My son keeps insisting that I get him a sporty vehicle for his birthday. He’s still a new driver and I’m kind of concerned for his safety, too. I mean, some of his friends here in Texas can get pretty rowdy. How can I get auto insurance for the boy in a non-expensive way?

Ashley

Dallas, TX

Howdy there, Ashley! New teenage drivers, especially the boys, are a tricky lot. I have one myself, and boy, was he persistent. There are quite a few things that you should remember as a parent. First, it is going to be your wallet that will bail the boy out of trouble. Second, it is still within your parental rights to be concerned of safety. Third, well, auto insurance is pretty tough on young male drivers due to some statistics that they’re highly prone to car accidents.

Whether you are in Texas or in other states, auto insurance will always be that necessary drain. But you can find ways to go around this, and I’ll tell you about the common strategies. You can try the usual route of adding your son to your current auto insurance. You can also talk to your auto insurance company or agent if they recognize some driving schools to get discounts. Some auto insurance companies also look for this. Then there is the ultimate sacrifice– I know you want to give the boy a nice fast car for his birthday, but having a car with a better safety rating will earn you points with the auto insurance companies. The car doesn’t have to be brand-new, so you won’t be pressured to get collision coverage. Then you can also try getting more deductibles to reduce the premiums.

Tags: Car insurance discounts, driving school, New Driver Insurance, teen, teen insurance

If I purchase car insurance here in Texas, who can I include in the policy?

Jamie
Dallas, TX

Buying car insurance is one way of giving your family the security they need especially if you’re traveling. And having car insurance is a responsible way of protecting everyone in your family. With car insurance, you not only protect yourself but all the members of your family who are also drivers.

Remember that if you purchase car insurance, all those who can drive in your family will be included in the policy. After all, the insurance policy is directly connected to your car, so anyone who drives it with your permission will be covered. There are companies in Texas that offer car insurance policies that lets you list a number of drivers to be included in your policy.

You can put on that list everyone in your family who drives. Whether it’s your wife, your boyfriend or your roommate, they can be included in your policy provided that you inform your car insurance company about these inclusions. Just be sure you list even those who drive your car occasionally. To illustrate, if your roommate or boyfriend drives your car and they get into an accident, the car insurance company will pay for the damages provided that the driver of your car was listed on your policy.

Failing to do so might cause delay or even denial of your car insurance claims should that occasional driver get into an accident (while driving your car) without being listed as one of the drivers in your policy.

Discounts are also offered to those who have multiple cars or multiple drivers listed on their policy. But just to be sure, try getting free car insurance quotes online or call your local agent there in Texas.

Tags: auto insurance policy, car insurance, Car insurance discounts

How much does college student automobile insurance here in Florida usually cost?

Brandon

Dallas, TX

The price of automobile insurance depends on a lot of factors. In the case of a college student, the factors that you have to consider are the driving record, the grades, the of the college student, etcetera.

If a certain college student is a first time driver, the prices for automobile insurance may first surprise you because they do not normally cost low. In fact, first time driver automobile insurance policy is one of the most expensive insurance policies available in the industry. First time drivers are considered high risk drivers, thus making their automobile insurance policies really expensive.

Another factor that automobile insurance companies take into account when determining the price of college student automobile insurance policy are the grades of the student. The grades of the college student highly affect the price of his or her automobile insurance premium because good grades are seen by automobile insurance providers as sign of how responsible he or she is on the road. Good grades reduce the price of automobile insurance premiums.

Now, you may be surprised that the sex of the college student are also considered by automobile insurance companies as a factor in determining how much you are going to pay for the college student automobile insurance. Would you believe that female drivers get more discounts than male drivers? This is because men are considered greater risk on the road compared to the women.

Just ask for instant quotes from automobile insurance companies there in Texas. Prices vary from company to company. Just do not forget to mention the details of the college student. Remember that you may get discounts because of some of these details.

Tags: Car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes, First time driver car insurance, Student car insurance, women car insurance

Hi I’m Andre from Dallas, Texas. My mom has been pushing me to get collision insurance for my car. Personally, I’d rather not spend for more than I have to on something I may not use. Is he right to ask me to buy more insurance? Do I need this?

Andre

Dallas, TX

Hi Andre, I’m pretty sure your mom down in Sallas, Texas means well. I think to help you to decide, you will first need to understand what this type of automobile insurance is. We get insurance to protect ourselves, our family and the people around us. We also get insurance to protect our possessions that are of value to us. Now collision insurance, specifically covers our vehicle in cases of accidents that occur wherein the owner is found to be at fault. Meaning, if you bumped your own car either against another car or anything else, read: tree, fence, post, etc. In the event that this happens, your insurance will pay according to the fair market value of your car.

There will also be a deductible which is the share that will come from your personal stash to pay for the repairs. In case of a total wreck though, what the automobile insurance companies give may not always cover for the cost of replacing your car. You’re right, you don’t need to buy Collision Insurance as it is not a requirement by law. Although, if you bought your car through a dealership or used a loan to buy the car, these third parties may require you to get one. If this is still not the case, you may want to get this insurance if you have a relatively pricey vehicle that you may not be able to repair or replace on your own should something happen.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, collision insurance coverage

If I am driving a Dallas Texas company car, do I still need car insurance?

John

Dallas TX

All automobiles on the road should have insurance by the car owner. Your company is responsible for ensuring that the company car that you will be driving has insurance.

In case of an accident, usually the insurance follows the automobile, so the car’s insurance is used as the primary ; your insurance will be used for secondary insurance if the damages exceed the limits of the automobile’s insurance. Typically if you do not own a car, you are not required to have your own auto insurance.

usually it is suggested that you carry a non-owners insurance policy so you will have coverage when you operate other people’s vehicles. This will provide you additional insurance in the event that the car owner’s policy limits are too low.

You need to contact your company’s insurance carrier in Dallas Texas to determine the specifics of the car insurance policy on the company car and how much coverage is provided for you when you operate the car.

Tags: auto insurance, non owners insurance

I know someone who is disabled and lost his drivers license. Someone is driving for her with her own vehicle. How can she get car insurance on her vehicle in Dallas Texas if she does not have a license?

Morris

Dallas, TX

Obtaining car insurance for that individual may be hard if they have no plans to obtain a drivers license again. In most states it is illegal to insure a non-licensed motorist. Since the vehicle owner is disabled there might be helpful rules for them in obtaining car insurance without a drivers license in Dallas Texas. It is best to contact your state insurance regulator to know her consumer rights.

Once she knows her rights she may contact an insurance carrier in Dallas. If it is not possible for a person without a license to obtain car insurance it might be possible to have another person insure the car for her. There are insurance carrier that will permit somebody else to insure her car, even if they do not have an ‘insurable interest’ in it.

It would be better if both the driver and the car owner have their own auto insurance so they are protected in case of an accident.

Tags: auto insurance

I was told recently that having a lien on my car will raise my insurance premiums in Dallas Texas. Is this true?

Billy

Dallas, TX

If a vehicle is purchased or paid for in full or if it is financed could be a rating factor that is applied to insurance provider’s rating system.

The rating factors that insurance companies normally consider include your the kind of car you operate, your age, your claims history, your driving history and in some states your credit record.

Many insurance carriers in Dallas Texas thus ask if you have a lien holder on the vehicle or have paid for it in full due to how they have filed their car insurance rates and/or to be sure that if the vehicle is financed you carry Physical Damage since it is most likely required by your lien holder. Typically it is not a rating factor that will raise your car insurance rates but just information an insurance company needs to properly quote you insurance rates on the type of coverage you will need on the car.

Comprehensive and collision are the type of physical damage coverage that is usually required if your car is leased or financed. Lien holders require these coverages normally on a car to protect their interest or collateral, the car.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Am I allowed to take my automobile to my own body shop in Dallas Texas?

Jim

Dallas, TX

Yes, you can take your vehicle anywhere you want for repairs.

But, if you don’t have a preferred body shop, some insurance companies can assist you locate one that’s close to your home in Dallas Texas.

If you choose to have your car repaired at one of the shops near your area, it’s likely that you will get your car insurance claim resolved faster.

Most insurance providers should not have a problem with using an outside body shop, regardless of the body shop ownership. If any car repair work isn’t consistent with the payment then the insurance claim payment may be denied.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Will my insurance company in Dallas Texas increase my car insurance rates once I reach the age of 65?

Cooper

Dallas, TX

No, car insurance rates do not necessarily increases once you reach age 65. This will depend upon insurance carrier guidelines and state laws if car insurance rates will go up after a driver turns a certain age.

Some insurance providers in Dallas Texas offer lower car insurance rates to those between the age of 50 and 65, since this age group has lower accident rates. After the age 65 insurance rates typically do start to go up again though and people over age 70 may have a hard time finding an insurance carrier to accept them as a new policyholder since accidents for this age group tend to rise.

There are car insurance companies though that provide mature driver discounts for motorists of a certain age with good driving records or discounts to seniors who attend an approved driving class.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, car insurance rate, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

What will be the legal penalties for driving without car insurance in Dallas Texas?

Josh

Dallas, TX

There are harsh legal penalties for driving without insurance in Dallas Texas. There is a a fine between $175 up to $350 for the first offense. Subsequent violations could result in fines of $350 up to $1,000, driver’s license and registration suspension and impoundment of your motor vehicle. Driving without insurance in Texas is a misdemeanor, and therefore a criminal violation, but it is considered less serious in nature compared to felony violations such as felony DWI or vehicular homicide.

In addition, if a person was at fault in a car accident and were found to be driving without insurance then the state of Texas do require them to pay for the injuries or damages they caused.

Tags: auto insurance, driving without insurance