I’ve been labeled a drunk driver! I got a DUI in California, but now I’m back home in Nebraska. Will the DUI affect my auto insurance premium here even when the offense was in California?

Thomas

Lincoln, NE

Your DUI record in California will be sent to Nebraska and will appear in your driving history. You see, the states of California and Nebraska are signatories of this agreement called Driver License Compact. I know, the name sounds terribly serious and sober, which, by the way, is what YOU should be, being a drunk driver and all.

What it is–is an agreement among most of the states to share among each other the road violations committed by their respective residents. You, for example, got a DUI in California, and since Nebraska and California are both members of DLC, your DUI will be sent to Nebraska. They will exchange information, points will be added to your Nebraskan driving record and your DUI record will be available to your auto insurance company.

As to the effect of this DUI to your auto insurance premium, it won’t be much if it’s your first offense. Most auto insurance companies tend to be unaffected by first time DUI offenders. Of course, you’ll have to check with your auto insurance company to be really sure on this. Sometimes the gravity of the DUI offense can have varying effects on your insurance premium. But remember, the DUI you got in California will definitely appear in your Nebraska driving record.

Tags: auto insurance premium, drunk driving insurance

Do I need to have automotive insurance even if my car is just leased? In case I need to, what’s the best insurance company here in Lincoln, Nebraska?

Johnny

Lincoln, NE

Hi, you may have to check with your leasing agent about what type of auto insurance you need to get (if they would require any). Typically, a leasing agent would require you to get a comprehensive auto insurance coverage. In essence, the financing institution does this to protect their interest in your loan. This is because when you get into an accident, the financial institution is left with the portion of your loan which is unpaid. That’s the reason why they prefer that you have liability limits that are beyond what the minimum coverage your area (which in this case is Lincoln, Nebraska) would require.

When you buy auto insurance for your leased car, you should remember that most insurance companies pay only the actual cash value — that is the market value including the age, mileage, and wear-and-tear of the car — rather than its replacement cost. Let’s say you have an old model BMW and you unintentionally get it crashed, you cannot expect the insurance company to replace your car with a brand new model BMW. And as you know, whatever’s in excess of your insurance company’s liability, you are obliged to pay for it.

So don’t be sparing with your car’s auto insurance coverage. Generally, higher insurance coverage don’t cost much more than those with less coverage, anyway. Besides, you are doing this because you want to make sure that you’re safe in case you get into an accident, right? Insure yourself to the right limit and you’ll see how it will eventually pay off.

Have a great day!

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, Car Insurance Company

We live in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Midwest has sure been hit hard with the recent financial crises. We need to find the cheapest car insurance on the market. What suggestions do you have?

Frank

Lincoln NE

Hello Frank,

Yes, these hard times make finding the cheapest car insurance an important consideration. The good news is that you control your ability to find the cheapest car insurance policy by taking a proactive role in gathering competitive pricing.

If your vehicles do not have anti-theft devices, you can help find the cheapest car insurance bids by installing those devices. Reducing the risk of auto theft will reduce your insurance cost.

You and other family members may qualify for the cheapest car insurance by taking safe driving educational and training courses. Moist carriers will provide discounts for passing accredited driving courses. As long as you are safe drivers, you may want to increase your deductible. This increases your exposure but reduces the carrier’s. This will help qualify you for the cheapest car insurance.

If you would like to receive multiple proposals for the cheapest car insurance in Lincoln NE, please complete the request form at this site. This information will be forwarded to multiple carriers who will furnish you proposals for the cheapest car insurance in your area. Then sit back and consider each proposal for its merits.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

My insurance company in Lincoln, Nebraska wants to increase my car insurance premiums due to a bad credit record. Do all insurance companies run credit check?

Hughes

Lincoln, Nebraska

Not all insurance companies check credit score when an individual buys car insurance so you may be able to find one in your area that would not check your credit score as part of their rating system.

The best way is to shop around for car insurance and find an insurer that does not check credit score as a rating factor until you are able to build up a better credit score.

The amount that a credit rating can affect your car insurance rates in some states is governed by the state’s insurance regulator. To check if your state has regulations regarding car insurance providers using your credit score as part of the rating process contact this state agency.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

What do I need do if my vehicle is vandalized?

Harry

Lincoln, NE

One important thing to remember with any act of vandalism is to leave your vehicle the way it is until the law enforcement officer and/or our appraiser have the opportunity to inspect your car. Make sure you notify the police immediately, so that they can issue a police report documenting the damage to your car. This would also assists local authorities keep track of vandalism in a given area, which helps them do more to protect you and your community in the future with such act in Nebraska. With some insurance companies, generally, as soon as possible after contacting the police, report the incident by using online car insurance claims. It would also be useful if you have a camera with you when you discover the vandalism so you can take photos of the damage.

Tags: auto insurance claims, automobile

I’m getting ready to move to another state in a couple of months. What is the proper way of canceling my auto insurance company in Lincoln, NE?

Clarisse

Lincoln, NE

While most auto insurance policies say that you, the insured, can cancel your policy at any time during the policy period by sending a written notice stating the effective date of cancellation, it may not sound easy as it sounds. So, is there a proper way of canceling your policy? In order to avoid problems that may arise after your insurance is canceled, here’s what you should do. First, you need to call your Lincoln, NE insurance agent or the insurance company itself and inform them that you wish to cancel your coverage. Let them know the exact date, because if not, you may end up unwittingly driving around without insurance. Then, you will receive a cancellation request form. Most likely, the form will have all the information filled out when you get it, so you only need to sign it. Take care though since mistakes still do happen. Check the information that your car insurance agent or the company filled in. You’ll receive confirmation by mail that your cancellation request has been processed.

In addition, if you switch to another insurance company and fail to formally cancel your previous policy, you need to prove to your former insurance company that you have new coverage. Normally, all you need to do is send a copy of either your current insurance identification card or the front page of your new premium statement. Make sure that the document includes all the necessary information like your name and your current policy number on it, and send it along with the cancellation form. If you’re going to move to a state where auto insurance is not required, you don’t have to prove you have new coverage.

Tags: auto insurance, autos, Car Insurance Company

Recently, I just sold my car because of financial problems. My insurance company in Lincoln, NE advised me to keep my liability insurance until I get a new one. It may take several months or longer if ever I do get a replacement. Is it going to do me good if I follow what they say?

Marlon

Lincoln, NE

Yes. It may actually be wise if you keep your car liability insurance in Lincoln, NE even if you don’t have your own car anymore. This means that your liability insurance will cover damages involving you in possible accidents in the future. This type of liability insurance can be in the form of a non-owners policy. Also, carrying an auto insurance policy is a requirement in some states to obtain and renew your driver’s license. So, getting a non-owners policy would help you maintain your license.

In cases where you’re in an accident driving a borrowed car, it would also be another reason for you to get a non-owner’s policy. When the damages caused by the accident are over the car owner’s limits, the non owner’s policy would work as secondary or excess liability coverage.

Lastly, instead of canceling all of your car insurance coverages during the time that you don’t have a car. In this way, you will not have a lapse or gap in insurance coverage by keeping your liability insurance. It can become difficult to get decent rates when you decide to obtain insurance again when you have had a gap in auto insurance coverage. In fact, having prior insurance can give you a discount on a new policy. Some companies require you to have at least 6 months of prior insurance.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate, non owners insurance

I am 17, and I was charged with a DUI 6 months ago in Nebraska. I am now trying to purchase a vehicle and am not familiar with how an SR22 works. The court never told me that I was required to get one. Is it something that I must have just for being convicted of a DUI or, does the court have to issue it? In other words, does getting a DUI automatically mandates me to get an sr22?

Mary

Lincoln, NE

By definition, a sr-22 is a certificate which must be filed by the insurance carrier stating that car liability insurance is in force for a particular individual. It is required by the the state of Nebraska when insurance is provided to a person who was in an accident or was convicted of a moving offense and was unable to show proof of financial responsibility at that time. Therefore, you will need to show proof of financial responsibility at the time you received your DUI. If not, your state will probably force you to have an sr-22 and its liability insurance. To verify if you will need this coverage, you will need to speak with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do I have to be on my father’s car insurance policy to drive his vehicle in Nebraska?

John

Lincoln, NE

State insurance laws and insurance providers guidelines differ but in generally if you live with your father in Nebraska you will need to be placed on his insurance policy as a licensed motorist in order to be properly covered. Most insurance providers require that all household members and/ or motorist be disclosed.

Typically, state laws do not require an individual to inform an insurance company of a child with a license. It is likely though that the insurance carrier has written into father’s policy that he needs to notify his agent of all licensed members within the household.

If you do not live with your father but visit or borrow his car often, then he should notify his insurance carrier as well. They may want you to be listed as a motorist or an occasional driver in order to be covered by his insurance coverages.

In Nebraska, what is the penalty for driving without insurance? Recently I was involved in a small accident in which the police officer responded. Will my license be revoked? Am I going to jail?

Jeremy

Lincoln, NE

In Nebraska, the penalty for being convicted of driving without insurance is an automatic driver’s license suspension. Nebraska DMV states that you can get your license restored by paying a $50 fee and filing proof of financial responsibility. This is fulfilled in the form of an SR-22 Certificate.

You will have to keep this SR-22 type of insurance on file for three years. If you fail to comply, this will result in motor vehicle suspension of your operating privileges.

Since you got involved in an accident and you did not have insurance there is more to your driver license suspension. To get your license reinstated you will have to show proof that you have made restitution for any damages you caused on the other party.