We are working with a DUI lawyer about my son’s DUI case here in Georgia and I think we have a strong defense. The other problem I have now is concerning my auto insurance because he is under my policy and I wanna know how much rate increase I will have if he stays in my policy. When all of this is over, does he need to get his own car insurance?

Garth

Columbus, GA

It’s a good thing that you are working with a DUI lawyer since a DUI charge should be taken seriously. I’m pretty sure your son’s DUI lawyer would work in his best interest so that he won’t be convicted. With regard to your auto insurance, it will be an option for you and your son to get his own policy. If he owns a vehicle (one that is under his name), then getting his own auto insurance is definitely an option. But if he doesn’t own a vehicle and he just drives yours, then he has to stay on your auto insurance policy. This would actually depend on the guidelines of your auto insurance provider in Georgia.

The rating system of the auto insurance company would decide on how much your rates can go up because of your son’s DUI citation. Because these rating systems vary from one auto insurance company to another, you have to talk with your auto insurance agent to know what the premium increase could be. Normally, a DUI conviction is seen as a greater risk by majority of the auto insurance carriers, hence probably his premiums would show this.

Remember that the guidelines of every auto insurance company are different so you have to consult with your insurer to determine if your auto insurance payment would be affected by the DUI case of your son. If he stays in your auto insurance policy, you can expect that his DUI can cause your premiums to go up because traffic offenses, especially DUI, are taken seriously by auto insurance carriers.

Sad to say I’ve not had much luck with brokers here in Georgia to find me affordable rates. I know I can do better, can you tell me where I can go to get the most affordable car insurance rates?

Kauffman

Atlanta, GA

Yes, you can probably do better in finding the best car insurance rates especially with the help of the Internet. Agents and brokers are no longer your sole method of finding good car insurance coverage. So how exactly can you find the best deals on the Internet? Here is a guide to help you out:

Insurance Comparison Portals

These are websites dedicated to giving you access to the latest car insurance rates. You can obtain a free car insurance quotation and be able to compare the offers of many different auto insurers in the market. This beats having to spend hours on the phone with agents or a quarter of your day meeting with a broker. It only takes a few minutes to enter your information and receive a quote listing all available rate offers in your area. This saves you time, effort, and maximizes your chances of finding the best-priced deals for you.

Independent Rating Agencies

These agencies can guide you in choosing the best-overall car insurance company out there. Companies like Moodys, Standard & Poors, J.D. Powers, and A.M. Best rate the performance of different companies. Visit their website and get a good idea about which insurers in your area rated as the best.

Insurance Company Homepages

Don’t forget to visit the website of the insurer your interested in. Find out about the details concerning their policy as well as possible discount options you can be eligible for. This kind of information can help you decide if a certain insurer is the right one for you or not.

My wife got charged for DUI here in Georgia, what sort of penalties or fines are we looking at?

Dandre

Columbus, GA

Georgia, like the rest of the country, has very strict laws for DUI or Driving Under the Influence offense; even harder are the DUI penalties reserved for those who are actually convicted of a DUI. Among them includes costly fines, suspension of one’s drivers license, and even incarceration. A DUI offender is also required to get the necessary DUI auto insurance coverage, before being allowed to drive again.

Some very important information about DUI penalties in Georgia:

$300 – $1,000 fine, possible one year sentence to prison, mandatory 40 hours community service, and license suspension for a year on the first DUI offense.

$600 – $1,000 fine, possible incarceration from 90 days up to a year, and license revocation for the next three years for a second DUI offense.

$1,000 – $3,000 fine, mandatory imprisonment for 15 days, 30 day community service and license suspension for the next five years on the third offense. Any further offenses afterwards will be treated as a felony and can face up to 10 years in jail.

You cannot afford to drive around without the appropriate auto insurance coverage, if you have a DUI on your record. Doing so puts you and everyone else at great financial risk should you get involved, or cause, an auto or drunk driving accident. Aside from heavier DUI penalties, your auto insurance premiums may also become prohibitively expensive.

Knowing how and where to get the most affordable auto insurance, for a DUI offender, can save you hundreds of dollars a year on an otherwise very expensive kind of auto insurance coverage. The Internet is your best tool and resource for finding such relatively inexpensive auto insurance, thanks to the many dedicated online auto insurance portals and DUI specialist available on the Net. Getting the best auto insurance after a DUI is now far easier.

The best way to avoid the heavy burden of DUI penalties is to still avoid drunk driving altogether, and by being a safe and responsible driver. But if you do get convicted, at least you know now where to go to find and compare the most up-to-date auto insurance quotes, coming from more providers to help you get the right auto insurance policy at the right price.

What are the different types of SR22 insurances that I can get here in the state of Georgia?

Genevieve

Atlanta, GA

SR22 insurances are usually being required by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to those whom they consider as high risk drivers. High risk motorists are mostly the people that have shown poor driving behavior, most notably those who have been cited for driving under the influence (DUI).

SR22 insurances in Georgia have two kinds of policies:

1. Owner policy – SR22 insurance policy for a motorist who owns the automobile. Owner insurance policy could be purchased with comprehensive insurance for additional premiums to pay.

2. Non-owner policy – SR22 insurance policy for the operator of the automobile and not necessarily the one who owns it.

SR22 insurances are being filed by the car insurance companies to the DMV as a guarantee that the high risk driver has at least the minimum state-required car insurance coverage. The Georgia DMV is the one who is going to decide how long the high risk driver would have to maintain the SR22 insurance policy. This would actually depend on how serious the traffic infraction is.

High risk drivers who are required to get SR22 insurance need to make sure that the policy would not lapse. Additional penalties will be applied to the driver if the SR22 is cancelled or terminated.

Tags: car insurance, non owner insurance policy, owner insurance policy, SR22 insurance, SR22 insurance policy

I know that the best way for me to get the best auto insurance coverage here in Georgia is to compare quotes. But I’m getting a little bit confused from all the things that I see online, what can I do about it?

Hakeem

Athens, GA

I perfectly understand that you are only making sure that you get the auto insurance coverage in Georgia that will suit the needs of your specific vehicle. What really matters in the end is that you get the best auto insurance coverage. When doing some comparison shopping, be certain that you increase your deductible to be able to have cheaper premiums, specifically if you are an excellent driver. Also, make certain that you are not getting complete coverage for older cars that don’t have as much value as newer model vehicles.

While you are comparing auto insurance quotes, you have to be certain that the details that you obtain from the auto insurance providers are the most precise. Remember that you only have to deal with an auto insurance provider that has a good reputation. Only sign up for a policy with an insurer that have a longstanding profile of dealing with car insurance claims efficiently. Since you are getting a little bit confused with the information that you see online, you may take the conventional car insurance way and get in touch with an insurance agent. You may ask clarification on the things that you are confused about auto insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance claims, compare auto insurance

I have been meaning to find a new car insurance provider here in Georgia and with a little bit if polishing, I think I may have already found a better replacement. What is the best thing that I need to do in order for me to cancel my current car insurance policy?

Pacey

Athens-Clarke County, GA

For you to stay away from a mix-up that goes along with having a cancellation on your insurance record, here’s what you need to do. Get in touch with your insurance agent or your insurer and let them know that you would like to cancel your policy. Make certain that you tell them all the details, including the date that you want to terminate your policy. In case you don’t tell them particular details, you could finish off driving all over the place without knowing that you don’t have insurance. You will then receive a cancellation request form from your auto insurance provider. This may have already been filled out and all you have to do is sign it. Be sure to review the details because there could be something wrong.

Furthermore, if you go with another car insurance company and were not able to officially drop your old policy, you need to show your former insurer that you have new car insurance. Normally, what you have to do is give them a copy of your existing insurance ID or the first page of your new premium statement. Be certain that the paper you are sending them includes your name and your present policy number and mail it back together with the cancellation form. You would probably get confirmation through the mail that your policy termination has been dealt with.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance policy

My daughter just learned how to drive and I wonder if I should add her already to our auto insurance policy here in Georgia or would it be better if our first time driver had her own auto insurance?

Abdul

Columbus, GA

Immediately after your daughter gets her driver’s license, you can add her already as a named driver on your auto insurance policy in Georgia. You have to bear in mind that a first time driver needs to be insured because statistically speaking, young drivers are more likely to have car crashes than others who are part of a different age group. Some auto insurance experts even advise parents that their children should be added in their policy immediately after the first time drivers learn how to drive. Parents must inform their insurer quickly when the first time driver gets their learner’s permit and once again after a permanent license is given out.

Putting your young daughter on your auto insurance policy will cost less than having her buy her own insurance policy. She will more likely have better coverage than she can pay for if she will have policy of her own. If your daughter has her own car, you may be eligible for a multiple car discount for having more than one car in one policy. Make sure that you push your daughter to have better grades and complete a driver training course. A lot of auto insurance providers offer discounts to students who have a B average in school and for accomplishing driver courses.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, first time driver insurance, young driver car insurance

If I add my Son, who just passed his driving test here in Georgia, how much can I expect my Auto Insurance rates to increase?

Ian

Columbus, GA

Admittedly, once you add your kid under your auto insurance policy expect it to go as much as three times it’s original price. Car insurance providers will consider young and inexperienced drivers at a higher risk of getting involved in car accidents and moving violations, as compared to parents or more mature drivers. Statistics have shown that the driving youth has a 70 percent higher chance of getting into a car crash. With this kind of figures, it is only natural for auto insurance carriers to pass along the increased risk as higher premiums. Aside from age, here are a few more information you may be interested to know about, before adding your son under your policy there in Georgia.

1. Refrain from getting your kid under their own insurance policy. It will cost significantly more for them to pay car insurance on their own, as compared to being listed as a “Named Driver” or “Occasional Driver” under the parent’s policy.
2. Academic Performance – can also be used to determine how much risk your son will pose once added under your policy. If he averages high marks at school, you could qualify for Good Student Discounts towards your insurance premiums.
3. Completion of Accredited Driving Course – if your son scored well during drivers ed., you have a better chance of getting a relatively lower increase towards your premiums.
4. Gender. Unfortunately, you will have to pay more premium for a male as compared to a female kid with the same age.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance claims, auto insurance online, car insurance, car insurance company

Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to get the best Non-owners car insurance? I’m borrowing my friend’s car while I stay here in Georgia for the moment. Thanks!

Carlos

Augusta, GA

The best kind of Non-Owners Auto Insurance policy should be able to fully cover you from any type of insurance complications arising from damages or liabilities you might have caused to properties or bodily injuries while driving a car that is not under your ownership, It should not have too much limitations stated under its insurance clause and of course, without costing too much money. For those not familiar, Non-Owners Auto Insurance coverage is a limited type of car insurance that basically gives drivers who either rent or borrow the vehicles they use the capacity to pay for for damages they may caused someone or something in a car accident. The Financial Responsibility law of Georgia mandates that each driver have at least some minimum form of auto insurance while on the road.

Suggested Tips on How to look for a good Non-Owners Auto Insurance:

1. Try to get one from a reputable auto insurance provider who have proven excellent customer service in handling claims.
2. Some Credit Card companies may provide car insurance coverage if you use their cards to rent a vehicle.
3. The Internet is a great resource for competitive offers so try to get at least five offers Online for comparison.
4. Read the fine print; make sure you understand the policy you get. Remember that collision or personal injury coverage might not be included all the time in a Non-owners auto insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, car insurance, car insurance company, car insurance discounts

My mom is so worried about so many expenses including her car insurance here in Georgia. What I don’t understand here is that why does she need to buy car insurance? I’m sorry I had to ask this in case I get my own car and buy car insurance for myself.

Leann

Albany, GA

You may be very much aware that if you get on the road, no one exactly knows what’s gonna happen. You may encounter some things that are never part of your plan. That’s one of the reasons why your mom needs to have car insurance because she owns a car in Georgia. Accidents can happen while driving so motorists and other people might get hurt. Even if a vehicle is just simply parked in a corner of a street, it can be stolen or a catastrophe might strike that can damage the vehicle.

In cases such as the aforementioned, car insurance would give you protection for financial needs for personal injuries, injuries to others and property damage resulting to car crashes, theft, vandalism or natural calamities. Furthermore, car insurance is a requirement in the state of Georgia so your mom needs to buy at least the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. And in case she has an outstanding loan on her vehicle, she will usually be required by the finance company to buy at least the minimum amount of car insurance as well as collision and comprehensive coverage.

Tags: auto liability insurance, car insurance, comprehensive insurance coverage