Cheap SR22 Insurance in PA

PA SR 22 Requirements
The SR22 form is used by the state of Pennsylvania to help protect citizens from problem drivers by monitoring the car insurance of those drivers. The auto insurance company is required to file the SR22 form as proof of financial responsibility for drivers in the following cases:

• If the driver has had any safety responsibility suspensions (Type Action 04) involving uninsured motorists who did not pay for injuries or damages which they caused
• Drivers who have any unsatisfied judgment suspension (Type Action 06) resulting from a civil judgment of a driver involved in an accident that is unsatisfied.
• In case of a revocation of your driver’s license (Type Action 01 and 02)
• In the case of required insurance supervision
• For drivers who have received a DUI

The State of Pennsylvania has drunk driving laws that makes it illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Recent changes in the Pennsylvania DUI law changed the penalties for drivers convicted of a DUI. The new penalties fall into a three-tier punishment system as follows:

Tier 1 Pennsylvania DUI Law:
Tier 1 is considered general impairment which is described as those with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of between .08% and .099%, and there was no property damage as a result of the DUI offense.

Tier 2 Pennsylvania DUI Law:
Tier 2 is for BAC levels between .10% and .159%, measured within two hours of operating the vehicle and for drivers who caused property damage or injuries as a result of the DUI offense. Tier 1 drivers can be placed in Tier 2 if there was property damage or injury as a result of the DUI.

Commercial drivers with a BAC of .04% or higher, and minors under the age of 21 with BAC levels of .02% or higher will also be considered for Tier 2.

Tier 3 Pennsylvania DUI Law:
Tier 3 is for BAC levels of .16% or higher, measured within two hours of operating the vehicle. Also anyone who refuses to submit to a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine will be placed in Tier 3. Drivers convicted of driving under the influence of illegal drugs will also be placed in Tier 3.

Tier 1 penalties for a first DUI offense are as follows:

• No loss of driving privileges
• 6 months maximum probation
• Fine of $300
• DUI Driving School required

Tier 2 penalties for a first DUI offense are as follows:

• Driver’s license suspension for 12 months
• Jail for 48 hours to 6 months
• Fine of between $500 and $5,000
• DUI Driving School required

Tier 3 penalties for a first DUI offense are as follows:

• Driver’s license suspension for 12 months
• Jail for 72 hours to 6 months
• Fine between $1,000 and $5,000
• DUI Driving School required
• An ignition interlock device may be required

The courts will require you to file an SR-22 form with your auto insurance policy for proof of financial responsibility following a DUI conviction. The SR-22 is required for a period of 3 years following the DUI conviction.

Pennsylvania has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to be tested to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood, breath or urine if stopped by an officer and he suspects that you are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for 1 year. You are also considered guilty of a DUI for refusing the test.

The minimum required insurance coverage is as follows:

• $15,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $30,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
• $5,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property
• $5,000 for Medical Benefits

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for a traffic violation or for any other reason. If an officer discovers that you do not have insurance you could face the following penalties and fines:

• Minimum $300 fine for driving uninsured
• 3 month suspension of your registration
• 3 month suspension of your driver’s license
• Fees to restore your registration
• Fees to restore your driver’s license
• Vehicle impoundment

—

The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.  Insurance requirements in the state of Pennsylvania are subject to change.  Visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at http://www.insurance.pa.gov/portal/  or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/ for current information.

Have you had a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Shop for Cheaper Auto Insurance Often

Cheaper or less expensive auto insurance is something that lots of driver want and look for. The question is how often should a car owner look for cheaper or less expensive car insurance?

There is no perfect answer to that question. A lot depends on how much time you want to invest in looking on the internet or in calling agencies to get comparison quotes. The least one might want to look, though, is twice per year, at or just before your renewal date. Getting comparisons at other times is fine, but you might not want to make the change mid-term because there could be cancellation fees or short-rate issues with the remaining premium that would negate the savings you expect from the new policy.

There could be advantages however to changing your policy mid-term. For example if a violation will come off of your record mid-term, and not having that violation greatly reduces your premium, then changing mid-term would be very beneficial.

Contact Serenity and take a few minutes to compare your policy to another insurance company. You just might be pleasantly surprised.

—

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Kemper Specialty is the New Name for Unitrin

Serenity Group Insurance writes a lot of insurance policies with Unitrin Specialty Insurance Company. On April 9th, they will officially change their name to Kemper Specialty. If your policy is with Unitrin, the only thing you should see different is the name. Following is the announcement that they sent us:

Welcome to Kemper Specialty

Kemper Specialty is part of Kemper Corporation, a broad set of insurance businesses with almost 7,000 employees and $8 billion in assets now unified under one banner and one set of core principles. While our name is changing, our commitment to serve our customers, agents and shareholders remains the same.

What can you expect from us?

A belief that the right insurance for you should meet your needs and come from a company you can trust. That is why we offer straightforward insurance products designed for a range of customer needs. Our commitment to financial excellence gives you the confidence that we ’ll be here when you need us most.

Watch for Kemper bills and other policy documents

If you pay monthly, watch your mail for your next billing statement from Kemper Specialty. You’ll continue to enjoy the same convenient payment options: Pay online, by phone, mail or at your agency.

If you paid in full, just watch your mail for your next renewal bill from Kemper Specialty.

If you enjoy the convenience of EZ Pay, your automatic monthly payments will continue on schedule. The description on credit card statements will remain unchanged; bank statements will now show KemperAutoInsPayment.

—

The Unitrin, now Kemper, family of insurance companies serves clients in markets across the United States. More than 6 million policyholders have their basic insurance and financial needs met by a nationwide network of career agents and independent agents and brokers. As one of America’s leading financial services providers, the Unitrin/Kemper family specializes in property, casualty, life health and accident insurance.

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in MT

MT SR22 Requirements
In the state of Montana it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. There are lower limits for drivers of commercial vehicles and also for drivers under the age of 21. Montana also considers a .04 BAC to be a DUI if that fact is considered along with other evidence. BAC laws specify the following BAC percentages:

• All drivers with a BAC of .04 or higher (can be considered a DUI)
• All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher
• Drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher
• Drivers of commercial vehicles with a BAC of .04 or higher

Conviction for a first-time DUI in Montana will result in you serving a minimum of one day in jail and a fine of at least $300. If there is a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle you will serve a minimum of 2 days in jail and be fined a minimum of $600, plus your driver’s license will be suspended for 6 months.

The penalties for a DUI in Montana are as follows:

• 24 hours in jail, up to 6 months
• 48 hours in jail, up to 12 months if a passenger under the age of 16 was in vehicle
• A fine from $300 up to $1,000
• A fine from $600 up to $2,000 if a passenger under the age of 16 was in vehicle
• License suspension for 6 months
• Ignition interlock device possible
• Must complete a Chemical Dependency Education Course or Treatment

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

Montana has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to be tested to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood, breath or urine if stopped by an officer and he suspects that you are driving under the influence. If you refuse to submit to the test your driver’s license will be suspended for 6 months.

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for two or more persons
• $10,000 for Property Damage Liability

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for any statutory violation. Driving without auto insurance in Montana is a misdemeanor. First time offenders can be fined $250 to $500, can go to jail for up to 10 days and will add 5 points to their motor vehicle record.

—

The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.  Insurance requirements in the state of Montana are subject to change.  Visit the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance at http://www.sao.mt.gov/ or the Montana Motor Vehicle Division at http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/ for current information.

Have you had a DUI or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Tell Your Insurance Agent the Truth

When purchasing an insurance policy for your vehicle, you need to be absolutely honest with the agent or company when providing information about yourself or your car. A car insurance policy is an agreement made in good faith and is a contract between you and the insurance company. If you provide inaccurate information to your agent when they are writing the policy, there’s a chance that the policy will not be valid. Not telling the truth about violations, the description of the car or anything else could void the policy or cause a claim to be denied.

It is also your responsibility to ensure that your driver’s license is valid at all times. Did you know that an insurance company can deny a claim against your policy if your license is not valid? Of course if you get in an accident without a valid license, you are going to have problems with law enforcement as well as probably have your rates go up.

So be an honest consumer and provide all of the information asked of you in a truthful manner. You’ll feel more confident that your insurance policy will provide the coverage you need when it is needed.

—

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Drivers without Insurance will feel Effect of New Law in OK

A new law went on the books in Oklahoma at the end of 2011 which makes uninsured drivers ineligible for many damages resulting from a car accident. Drivers who do not have a car insurance policy will no longer be able to receive damages for pain and suffering related to a vehicle accident, even if they did not cause the accident. Uninsured drivers will still be able to be compensated for damage to property and loss of income but cannot sue for other losses.

Further drivers who do not carry the state minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury for one person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident are subject to having their driver’s license suspended, being assessed a fine and possibly time in jail.

Almost 25% of drivers in Oklahoma drive without the required minimum liability coverage so this will have an immediate effect on some of these drivers. Vehicle owners in Oklahoma should immediately contact an insurance agent or broker and purchase an automobile liability insurance policy to protect them from financial losses.

—

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in WV

WV SR 22 Requirements
The state of West Virginia requires an SR22 filing, in conjunction with your liability insurance policy, for three (3) years following a drunk driving conviction. The state has drunk driving laws that makes it illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. West Virginia has lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles (.04) and for drivers under the age of 21 (.02), or zero tolerance. The West Virginia DUI law also prohibits the operation of a vehicle by drivers under the influence of narcotics, inhalants and other intoxicants.

If you are convicted of drunk driving in West Virginia you will be sentenced to jail for at least 24 hours, fined at least $100, your driver’s license will be suspended for up to 6 months and you must complete a safety and treatment program. Penalties for a first DUI conviction in West Virginia are as follows:

• Jail up to 6 months
• Jail from 2 days to 6 months if the BAC is .15 or higher
• Jail from 2 days to 12 months if a minor under the age of 16 is in the vehicle
• A fine from $100 to $500
• A fine from $100 to $1,000 if the BAC is .15 or higher
• A fine from $200 to $1,000 if a minor under the age of 16 is in the vehicle
• Suspension of your license for 15 days
• Suspension of your license for 45 days if the BAC is .15 or higher
• Installation of an ignition interlock device is possible
• Successfully complete a Safety and Treatment Program before license reinstated

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

West Virginia has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to a chemical test of your blood, breath or urine if stopped by an officer and he suspects that you are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for a period of 1 year.

West Virginia state law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, as well as uninsured motorist insurance on their vehicle. The minimum required insurance coverage is as follows:

• $20,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $40,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
• $10,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage of $20,000/$40,000
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage of $10,000

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for a traffic violation, if you are involved in an accident or for any other reason. Also the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will verify your insurance information when you register your vehicle or when you renew the registration. The DMV might even request that you provide proof of insurance at random throughout the year. The most common form of proof is an insurance ID card or the actual insurance policy paperwork.

—

The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.  Insurance requirements in the state of West Virginia are subject to change.  Visit the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner at http://www.wvinsurance.gov/ or the West Virginia Department of Transportation at http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Pages/default.aspx for current information.

Have you had a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

High Percentage of Drivers with Alcohol Offenses in 4 CA Cities

California is a state that has a combination of tourists, visiting business people, military personnel, and lots of younger drivers on the roadways compared to some other states. Some of these drivers are out of their element, driving in higher-density traffic, staying out late in the night perhaps partying or any other number of activities that they might not normally be accustomed to.

Law enforcement can track the pattern of DUIs by the number of hit-and-run accidents that happen between midnight and 3:00AM. These are people driving home late after being out partying or whatever and driving impaired.

Four cities in California made the list of top 20 cities with the highest percentage of drivers with alcohol-related driving offenses. San Diego, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco made the most recent top 20 list.

DUIs in California remain on the motor-vehicle driving record for California drivers for 10 years, meaning those drivers cannot receive a good-driver discount from their insurance company. For 3 of those years drivers are required to carry an SR22 filing with their insurance, and cannot get their drivers license reinstated until proof of insurance and the SR22 are sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Out of state drivers are affected harshly by getting a DUI in California as well. California DMV will not release the out of state license until they have been sent proof of the SR22 insurance.

—

Have you had a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Current Needs Should Shape Auto Insurance Policy

When something changes that can affect your car insurance policy, you should make that change on your policy as soon as possible. Adding or deleting a car, or having the need for higher limits or more coverage due to a new car purchase should cause you to call your insurance agent right away. Assuming that you are covered and then finding out later when you file the claim that you’re not is very expensive.

Most insurance agencies or brokers do not charge you for making these kinds of endorsements on your policy. If they do, you may want to rethink staying with them. Modifying your policy is a service that most agencies and brokers do free of charge. Customer service departments encourage you to keep your policy up to date by making the necessary changes to your policy based on your current requirements. If there are coverage questions, they will be happy to get a licensed agent involved to help you make that decision and there shouldn’t be a charge for that service.

If when you make changes and they affect your policy premium more than you thought they would or should, don’t be shy about calling other agents or brokers to get comparison quotes. You might find that your current carrier is very competitive, and then again you might not. Either way you have valuable information on which to base your decision.

The point is you want your car insurance policy to meet your needs dynamically as things change. It just takes a few minutes of your time to call your agent or broker to update your policy.

—

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

CT Updates DUI Laws Effective January

Several changes were made to the DUI laws in Connecticut that went into effect on January 1, 2012. The new laws concern the periods of suspension and the requirements for the installation of Ignition Interlock Devices (IID).

Drivers who are convicted for a first DUI offense will have their driver’s license suspended for a period of 45 days rather than 1 year as previously. However an IID must be installed in their vehicle for a period of 1 year after the suspension period, and they are not allowed to drive any other vehicle unless it has an IID.

Drivers who are convicted of a second DUI offense will have their driver’s license suspended for 45 days as well. However second time offenders are required to install an IID in their vehicle for a period of 3 years following the suspension period. Second time offenders are not allowed to drive vehicles that do not have an IID installed in them.

The penalties for three or more DUI convictions have even harsher penalties including the permanent revocation of the driver’s license. However the revocation can be reversed after 6 years and the offender must then install an IID for a period of 10 years after that period.

—

The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.  Insurance requirements in the state of Connecticut are subject to change.  Visit the Connecticut Insurance Department at http://www.ct.gov/cid/site/default.asp  or the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles at http://www.ct.gov/dmv/site/default.asp  for current information.

Have you had a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.