Reader’s Question:

I have an international drivers license and will be in the Chesapeake, Virginia and I am planning to work there for two years. I am planning to purchase a vehicle. Can I put my insurance on my vehicle under someone else’s name?

Daniel

Chesapeake, VA

Auto insurance premiums are based on different factors that includes the people that will be operating the vehicle. This is not based on the policy holder’s name. Basically, the car insurance cost in Chesapeake, Virginia would not be any different if your car insurance policy was in somebody else’s name as you would still be added as a driver on that car insurance policy. Additionally, the policyholder’s name or the named insured should be the same as the registered owner of that car. Regardless of the name the vehicle will be registered in should buy the car insurance policy.

Some of our insurance providers will permit you to purchase a car insurance policy with your international drivers license but may require that you get a valid US drivers license within certain time period.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

Is it legal if I do not tell my insurance provider in Burke, Virginia that I have a lien on my vehicle?

Patty

Burke, VA

I am not aware of any laws in Burke, Virginia that require you to list a lien holder on your insurance policy. Typically this is a requirement signed between the borrower and the lien holder. It is not the insurance carrier’s responsibility to to determine if there is a lien on the vehicle, but rather the lien holder’s responsibility to check their property, the vehicle, is insured.

Most lien holder’s would require you to buy physical damage coverage of comprehensive and collision. The insurance carrier will list your lien holder on your auto insurance policy if you give them the information and your insurance provider will send a declarations page to them.

If you do not comply with their requirement to buy physical damage of comprehensive and collision your lien holder may have consequences or penalties which could include taking your vehicle back. You should verify with your lien holder to find out their specific requirements that you need on your vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

Is it possible to register the car under my daughter’s name and have it insured under my name in Alexandria, Virginia? I think it would be cheaper that way.

Dan

Alexandria, VA

Some insurance carrier in Alexandria, Virginia would require that for you to be able to purchase car insurance policy, you name should appear on the registration and title of the car. Most insurance carriers would want you to have insurable interest on the car before you can place automobile insurance on it.

However it will still depend on your car insurance company’s guidelines if you can register and title the car under your name and have insurance under a different name.

If it is for the purpose of getting cheaper insurance in Alexandria, Virginia, you are not allowed to register and title the car under one name and have it insured on a different name. Before insuring that vehicle that is not registered under your name, you must inform the car insurance company regarding the situation. It will be considered a form of car insurance fraud if you did not tell the car insurance company properly and will only do it to get cheaper car insurance cost.

Tags: car insurance cost, car insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

When do I cancel my car insurance policy after my car has been totaled. Do I wait for the the payments for the car to be made before I drop my car insurance policy in Chesapeake Virginia? Do I also get a refund for the unused payment my car insurance policy period?

Jackson

Chesapeake, VA

If your car gets totaled in an accident, and that is the only car on the car insurance policy in Chesapeake Virginia, you no longer have to wait to cancel your car insurance policy. If you want to cancel your car insurance policy, because you are not going to have another car to replace it on your car insurance policy, you may want it to have a cancel it for the day after the accident.

So, if the other driver’s car insurance carrier will pay for the accident, your insurance carrier will request proof that your car was totaled in an accident and the date the accident occurred. Most insurance providers impose a 10% surcharge to your return car insurance premium when you cancel your car insurance policy. I am not sure if that surcharge will apply in this case so you will need to talk to your insurance carrier otherwise, you will be refunded by what is rightfully yours.

Tags: auto insurance