Reader’s Question:

My teen daughter is very excited to drive as she has already gotten her driver’s permit here in Indiana. Do we have to add her already in our auto insurance policy or shall we wait until she has her license?

Caleb

Hammond, IN

Now that your teen daughter already has her driving permit in Indiana, this will let her driver but with some restrictions. These limitations include: there should be a licensed driver in the car with her and also in some states, the teen driver can only drive during the daytime. Moreover, after 60, 90 or 180 days, the driver’s permit normally will be expired. A lot of states have this “graduated licensing” law that stages in driving experience for young motorists, and let learner driver to increase their experience in a lower-risk situations first and then slowly rising to more complicated driving circumstances.

In the state of Indiana, you are already allowed to list a learner driver with a driver permit on your auto insurance policy. A lot of auto insurance companies normally do not have additional charge on the premiums to add a teen with a driver permit in your policy. They would wait until your teenager already has her driver’s license prior to increasing your auto insurance payment, but you must still list them as a named driver. If your daughter turns 16 or her permit expires, that is the time they normally would charge you additional fee on your premium rates.

Tags: auto insurance, learner driver, teen car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am a middle aged woman who is trying to weigh which one will I get a car insurance first whether my son, a teenager or my father who is a senior citizen? Is there a special law here in Indiana that lowers the rate of car insurance for teens or senior citizens?

Penny

Evansville, IN

Teens and Senior Citizens’ car insurance are different in many ways. Teens have the highest rate of risky drivers which is seconded by senior citizens. Though teens’ car insurance is high, there are ways to make it lower here in Indiana as well as senior citizens for they have discount in any aspect even in the state of Indiana.

One way to make a teens’ car insurance rate is to ask them a driver’s education course in their school if their school offers like this course and if their school doesn’t offer this course, there are private companies that offer this kind of course which they will be able to understand more the road they are going to drive in. And of course the other thing that will make the teens’ car insurance is to buy them a second hand car. And you might want them to be included in your own car insurance policy in which you will be able to get your teen insured as well as your old man. Senior citizens immediately get discounted by the law. But even if they are discounted, senior citizens are still subject to high risk drivers based on their age alone. There are Car Insurance Companies that can give you the best deal for your old man if they are high risk drivers.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance rates, senior citizen car insurance, teen car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have an SUV that I need to get insured here in Indiana but I heard that I would have to pay more for it. Why does auto insurance for SUV cost more than some other vehicles?

Abraham

Muncie, IN

Your auto insurance rates in Indiana are influenced by a lot of things and this includes age, gender, location and driving history. The type and how much coverage you choose, and whether you use it in private or for business purposes can also effect the auto insurance premiums. For that reason, an insured person may have different rates than another one with the same make and model of vehicle. However, the cost of auto insurance premiums on sports utility vehicle (SUV) may be more than the premiums for smaller vehicles.

Aside from the aforementioned things that influence the premiums, insurers also consider the probability of the vehicle to be stolen, vandalized and caught up in an accident. Auto insurance companies also do some research on the amount they would have to shell out to repair, replace parts or replace the vehicle itself. These auto insurance companies also get their data by referring to different claim statistics. And aside from different claim statistics, they also have their own data regarding claims. For instance, if an insurance provider has compensated a lot of claims for a specific SUV, they may charge higher premiums for the SUV than another insurer will.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance rates, SUV

Reader’s Question:

The state where I came from requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (which I don’t know what for). I don’t know yet if they do the same here in Indiana, so can I opt not to have it? What else can I not have just to save on my auto insurance?

Garett

South Bend, IN

Uninsured motorist coverage would pay for any medical expenses that are caused by another driver who does not have auto insurance. Also, if you or your car becomes a victim of hit-and-run, uninsured coverage will also pay for the damage. For underinsured motorist coverage, this will pay for you and your car if you get into an accident where the other driver is at-fault and he/she doesn’t have enough car insurance to cover the damages. In this event, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay out to its limits and then your underinsured motorist coverage will for the rest. These types of coverage are, luckily, not required in the state of Indiana. This means that you may opt not to have it, thus, saving on your auto insurance.

There are also some other things that you may opt not to have in order for you to save some money on your auto insurance. Some of these are towing and medical payments coverage because these things can be covered by other sources. For instance, if you have health insurance, this would pay for your medical bills. Therefore, it will not be necessary for you to have medical payments coverage as part of your auto insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, underinsured motorist coverage, uninsured motorist coverage

Reader’s Question:

About 3 years ago I got involved in a car accident here in Indiana, ever since I’ve been driving under my spouse’s car insurance policy, I am wondering if the prior car accident would, in any way, affect my rates once I get my own Auto Insurance Policy?

McKeller

Fort Wayne, IN

Yes, it is definitely possible for insurance claims, driving violations and at-fault car accident records going as far back as five years even, to affect how your auto insurance premiums are calculated. Whether or not this directly influences the amount of auto insurance premiums your quoted depends on the rules and policies of each car insurance carrier. Some might only go as far as three years when underwriting (a fancy insurance word for investigating to determine insurance policy pricing and eligibility) your policy there in Indiana. It would be wise to be truthful towards your prospective car insurance provider about your driving records since they can verify your driving background anyway. Every auto insurance provider can request a report from the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) regarding your driving history (records can go as far back as a decade).

Aside from prior driving and claims history, there are other things that can also affect how your rates are determined. Your age could also affect your rates, this is especially true for senior citizens. It is not uncommon for someone who just hit 60 years, with a clean driving record, to suddenly find themselves paying twice their previous insurance premiums. The type of vehicle you have, as well as the number of times you drive and for how far will also affect your rates. The longer and farther you drive the higher the risk of getting into an accident so the higher the risk you pose in filing a claim. Your insurance provider will charge higher premiums to compensate for this increased risks as well.

Tags: advice, auto insurance, auto insurance claims, car insurance company, car insurance discounts

Reader’s Question:

I just moved in here in Indiana for a job and had just purchased a car. Is there a law here in Indiana that helps me in getting a cheaper car insurance?

Harry

Fort Wayne, IN

Saving money for Car Insurances is a law here in Indiana. The State has what they call Indiana Auto Insurance program or in short, the IAIP. This program helps drivers from Indiana to get hold of reasonable car insurance by entailing Car Insurance Companies to grant car insurance policies that includes liability and physical damage to those drivers who have difficulty finding coverage that includes the said policy from other car insurance company.

There are insurance companies that help you by providing articles or tips that can help you in getting a cheap car insurance coverage. This will make you some of your plans change in order for you to be able to get the lowest possible car insurance. There are quote guides that will help you get an instant Car Insurance rates for free. You don’t have to look in the yellow pages anymore to look for Car Insurance Companies and give you insurance rates for quote guides give you list of Car Insurance Companies with affordable rates. With these times, you don’t have to put a lot of time to look for something but instead, you just have to start typing. Proper website will give you the information you need.

Tags: car insurance, cheaper auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

How do I know that my car insurance policy here in Indiana has enough coverage in case I get involved in a car accident?

Natalie

Fort Wayne, IN

First, you should know the state minimum requirements for liability insurance coverage in accordance with its financial responsibility laws. For the state of Indiana it falls under 25/50/10, that means at least $25,000 worth of payments for injuries caused to each individual per accident for a minimum total of $50,000 for all individuals involved per accident and another $10,000 total minimum payout amount for damages to private or public property. Please note that you can easily be sued for amounts far exceeding the state minimum liability amounts in the event you do manage to cause a car accident.

Now that you know the minimum amounts of (liability) coverage that you should get it will then be a very good idea to get a higher liability coverage limit from your insurance policy. As high as you can comfortably pay regularly. Another part of you coverage that you should pay attention to would be Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) or Personal Injury Protection. This is a kind of no-fault coverage and pays for your treatment of injuries including medical and hospitalization costs regardless of who caused the accident. Collision coverage should also be adequate so that it can cover for any payments to repair and restore your vehicle to it’s original state prior to a car accident.

Tags: car insurance company, car insurance discounts, car insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I plan to do some modifications on my car but I don’t know if it will still be covered. Will my insurance company here in Indiana still give me coverage if I customize my car?

Landan

South Bend, IN

Customized vehicles are getting more appealing to motorists and the public with the fame of custom car TV shows like “Pimp My Ride.” Nowadays, motorists would like to have their vehicles to be prominent and distinct to other cars. This would also be some kind of expression of their character and fashion. However, you need to know how much it would cost you to insure this kind of vehicle and if your car insurance company would cover the modifications on your car.

An excellent option is to check with your car insurance company in Indiana before you do any enhancements on your vehicle. This would help you know the things that your insurer covers and does not cover, if they would agree to provide insurance for your modified vehicle and the entire amount of maintaining your personalized vehicle insured. Majority of insurers would ask if your vehicle has considerable modification that you’d want to insure for an extra amount. If so, you could include an endorsement to adjust your policy and increase coverage to include your enhancements. Review the cost of your enhancement because if the new parts cost higher than the covered amount, you could begin shopping around to look at your coverage choices. Remember that regular car insurance companies cover the value of the parts, which means that the insurer would pay you for whatever the parts are worth, not for the amount to replace them.

Tags: auto parts, car insurance, car insurance company

Reader’s Question:

Why did my car insurance company here in Bloomington, Indiana start increasing my rate after my 55th birthday?

Willie

Bloomington, IN

The main reason why your car insurance provider there in Bloomington, Indiana increased you rate is because of the perceived risk you now posses since you can now be considered a senior citizen driver. Statistics (something that car insurance companies just love to use to justify their rate hikes) have shown that along with teenagers, the aged driving population is shown to be at a higher risk of getting involved in car accidents.

Ever seen that World’s Most Amazing Video showing a car, later found to be driven by a grand mother, literally slamming and totaling a gas stop convenience store? The increased risk is due to the physical effects of aging, such as deteriorating eyesight, lower stamina and slower reflexes making elderly drivers no longer suitable for extended periods of driving.

Try to ask your insurance provider if you can get discounts for exemplary driving record or if you have taken defensive driving classes. Installing additional safety mechanism in your car can also reduce your car insurance rates. You may also consider driving an older vehicle to lessen or eliminate comprehensive insurance coverage. Also see if maybe its time to get a better car insurance provider, as a consumer the important thing to know is that you have options (and remind your provider that they have competition).

Tags: auto insurance premium, auto insurance quotes, car insurance, car insurance company

Reader’s Question:

My husband who is now in Anderson, Indiana would like to insure his car but does not know how. What is the basic knowledge he needs to know for him to insure his automobile successfully?

Lea

Anderson, IN

Insuring an automobile is actually not easy because your husband there in Anderson, Indiana will not afford to just buy a policy like an over-the-counter medicine. Auto insurance affects your family’s expenses greatly because insurance are undeniably expensive, yet a practical necessity these days.

It is in these reasons that I would like to suggest that your husband should first shop for auto insurance quotes of different rates with different coverage so that you can find what best suits your preferences while saving some amount by getting the cheap ones. Your husband can either contact a local insurance agent so that he can get information about different offerings while having the opportunity to let the agent expound and clear some of your husband’s confusions. But to save effort and money, your husband can surf the internet for auto insurance websites and there be able to find hundreds of auto insurance quotes. Do not forget of course to ask or find for discount opportunities.

Moreover, you have to know the Indiana’s state’s minimum requirements for auto insurance. This will help you include or remove coverage to your preferred policy so that you cannot fall short of your husband’s allotted money for policy.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance discounts, auto insurance quotes