Reader’s Question:

Can I purchase and insure a vehicle in a different state if my drivers license is from Dale City, VA?

Richard

Dale City, VA

Yes, it may be possible to purchase, register and insure a vehicle in one state while holding a driver’s license in Dale City, Virginia. Some reasons to be doing so is when you are going to school/college in one state where you want to purchase, register and insure a vehicle but want to keep your drivers license from your home state which you plan to return.

Another plausible reasons for you to purchase and insure a vehicle in one state and have a driver’s license for a different state are if you are in the military and stationed outside of your home state or having a vehicle garaged at your vacation house in a different state.

Insurance providers are similar since they normally also require you to insure your car in the state which the vehicle will be driven and garaged for the most of the year. Typically this means one should purchase car insurance in the state that your vehicle is registered since that is where in a normal situation where your vehicle will be garaged and driven.

Tags: auto insurance, military insurance, Student car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am moving to Chesapeake, Virginia from Florida in about three weeks. My auto insurance policy ends in 2 weeks. Is it possible that I could obtain insurance from Virginia now or do I need to have a Virginia license and switch everything over in order to obtain it?

Allan

Chesapeake, VA

It may be possible to get car insurance in Chesapeake, Virginia with some insurance carriers if you already have the address of where you are going to be moving to and can give it to the insurance carrier to begin your auto insurance policy. Some other insurance carrier may want proof of Virginia residency or Virginia registration before starting up an insurance policy though.

The best way to transfer your car insurance would be to find out if your current insurance company is licensed in both Florida and Virginia. If they are, you may be able to renew your car insurance policy and thus continue your FL policy until you complete your move to Virginia and then at that time have your insurance company change over the insurance policy from a FL to a VA insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I live in Alexandria, Virginia and have driven my vehicle without insurance for the last six years. I am planning to purchase a new vehicle and I would like to know what problems I will face when insuring my new car.

John

Alexandria, VA

Regarding auto insurance, you will likely lose some insurance discounts, such as renewal discounts and without having an insurance company in Alexandria, Virginia for a few years or so some insurance provider may not choose to insure you. Some car insurance carriers will not write you an insurance policy without at least 6 months prior insurance.

Due to what the insurance carriers will see as a gap in carrying car insurance, your auto insurance rates will likely be higher than average. To get a reasonable auto insurance you may check and see if other discounts are available to you such as a discount for the safety features on your car, good driver discounts etc. According to the Bureau of Insurance for Virginia successful completion of a driver education or defensive driving course may also permit you to receive a discount on your auto insurance premium.

Tags: auto insurance lapse, Car insurance discounts

Reader’s Question:

Im planning to move from Maryland to Annandale, Virginia. I would like to know how long do I have to insure the vehicle to the new state.

Hall

Annandale, VA

From the moment you register your car to the day the registration period expires, your car must be covered by a liability policy issued by an insurance provider licensed to do business in Virginia, even if the car is not working or not being used.

According to Virginia law the minimum insurance coverage for all registered cars is $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person up to $50,000 and $20,000 for property damage.

To get more information on how long you have to change over your license and insurance etc from Maryland to Annandale, Virginia once you move and what specific steps you have to take to make the changes, you may contact the Virginia DMV directly.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Under Virginia law who is considered a family member? Regarding the passenger restrictions for teen drivers in Richmond VA, can my sixteen years old have two cousins in the vehicle?

Jen

Richmond, VA

One of the teen restrictions in place in the Richmond and the rest of the state of Virginia is a limitation on the amount of passengers the teen driver can have in the car with him or her. According to the Virginia law if you are under age of eighteen, you may carry only one passenger under age eighteen during the 1st year that you hold your driver’s license.

After you have held your license for 1 year, you may carry only 3 passengers under age eighteen until you reach age eighteen. Learner’s permit holders may not carry more than 1 passenger under age eighteen.

You may contact the VA Department of Motor Vehicles for more information on your teen’s driver’s license restrictions in Richmond VA and if you need more clarification regarding the cousins being passengers in the vehicle with your teenager.

Tags: auto insurance, Beginner car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance