Higher Insurance is Just One Penalty for DUI

Receiving a DUI can be very expensive and one of the worst driving violations you can have on your Motor Vehicle Record. Once your insurance company knows that you have a DUI on your record, they can cancel you immediately or raise your insurance rates, and it might not be a small increase. You could expect your rates to jump by 30% or more, and you might even have difficulty finding another insurance company should your current company drop you.

Penalties for having a DUI on your record vary across the country. Suspended drivers licenses, jail time and fines are typical punishments. However some states have even harsher penalties than that. Most states across the country will require you to obtain an SR22 filing along with your proof of insurance once you’ve completed the mandatory court requirements. In California, the driver’s license can be suspended for 6 months, an SR22 is required for 3 years, and you won’t be able to get a good-driver discount on your car insurance for 10 years. In North Carolina your driver’s license can be revoked for 1 year. In New Jersey you are required to pay an extra $1,000 per year on your car insurance for 3 years. In Indiana your license can be suspended for up to 2 years. In New York if there’s a passenger under the age of 16 when you get stopped for a DUI the penalty is even harsher – you can face a $5,000 fine and 4 years in jail. In Kentucky a DUI will land you in jail for up to 30 days with a fine of up to $500.

Check with your state’s motor vehicle department of licensing department to see what the penalties are where you live. What you hear could be a “wake-up call”!

—

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.

Are You at Risk with too Little Insurance?

When times are hard everyone looks for ways to save money. Make sure you don’t put yourself at risk by lowering your liability insurance just to save money because it could cost you more in the long run if you are involved in an accident.

Let’s say for instance that the state minimum coverage is 30/60/25 for liability coverage. That’s $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 for all persons in the accident and $25,000 for damage to the vehicle when you are involved in an accident and it is your fault. $30,000 will not go very far if the injured person has to be admitted to a hospital, and $60,000 won’t go far either if more than one person has to be admitted. Have you checked the prices of cars recently? $25,000 may not cover the damage to a new car these days either. When the minimum limits of your insurance policy are used up, guess what happens? The injured party comes after you in court, and can even force you to sell your home to pay for the injury bills.

You need to ask your insurance agent or broker for their advice as to the amount of liability insurance coverage you need, especially if you own your home or have other assets. Saving a little on your monthly auto insurance bill can be very costly to you later on.

—

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.

Information for Progressive Customers in Indiana

Progressive customers in the Indiana counties of Clark, Harrison, Jefferson, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington who were affected by the recent tornadoes on March 2 will have until May 2 to make their insurance premium payments.

If you have questions, login to the Progressive WEB site or call Progressive at 877-776-2436 for claims information. The Progressive Claims Department can tell you how the payment extension works.

This extension does not represent a period of free coverage. Customers will be required to pay the full amount due on their policies.

—

Progressive Insurance offers a wide range of auto and motorcycle insurance programs to fit the needs of its customers. Progressive is the #1 auto insurance sold through U.S. independent agents and brokers like Serenity Insurance. Progressive sells insurance for automobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s, boats, personal watercraft and recreational vehicles.

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 LA

LA SR 22 Requirements
The State of Louisiana 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. Louisiana has lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles and for drivers under the age of 21. The Louisiana driving while intoxicated (DWI) law also pertains to the use of drugs such as marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines and tranquilizers. The first conviction for a DWI will go on your record as a criminal offense. You will be fined up to $1,000 and you could spend up to 6 months in jail.

Penalties for the first DWI conviction in Louisiana are as follows:

• Jail up to 6 months
• A fine up to $1,000
• Suspension of your license for 90 days
• Suspension of your license for 6 months if under the age of 21

The courts can require you to file an SR22 form with your insurance policy for proof of financial responsibility. The SR22 can be required for specific violations and for a DWI. The SR22 is required for a period of 3 years following the DWI conviction.

Subsequent DWI convictions cause the penalties to increase. Also if a drunk driver kills another person, that driver faces up to 20 years in prison.

Louisiana 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 a period of 180 days. If you are pulled over a second time and you refuse to take the test, your driver’s license will be suspended for 545 days.

The minimum required insurance coverage is as follows:

• $15,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $30,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
• $25,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property

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, he can issue you a ticket, take your license plates and impound your vehicle. You will then have 3 days to show proof of insurance to the OMV. Other state officials such as a Department of Licensing Examiner, an employee of the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or any other authorized state representative can ask you for proof of financial responsibility. The most common 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 Louisiana are subject to change.  Visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance at http://www.ldi.state.la.us/ or the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at http://omv.dps.state.la.us/ 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.

Progressive Offers “Smart Insurance” with Snapshot

Recently insurance companies have begun to offer optional programs where policyholders install an electronic device in their cars to monitor their safe driving habits and their mileage. The idea is that the devices provide insurance providers with reliable information with which to calculate risks and then to set premiums, thus giving consumers access to lower car insurance premiums.

Progressive is one of the companies who offer one of these plans with a program called Snapshot. Almost 250,000 Progressive policy holders are participating in the Snapshot program. Participating customers share s “snapshot” of their driving habits by plugging in the electronic device for six months. They can earn a discount of up to 30% based on their actual driving habits. The program is completely voluntary for Progressive policy holders.

Snapshot is truly innovative and is generating a lot of very positive buzz in the media because it helps drivers save money.

—

Progressive Insurance offers a wide range of auto and motorcycle insurance programs to fit the needs of its customers. Progressive is the #1 auto insurance sold through U.S. independent agents and brokers like Serenity Insurance. Progressive sells insurance for automobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s, boats, personal watercraft and recreational vehicles.

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.

Residents in MI Cannot afford No-Fault Insurance

Michigan is the only state in the U.S that requires all motorists to purchase unlimited, lifetime medical benefits with their car insurance policy. Residents cannot afford these unlimited high benefits and the fact that there are no cost controls for the medical benefits. The entire no-fault system is being threatened by huge increases in the costs of providing the mandated lifetime medical coverage.

The cost of the medical coverage on a Michigan no-fault insurance policy was around 25% in 2000. In 2010 this had jumped to around 40% of the cost of an insurance policy. In addition there is an additional cost for catastrophic injuries over $500,000 that everyone shares in and that also has increased even more.

If these costs continue to increase, more and more drivers will opt to cancel their auto insurance and take their chances on the roadways. Obviously this is not a sound decision and will only burden the system further, not to mention the financial impact to the non-insured driver should they get into an accident.

—

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 WY

WY SR22 Requirements
In the state of Wyoming it is illegal to drive 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. The drunk driving laws of Wyoming also make it illegal to drive under the influence (DUI) of controlled substances such as barbiturates, marijuana, stimulants, inhalants and any other intoxicants. Penalties for a first-time DUI are as follows:

• Up to 6 months in jail, or
• Up to $750 fine, or both
• License suspension for 90 days
• An ignition interlock device may be required for 6 months
• Substance abuse assessment required

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

Wyoming 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 of drugs or alcohol. A first time refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for a period of 6 months, a second refusal requires an 18 month suspension.

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for injury per person
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
• $20,000 for Property Damage Liability per accident for property damage

Law enforcement officers can ask you for proof of insurance at any time if they stop you for a traffic violation or if you’ve been involved in an accident. If a law enforcement officer sites you for driving a vehicle without insurance, you will be fined $250 up to $750.

—

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 Wyoming are subject to change.  Visit the Wyoming Insurance Department at http://insurance.state.wy.us/ or the Wyoming Department Transportation at http://www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/ 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.

Pip and Fraud gets Florida Legislature Focus

The Florida legislature will focus efforts to reform Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system during this legislative session. The Florida insurance system is rife with fraud and soaring attorney fees.

The Florida system requires motorists to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and the insurance company of the driver covers medical bills and lost wages following an accident regardless of fault. However the PIP requirement opens the door for all kinds of fraudulent claims. The system was created to protect motorists but it has spawned staged accidents and questionable health clinics that bill for unsubstantiated medical treatments. Florida is ranked number one in the nation for staged accidents involving questionable medical claims.

—

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 TX

TX SR22 Requirements
The State of Texas prohibits the operation of a vehicle by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. There are lower limits in place for commercial drivers of .04% and for drivers under the age of 21 of .02% BAC.

Or, for any other reason that a judge deems it necessary for you to prove to the state that you are financially responsible.

Penalties for a first drunk driving conviction are:

• 72 hours to 180 days in jail
• Jail of from 180 days to 2 years if a child under the age of 15 is in the vehicle
• Fines up to $2,000.00
• Fines up to $10,000.00 if a child under the age of 15 is in the vehicle
• License suspension from 90 to 365 days
• DWI Surcharge – $1,000.00 per year for 3 years
• DWI Surcharge – $2,000.00 per year for 3 years if BAC is .16 or above

In the State of Texas the implied consent law means that any person who receives a driver’s license automatically consents to a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine to determine BAC or the presence of drugs. If you refuse a chemical test your driver’s license will be confiscated and during your hearing the court may rule to suspend your license.

The minimum insurance coverage for private passenger vehicles per the Texas Department of Insurance is as follows:

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

When you have established financial responsibility through an automobile insurance policy, your insurance company will report that information to the State of Texas.

—

The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements in Texas are subject to change. Visit the Texas Department of Insurance at http://www.tdi.state.tx.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.

Economic Downturn Causes Drivers to Drop Insurance

The current economic downturn is possibly responsible for car owners canceling their car insurance coverage due to other commitments in their personal budget. It is estimated that the national average for uninsured drivers is almost 14%. That means that out of every 7 cars on the road 1 is not insured. You are more likely than ever to be involved with an uninsured driver during an accident than just a few years ago. In some states the number of uninsured drivers is higher than the national average, approaching 20% or 1 out of every 5 drivers.

When owners drive their cars without insurance, the owners who do have insurance carry the financial burden if there is an accident even if they are not at fault.  Most owners carry additional insurance called “Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist” coverage for this very reason.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage can be purchased to cover your bodily injury as well as property damage to your car. The coverage is relatively inexpensive, costing about 5% of the overall insurance policy.

If you don’t have Uninsured Motorist Coverage, call your agent or broker and get a quote. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the cost compared to the relief you’ll have by having the 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.