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Replacing Your Proof of Car Insurance Card

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 07/02/2018

Q: I lost my insurance card for my car, how do I get a new one?

A: You have 3 ways you can get a new proof of car insurance card and all of them are easy.

1. Contact your car insurance agent or car insurance company.

Your agent can print you off a car insurance card right there in their office, send you one in the mail, or email you one. Your car insurance company can also send you one in the mail or email you one.

2. Get signed up for online access to your car insurance policy.

Once you register for access on your car insurance company’s website you will have access to your policy information, billing information, be able to make most changes, make payments, and print out documents. This includes being able print out your car insurance cards as often as you need to and make as many copies as you want.

3. Download your car insurance company’s app.

This is going to be the absolute fastest way to get access to your car insurance card. Once you register on your car insurance company’s app you will have instant access to your car insurance card on your phone. Yes, this is legal proof of car insurance now, in almost all states. But, it is always good to check your own state laws to be sure a police officer would accept this type of car insurance card.

 

Can I Get Car Insurance with a Foreign Driver’s License?

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 07/02/2018

Q: I have a foreign driver’s license can I still get car insurance?

A: Yes, you can still get car insurance even if you have a foreign driver’s license. However, it depends on the circumstances as to why you need it.

If you are renting a car and need that car insurance for that, you will need to purchase the insurance through the car rental agency.  If you have moved to the United States from another country or you are staying for an extended period of time, you can purchase insurance through a regular carrier.  You do tell them you have a foreign driver’s license, and they will list it as an unverifiable license as they cannot run a motor vehicle report on foreign license. Unfortunately, you will pay a higher car insurance premium on a foreign driver’s license compared to having a domestic driver’s license.

Car Insurance for a Temporary License

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 07/11/2018

Q: I Currently have a temporary CA interim driver license that expires Aug. 10, 2018. I need car insurance to cover me till my temporary driver license expires.

A: Most insurance companies do not write temporary car insurance. Best thing to do is to get a regular car insurance policy and then cancel it once you no longer need it.Car insurance carriers don’t care if you have a temporary license, just as long as you have a license.

Two things you need to be aware of though. One, if this is your first license, regardless of your age, you are going to be paying a pretty high car insurance premium. Two, when you are getting quotes for insurance make sure to ask if they have an early cancellation fee. Most companies don’t have this, but many of the lower cost carriers do.

If you get a permanent license, there will be nothing you need to do in regards to your insurance as your license number will usually stay the same. The insurance company also will not lower your car insurance rates just because you now have a permanent license.

Where’s my Multi-policy Auto Insurance Discount?

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 06/01/2018

Q: I have a home insurance policy and a car insurance policy, both with the same agency. Why am I not getting an auto insurance discount for having multiple policies?

A: There could be two reasons you are not getting a car insurance discount for having multiple policies in this case. First, your insurance agent may have you insured with two different insurance companies.  You can’t get an auto insurance discount if your policies are with two different companies, even if they  are both with the same agency. Call your agent or look at your declaration pages for your two policies and see who each policy is insured with. If they are different contact your agent to see if they can get you a quote to move your auto insurance to the company that has your homeowners insurance or vice versa.

Second, your two policies may be with the same company but there is a reason you don’t qualify for the discount. You may be in a high-risk market that would prevent you from qualifying for a car insurance discount or your two policies are in two different states or they are under two different names.

If you feel that you qualify for a car insurance discount for having multiple policies, contact your agent for a policy review.

Car Insurance Advice for Car Fire

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 06/01/2018

Q: My wife drove our kia sorrento 2016 when she stopped at the sign the car started to smoke from the engine. She called 911 which took about 20 minutes. In that the car burned everything. Insurance was triggered and paid the value of the car to kia. My car burned so much, and I lost a lot of money, because I had clothes from my business, and my home rental insurance didn’t cover comercial, the car was a lease, and after paying over $8000 to Kia financial, I received only $1600 back, but they will charged me $500 deductible and they pay off the lease.

I have no car now.

They can’t really tell what started the fire, unless I pay an investigator out of my So that I can file suit against kia motors I need to identify the cause of the fire.

I would like to know if you are interested in taking the cause to deal with the matter.

 

A: Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do or we can do for you.  We offer car insurance advice only, I am licensed in 30 states but we do not actively assist with policies or claims.

My son’s car also caught fire while he was driving it and the vehicle was such a complete loss there was nothing left to be able to investigate what happened. Sometimes these things just happen. At least you had insurance and aren’t in the position of having no car AND still having to make a car payment for a vehicle that no longer exists.

From the car insurance advice I can give, the only thing you can do is use that $1,100 and use it to put a down payment on another vehicle.

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Car Insurance Guidebook Unravels the Car Insurance Mystery

Unless you work in the car insurance industry, the topic is probably a mystery to you. The words deductible, comprehensive, collision, liability, premium, loss of use and bodily injury are all gibberish when they reach your ears.

Unfortunately, insurance is something that you are required to have by law if you want to drive. Because of how confusing it is many people go around in almost an insurance daze while they get car insurance quotes from the auto insurance companies that they have heard of. In reality, they are completely lost as to what they are actually buying.

Instead of looking at what each insurance company offers in the terms of protection for both themselves and their car, they are instead looking for cheap car insurance. Finding the cheapest car insurance coverage makes having to buy the required product all that much less painful, but misses the whole point of having insurance.

Learning about insurance through your insurance agent or websites like Car Insurance Guidebook will give you the upper hand when you looking for car insurance. You can take your knowledge and not only find the best price for insurance, you can use it to find really great insurance to protect you and your assets. Then you aren’t stuck settling for just average car insurance that can hurt you financially if you ever need it because there isn’t enough protection.

For example, when looking for insurance the car insurance rates are just the first of many factors that need to be taken into account when you are shopping around for car insurance. You also need to take into account the type of vehicle that you are driving. Many people don’t know this.

Are you driving around a vehicle that is a new sedan and can be protected under any blanket insurance policy? Or do you have an old car that you fixed up that needs special protection and could be better covered under classic car insurance?

Don’t just assume that when you compare car insurance that it will be a one-size-fits-all policy. This is where the insurance knowledge will come in handy; you will know what you need to protect yourself and your vehicle.

You will understand what your insurance agent is talking about when they use insurance terms and you will actually be able to make an informed decision. This is much better for you instead of the “nod and smile” approach people take in their insurance agent’s office.

Also just like your life changes your insurance needs will change. This year you may just need to learn about the best deductible to have. Next year you may need to educate yourself on car insurance for young drivers. As the years pass, motorcycle insurance may be something you will need to know.

Many wise people say that you never stop learning, so take their advice and educate yourself on the insurance that you spend a lot of money on and can’t get away with not having.