Reader’s Question:

I’m from Virginia, a first-time car owner at 20. What do I need to know about car insurance laws in this state?

Bill

Richmond, VA

For first-time car owners, here is what you need to know about auto insurance:

The state of Virginia does not require its drivers to have liability insurance. However, all motorists are required to have uninsured motorist coverage in their car insurance policy. Having uninsured motorist coverage in a motorist’s car insurance policy means that if a driver who does not possess liability insurance is responsible for a car accident, that driver will have the opportunity to pay for essential medical care and car repairs without much financial hardship. With the cost of medical care and vehicle repair surging up, it is still best to avail of liability coverage from your car insurance provider. Liability coverage will pay for medical treatment of bodily injury following an accident where the insured is at fault. The amount of 25 thousand dollars covers for the medical expense for one driver, with up to 50 thousand dollars in total medical expenses for all the occupants in the vehicle. An amount of 10 thousand dollars is allotted to assist in repairs to any property damage resulting from the accident. Damaged property may include any public property or the victim’s vehicle.

Car insurance laws are different for each state but there’s a lot of information on the Internet that can help you know more about Virginia car insurance laws. You can also check out the websites of the various car insurance providers for this state, so you can see all your options and make a good choice.

Tags: car insurance law, First time driver car insurance, First-Time Buyer, liability insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it absolutely necessary for me to get auto insurance here in Richmond Virginia VA? I really don’t want to spend too much money on this.

Rey

Richmond Virginia VA

Well, Rey, let me be clear about this: no matter what kind of car you drive, the law requires that you at least get liability coverage in Richmond Virginia VA. In case an officer stops you for a moving violation and finds out that you don’t have insurance coverage, you could be fined, your license and vehicle registration could be suspended and your vehicle impounded. Your auto insurance should at least provide medical benefits for you or any injured parties as well as coverage for property damage in case of an accident. There are other optional coverages, which would, of course also add onto your premiums.

Don’t worry, though – you can usually choose the level of premiums based on what you can afford. In fact, entering your zip code in the blank box on this site would allow you to do just that. Some insurers in Richmond Virginia VA offer discounts if you’ve got a good driving record, install safety gadgets in your car or opt for multiple coverage. Your auto insurance premiums may also be affected by such things as the type and age of your vehicle, your average annual mileage, sometimes, even your credit information. A good way to ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible is to request for free quotes in this site. The information available through links from this site can really help you save on your insurance premiums.

Tags: auto insurance, cheap auto insurance

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:

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

Reader’s Question:

My girlfriend got a DUI and she wants to get her license. She was told she needs to get an SR22 to get her license back. She doesn’t have a car right now so how does she get insurance for a car she does not have?

Sam

Richmond, VA

Your girlfriend will need a non-owners SR-22 if she does not own a car nor has a car in his household in which to place an car insurance policy upon.

If the state of VA requires an SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, as part of the terms of reinstatement for your girlfriend’s driver’s license then she will need to acquire and maintain one even if she does not own a car. If you own a vehicle, normally you get the mandated liability coverages and SR22 filing on the car(s) you own. If you do not own a vehicle then you get a non-owners policy which is still the mandated coverages plus the get the SR-22 filed in Virginia as required there is just no vehicle to list on the policy.

Generally, a non-owners SR-22 permits the named insure to operate any car that they are given permission to drive by the vehicle owner, unless the car is owned by a household member.

Q: I retired a few months ago, but I’m going to need Virginia SR22 car insurance for one more year. Is there anyhing special for retirees so I can save some money?

A: Well, as a retiree, you’re now in the age group that has the lowest car insurance rates, so you should see your Virginia SR22 car insurance premium drop pretty soon without your even touching it. In addition to that, most car insurance companies offer a special discount for seniors. If you go in for regular check ups and take classes to keep you up to date on your driving skills, many car insurance companies will give you discounts for that as well.

If that isn’t enough for you, you can instead go with a company like AARP Hartford, which is a car insurance company that caters to retired people and offers special pricing, as well as promises that your policy will not be cancelled except for things such as non payment. AARP Hartford also offers defensive driving classes at a low rate, which you can take to get a discount on your Virginia SR22 car insurance.

Q: What is Chesapeake SR22 insurance?

A: A Chespeake SR22 form must be filed when you have had your license suspended and need proof of insurance in order to get it back. That proof of insurance, the SR22, has to go to your Department of Motor Vehicles every month, or you can simply say goodbye to your driver’s license.

In Virginia, you Chesapeake SR22 form should be filed for a period of three years. During those three years, you should be on your best behavior, and your prices will be higher than you might have expected, so you will also have more trouble finding affordable insurance, although you do have options. Even after your three years are over, you will still feel the negative effects of your Chesapeake SR22 for two more years.

Filing a Chesapeake SR22 is only required if you want to unsuspend your license. If you think you can do without driving, then you can go ahead and leave it unsuspended for three years and just avoid getting behind the wheel.

Q: As someone who doesn’t own a car, what sort of Richmond SR22 car insurance can I get for my non owners policy?

A: Being as you don’t have your own car, and thus have a Richmond SR22 for non owner drivers policy, your options are fewer, but you still have many. A lot of the savings for car insurance coverage comes from the type of car you have and what you do with it, which is a big reason for why non owner car insurance costs more than driver-owner car insurance. Here’s a few you can use:

• Educate yourself: take a driver’s ed or defensive driving class, or both, so you can get a discount on your car insurance.
• For students: leave your car at home when you go to college and make sure you get good grades so you can save on your Richmond SR22.
• Cut back: Drop your coverage to the minimum it can go and try not to drive as much, for a couple more discounts.

Q: So, I just started looking for Norfolk SR22 car insurance coverage yesterday, and so far all I’ve heard is “no, no, no”. How can the court require me to file an SR22 form if nobody wants to insure me? Am I doomed to take the bus?

A: It certainly would be messed up if you were required to file a Norfolk SR22 form and then found there was no way you could actually do that, but fortunately you do have a couple of options. Since you haven’t been looking long, it might not have ocurred to you to expand your search to companies which only insure people who are high risk. While it’s possible they won’t accept you as well, depending on your insurance risk score, it’s also more likely they will.

If even that door is closed to you, look up the Virginia Department of Insurance to find out more about the available assigned risk car insurance pool, which is available for drivers who can’t get insured elsewhere. You’l be given a random company who must sell you a Norfolk SR22 car insurance policy, but it will be at a high price.