Personal Information Needed by Car Insurance Company
Reader’s Question:
What information do insurance companies get if I apply for a car insurance in California?
Ray
Good question Ray.
The insurance company or an agent will ask for certain personal information if you apply for a car insurance. This would help them determine if you are eligible for the coverage and they will be able to know the price for your coverage. The information that will be collected if you apply for a car insurance are; driving record, automobile mileage driven and years of driving experience.
A Motor Vehicle Report will be ordered for all the drivers on the insurance application by the insurance company on some states. The Motor Vehicle Report is an official record of a motorist that can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicle. This is being use to verify any traffic offenses, license revocation and any accidents of all driver’s listed on all application.
In case of any unsatisfied judgment, major traffic or moving violations. license suspension and failure to show liability insurance, a California Insurance Proof certificate or SR22 is needed. This is being filed by the insurance company to the Department of motor vehicles. Normally the requirement period is up to three years. Any minor convictions remains on the record for 3 years, 7 years for the major convictions like hit and run, reckless driving etc.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
DUI In California – How Long Does it Stay On My Record?
Reader’s question:
How long does a DUI stay on your record in the state of California and is there a way that the years of penalty can be reduced?
Holly
Good question Holly.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that any California offense will appear on your driving record 10 years from the violation date. This is a new legislation thus extends the reporting period from seven to ten years for DUI offenses.
This new law allows the insurance companies to have access to the driving record of the motorist to properly apply the new provision of the Insurance Code. This would determine the eligibility of the the drivers discount. Motorist with a DUI violation occurring within the past 10 years are not entitled to received such discounts like Good Driver discount.
You may not be able to qualify for the good diver discount until 10 years from the date of the violation under this law. You may contact your insurance company regarding other information on your premiums.
There are no exceptions in this law. The reporting period of ten year applies to all non commercial drivers, even to those who maintain a clean driving record thereafter.You may contact the Department of motor vehicle to find out if theres any way that you can get the DUI off your record before the ten year period.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Car Insurance Record In California?
Reader’s Question:
How long does a car accident stay on your insurance record in California?
Tom
Good question Tom.
All accidents are reported by the law enforcement officer to the Department of Motor Vehicle that will show upon your driving record unless another person is at fault in the event of accident.
The California assigns one point to at fault accidents. The points will be placed on your driving record and all the information regarding the incident. This information will stay on your record for three years.
Whenever a person applies for a policy, renews his insurance or makes any changes in their auto insurance policy, the car insurance companies check the individuals car insurance and driving records. If your accident is on the MVR, this will definitely affects your insurance rate.
Insurance companies keep records of your claims related to accidents as well as the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The insurance companies can access the comprehensive loss underwriting exchange to find out what previous claims you’ve had.
You may contact the California Department of Insurance to find out if California allows insurance companies to charge surcharges or raise premiums due to accidents.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Penalties for Driving Without a California Drivers License
Reader’s Question:
What penalties for a minor driving without drivers license in California?
Jay
Good question Jay.
In California, the penalties for driving without drivers license are fines/court fees and towing and impoundments of the vehicle the unlicensed motorist is driving. The vehicle may also be taken away from you as a forfeiture if you have prior conviction for driving without insurance in California.
It is misdemeanor to drive without a valid drivers license in California. All motorist are required for the driver to carry his license while driving at all times. If you drive without car insurance or revoked license, you may be fined with $1000 for the first conviction.
If a minor drives without a valid license, the minor will be delayed for receiving his driver’s license. Before they can receive or obtain a valid license or permit, the California Department of Motor Vehicle should be able to give the minor the information of what licensing penalties would be.
Normally the county court where you were cited for the conviction will be the one who will assign the fine. You may call the court or other entity listed on the ticket to find out more information on the penalties for driving without valid license in the state of of California.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance Coverage in California?
Reader’s Question:
Can I drive without insurance in California? What is the cheapest minimum coverage should I have?
Mel
Thank you for asking Mel.
It is mandatory that all motorist has a car insurance in California. There’s a lot of drivers looking for the cheapest car insurance and insurance companies are willing to provide it. Drivers that do not have their vehicles insured will incur penalties in the state of California. You license may also be suspended or revoked if you fail to show proof of financial responsibility. A ticket may also be issued if you fail to show proof of auto insurance when asked by the person with authority. So it is very important for the motorist to get the cheapest car insurance they can get to make sure that they get the policy that meets or exceeds the state minimum required liability insurance.
The minimum California liability insurance are $15000 for the death/injury per person in an injury and $30000 for the death/injury of all the people involved in an accident plus additional $5000 for the property damage liability. A person have the option to fulfill the obligation by posting a surety bond or making a cash deposit with the California Department of Motor Vehicle.
It is easy to purchase a ca insurance plan but what is important is to choose a reputable insurance company that will provide you the coverage.
There are other factors that you need to consider when purchasing cheap car insurance. Those who drives old vehicles are generally suited to get the cheap car insurance. A cheap car insurance may not cover a person in the event of an accident or collision. Cheap car insurance will certainly not cover the towing charges and the rental fees while the damaged car is being repaired. All cheap car insurance companies offers are all different. Therefore it is best to compare several companies.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Will Canada Speeding Ticket Affect My California Car Insurance?
Reader’s question:
I received a speeding ticket while driving my boyfriend’s car in Canada. is it still going to show up on my insurance if I pay it? I live in LA California.
Christina
Thank you for asking Christina.
Your home state California is part of the Driver’s License Compact or what is known as DLC that requires all of its member states including California to report or informed the member state of all the moving violations by their licensed motorist. Although Canada is not part of the DLC, California may have the same agreement as well.
California Vehicle Code , Provision 13363 states that the Department of Motor Vehicle can suspend the license upon the notice of conviction of a person in a state of territory, district of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the Dominion of Canada of an offense which if has been committed in state, would be grounds for suspension of the privilege to operate a vehicle.
This means that the the convictions in Canada will still be reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicle. You may contact the California DMV to verify if the speeding ticket has been transferred to them or if points has been assigned already. The point assigned for a speeding ticket in California is 1 point.
This however will not show up on your friends record nor affect her insurance rate.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
I Got a Speeding Ticket In Wisconsin But Live In California
Reader’s question:
I live in California and I got a speeding ticket while traveling in Wisconsin. I paid the fines already, can I take on-line course to have the ticket removed?
Kyle
Thank you for asking.
California is a member of the Drivers License Compact. This means that your home state as well as the other member states will report any traffic violations their licensed motorists received from the out of state. Wisconsin is not part of the DLC but it does not mean that the California Department of Motor Vehicle will not be informed about the ticket you received in Wisconsin.
Since you already paid the fine, it seems that you’ve already been convicted of the speeding violation. This information would have already been transferred and and put in your driving record. There is no type that of driving course or traffic school that can removed from your record the ticket that you received in Wisconsin. You may still contact the California DMV and verify if there is an on line class that you can take or any other options that you have to have the the ticket removed from your driving record.
Once the ticket has been put on your record and has assigned points to it, I dont think California will allow for this information to be removed from your record. It is going to be 1 point for the out of state speeding ticket in California.
You must get an approval from the clerk of the court from the county where you received the ticket and ask them if you can take the driving school in California.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Do I Need Car Insurance in California To Drive My Friend’s Car?
Reader’s question:
I have a California driver’s license but I do not have car insurance. Can I still use my friend’s car if its insured?
Cheska
Good question Cheska.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicle, all car drivers and vehicle owners must have the required minimum liability car insurance. This means that even if you do not have a vehicle, you would still need to carry an auto insurance and a driver’s license in California.
You may check with your friends insurance policy if you are covered with her policy if you’re going to drive your friend’s car. If you are going to drive that car on a regular basis, your friend should add you as the occasional driver on that car.
Normally, the car insurance insurance follows the car. So you should be covered by your friend’s car insurance.
It is best to check with the insurance provider if they have any exclusion in this kind of situation.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
California State Liability Auto Insurance Coverage?
Reader’s question:
Can I register my car in California but still keep my insurance policy in Las Vegas, Nevada?
Ria
Good question.
The Department of Motor Vehicle states that your car insurance needs to meet the minimum liability requirement by the state of California and it should be issued by the insurance company licensed to do business in the state of California.
The minimum insurance required in California is 15/30/5. This means $15000 for the injury or death per person, $30000 per injury or death to more than one person and $5000 for property damage coverage.
Nevada has a different minimum requirement from CA. The basic coverage in the state of Nevada is 15/30/10. This means that the bodily injury coverage is $15000 per injured person up to the total of $3000 per accident and the property damage liability has the minimum limit of $1000.
Your insurance company is required to report or inform the California Department of Motor Vehicles the insurance information for of all private use vehicle liability policy. Most insurers will not insure vehicles if you move to out of state.
On the other hand, if your insurance company is licensed to do business in the state of California, you can contact your insurance provider on how to go about changing your Nevada insurance policy to California car insurance policy so you may be able to register it in the state of California. It is best to contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles to get more information of getting California car insurance and requirements for vehicle registration.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Do I Need To Take Defensive Driving For an Out Of State Speeding Ticket?
Reader’s question:
Can I take driving course if I got a ticket in Colorado but I live in California?
Marianne.
Good question.
If you get convicted of a traffic ticket in Colorado, the California Department of Motor Vehicle will be notified since Colorado and California are both members of the Drivers License Compact. The California violation point list are worth 1 or 2 points on your California driving history.
Colorado and California both have traffic school systems. The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) will inform you if you are eligible to take traffic school or driving course where you receive the ticket.
States typically have laws on what type of traffic violations the driving school can be used to dismiss the citation conviction. You will first have to check if Colorado allows a class to be taken for the violation before attending any type of driver improvement class. Then you will need to find out if can take the class to an out of state license. Some states only allow in state for traffic schools.
You will need to check also with the California DMV if its possible to erase the state violation if you can take a California driving class.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
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