Citations, Tickets and Auto Insurance California CA
Reader’s Question:
Is there a difference between a citation and a ticket? If I get both, will my insurance carrier in California increase my auto insurance premiums?
Carl
San Francisco, CA
A citation is defined as an official summons and calls for an appearance in court. Meanwhile, a ticket by definition is a type of legal summons, especially for a violation. The two words are essentially interchangeable when we are talking about being written up for a moving violation by a law enforcement officer.
The ticket or citation will only have a negative effect on your auto insurance if you receive a conviction for the moving violation for which it was written up for. The conviction will be placed on your motor vehicle record (MVR) and will be seen by your car insurance carrier and will definitely be considered negative points on your auto insurance. These negative points will ultimately translate to higher auto insurance premiums.
Other carriers think twice about renewing policies of those with multiple traffic citations. A policyholder can clean up his or her driving record by taking driver improvement courses. But if the policyholder continuously turns out to be negligent then a auto insurance company has the right to cancel the policy altogether. It is best to remember that avoidance of traffic violations will only be achieved if every driver chooses to follow traffic rules and regulations and practices safe and defensive driving.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, car insurance, traffic violation
DUI and SR-22 Insurance California CA
Reader’s Question:
I am a 27 year old office worker from San Francisco who has unfortunately been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. What consequences will affect my vehicle insurance because of this unfortunate event?
Raymond
San Francisco, CA
Well, Raymond, first of all, you have to be thankful that you are all in one piece and were caught before you are able to do damage to yourself and your car. Coming from someone who lost a friend to DUI, I consider the loss of car insurance a very minor matter.
Anyway, it really depends on the auto insurance company. I cannot guarantee what the penalty will be. The worst case scenario is that you will lose your coverage, but because of the DUI charge, it’s not the only thing you will have to part with. You also lose your license, which weighs heavier in terms of punishment. In some cases, if it’s your first offense, your premium will be increased to torturous levels, so you might as well cancel your auto insurance coverage and ride a donkey.
Living in San Francisco, California law dictates that you should get an sr22 insurance policy from the car insurance company. Being convicted of DUI will make you a bad person (a very bad person, indeed!), and therefore you can kiss the dreams of a reduced auto insurance premium good-bye.
As I’ve said, different companies will treat your case differently, but if ever your auto insurance is terminated, what will happen is that your car registration will be also affected if you do not have a new car insurance policy in about one and a half months. Since this will be your first time, your license will be revoked for six months.
If, for example, you get convicted for your fourth DUI, you will be considered a habitual traffic offender, and it will be quite difficult to get your license back since you will go through a lot of processes that is often compared to having to put a rope into the eye of a needle.
So, good luck and please stay sober.
Tags: auto insurance policy, drunk driving insurance, DUI, sr22 car insurance, sr22 insurance
First-Time Car Owner Insurance California CA
Reader’s Question:
I just bought my first car here in California. Is it really necessary to obtain automobile insurance?
Kelly
San Francisco, CA
Now that you have gotten your first car, it is very important for you to know and understand that auto insurance coverage is very necessary. The American government makes it mandatory to have auto insurance. This means that anyone operating a motor vehicle on public roads is required to have auto insurance coverage. Those driving on private roads or take the train are not obligated to obtain one. But you’re obviously not going to be doing any of that. This rule is essentially a safeguard against the potential ability of car drivers to cause considerable damage; it could be property damage, or worse, bodily injury. If you are not covered, and you happen to be the one responsible for the car accident, you will be solely accountable and will have to shoulder all the expenses resulting from the accident. It could also be the other way around. You could be the injured party. Wouldn’t it be convenient if the person who crashed into you had auto insurance? Of course we take every precaution we can when we’re on the road and drive as safely as possible. But whether we like it or not, accidents do happen. Having automobile insurance coverage means having financial security. Every state has its own procedures and details regarding auto insurance. Make sure to check out the auto insurance providers in California. The Internet has a lot of information that can help you make the right choice.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance law