Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Wisconsin law requires that you have the means to cover costs associated with car accidents that you may cause. Drivers most commonly meet this requirement by carrying car insurance.

Wisconsin Car Insurance Requirements

In order to fulfill Wisconsin’s car insurance laws, you must have the following coverage types:

• Liability.
• Uninsured motorist.
• Underinsured motorist.

Liability Insurance

Your liability car insurance will help you pay for bodily injuries or property damage resulting from an accident that you caused.

Wisconsin law requires the following minimum liability coverages per accident:

• $25,000 for injury or death, per person.
• $50,000 total for injury or death to multiple people in a single accident.
• $10,000 for property damage.

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist

Your uninsured motorist coverage will help cover costs of injuries to you and your passengers in the event of a car accident caused by a driver who does not have car insurance (uninsured), OR a driver whose car insurance is insufficient (underinsured).

In Wisconsin, your car insurance policy must meet the following minimum coverage requirements per accident for uninsured and underinsured coverage:

• $100,000 for injuries per person.
• $300,000 for total injuries per accident.

Optional Coverages

To further protect you financially after an accident, you can add several different types of car insurance coverage to your policy.

When shopping for car insurance consider the following common optional coverage types:

• Collision – This helps you pay for damages to your car after most traffic accidents.
• Comprehensive – This helps pay for damages to your car related to events thatdo not involve a traffic accident. Examples include fires, thefts, and collisions with animals.
• Medical payments – This will help cover your medical costs if you are injured in a car accident.
• Towing and labor.
• Rental reimbursement.

NOTE: Collision and comprehensive coverages are commonly required as part of a car loan or lease agreement.

Proof of Insurance

Although car insurance is mandatory in Wisconsin, you do not need to provide proof of insurance when you apply for your Wisconsin driver’s license or register your car.

You must, however, be able to show proof of insurance IF:

• You are involved in a car accident.
• You are pulled over by a law enforcement officer for a traffic stop.

The most common form of proof of insurance is your insurance ID card, issued to you by your car insurance carrier.

SR-22

There are some instances in which you must file proof of financial responsibility with the DMV.

An SR-22 certificate (often referred to as “SR22 insurance”) certifies that you will hold the required minimum liability coverage for a specific amount of time.

Common situations in which SR-22 certificates are required include:

• Revocation or suspension of your driver’s license.
• Revocation of your vehicle registration privileges.
• Conviction of a DUI offense.
• Obtaining an occupational or commercial driver’s license.

Car Insurance Violations

If you are caught driving without car insurance, you face a fine of up to $500.

If you were unable to provide proof of insurance during a traffic stop, but you were insured at the time, you face a fine of up to $10.

Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan

Though Wisconsin mandates that you carry car insurance, auto insurers have the right to refuse coverage to you if they consider you a high-risk driver.

If you have not been able to find car insurance on the open market, you may apply for coverage through the Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan (WAIP).

You can apply to WAIP via any licensed car insurance company in the state.

Once accepted into the plan, you will be assigned an insurer. This company may not be the company through which you applied.

NOTE: Car insurance through the WAIP is generally more expensive than standard car insurance and should be considered a last resort.

Consumer Assistance

As a service to the public, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) provides assistance with insurance-related matters.

If you are unable to settle a dispute with your car insurance carrier, you may file a complaint with the OCI.

The OCI allows you to file complaints through any of the following avenues:

• Online at the OCI website.
• By mailing or faxing a completed Complaint Form (Form OCI 51-005) to:
  • Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
  • P.O. Box 7873
  • Madison, WI 53707
  • Fax: (608) 264-8115

Car Insurance Rates

Several factors help insurance companies determine your car insurance rates in Wisconsin.

As you compare car insurance quotes, keep in mind that the following will be factored into your premium:

• Your car’s:
  • Make.
  • Model.
  • Year.
• Your driving record.
• The primary location where you keep your car.
• Your credit history.
• Your insurance history.

Car Insurance Discounts

A great way to save on car insurance is by taking advantage of discounts.

Common discounts offered by Wisconsin car insurance companies include:

• Good driver discount.
• Good student discount.
• Multi-car discount.
• Homeowner’s discount.

When you shop around for the lowest car insurance rates, remember to ask about any discounts for which you might be eligible. But remember, the easiest way to get a cheap quote is to have a good driving record that shows a safe and violation-free driving history.

Most Stolen Cars in Wisconsin

If your car is a common target for theft, you are likely to face higher car insurance rates.

The following is a list of the most stolen cars in Wisconsin for 2013, according to www.nicb.org:

1. Dodge Caravan.
2. Honda Accord.
3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size).
4. Honda Civic.
5. Dodge Intrepid.
6. Chevrolet Impala.
7. Chrysler Town & Country.
8. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee.
9. Dodge Stratus.
10. Toyota Camry.

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Car Insurance in Louisiana

Louisiana Car Insurance

As a resident of Louisiana, you are required to have car insurance. Those who drive without insurance are not only subject to penalties and fines, but being without insurance will also prevent you from making insurance claims regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

Read below to learn more about car insurance requirements, options, laws, and rates in Louisiana.

Insurance Regulation in Louisiana

Louisiana insurance is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (DOI).

The DOI’s responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and approving insurance rates.
• Making and enforcing insurance rules.
• Assisting consumers with concerns or complaints.
• Investigating insurance fraud.

Insurance Disputes

If you have an unresolved concern or dispute with your car insurance provider, you can file a complaint form online or request a form by phone:

• Complete the online complaint form.
• Contact the DOI at (800) 259-5300.

Your auto insurance company cannot raise your rates or cancel your policy for filing a complaint.

Required Car Insurance in LA

Louisiana state law requires that all drivers have liability coverage.

Liability insurance pays for damages or injuries that you cause in a car accident, up to the amount of coverage you have.

The minimum liability coverage limits required in Louisiana are:

• $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person.
• $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident.
• $25,000 of property damage coverage.

Remember, you can always opt to purchase higher coverage limits for greater protection.

Insurance and Vehicle Registration

You must have valid liability insurance in order to register your car or renew your registration.

The LA Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will verify your car insurance electronicallyif you:

• Register a car bought from a dealer.
• Renew your registration online.

You must provide proof of insurance if you:

• Register a car bought from a private individual.
• Go to an OMV office to renew your registration.
• Transfer an out of state title.

The OMV accepts the following as proof of insurance:

• An insurance card issued by your auto insurance company.
• A copy of your insurance policy.
• A copy of your policy declaration page.
  OR
• A statement from your insurer that MUST:
  • Be on your car insurance company’s letterhead.
  • Be signed by your insurance agent or a representative of the company.
  • Have a complete description of your vehicle.
  • Have your vehicle identification number (VIN).

Optional LA Car Insurance

You can buy several additional types of coverage that pay for damage and injury costs not covered by liability insurance:

• Collision coverage: Pays for accident-related repairs to your vehicle.
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for repairs to your vehicle from damage caused by other factors, such as theft or severe weather.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: Pays for expenses you incur in an accident caused by someone with no insurance or too little insurance.Types of UIM are:
  • UIM bodily injury coverage to pay for your medical treatment.
  • UIM property damage coverage to pay for your vehicle repairs.
  • UIM economic-only coverage, which pays only for actual costs of medical treatment.It doesn’t cover pain and suffering.
• Medical payments coverage: Pays for medical expenses, including funeral expenses, for a certain period of time after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Rental reimbursement coverage: Pays for a rental car after an accident.
• Towing and labor coverage: Pays for towing and some repair costs.

NOTE: If you finance or lease a vehicle, your lender will require you to buy collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Car Insurance Violations & Penalties

The main reasons you might face penalties with regard to insurance are:

• You are unable to provide proof of current insurance.
• Your policy has been canceled.
• There’s been a lapse in your policy.

Proof of Insurance

The Louisiana OMV has several ways to verify your auto insurance:

• Car insurance companies must notify the OMV of canceled or expired car insurance policies.
• You must show proof of insurance if stopped by a police officer or involved in an accident.

Proof of insurance can be shown with:

• An insurance card (or copy) issued by your car insurance company.
• An image of your insurance card on a mobile device.
• The declaration page of your insurance policy.
• The insurance policy itself.

If you are caught driving without proof of insurance, a police officer can either:

• Remove your license plate and give you a Temporary Vehicle Use Authorization, allowing you to operate your car for 3 days to give you time to provide proof of insurance to the Office of Motor Vehicles.
• Impound your vehicle.

Car Insurance Cancelation

Your auto insurance company can cancel your insurance policy within 60 days of purchase.

If your policy is canceled, they must notify you within:

• 10 days, if it’s canceled because you didn’t pay your premium.
• 20 days, if it’s canceled for a traffic violation, accident, or any other reason.

After 60 days, your car insurance policy can be canceled ONLY if:

• You do not pay your insurance premium.
• You make a false claim.
• You or someone in your home gets a driver’s license or vehicle registration suspension.

Again, your insurance company must notify you of any cancelation or nonrenewal:

• Within 10 days if it’s canceled because you didn’t pay your premium.
• Within 30 days by certified mail if it’s canceled for any other reason.
• No later than 20 days prior to expiration if they aren’t renewing your policy.

If your policy is not renewed, you can request the reason in writing and expect a refund of any pre-paid premiums within 30 days.

Reinstating Your Driving Privileges

If your Louisiana car insurance is canceled or has lapsed and you receive a Notice of Violation, you must:

• Acquire minimum liability insurance.
• Take proof of insurance to an OMV office.
• Pay a fine of up to $100 on your first offense, and $250 on a second offense. Subsequent offenses can lead to fines up to $700.
• Pay a reinstatement fee (the fee varies depending on the number of days you drove without insurance.)

If you have car insurance but failed to show proof at the time it was requested, you must take your proof of insurance to an OMV office:

• If you show proof within 3 business days, the insurance violation will be dropped and your license plate and/or vehicle will be released.
• If you show proof after 3 business days, you will have to pay a fine before your license plate and/or vehicle are released.

SR-22 Certification

After an insurance violation, you may also be required to get an SR-22 certification (also known as SR22 insurance or proof of future financial responsibility) from your auto insurance provider.

SR-22 certification is a form provided by your car insurance company to the OMV thatguarantees coverage for a period of time as determined by the LA OMV.

Your insurance company and the OMV will charge you for SR-22 certification.

If you allow your SR-22 to lapse, you will have to pay a $60 fee to the OMV.

SR-22 certification may also be required to have your driver’s license reinstated if it’s been suspended.

“No Pay, No Play” Law

Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” law limits the damages uninsured motorists can collect for property damage and/or personal injuries.

Regardless of who is found at-fault, if you were involved in a car accident while you were behind the wheel, you CANNOT collect:

• The first $25,000 of a property damage claim.
• The first $15,000 of a bodily injury claim.

Note to passengers: If you are the passenger in a car driven by an uninsured driver and are injured, you can still collect damages.

However, if you are a passenger in a car you own (and which you do not have insurance on), you are still prevented from collecting the amounts above.

Remember! Anyone can get into an accident at any time. If you don’t have car insurance, the “No Pay, No Play” law could end up costing you much more than if you’d purchased a car insurance policy.

Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers

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Insurance violations and other violations on your driving record can make you a high risk to insure, and you may have a hard time finding car insurance.

If you have shopped around and cannot find an auto insurance provider to cover you, the Louisiana Automobile Insurance Plan (LAIP) allows high-risk drivers to get auto insurance from agents who voluntarily participate in the plan.

To get more information about eligibility and participating insurers, contact the LAIP at E-mail: laip@aipso.com.

NOTE: Insurance through the LAIP can be expensive, so be sure you have contacted as many car insurance providers as possible before seeking LAIP assistance.

Insurance Fraud

The Louisiana DOI investigates reports of insurance fraud.

Common forms of fraud include:

• Filing a false or exaggerated claim.
• Providing false information to an insurance company.

You can report fraud by phone at (800) 259-5300. Your name can be kept confidential if you prefer.

Car Insurance Rates in LA

Many factors affect your Louisiana car insurance rates. Insurers use your driving history and other details to rate their risk of insuring you, which determines:

• Your insurance premium.
• Any applicable discounts.

In Louisiana, your car insurance premium may be based on a combination of factors, such as your:

• Age and gender: Younger, male drivers usually have the highest premiums.
• Residential area: Residents of major cities usually have higher premiums than those of less populated areas.
• Car’s make and model: More economical cars are typically cheaper to insure than expensive cars.
• Driving record: Tickets or accidents can raise your rates.
• Deductibles: Choosing a higher deductible can reduce your premiums.

Louisiana law allows insurance companies to use your credit in determining your ability to pay insurance premiums.

Did you know insurers can use your driving record to determine your premium?Check your driving record today and make sure it’s accurate!

Auto Insurance Discounts

In addition to these factors, you may qualify for discounts. Louisiana car insurance companies commonly offer discounts for:

• Safety equipment like air bags or car alarms.
• Defensive driving courses or driver’s education courses.
• Good grades.
• Insuring multiple cars or buying multiple policies.

To find the most affordable rates from companies that offer discounts you qualify for, shop around for the best car insurance quotes, ask about available discounts, anddrive safely to maintain a good driving record.

Most Stolen Cars in Louisiana

If you own a car that is highly targeting for theft, you may get hit with higher car insurance rates.

The following is a list of 2013's most stolen cars in Louisiana according to www.nicb.org:

1. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size).
2. Ford Pickup (Full Size).
3. Dodge Pickup (Full Size).
4. Honda Accord.
5. GMC Pickup (Full Size).
6. Chevrolet Impala.
7. Nissan Altima.
8. Toyota Camry.
9. Chevrolet Tahoe.
10. Nissan Maxima. 

Continue Reading…

Car Insurance in Kansas

Kansas Car Insurance

Kansas law requires you to be able to pay for damages and injuries suffered in a car accident that you cause. The best way to fulfill this legal requirement is by purchasing and maintaining the minimum required car insurance coverage.

Kansas Car Insurance Requirements

Kansas car insurance laws require you to have the following types of coverage:

• Liability.
• Personal injury protection (PIP).
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist.

Liability Insurance

Your car insurance policy must include liability coverage. This helps pay for costs related to bodily injury or property damage suffered by others in the event of a car accident you cause.

Your liability coverage must meet at least the following minimum limits per accident:

• $25,000 for bodily injury, per person.
• $50,000 for total bodily injury, if multiple people get hurt.
• $10,000 for property damage.

Personal Injury Protection

Kansas is considered a no-fault state.

This does not mean that fault is not considered after an accident. However, regardless of fault, your injuries after an accident will be covered by personal injury protection coverage before any other type of insurance coverage.

Your car insurance policy must include PIP at the following minimums per accident:

• $4,500 per person for medical costs.
• $900 per month for 1 year for disability and loss of income.
• $25 per day for in-home services.
• $2,000 for funeral, cremation or burial expenses.
• $4,500 for rehabilitation.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for your injuries if hurt in an accident with anuninsured driver.

Underinsured motorist coverage helps pay for your injuries if you are hurt in a car accident with a driver whose liability insurance is insufficient.

In Kansas, you must have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at the followingminimum limits per accident:

• $25,000 for bodily injury, per person.
• $50,000 for total injuries if multiple people in your car are hurt.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage

While it may seem like the best idea for your finances to buy only the minimum required coverage, you might find that in the case of an accident, it’s simply not enough protection.

If you want more out of your Kansas car insurance policy, consider adding these common optional types of coverage:

• Collision – This coverage will help you with damages to your car resulting from a traffic accident.
• Comprehensive – This will help with damages to your car that may result from other events not involving a traffic collision.
• Towing and labor.
• Rental reimbursement.

NOTE: Collision and comprehensive coverages are often required as part of a car loan or lease agreement.

Car Insurance Violations

If you are caught violating Kansas’ car insurance laws, you face indefinite suspension of your driver’s license.

Kansas Automobile Insurance Plan

Car insurance companies in Kansas have the right to refuse coverage to drivers they deem are too high risk to cover. The Kansas Automobile Insurance Plan assists high-risk drivers with obtaining car insurance.

If 3 companies refuse you coverage, you are eligible to apply for car insurance through the plan. Contact any Kansas-licensed car insurance agent for information on how to apply.

Other Car Insurance Issues

The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) assists consumers with several issues concerning insurance. You can contact the department with consumer complaints and fraud reporting.

Consumer Complaints

Before contacting the department with a car insurance complaint, you should first attempt to settle any dispute directly with your car insurance company.

If you cannot reach a resolution and wish to file a complaint, you can do so online at the KID website.

Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud causes significant financial losses to insurance companies every year. Those losses typically get passed down to you through increases in premiums.

Car insurance fraud often involves:

• Staging car accidents.
• Lying about injuries.
• Lying about car property damage.

You can help fight car insurance fraud by reporting any suspected car insurance fraud to the KID.

Visit the KID website for more information on how to report insurance fraud.

Determining Your Car Insurance Rates

There are several factors that go into determining your car insurance rates in Kansas.

As you compare car insurance quotes, keep in mind that the following can factor into your premium:

• Driving record.
• Claims history.
• Credit history.
• Age and gender.
• Marital status.
• Zip code.
• Your car’s:
  • Make.
  • Model.
• Deductibles:
  • The amount you are responsible for paying before your insurance pays out.
  • The higher your deductible, the lower your premium.

KS Car Insurance Discounts

A good way to save on Kansas car insurance is to take advantage of discounts.

When shopping for car insurance ask about these common car insurance discounts:

• Multi-car.
• Good student.
• Good driver.
• Anti-theft device.
• Safety device.

While it’s important to ask about discounts that might be available, the biggest determiner of your ability to obtain a cheap car insurance quote is a good driving record. Make sure you know what’s on it and that you practice safe driving to keep it clear of violations.

Most Stolen Cars in Kansas

Driving a car that is a commonly targeted for theft can mean having to pay a higher car insurance premium.

The following is a list of 2013's most stolen cars in Kansas according to www.nicb.org:

1. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size).
2. Honda Accord.
3. Ford Pickup.
4. Honda Civic.
5. Dodge Pickup (Full Size).
6. GMC Pickup (Full Size).
7. Chevrolet Pickup (Small Size).
8. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee.
9. Dodge Caravan.
10. Chevrolet Impala. 

Continue Reading…