Plan for Driving in Winter Conditions

Winter is here and with it comes all kinds of winter driving conditions; fog, rain, freezing rain, ice, snow and blowing snow. As a car owner now is the time to do some preparation so you are ready for any and all conditions as best you can.

Believe it or not, one of the things you should check on is your car insurance. Some consumers increase their liability coverage during the winter because there is a better chance of being involved in an accident due to the weather. Some also add comprehensive and collision coverage if their policy allows for the same reason.

Vehicle maintenance checkups are also a good idea. You’ll need to change your oil during the winter anyway, and a good thing to ask your mechanic is whether you should run a lighter-weight oil during the winter in your area. Also have the mechanic check all your other fluids, and test your battery. Check your tires, and replace with snow tires if needed for your driving conditions.

Just in case you get stuck due to weather conditions, it is a good idea to stock some items in your trunk for emergencies such as:

• A flashlight
• Extra batteries for the flashlight
• A quart or two of motor oil
• Tools such as common screwdrivers and wrenches
• Check to make sure your tire jack is functional
• Carry a gallon of fresh water
• Blankets and pillows
• Several decent sized candles
• Snack bars

Change your driving habits in winter conditions. Don’t drive as fast as you might otherwise. Leave early for work or appointments. Rushing to get somewhere is a recipe for disaster. When traveling on crowded streets or highways, allow more room between you and the person in front of you. Use your headlights earlier in the day so people can see you coming. Try to stay calm so you can assess the situation. Remember that not all drivers have made these adjustments!

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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 NY

NY SR22 Requirements
The drunk driving laws in the State of New York prohibits a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In addition, the BAC level for commercial drivers and for drivers who are under the age of 21 are lower. Drivers under the age of 21 are held to a zero tolerance and a minor could lose the privilege to drive until they reach adulthood.

The first conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York with a BAC of .08 or higher is a misdemeanor. You can be fined from $500 to $1,000 and you could be sent to jail for up to 1 year. Your driver’s license will be suspended for at least 6 months and you will have to pay a mandatory conviction charge.

Penalties for a first time DWI offense in the State of New York are as follows:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• A fine of from $500 to $1000
• License suspension for at least 6 months
• Pay a Mandatory Surcharge for conviction
• Mandatory alcohol screening and/or alcohol evaluation

Other possibilities include:

• Ignition interlock device installation
• Driver Responsibility Assessment

If there is a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle, the penalties are increased:

• The DWI is now a Class E Felony
• The fine is up to $5,000 and/or up to 4 years in jail

Subsequent DWI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

New York 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 under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended and revoked for a minimum of 12 months. You will also be fined $500 for your first refusal and $750 for a second refusal.

The minimum coverage required for New York car insurance is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability of one person (not resulting in death)
• $50,000 for any injury resulting in the death of one person
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury for two or more persons (not resulting in death)
• $100,000 for any injuries resulting in the death of two or more persons
• $10,000 for property damage liability
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage at equal limits to Liability
• Personal Injury Protection

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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 New York are subject to change.  Visit the New York Insurance Department at http://www.ins.state.ny.us/ or the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles at http://www.nydmv.state.ny.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.

Illegal to Text while Driving in PA

In November of 2011, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to make it illegal to text while driving in the state. The new law takes effect in March of 2012. Police officers are now able to pull drivers over who are texting because the new law makes it a primary offense to text and drive. There is a $50.00 fine for this violation but there are no points added to the driving record for the infraction.

Pennsylvania’s new law is a total ban on texting while driving. There are seven states which have a partial ban on texting while driving – Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. Eight states do not have any law against texting while driving – Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina and South Dakota.

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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.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance Required in VT or Pay A Fine

The state of Vermont has passed an updated Vermont car insurance law which requires Uninsured Motorist coverage on all vehicles registered in the state.  Part of this update increases the fine for not having this coverage from $100 to as much as $500.  That increase is more than enough encouragement for owners to call their agent and have this coverage added to their policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is meant to protect drivers in Vermont.  It is not optional coverage as it is in a lot of other states.  Damages from an accident in which the other driver is not insured can be extreme and this coverage will take care of those damages. 

Over 14% of drivers nationwide do not have insurance on their vehicles, and in some states it is as high as 20%.   Therefore your chances of being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver are pretty good, and the cost of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is not that expensive.

Vermont drivers are encouraged to call their agent or broker and get a quote for adding this coverage.  You’ll have more peace of mind knowing that you will be covered!

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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 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 IL

IL SR22 Requirements
In the State of Illinois driving under the influence (DUI) is classified as a violent crime. If you are convicted of a DUI offense, the violation will remain on your driving record permanently. It is against the law for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. A DUI includes alcohol, or drugs or both, and any other intoxicants.

Penalties for a first time DUI offense in Illinois are as follows:

• Jail up to 1 year possible
• If a child under 16 is in the vehicle, add 6 months of additional jail time
• A fine up to $2500
• Add an additional $500 minimum if the BAC is above .16
• Add $1000 minimum if a child under 16 is in the vehicle
• License suspension a minimum of 1 year
• A Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device is possible
• Suspension of the vehicle registration
• Community service of 100 hours minimum if BAC is above .16
• Community service of 25 days if a child under 16 is in the vehicle

If you are convicted of a DUI you are also subject to filing a Financial Responsibility Form SR22 for 3 years. Before you can drive again, you must undergo an alcohol/drug evaluation and successfully complete a rehabilitation or alcohol/drug education program.

Drivers must have vehicle liability insurance with the following minimum coverage:

• $20,000 for injury or death of one person injured in an accident
• $40,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $15,00 for damage to property of another person

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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 Illinois are subject to change.  If you have questions or want more information visit the Illinois Department of Insurance at http://insurance.illinois.gov/.

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 TN

TN SR22 Requirements
It is illegal in the State of Tennessee to drive a vehicle if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. There are stricter laws for drivers of commercial vehicles (.04) and a .02 for drivers under the age of 21. The Tennessee DUI law also prohibits driving under the influence of other intoxicants such as inhalants, marijuana, amphetamines and other intoxicants.

Tennessee 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 if stopped by an officer and he suspects that you are under the influence. First refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being revoked for a period of 1 year.

The penalties for a first time Tennessee DUI offense are as follows:

• Fine of $350 to $1,500
• Jail for a minimum of 48 hours or up to 11 months
• License suspension for 1 year
• An ignition interlock device is required if:
  - The BAC is above .15
  - A passenger under the age of 18 is in the vehicle
  - Implied Consent/Test is refused

Other possible penalties include:

• Litter pick-up for three 8-hour shifts
• Penalties for child endangerment if the passenger is under 18
• Attend an Alcohol Safety DUI School Program

The SR-22 is a proof of financial responsibility and can be required for a total of 5 years from the date of your suspension. If the SR22 is filed for a total of 3 years within the 5-year period, the DOS can cancel the SR22 provided it is not required for any other suspension. The SR22 is required for a period of 3 years for a drunk driving conviction. If the SR22 is cancelled before the required time, your driving privileges will be suspended.

The minimum requirement liability insurance coverage for the State of Tennessee is as follows:

• $25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person injured in an accident
• $50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for all bodily injuries in one accident
• $15,000 for Property Damage Liability in one accident

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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 Tennessee are subject to change.  Visit the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at  http://www.tn.gov/commerce/index.shtml  or the Tennessee Department of Revenue/Vehicles at http://tennessee.gov/revenue/vehicle/ 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 ID

ID SR22 Requirements
The State of Idaho has a drunk driving law that 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.

In Idaho the first conviction for a DUI is a misdemeanor and you can be sentenced to jail for no longer than 6 months. The state can also fine you up to $1,000, your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days and the judge can extend the suspension period longer. The list of penalties for a first time DUI in Idaho is as follows:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Up to $1,000 fine
• License suspension for 90 to 180 days
• A restricted license is possible after 30 days
• Alcohol evaluation and treatment may be ordered

If your license is suspended for a DUI in Idaho, you will have to apply for a reinstatement with the Idaho Transportation Department. If your license was suspended for a DUI, you will be required to obtain proof of financial responsibility. Proof of financial responsibility is provided by an SR-22 filing with your liability insurance and is required for 3 years following the reinstatement of your driver’s license. An SR-22 shows the Transportation Department that you have at least the state minimum coverage for liability insurance.

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 injury or death of two or more persons
• $15,000 for Property Damage Liability for damage to property

Law enforcement officers can ask you for proof of insurance at any time if they stop you for a traffic violation or a safety check.

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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 Idaho are subject to change. Visit the Idaho Department of Insurance at http://www.doi.idaho.gov/ or the Idaho Transportation Department at http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/ 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.

MADD awards 5 Star Ratings for Ignition Interlock Device Laws

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has awarded their 5 Star Rating Award to the states of Illinois, Kansas, Arizona, Utah and Nebraska.

The 5 Star Rating is based on laws requiring ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers, for operating sobriety checkpoints, for escalating penalties for driving under the influence with children in the vehicle, for using “no refusal” methods of apprehending suspected drunk drivers and for revoking the driver’s license through administrative processes.

Ignition interlock devices, which measure the amount of alcohol in the driver’s breath, will not allow a driver to even start his car if the device detects an unlawful amount of alcohol in the breath. In the state of Illinois for example, there are over 12,000 ignition interlock devices in use, and officials in the state attribute the decrease in the number of alcohol related traffic deaths over the past two years to this device.

Ignition interlock devices do not cost the state taxpayers anything because the offender must pay the installation and monthly fees for the interlock device. This additional cost is also seen by the state as a deterrent for future drunk driving.

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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 SC

SC SR22 Requirements
It is against the law in South Carolina to operate a vehicle if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The limits are lower for drivers under the age of 21 and commercial drivers. In addition to alcohol, it is also against the law to drive under the influence of controlled substances such as cocaine, marijuana, and any other intoxicants.

South Carolina has an implied consent law that means that you agree to submit to a chemical test of your breath, urine or blood if you have been stopped by a law enforcement officer and he suspects that you are driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a driver refuses to submit to this test, the driver’s license will immediately be suspended for at least 90 days.

Multiple convictions for DUI may result in a court ordered installation of an ignition interlock device. This device would be installed on the vehicle of the convicted driver and at his expense.

DUI fines and penalties vary according to the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the driver when he’s arrested:

• with a BAC under .10
  - license suspension of 6 months
  - fine of $400
  - jail time minimum of 48 hours to a maximum of 30 days, or
  - 48 hours of public service
• with a BAC of .10 and under .16
  - license suspension 6 months
  - fine of $500
  - jail time minimum of 72 hours to a maximum of 30 days, or
  - 72 hours of public service
• With a BAC above .16
  - license suspension of 6 months
  - fine of $1,000
  - jail time minimum of 30 days to a maximum of 90 days, or
  - 30 days of public service

In addition to filing the SR 22, a reinstatement fee of $100.00 must be paid and the driver must complete a certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP). The enrollment in ADSAP must be on file with the DMV before the driving privileges can be restored.

The minimum insurance coverage required is as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury for each person
• $50,000 for bodily injury for all persons in an accident
• $25,00 for property damage
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury of $25,000/$50,000
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist property damage of $25,000

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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 Carolina are subject to change.  If you have questions or want more information visit the South Carolina Department of Insurance at http://doi.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx  or the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles at  http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx.

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.

Stricter DUI Law in OK Goes into Effect

A tougher DUI law has gone into effect in the state of Oklahoma. Anyone who blows a .15 BAC on their first DUI must have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle for 18 months. For a second offense they will have to have the interlock device installed for 4 years if they blow a .08 or higher.

An interlock device measures the amount of alcohol in the driver’s breath. The driver has to blow into the device before he can start the car, and then periodically while driving. State governments are hoping that this additional measure will deter drivers from driving after drinking. The devices are expensive and must be paid for by the offender.

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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.