appointments or sales calls.

Usually with a business auto insurance policy the named insured is the business. Normally automatically included as insured’s are: employees; owners of borrowed cars; anyone using the business car with permission. A leasing company or bank with an interest in an insured car may be included as an additional insured.

Tags: Business Auto Insurance, Commercial car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I received a OUIL in Michigan almost five years ago and have had no violations since. I now live in Georgia, should I tell this conviction to an insurance company when applying for car insurance?

Sullivan

Athens, GA

Operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor or OUIL has now been renamed as OWI meaning operating while intoxicated.

In Michigan OWI is a misdemeanor unless charged as a 3rd offense within 10 years, in which case it’s a felony.

Now that you are living in Athens, Georgia an insurance provider can still access your Michigan driving history so you will need to tell this old conviction if asked for violations on your auto insurance application. If you do not mention this and the insurance provider finds out about this OWI then your car insurance quote would be inaccurate and need to be recalculated including this violation. If you have already received your car insurance policy and this offense is later found out about then it could be considered that you misrepresented your driving history which may be considered fraud.

Tags: auto insurance, traffic violation