Purchasing insurance over the internet or via the telephone is very common today, especially if you need high risk insurance, SR22 or some other coverage that is not readily available at the local insurance agency. Insurance agencies that handle special types of insurance are usually not right around the corner. They are on the internet or you reach them via the telephone because they cannot have offices in every state, but choose to be readily available to every state through the internet.

Even when you purchase your car insurance policy over the internet or on the telephone, you’ll eventually have to sign the documents to show that you accept the terms of the policy underwriting and the terms of payment. In turn the agency has to agree to send your paperwork to the underwriting company for processing and issuance of the policy. How can you be sure that has been taken care of? Insurance companies are required to send you the official policy documents within 10 to 14 business days. If you have not received your documents, immediately inquire about them either with the agent who sold the policy to you or call the Underwriting Department of the company that you were written with. In the case of SR22 filings, you can call the DMV to see if the SR22 form has been filed. You can also get a copy of the Declaration Page of your insurance policy directly from the agency and it will show that the SR22 was filed.

How about payments? Have they been sent in by the agent as required? The best way to assure that your payments are going to the insurance company to pay for your monthly premium is to send or call the payment in to the insurance company directly. Do not send payments to the agent except for the initial down-payment. Once the down-payment has been used to activate your policy, all other payments should be sent directly to the insurance company. This will assure you that the money is being applied to your policy and not being misappropriated, or lost by the agent.

Most agencies are honest, hard-working and look out for your best interests. Ask questions about the agency when you are talking with them and get a feel for how long they’ve been in business, and how many customers they have. You can always ask for copies of current insurance documents, and your payment history in order to feel good about the agent you are working with.

—
Serenity Insurance is an insurance broker and we write policies for several different companies. The companies that we write for are all A or A+ rated insurance companies and have been in business for over 50 years. We shop around for you in order to get you the best price for the coverage you want. Serenity has been in business as an insurance agency for over 17 years specializing in SR22 and low cost insurance. While the first payment is made with Serenity to get your policy activated, all subsequent payments go directly to the company who underwrites your policy so you are assured that your policy is in force as long as payments are made. Serenity can provide you with a copy of your SR-22 immediately, and with the all the insurance policy documents, including ID cards at the conclusion of the policy activation.

Have you had a DUI, DWI or other driving offense that required SR22 and/or non-owner car insurance? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Technorati Tags: car insurance, DUI, DWI, non-owner insurance, SR-22, SR22

An SR22 Form, SR22 Certificate or SR22 Filing is also commonly referred to as SR22 Insurance and can be required for a number of reasons, depending on state requirements. SR-22, SR22 and SR 22 are the same insurance terms, just different ways to spell it.

An SR22 Form filing is in essence an endorsement added to an auto insurance policy that notifies the insured’s motor vehicle department that you are in compliance with state minimum requirements for car insurance.  The SR22 form is a certification of future proof of financial responsibility. Failure to maintain proof of future financial responsibility for the required length of time may result in a loss of driving privileges and/or vehicle registration. You may obtain an SR22 from any insurance company that is licensed to conduct business in the state and has filed with the state to offer the SR-22.

SR-22 is usually required after a ticket for driving without insurance as required by state law. SR22 forms can also be required for a variety of other reasons and the most common other reasons for SR 22 insurance requirements are for the following offenses:

• DUI – driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
• DWI – driving while intoxicated
• Driving without insurance
• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving without a license
• Too many tickets
• Non-appearance in court for non-driving offense
• Being drunk while riding a bicycle
• Being intoxicated with the car keys in your pocket or walking to the car with keys in hand
• Unpaid child-support
• From over-the-counter meds with alcohol in them or other prescription drugs
• Driving a lawn tractor with beer in hand while keys were in the owner’s pickup with music on
• Driving without lights during darkness
• Revoked drivers license

Insurers are required by law to report on an SR22 insured’s policy that gets canceled, expires, lapses or is otherwise non-renewed for any reason. If you do not renew and inform your motor vehicle department of new insurance, your driver’s license can be suspended due to failure to comply with the SR-22 requirements which are known as state Financial Responsibility laws.

A judge can assign an SR22 form requirement for any reason he sees fit, and once your state’s motor vehicle department receives this information, they are the ones with the power to suspend or revoke your license.

You do not need to own a car to obtain SR22 insurance.  The type of policy needed would be non-owners SR22 insurance.

Should you find yourself faced with a DUI/DWI, please visit our DUI Survival Guide for helpful information.  In addition, our FAQ provides additional information about SR22.

Serenity Insurance provides SR22 insurance.  Other auto insurance companies are often reluctant to serve DUI and DWI offenders or High Risk clients. Filing SR22 insurance forms has always been a large part of our business. We operate in a confidential manner to preserve the dignity and privacy of our clients.

Call us toll free today to obtain SR22 insurance: 1-800-774-0520 or fill out a car insurance quote request.

Technorati Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, DUI, DWI, SR-22, SR-22 insurance, SR22, SR22 Insurance

In Texas, if you want to legally operate and register a vehicle you must be financially responsible for paying for injuries or damages that may occur as a result of an automobile accident that is your fault.  The way to do this is to purchase an automobile insurance policy that provides liability coverage at a minimum.  The motorist would then be in compliance with the state and avoid the fines and consequences that are associated with breaking the state’s laws.

Texas takes the financial responsibility law very serious and implements quite severe penalties for any violations.  There are several instances when proof of a valid policy will need to be furnished by a motorist, such as when asked for by a law enforcement officer, at the scene of an accident, at the time of vehicle registration, when getting a driver’s license or when having an automobile inspected.  Failure to provide proper proof of insurance can result in a fine between $175 and $350 for a first conviction, with subsequent convictions resulting in fines ranging between $350 and $1,000, plus suspension of driving privileges and the impoundment of the car.

Do you need affordable auto insurance right now? Put us to the test! We work with a large number of companies to get the most competitive car insurance rates for our customers.  Serenity Insurance offers affordable, low cost, competitive rates on car insurance for Texas drivers. 

Call us toll free – 1-800-774-0520 to obtain a car insurance quote or complete our online Car Insurance Quote request form.

Technorati Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, liability insurance, Texas, Texas auto insurance, Texas car insurance

The press announcement from U.S. Treasurry reads:

“Special Master for TARP Executive Compensation, Kenneth R. Feinberg, issued his rulings on 2010 executive pay packages for the `Top 25′ executives at the five remaining firms that received exceptional assistance from taxpayers: AIG, Chrysler, Chrysler Financial, GM, and GMAC. Because Bank of America and Citigroup repaid their exceptional assistance, they are not subject to the Special Master’s 2010 rulings. The Special Master also released a letter requesting information on compensation paid to the `Top 25′ executives at each firm that received TARP assistance before February 17, 2009 to obtain information needed for the `look back’ review required by the Recovery Act”

Source: U.S. Treasury Department’s press release, dated March 23, 2010
http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/tg604.htm

These headlines really caught our eye AIG Increases Compensation for Most Top Managers Who Remained - AIG Unit Feels Effects of Pay Limits and  AIG’s Benmosche Awarded Salary of $7 Million, Feinberg Says  and seem contradictory or misleading.  In part, they may have been written before the Treasury’s announcement.

Let the buyer beware, perform your own due diligence when purchasing insurance.  Serenity does not endorse or provide insurance quotes for American International Group Inc., AIG or any of their subsidiaries.

Do you need affordable auto insurance right now? Put us to the test! We work with a large number of companies to get the most competitive auto insurance rates for our customers.

Call us now toll free at 1-800-774-0520 or fill out a car insurance quote request.

Technorati Tags: AIG, American International Group, American International Group Inc., Kenneth Feinberg, TARP

It seems to be more commonplace to hear news of an accident involving a driver who was distracted by reading or texting while driving. 

We found quite an interesting commentary by Andrew Simpson entitled Don’t Let Research Distract From Safe Driving Efforts which cites safety advocates who have urged texting bans for drivers in all 50 states but an insurance industry study questioned whether these state laws are worth enacting.

“The Highway Loss Data Institute study found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without such bans.”
…
“One explanation could be an increase in the use of hands-free devices in places with bans on handset use while driving.”

We believe that safe driving includes driving with little or no distractions. Driving requires all of the driver’s attention and each distraction in the car adds yet another layer of risk as further pointed out in this commentary:

“Dr. Amit Almor, a psychology researcher at the University of South Carolina, says language and driving are complex activities that tax the brain in many ways. Almor completed two studies in 2008 and 2009 that looked at the demands on the brain when talking on cell phones while driving. Texting adds another layer of language and motor skills, which Almor warns can make for a lethal combination.”

“Verbal communication is a complex combination of listening, thought generating and talking. Driving involves assessment and decision-making and an array of motor skills,” Almor says. “Talking on a cell phone while driving is distracting and dangerous. Texting is far worse, as it adds another motor skill and keeps the driver in a different mental space for a much longer period of time.”  {Read More}

Serenity Insurance reminds its customers to stay safe while driving. This includes not talking on a cell phone or texting while driving.

Technorati Tags: cell phones, Driving, Driving Safety, texting

If you have plans to party on St. Patrick’s Day, make sure you include a plan for a safe and sober ride home using a designated driver or taxi.

Authorities will be out in full force today and into Thursday morning, looking for drunken drivers. The Department of Motor Vehicles says in recent years, St. Patrick’s Day has been the holiday with the highest percentage of alcohol-related traffic deaths.

This year, DUI/DWI enforcement teams will include seat belt patrols – authorities say 75 percent of impaired drivers killed annually are also not buckled up.

The question many drivers in trouble with DUI face is, “What happens next?” We have put together the DUI Survival Guide to help drivers in trouble by a Drunk Driving Arrest. Should you find yourself in similar circumstances, Serenity Insurance offers confidential, understanding agents who can assist you with your SR-22 insurance needs. Serenity Insurance understands customers that other car insurance companies are reluctant to help. 

Call us toll free today – 1-800-774-0520 or complete our Car Insurance Quote request form.

Technorati Tags: DUI, DWI, SR-22, SR-22 insurance, SR22, SR22 Insurance

Buying a Motorcycle
Before you put down the money to purchase a motorcycle, make sure you’ve done your research and asked yourself the right questions to ensure you buy the right motorcycle for your lifestyle and needs.

• Am I an experienced rider? 
  If you are not already an experienced, licensed motorcycle rider, you will need to take a motorcycle training course and become licensed.
• How do I intend to ride?
  The way you intend to ride will define the type of motorcycle you should consider before buying.  Are you interested in cruising the countryside in comfort? If so, you may want to look at a traditional touring bike. However, if you’re looking for speed and high performance, a sport bike may be more to your taste.

Motorcycle Safety Gear
Motorcycle safety gear is one of the most important aspects of staying safe on your motorcycle.  It can protect you in the unfortunate case of an accident.  At a minimum, we suggest that you wear the following safety gear each time you ride:

• Jacket – either leather or Kevlar that is equipped with reinforced shoulders, back/spine and elbows.
• Pants – made of leather or non-leather material and should also have padding, removable liners and reflective material.
• Riding suit that boasts reflective material and armor pads with good ventilation.
• Gloves – there are different types of gloves for warm and cold weather.  Warm weather gloves have perforated holes for airflow.  Cold weather gloves provide the same protection but are insulated.

Whether you’re a motorcycle enthusiast or a first-time rider, being responsible and being safe is what it’s all about. Being responsible includes having motorcycle insurance.

Most people rely on obtaining motorcycle insurance to protect themselves against loss in case of an accident. In many states, you must carry basic insurance to cover the cost of losses you cause to others in an accident. If the unexpected happens, motorcycle insurance gives you peace of mind in knowing you are protected.

There are policies for scooters and mopeds also at a lower cost that provides you with similar coverage that the motorcycle insurance policy provides.

Call us toll free:  1-800-774-0520 or use our insurance quote form to obtain a motorcycle insurance quote today.

Technorati Tags: mopeds, motorcycle, Motorcycle Insurance, motorcycle training, motorcycles, safety, safety gear, Scooters

Nearly every day we read or hear news reports about celebrities or well known executives getting news exposure for alcohol related offenses such as receiving a DUI, DWI, having an alcohol related auto accident or much worse, having an accident involving death.  Just this week, a Sports Exec, a State Senator and a Police Chief made news for being charged with a DUI-related offenses. The events following a DUI/DWI are stressful and intimidating enough and those in the spotlight tend to get more than their fair share of exposure:

Yankees executive Mark Newman charged with DUI in Tampa (Source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2010-03-09-828961517_x.htm)

State Senator Roy Ashburn nabbed on DUI charges (Source: http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2010/03/09/news/doc4b96a167e8a2e702017278.txt)

Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan Found Guilty of DUI (Source: http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20100310/NEWS/100319994/1011/NEWS?Title=Logan-found-guilty-of-DUI)

County clerk facing DUI charge asks for jury trial (Source: http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0310/714584.html)

You don’t hear much about the average citizens’ traffic offenses unless their DWI/DUI offenses are sensational enough to make the news.  In recent days, we found multiple news articles citing DUI/DWI’s by ordinary citizens:

Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Driver Fined for DUI (Source:  http://www.dnainfo.com/20100310/central-park/central-park-horsedrawn-carriage-driver-fined-for-dui)

School bus driver arrested for DUI on the job (Source: http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/2095524,bus-driver-dui-students-031010.article)

Rehoboth Beach woman charged with fourth DUI (Source: http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0310/714584.html)

Wrong-way driver charged with DWI in NC (Source: http://www.reflector.com/state-news/wrong-way-driver-charged-dwi-nc-26515)

Regardless of how a driver, famous or ordinary is put into the position of defending themselves or dealing with penalties in court, they all will most invariably require an  SR-22 insurance filing.

The question many drivers in trouble face is, “What happens next?” We have put together the DUI Survival Guide to help drivers in trouble by a Drunk Driving Arrest. Should you find yourself in similar circumstances, Serenity Insurance offers confidential, understanding agents who can assist you with your SR-22 insurance needs. Serenity Insurance understands customers that other car insurance companies are reluctant to help. 

Call us toll free today – 1-800-774-0520 or complete our Car Insurance Quote request form.

Technorati Tags: Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI, Mark Newman, Roy Ashburn, SR-22, SR-22 insurance, SR22 Insurance

As an insurance broker representing multiple A-rated insurance companies, Serenity Insurance advises on the importance of regularly reviewing and evaluating your auto insurance needs. Drivers need to ensure they are adequately covered in event of an accident.

Before renewing your car insurance policy, be sure to mention to your Serenity agent any changes that may affect your policy. Buying a new car, moving, change of employment and commute distance, marriage, divorce, new drivers or adult children moving back home and other life changes can affect your car insurance. 

Accidents, tickets, and DUI’s can affect your car insurance rates. You may also need SR22 insurance. At Serenity, we understand customers that other car insurance companies are reluctant to help and do so confidentially.  Because we represent many insurance companies, we will search for the best SR-22 insurance rates to meet your needs.

Call us toll free today – 1-800-774-0520 or complete our Car Insurance Quote request form.

Technorati Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, mandatory auto insurance, SR-22 insurance, SR22 Insurance

Whether you’re a motorcycle enthusiast or a first-time rider out having fun, being responsible and being safe is what it’s all about. Being responsible includes having motorcycle insurance.

Most people rely on obtaining motorcycle insurance to protect themselves against loss in case of an accident. In many states, you must carry basic insurance to cover the cost of losses you cause to others in an accident. If the unexpected happens, motorcycle insurance gives you peace of mind in knowing you are protected.

There are policies for scooters and mopeds also at a lower cost that provides you with similar coverage that the motorcycle policy provides.

Serenity Insurance can write an insurance policy in 7 minutes. Call us toll free:  1-800-774-0520 or use our insurance quote form to obtain a motorcycle insurance quote today.

Technorati Tags: Insurance, motorcycle, Motorcycle Insurance