Reader’s Question:

My husband has already committed traffic violations here in Jacksonville, Florida because of driving under the influence of prohibited alcohol. How will his violations matter when we subscribe to an automobile insurance?

Rachel

Jacksonville, FL

The driving record of an applicant for insurance is one of the most considerations of auto insurance companies. Hence, your husband’s violations have grave effects for one, on the automobile insurance you can acquire. Most probably, your husband will be given drunk driver insurance given that he already committed several times the same traffic violation, which you relate as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driver insurance is an expensive automobile insurance granted to insurance applicants that are high-risk - meaning these potential insurance clients have already committed several traffic infractions.

Insurance companies are using various point systems to trace their clients’ driving record. Most of these companies that are based in Jacksonville, Florida adopt the pointing system devised by the state’s motor vehicles department. This pointing system, because it adds up corresponding points to particular traffic infractions committed by respective policyholders, indicates that a higher number of points an insurance client has the more traffic rules s/he has violated. When your husband is already applying for a vehicle insurance policy, the insurance company has the right to examine his driving record to: first, verify if he is qualified based on the company’s measure of insurability; and second, which is related to your husband’s case, assess his risk potential. The latter will determine the cost of the policy that will be issued for your husband.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I may have to buy a hybrid vehicle here in Jacksonville, Florida soon. Is it true that I can be able to save some money on my auto insurance if I buy that kind of vehicle?

Tate

Jacksonville, FL

With the expensive amount of gasoline making such a big impact on the lifestyles of our citizens, a lot of people are considering to buy hybrid vehicle. With a style that appears to be nearly a science-fiction, the performance of such vehicles is anything but, with some automobiles that reach fuel efficiency greater that 50mpg. That is a high number and it would obviously save you some cash in the long run.

Moreover, hybrid vehicles could give a lot of government incentives also. Depending on your state, you may be offered tax claims, toll discounts, parking benefits, or a lot of other driving incentives. Although purchasing a new hybrid is a huge investment, the advantage of driving one adds up. The benefits of having a hybrid vehicle extend beyond just the regular aspects of saving gas or gaining some respect on the road. One of the largest benefits that a lot of people may not know about driving a hybrid vehicle is getting auto insurance discounts. While it varies from one provider to another, there are a lot of auto insurance companies in Jacksonville, Florida that offer large discounts, sometimes as high as 10%.

Tags: auto insurance, hybrid vehicle, cheaper auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

If I get into an accident here in Jacksonville, Florida, do I need to inform my auto insurance carrier about it or will I just let them find out about it themselves?

Ysmael

Jacksonville, FL

You have to inform your auto insurance provider immediately if you get into an accident in Jacksonville, Florida. Almost all of the states have legislation that bars insurance companies from increasing their premiums simply for getting into an accident, unless you were at fault. If the accident was actually your fault, it would even be more necessary to inform your auto insurance company about it because you could be apprehended to pay for the damages brought upon the other motorist. You have to be familiar with your auto insurance policy so that it could make the whole proceedings as light and manageable as possible under fatal occurrences.

During a vehicular accident, you can put your knowledge to test about your auto insurance policy. Do not desert the scene until the police show up and leave. Speak with the officer and make sure that they understand what happened. If you think that it was not your fault, be sure that they get that. Get the other driver’s personal information, his/her name, address, license number and auto insurance provider.

Tags: advice, auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am getting a new auto insurance for my second car here in Jacksonville, Florida. Aside from paying higher deductibles, what do you think are the other things that could make my rates lower?

Paisley

Jacksonville, FL

Aside from opting to pay higher deductibles, you can have lower rates for the auto insurance on your second car in Jacksonville, Florida if you are a conservative driver. A lot of auto insurance providers would lower the amount of your insurance policy if have a perfect driving record. If you were never involved in any accidents, and have never received a ticket from a police officer for a certain number of years, your auto insurance provider would surely notice this and offer you lower premiums. If you are a careful driver and do not take any unnecessary risks, you have a high chance of getting cheaper auto insurance rates.

The type of automobile you have could also have an effect on your insurance rates. Showy cars like a Corvette or a big new Hummer may have higher premiums because they are correlated with risky driving according to statistics. Moreover, those types of car are more commonly subject to theft and vandalism. On the other hand, a medium-sized, unremarkable sedan will be considered as lower risk by auto insurance providers.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance rate, cheap auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine got a DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida and his auto insurance was cancelled. I wanna know if that is normal and what other factors cause auto insurance to be cancelled?

Kai

Jacksonville, FL

DUI would affect the auto insurance of a certain driver. All of the states do not allow insurance providers to deny coverage to people due to their residence, race, occupation, religion or age. An auto insurance policy can be cancelled because if you have a suspended driver’s license, have a lot of traffic offenses, have a conviction for felony or criminal negligence or you are convicted for drunk driving or DUI.

A DUI in conviction in Jacksonville, Florida could cause your auto insurance policy to be cancelled or have increased insurance premiums. Auto insurance companies consider people with DUI conviction to be a higher risk for them. Moreover, auto insurance providers would find out about your driving history and could deny coverage or they may charge higher rates for a drunk driving conviction.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, DUI conviction, DUI insurance

Reader’s Question:

How important is having an auto insurance after a drunk driving conviction here in Jacksonville, Florida? My sister seems to have a hard time getting herself insured after her DUI.

Mariah

Jacksonville, FL

First of all, a motorist could not drive legally without an auto insurance so it is very important for your sister to be insured after her drunk driving conviction in Jacksonville, Florida. Although the rates would be higher, premiums still differ from one company to another. Also, bear in mind that a lot of DUI insurance policies require that the premium be fully paid, instead of spreading out in equal payments over six months.

Some drivers would prefer to go through small, private insurance providers to get DUI insurance, although a lot of the larger national companies also offer it. Several people convicted of DUI feel that drunk driver insurance is outrageous and that they’re not given a fair chance by their auto insurance providers. But the truth is that motorists who have a DUI in their driving record are more of a risk for subsequent accidents, and the auto insurance providers should prepare themselves. You can tell your sister that she might want to try and get a rate quote from this website for her auto insurance because she might just find what she needs.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, DUI conviction

Reader’s Question:

I need to get an SR22 with my new auto insurance policy because of my DUI to get my license reinstated but it seems like I would have problems getting it. Is it true that I need to pay the policy in full so that I can be issued an SR22 here in Jacksonville, Florida?

Forrest

Jacksonville, FL

The Florida Financial Responsibility Law mandates drivers and owners of automobiles to be financially responsible for damages and/or injuries they could cause to others when an accident happens. Your driver’s license would be in suspension for up to three years if you violate this law and you don’t have insurance to abide with the financial responsibility law. You would need to pay a reinstatement fee and show them certified proof of full liability insurance or SR22 for three years from the original suspension to reinstate your license.

Whether you need to pay the SR22 in full or not depends on the reason why you need to get it. You would need to get a six-month paid in full insurance policy since you are ordered to get SR22 insurance in Jacksonville, Florida because of your DUI. Some auto insurance providers underwriting rules demand the SR22 to be paid in full no matter what the state requirement is.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, DUI, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged with drunk driving in Jacksonville, Florida. He is already scheduled for a hearing next week. What would be the major impact of this charge to his criminal records?

Monica

Jacksonville, FL

Generally, after a DUI arrest, the offender goes to the court for arraignment, trial or negotiated disposition and conviction or sentencing. During this proceeding, the lawyer can challenge the BAC test’s reliability, offer defense expert evidence that the driver offender was not under the influence, obtain “discovery”, which is a documented evidence important to the offender’s charges. Sentence then on the other hand ( if found guilty), determines how the conviction was classified, the amount of fines and taxes the offender needs to pay, how long will the license be suspended or revoked, and whether parole, community service or even imprisonment is warranted. Penalties may be severe for first time offenders and would always be greater for subsequent convictions.

Being convicted with DUI has subsequent criminal record impacts. As opposed to popular belief, a DUI conviction may remain on the offender’s record forever unless the state allows it to be taken off or expunged. Nevertheless, it will still appear on the offender’s record for employers, credit bureaus, and government agencies to see. The police practice of keeping records of convictions is separate on how far back the prosecutor can go to allege “prior convictions” against the offender to increase the penalties if convicted.

Always make sure that you and your brother knows the state laws on DUI. I suggest as well getting the service of a legal professional in defending your brother in his DUI case. Once everything is cleared out, start looking for an auto insurance that would have policies covering DUI accidents.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI

Reader’s Question:

My boyfriend was charged for driving under the influence in Jacksonville, Florida. His driver’s license was already held up and was summoned for an Administrative hearing. What is this all about and is it different from the criminal charge filed against him?

Andrea

Jacksonville, FL

There are two faces in relation to DUI or DWI conviction, the administrative license suspension and a criminal charge. The administrative side relates to the driver’s license and driving records. The criminal aspect on the other hand relates fines, fees, penalties and the likes.

You boyfriend may face both Administrative and criminal charges. Under an administrative driver’s license suspension, his license is taken away even before he gets convicted should he refuse to take a sobriety test. To some other states, they automatically take away the licenses during DUI arrests regardless if the offender submits to the blood-alcohol test. Most courts in Jacksonville, Florida conduct an administrative hearing shortly after the arrest. This hearing is different from the court proceedings following the case. The administrative hearing address the factors surrounding the arrest like the arrest itself if it is based on reasonable ground, if the police officer offered to take a BAC test, if the officer gave enough information to the offender should the test failed and suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

Generally, the Administrative part of a DUI arrest or conviction deals with the basis of the offense as well as the surrounding factors. The determination of the penalties and fines rests on the criminal charges. I suggest that your boyfriend hire the services of a DUI lawyer that could defend him of such charges. And after the case, I also suggest to him that he would definitely need to look for an auto insurance that would cater to him being involved in DUI case.

Tags: auto insurance, driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was arrested for DUI last month in Jacksonville, Florida. What are the possible penalties she must face since this was her first time?

Tanya

Jacksonville, FL

Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a criminal offense regardless which county your cousin may have committed it. There had been stringent road laws all around the United States, in which driving under the influence can lead to harsh punishment and higher penalty amount. Of course it depends on the severity and nature of the offense.

Jacksonville, Florida had one of the highest numbers of DUI arrests. State police as well as the MVA are trying to minimize DUI related cases by imposing harsher penalties and higher fines. First offenders may pay a fine of $250-$500 whereas second time offenders pays $500-$1000. Third offenders face a larger amount of penalty and jail time. For notorious or repeated offense, which actually depends on the seriousness of the offense, may lead the offender from a minimum of 6 months jail time up to a maximum of 30 years especially for drivers involved in vehicular accidents due to DUI.

Indeed, driving is actually not a privilege. It’s a big responsibility especially that you and your cousin live in a city where a large number of DUI cases had been recorded. The law had imposed harsher regulations just to minimize effect. I would suggest that, once your cousin is cleared out from this DUI case, start checking for low priced auto insurance that would keep you covered from road accidents.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties