From a California insurance customer -

Kevin was great! He was friendly, quick and efficient. I’d recommend him to a friend anytime.

Thank you Kevin,

Sarah
CA car insurance customer

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Sarah was looking for a good but inexpensive California car insurance policy and was very pleased with the policy that Kevin was able to write for her.

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer affordable 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 SD

SD SR22 Requirements
An SR-22 filed along with your insurance is required in South Dakota for three (3) years after being convicted of drunk driving. You may also be required to file an SR22 for being convicted of driving without insurance, reckless driving and vehicular homicide.

In South Dakota 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, BAC of.04 and also for drivers under the age of 21, BAC of .02. Penalties for a first-time DUI are as follows:

• Jail for up to 1 year
• A fine of $1,000
• License suspension for 30 days up to 1 year
• An SR22 filed for proof of financial responsibility

South Dakota laws regarding driving while intoxicated (DWI) include alcohol, drugs and other controlled substances, including prescription drugs that have been ordered by a doctor. The South Dakota DWI law specifically denies the use of prescription drugs as a defense in a DWI trial.

South Dakota has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to a chemical test of your blood, breath or urine to determine the amount of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances that may impair your driving ability. If you refuse to submit to the test your driver’s license will be suspended for a period of 1 year.

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for injury or death of one person
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for two or more persons per accident
• $25,000 for Property Damage Liability per accident for property damage
• $25,000/$50,000 for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for a traffic violation or if you have been involved in an accident where injury or damage has occurred. The best proof of liability insurance is the insurance ID card that is issued by the insurance company.

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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 South Dakota are subject to change.  Visit the South Dakota Division of Insurance at http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/reg/insurance/ or the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles at http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/motorvehicle/index.htm 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.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in GA

GA SR22 Requirements
The State of Georgia prohibits a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. There are stricter laws for drivers of commercial vehicles and also for drivers under the age of 21. Georgia also has a law that prohibits an open alcoholic container in the vehicle that contains any amount of alcohol called the Open Container Law. This law also applies to containers with broken seals, or containers which have partially been emptied. The fine for violating the Open Container law is $200.

In Georgia penalties for a first time DUI are as follows:

• 10 days to 1 year in jail
• $300 to $1,000 fine
• License suspension for up to 1 year
• Community service for 40 hours minimum
• A license reinstatement fee of $210

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

The SR22 may be required by the State of Georgia for a DUI offense. There are a number of other reasons the state might require you to file an SR22 as well.

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
• $25,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property of others

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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 Georgia are subject to change.  Visit the Georgia Department of Insurance at http://www.gainsurance.org/  or the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division at http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/   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.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in WI

WI SR22 Requirements
In the State of Wisconsin it is against the law for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Wisconsin has lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles (.04) and a Zero Tolerance for drivers under the age of 21 (or .02 BAC) In Wisconsin a DUI is called Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). The OWI law in Wisconsin includes alcohol, or drugs or both, and any other intoxicants.

Penalties for a first time OWI offense in the state of Wisconsin are as follows:

• A fine from $150 to $300
• License suspension for 6 to 9 months
• Occupational license possible
• Fines from $250 to $1000
• A special form, SR-22, required from the DOT to be filed with the insurance
• Alcohol Assessment

An alcohol or drug assessment is an interview between the driver and an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse assessor (AODA). The assessor will identify the driver’s alcohol or drug use. As part of the assessment, a safety plan will be developed for the driver.

If a driver is convicted of an OWI offense the driver is required to contact an approved assessment facility in their county within 72 hours of conviction.

The SR-22 shows the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) that you have at least the state minimum coverage for liability insurance. Most insurance companies mail the SR22 to WisDOT or file the SR22 with the DOT electronically. Insurance with the SR22 must be filed for 3 years.

Drivers must also obtain a certificate of proof of financial responsibility form from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person injured in one accident
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident – two or more people injured
• $10,00 for Property Damage Liability for property coverage per accident
• $25,000/$50,000 for Uninsured Motorist Coverage, bodily injury

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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 Wisconsin are subject to change.  Visit the State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance at http://oci.wi.gov/ or the Department of Transportation at http://www.dot.state.wi.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.

My Insurance Policy Lapsed, Now What?

What is Lapsed Insurance?
When an insurance policy lapses, it is a no longer in effect and can be cancelled permanently if no action is taken to reinstate the policy.

The most common reason for an insurance policy to lapse is due to the non-payment of the monthly premium, or the renewal premium. Some companies allow a period of time after a policy has lapsed for the policy holder to make the premium payment which will then reinstate the policy. However during the period when the policy was lapsed, there might not be coverage for the vehicle.

Other companies cancel the policy immediately when a premium payment is not made, and then if the policy holder sends in a late payment, the company will reissue a policy to the insured. Again there is no coverage during the lapsed period.

Some companies will accept a Statement of No Loss along with the premium payment in order to reinstate the lapsed policy back to the date of cancellation. The Statement of No Loss is basically a signed document that says that during the time of the lapse that the vehicle was not involved in an accident. The company will not cover a loss while a policy is lapsed.

Consequences of a Lapsed Insurance Policy
The consequences for a lapsed policy will vary not only by the insurance company processes but also by the insurance laws in each state.

Since a lapse is like a cancellation, action needs to be taken as soon as possible to get the policy back into effect. These actions can include paying the premium required, paying an additional fee, or rewriting the policy completely.

Once a policy has lapsed, the state can also take action including suspension of the driver’s license, assigning fines from $50.00 to $750.00 for reinstating the license, other fees for reinstating the license or registration or having a court require an SR22 filing by the driver. The SR22 is a document that shows proof of financial responsibility and can be required for up to 3 years. Some insurance companies do not deal with the SR22 so you could be put into a situation of having to start a new policy with a different company. This can add additional costs as a result of the lapse.

So if you ever receive a notice from your insurance company that your policy has lapsed, call your agent or broker immediately and find out what is required to get your policy back into effect!

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Has your car insurance policy lapsed or 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 CO

CO SR-22 Requirements
Drunk driving laws in the State of Colorado are similar to other DUI laws in the United States. However, Colorado also has a Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) law that makes it illegal to drive a vehicle with a lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level that is lower than most states. The DWAI law starts at 0.05 percent BAC whereas most states start with a 0.08 percent BAC. The Colorado DUI law prohibits a person from driving when they have a concentration of 0.08 percent or more alcohol in their blood system.

Penalties for a first time Drunk Driving conviction are as follows:

• 5 days to 1 year in jail
• Fines from $600 to $1000
• License suspension for 9 months to 1 year
• License points – 12
• Public service from 48 to 96 hours
• Jail may be suspended in lieu of a certified Alcohol Treatment Program

Penalties for a first time Driving While Ability Impaired conviction are as follows:

• Jail from 48 hours to 180 days
• Fines from $200 to $500
• License suspension – none
• License points – 8
• Public service from 24 to 48 hours

Once convicted of a DUI or DWAI the courts may require you to carry an SR22 in order to get your license back following suspension. The SR-22 is a document that is filed with the state showing that you have at least the minimum liability insurance coverage on your Colorado car inaurance policy to drive a vehicle on state roads or highways. The SR22 is not separate insurance, but is filed as proof of financial responsibility. Not all insurance carriers offer the SR-22.

The minimum Colorado car insurance liability coverage for private passenger vehicles registered in Colorado is as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability to one person
• $50,000 for bodily injury liability to more than one person
• $15,000 for property damage liability

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The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.  Insurance requirements in Colorado are subject to change.  Visit Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles for more information.

Have you had a DUI or other driving offense that required SR22 and/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.

No Proof of Insurance Causes DL Suspension in FL

Florida state law requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to automatically suspend the driver’s license and the registration of a Florida driver who is convicted of operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance.

Currently, when a driver is cited for failure to maintain proof of insurance, the driver may elect to enter a no-contest plea and present proof of insurance to the clerk of the court. However, if the driver pays the fine, and no proof of insurance is presented, then a conviction is added to the driver’s record.

The Department of Highway Safety has the authority to suspend the driver’s license and registration upon receipt of a conviction for this violation. This process will identify potentially uninsured drivers and enable the Department to enforce mandatory Personal Injury Protection/Property Damage Liability (PIP/PDL) insurance requirements in order to protect the driving public.

As of February, 2011 any convictions or paid fines for proof on no insurance will cause the driver’s license to be suspended and the suspension will be mailed to the driver. This suspension will be effective 5 days from the date of the notice. In order to reinstate their driver’s license, the customer must show proof of insurance for the date of the offense to the Department, or present proof of a non-cancellable SR-22 for PIP/PDL insurance which will need to be maintained for a period of 2 years from the date of suspension, and either pay a fee of $150, $250 or $500 if the SR-22 was purchased after the date of suspension.

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Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer affordable 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 KS

KS SR22 Requirements
The State of Kansas drunk driving laws make it illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Kansas has lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles of .04 or higher and .02 or higher for drivers under the age of 21. It is also illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. If there is a child under the age of 14 in the vehicle at the time of a DUI arrest, the punishment will be extended by an additional month of jail time.

In Kansas the first drunk driving conviction carries the following penalties:

• Jail for 48 hours minimum or community service for 100 hours
• A fine from $500 to $1,000
• Suspension of your license for 30 days
• License restriction for 330 days following the suspension
• Vehicle impound up to 1 year possible
• Court ordered treatment program is possible

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase. A fourth DUI conviction is charged as a felony offense and carries a jail term of 1 year and a fine of up to $2,500.

Kansas 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 intoxicated. You do not have a constitutional right to refuse the test nor do you have the right to have an attorney present for the test. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for a period of 1 year.

Conviction of driving under the influence (DUI), an accumulation of violations, refusal to test, at fault accidents or driving without insurance will result in you having to file an SR22. The SR22 is proof of financial responsibility and is required by the DMV. The SR22 is filed by your insurance company when you purchase your liability insurance policy and you inform them that you need the filing. It is a way for the state to monitor the fact that the driver has purchased the required liability policy.

Kansas state law requires drivers to have liability insurance on their vehicle with at least the state minimum required coverage. The minimum required insurance is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
• $10,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required
• $25,000 per person for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

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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 Kansas are subject to change.  Visit the Kansas Insurance Department at http://www.ksinsurance.org/ or the Kansas Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division at http://www.ksrevenue.org/vehicle.htm 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.

Insurance for Renters Eases Replacement Costs

Most renters mistakenly think that their landlord’s insurance will replace their belongings if a fire or other catastrophe occurs. It doesn’t! The landlord’s insurance protects his property, not the renter’s personal belongings.

Two out of three renters could lose big bucks because they are not adequately protected. To replace just the basics of an apartment or small house could cost over $1,350 based on the lowest priced items at a popular discount department store.

A 2006 Insurance Research Council poll found that 96 percent of homeowners had homeowners insurance while only 43 percent of renters had renters insurance. Renting is a viable choice in the current real estate market so consumers should treat rental insurance like homeowners insurance and cover their belongings.

In Oregon you can now get a combo policy to protect you, your auto and your worldly possessions. Are you hoping for the best or prepared for the worst? Call your Oregon insurance representative for Unitrin Specialty’s Auto Policy with Renters Coverage.

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The Unitrin 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 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 affordable 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 CT

CT SR22 Requirements
An SR22 certificate can be required by the state of Connecticut when a driver fails to provide proof of insurance, commits a criminal offense while driving, causes an accident, fails to meet filing requirements as determined by the DMV, or for driving while intoxicated. If convicted for any of these violations, the driver will have his license suspended until SR22 insurance is obtained and the driver will be required to carry SR22 insurance for a period of three (3) years. The SR22 certificate will be filed with the auto insurance policy at the DMV.

In the state of Connecticut 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. BAC laws specify the following BAC percentages:

• 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 Connecticut is quite expensive and will result in a fine of at least $500 and a minimum jail sentence. The penalties for a DUI in Connecticut are as follows:

• 48 hours in jail, up to 6 months
• Community service of 100 hours if the jail time is suspended
• A fine from $500 up to $1,000
• License suspension for 1 year
• Vehicle towed and impounded for 48 hours at owner’s expense
• Must complete a Substance Abuse Treatment Program

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

Connecticut has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to submit to a chemical test 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 the penalties are similar to a drunk driving conviction.

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $20,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $40,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for two or more persons per accident
• $10,000 for Property Damage Liability

The Connecticut Mandatory Insurance Reporting Law protects all Connecticut citizens by requiring the insurance companies to report records of uninsured vehicles. Through a process of matching active Connecticut car insurance and registration records, vehicles in violation are reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for any statutory violation. When requested to provide proof of insurance, a declaration page or a valid permanent ID card identifying the vehicle in question are the only acceptable forms of verification.

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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.