DWI offenders convicted for a third time in North Carolina will now face more jail time and increased fines. Laura’s Law went into effect in December 2011 and it increases the minimum jail time from 14 days to 120 days, and the maximum jail time was also increased. Maximum fines were increased up to $10,000.

Laura’s Law is named for Laura Fontenberry, a seventeen year-old who was killed by a drunk driver in Gaston County, North Carolina late last year. The driver who killed Laura had three prior convictions for drunk driving.

The new law also calls for stricter supervision while repeat offenders are on probation and they are also subject to alcohol monitoring for 120 days.

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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.

The Reconditioned Vehicle Program (RVP) is now available in Oklahoma. RVP is a tool that verifies the vehicle history, identifies salvaged titles, identifies lemons, checks for odometer tampering and damage by fire, water, collision or other issues.

Unitrin Specialty will validate the vehicle history report records in the following essential areas:

1. Title Check – salvaged titles, rebuilt titles, fire damage titles and flood damaged titles
2. Odometer Check – odometer rollback, broken odometer, odometer exceeding the limit, odometer suspect miles
3. Problem Check – frame damage, lemon car, salvage auction, water damage
4. Vehicle Use and Event Check – major auto accidents, auto theft, police or taxi use, fleet cars

Obtaining physical damage coverage for a salvaged vehicle used to be very difficult, if not impossible to find. Now Unitrin Specialty makes this coverage available to a marketplace that was previously under-served. If you have a salvaged vehicle, call an independent insurance agent like Serenity Insurance who writes policies with Unitrin and get your salvaged vehicle covered.

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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 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.

FL SR22 Requirements
The drunk driving laws in the State of Florida prohibits a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAL) of .08 or higher. In addition, the BAL level for a commercial driver is .04 and for drivers who are under the age of 21 it is .02.

Penalties for a first time DUI offense in the State of Florida are as follows:

• 6 months maximum in jail for BAL of .08 but less than .15
• 9 months maximum in jail for BAL above .15
• A fine of from $500 to $1000 for BAL of .08 to .15
• A fine of from $1000 to $2000 for BAL above .15 or if there is a minor in car
• License suspension from 180 days to 1 year
• For a Hardship Reinstatement of the license, the driver must complete DUI School prior to applying for the hardship
• An ignition interlock device may be required
• A Community Service Fine of $10 for each hour of community service required
• Community Service of 50 hours
• A Treatment Program may be allowed in lieu of imprisonment
• Vehicle impoundment of 10 days

Florida will require the driver to have an SR22 filed with the state as proof of a liability policy in order to get the license reinstated after the license has been suspended or revoked. Once filed, the SR22 and the liability insurance must continue to be active. If the driver cancels the insurance policy, and therefore the SR22, for any reason the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be notified. Drivers are required to carry the SR22 auto insurance documentation for up to 3 consecutive years.

If a driver is convicted of a DUI offense after October 1, 2007, then the driver is required to provide proof of bodily injury liability insurance as follows:

• $100.000 per person
• $300,000 per occurrence
• $50,000 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 the state of Florida are subject to change.  Visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at http://www.flhsmv.gov/ for current 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.

It is a not a rumor that women can get cheaper car insurance than their male counter-parts. Women are usually better drivers, therefore they don’t submit as many claims, and they tend to not drive as reckless as a man.

Women should shop around a while when looking for insurance. Men usually do not like to shop and will settle for the first or second insurance policy quoted. If women spend a little more time shopping, they will be rewarded with a cheaper policy. Several factors will help women obtain a less expensive insurance policy –

1. Women tend to drive less sporty vehicles, and rarely drive pickups. Compact four-door cars, small SUVs and vans are usually the choice of women drivers. These vehicles are generally less expensive to insure than sports cars and trucks. Therefore these vehicles could qualify for a Safe Vehicle Discount.
2. The driving record has a lot to do with the rate given for a car insurance policy. Since women get less tickets, and have less accidents, their motor vehicle record (MVR) will have less points on it and thus the rate they get for their coverage will be less. Having a clean MVR could qualify for a Good Driver Discount.
3. Some insurance companies give discounts for your credit score, for being a non-smoker, for your education level, etc.

Use the Internet to check for car/auto insurance brokers rather than going directly to an agent of a particular car insurance company that does not sell policies for other companies. Insurance brokers like Serenity Insurance work with multiple car insurance companies and can do the comparison shopping for you.

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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.

IA SR22 Requirements
In the State of Iowa it is against the law for 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 (.04) and also for drivers under the age of 21 (.02).

In Iowa driving under the influence is called Operating Under the Influence (OWI). All OWI convictions in the state of Iowa carry jail time, license suspension and court ordered substance abuse treatment. The list of penalties for a first time DUI in Iowa is as follows:

• Jail for 48 hours minimum, up to 1 year
• A fine from $625 to $1,250
• License suspension for 90 to 180 days
• A restricted license is possible after 30 days
• Ignition interlock device may be required if BAC is above .10
• May have to attend a Drinking Drivers Course
• Community service time is possible
• Alcohol evaluation and treatment may be ordered

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

• $20,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
• $40,000 for Bodily Injury Liability for all persons per accident
• $15,000 for Property Damage coverage caused in an at-fault accident

All drivers must show proof of liability insurance to any law enforcement officer or any other sanctioned officers of the state if requested.

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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 Iowa are subject to change.  Visit the Iowa Insurance Division at http://www.iid.state.ia.us/index.asp or the Iowa Department of Transportation at http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/financial.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.

KY SR22 Requirements
An SR22 is not required in the state of Kentucky after a drunk driving conviction. The state of Kentucky prohibits a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. There are lower BAC limits for drivers of commercial vehicles and for drivers under the age of 21.

The state has harsher penalties for a DUI with aggravated circumstances such as transporting a child under the age of twelve (12), driving 30 MPH over the posted speed limit, driving in the wrong direction on a limited access highway, causing an accident while impaired that causes injury or death, a BAC of .18 or above, for refusing a DUI test and other violations as determined by the state.

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

• Jail from 2 days up to 30 days
• Jail of 4 days for an Aggravated DUI conviction
• A fine from $200 to $500
• Suspension of your driver’s license for 30 to 120 days
• Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program for 90 days
• Community labor for a minimum of 48 hours, up to 30 days

Kentucky 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 impaired. Refusal to submit to the test will result in your driver’s license being suspended for a period of 30 to 120 days.

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
• $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
• $10,000 for Basic No Fault (PIP coverage) unless rejected

Drivers must carry proof of Kentucky car insurance in their vehicle at all times and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for any reason. When renewing or transferring a motor vehicle registration, proof of insurance must be shown to the county clerk. Insurance companies operating in Kentucky are required to electronically report all personal auto insurance information to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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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.

Auto insurance customers who shop around for a better price are likely to change insurance companies 33% of the time. Customers who have experienced poor or bad customer service however are more likely to switch 75% of the time. That means that customers are more concerned about how they are treated than they are about their pocket-book.

An average car insurance customer will gather up to three competitive quotes when they are shopping for a better price. One might think that they would gather more data than that. However they might only get one or two quotes when they are shopping because their previous carrier provided poor service. The first company that shows a level of concern for the customer is probably going to get the business because it sounds like they care. The price might even be higher in some cases but the consumer is looking for someone who cares about them.

Consumers might try shopping insurance brokers rather than directly with an insurance company because the broker can shop several different companies and brokers are likely to be very customer service oriented.

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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. We have our own Customer Service Department and will take as much time as needed to help you with your insurance.  Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Named Non-Owner or Non-Owner insurance is a policy that provides liability protection for an individual who does not own a vehicle or have access to any for personal use on a regular basis, including vehicles owned by other members of the household.

Non-Owner policies provide stated limits of liability protection (BI/PD, MED, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists BI) for the named insured while driving a non-owned vehicle. Coverage does not apply to vehicles owned by the insured or owned by a relative.

Coverage applies only to the person listed on the declarations page and does not extend to household members. Coverage is not provided for a spouse or other family members.

Physical damage for the vehicle is not provided on a Non-Owner policy. This is liability coverage only. Non-owner coverage is also not provided for business or artisan use.

If you do not own a car or have regular access to a vehicle in your household, you would qualify for a Named Non-Owner insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent or broker to see if you qualify for a Non-Owner policy.

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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.

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.

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.