Washington State Legislature Considering Tougher DUI Laws

Several bills have been presented in the Washington state legislature to toughen DUI laws in the state. The bills being reviewed in the State House would toughen existing laws by making the penalty for vehicular homicide while driving drunk equal to manslaughter. Further the bills would increase the financial penalties for a DUI offense when a child under the age of 16 is in the car, increase the amount of time an ignition interlock device (IID) must be installed in a vehicle from 60 days to 6 months and by allowing the courts to order drivers who drive drunk who kill a parent of a child to have to pay child support.

Several other bills would increase the minimum jail time from 1 day to 3 days for first-time DUI offenders, add a camera to the IID installation and prohibit drunk drivers who kill or harm others from using the statue of limitations to avoid making court-ordered payments to victims.

These bills still have to be reviewed and approved by the State Senate but watch for the state of Washington to put some teeth in the existing and new DUI laws.

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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.

States to Increase DUI Patrols for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day falls on Saturday this year so law enforcement is expecting higher than usual incidents of driving under the influence. Saturday is one of the higher days of the week for DUI drivers anyway but couple that with St. Patrick’s Day festivities and you might expect a higher than normal number of DUI arrests.

There will be increased DUI patrols in most states this weekend because St. Patrick’s Day on average is the second deadliest holiday for alcohol related accidents.

The best advice is to have a designated driver readily available, use a cab or use public transportation. If you drive to a function and know you’ve had too much to legally drive, call a cab….it’s cheaper than a DUI ticket!

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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.

Ride with the Original – Dairyland Cycle in Washington

Dairyland Cycle has offered the original, custom-made motorcycle coverage for preferred motorcycle customers since 1966. When you ride with Dairyland Cycle, you ride with the original.

Dairyland Cycle has updated their Washington rates as of February 28, 2012. Their motorcycle product is competitive for all riders and all bikes. Dairyland has –

• Lowered overall rates
• Increased the maximum accepted vehicle value to $60,000
• Offer a 15% HOG (Harley Owners Group) discount which can also be used with the Rider Group Discount
• Added Rider Group Discounts, the newest being a discount to recognize military veterans and law enforcement officers both active and retired

Call Serenity Insurance or your local agent or broker to get a quote on Dairyland motorcycle insurance. The season is just about here!

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Dairyland Insurance offers insurance coverage for both autos and motorcycles. The company is affiliated with the Sentry Insurance Group and has been in business since 1904. They strive to provide the coverages policyholders need, and the service that they expect. Dairyland Cycle offers motorcycle policies for 12 months and provides liability coverage as well as physical damage coverage for the bike.

Are you you getting auto or motorcycle insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer motorcycle and 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 VT

VT SR22 Requirements
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Vermont is a serious offense. You could lose your license and go to jail for up to 2 years, you may be required to attend driving school and you will pay a hefty fine.

The state of Vermont drunk driving laws make it illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Vermont has lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles and for drivers under the age of 21. It is also illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, inhalants and other intoxicants.

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

• Jail for up to 2 years maximum

• A fine of $750

• Suspension of your license for 90 days

• DUI surcharges of $160 minimum

You could also be required to attend an alcohol and driver education program before your license is restored. Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

Vermont has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent, when you receive your driver’s license, 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 of an intoxicating substance. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for a period of 6 months.

The minimum required insurance is as follows:

• $25,000 for death or injury of one person

• $50,000 for death or injury of two or more persons per accident

• $10,000 for damage to property

Drivers must carry proof of Vermont car insurance in their vehicle at all times and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for a traffic violation or at the time of an accident if there is damage to the vehicle or injuries to the occupants. Failure to provide proof of insurance could result in a traffic ticket, you could be fined $100.00 and you will accumulate 2 points on your motor vehicle driving record. You will then be required to file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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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 Vermont are subject to change. Visit the Vermont Insurance Division at http://www.bishca.state.vt.us/insurance/insurance-division or the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles at http://dmv.vermont.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.

No Insurance Rate Increase in NC

The North Carolina Insurance Commission has announced that there will not be a rate hike in 2012. That is great news for North Carolina automobile owners.

Costs for most consumer goods like food, fuel, clothing and entertainment continue to increase. Car insurance will not be included in that for 2012. At least there’s some relief for North Carolina citizens.

North Carolina car insurance rates are some of the lowest in the country. There has not been an increase in car insurance rates in North Carolina in 15 years.

If you think you are paying too much for car insurance in North Carolina, call Serenity Insurance or your own insurance broker or agent and ask for a quote. Most agencies provide quotes free of charge and you just might save some money!

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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.

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”!

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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.