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.

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 GA.

Cook

Atlanta, 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.

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

My teenage daughter is 18 years old and still resides with me in Atlanta, my question is :can she drive your car without being listed on your auto insurance? A friend for example borrows your vehicle and gets into an accident, was it legal for them to drive your vehicle because you gave them permission? Therefore will your insurance provider cover costs incurred minus your deductible?

Michelle

Atlanta, GA

Most insurance companies in Atlanta require you to list all of your household residents. With those who are licensed (or of driving age), your insurance company will give you the choice of listing them as ‘eligible’ to drive or ‘excluded’ from driving. If they are listed as ‘eligible,’ they will be rated against your policy’s premiums. If they are ‘excluded,’ they will not be rated against your policy’s premiums; however, you are accepting full responsibility if you let them drive – even once and no matter the circumstance. Now, the example you provided is an entirely different issue. Also household residents, your insurance provider wants to know who will be driving your car with any frequency or regularity. If someone is going to be driving your car with any regularity or frequency, that individual will need to be listed as an ‘eligible’ driver on your car insurance policy. The insurance carrier will cover someone who does not reside with you and you let that individual drive it for a ‘one-time’ thing.

My son has let his auto insurance lapse. He have been canceled for non-payment over the past years. He can’t seem to find an insurance company now to insure his auto in Atlanta GA. How can he get car insurance?

Noel

Atlanta, GA

Due to your son having car insurance issues previously (non-payment, lapse in coverage, etc) he is considered a high risk motorist. For motorists such as your son that are unable to find an insurance provider in the voluntary market that will insure them, most states have high risk insurance company that will cover these types of motorists.

Typically high risk drivers in Atlanta  have to go the Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan (GAAIP). It was created in 1949 to give auto insurance coverage to eligible high risk motorist who seek coverage and are unable to get such coverage through the voluntary market.

Eligible Georgia Automobile Insurance Plan risks are shared among companies writing car insurance in the state of Georgia. To get more information who these insurance companies are in Georgia and how your son can get car insurance in Georgia through the GAAIP so that he can insure and operate his vehicle contact the Georgia Insurance Commissioner.