A friend of mine had a vehicle accident and thank goodness he didn’t suffer that many injuries. Will his insurer here in Los Angeles increase his vehicle insurance rate because of that single accident? If his vehicle is totaled, how will his insurer pay him?

Lina

Los Angeles, CA

You failed to mention whether or not your friend’s accident was his fault because the basis of the increase of his vehicle insurance rate would depend on that. However, should he file a vehicle insurance claim, there’s no universal law that says the vehicle insurance rate would increase right away. But a number of vehicle insurance carriers would keep a file of a collision claim on the policyholder’s insurance history and increase the vehicle insurance rate.

For insurance claims that are chargeable or regarded as at-fault accident, the increase on the vehicle insurance rate would remain for about three years after the policyholder filed the claim. In the event that the accident was completely the fault of the other driver, there is no reason for a vehicle insurance rate to increase. That would be the same thing that insurance agents will tell you – the vehicle insurance rate won’t go up if you are not the one who caused the accident.

In case that his vehicle is totaled, its value would be based on the Kelley Blue Book that gives depreciated value of used as well as new vehicles. He can get in touch with his vehicle insurance company in Los Angeles to determine the value of his vehicle for insurance purposes.

I have been through a lot of traveling lately that required me to rent a car. How would I know if my car insurance policy here in Los Angeles, California includes coverage for a rental vehicle?

Harlan

Los Angeles, CA

Having the knowledge whether or not you have to buy rental vehicle insurance could save you money and provide composure. Non-obligatory insurance can almost double the price of the car rental. So prior to buying the rental vehicle insurance from the rental company, you need to do a little research on your own car insurance policy in Los Angeles, California. You may opt to go over your policy with an independent car insurance agent. He/she can assess your coverage to see if you are protected in a rental vehicle.

You may also find the information through your credit card company. A number of credit card providers offer coverage without extra fee if you use your plastic to pay for the rental. But there could be limitation so make certain that you inquire for the precise explanation on what is covered.

Another option that you have is that you can bring with you the “Declarations Page” to the rental counter. The rental car company representative could ask you some things that this page could provide response. If you are not certain about something, you need to have with you the contact number of your car insurance agent so that you can get in touch with him/her immediately.

How come some car insurance companies want me to get them after I have been convicted with DUI here in Los Angeles, California? Do I have to expect my rates to increase and what is SR22?

Herman

Los Angeles, CA

After your DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California, you probably know by now that the financial ramifications of DUI don’t stop with the fines, assessment and fees that you paid for during the course of the proceedings of your DUI case. You would also be required to provide the court with a proof of insurance (SR22 insurance), which comes from your insurance company. You may consult with your lawyer as to how you can get the SR22 insurance without raising an alert or better yet, go on and get an online rate quote now from this website for your SR22 insurance.

You have to expect increased car insurance rates for many years to come. It would be nearly impossible to avoid increased car insurance rates after a DUI and consider yourself lucky if you are able to maintain your current car insurance at all. A number of car insurance companies want you after your DUI conviction but don’t just jump ship from your current policy until you hear the premium rates that these “high-risk driver” insurance companies offer because they are significantly higher.

I heard my mom and my sister talking about getting an SR22 auto insurance or something like that. I kinda have an idea about it but I don’t really know exactly what it is. Is this one required after my sister’s DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California?

Harriet

Los Angeles, CA

Yes, Harriet, an SR22 auto insurance is required after your sister’s DUI charge in Los Angeles, California. This form would be an agreement between the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the insurance company which states that they are providing the required coverage for your sister. This also means that if for any reason the insurance company is no longer providing the coverage for her, they would have to notify the DMV about it. If this happens, the DMV could suspend her driving privileges again for not maintaining the required high risk auto insurance coverage.

So the SR22 auto insurance could be basically considered as a contract between the DMV and the insurance company. The first thing that your sister should do is to work out a deal with her insurance company if they could be able to provide her the SR22 auto insurance. If they can’t file the SR22 form for her, she would have to seek out other insurance company that could provide her the necessary coverage. I recommend that she get an online rate quote for her SR22 auto insurance directly from this website.

I am battling a DUI charge here in Los Angeles, California and still hoping that I will not be convicted. I was told that if I will be convicted for the DUI offense, I would need to get SR22 for my car insurance? What is this and how important is getting this?

Oakley

Los Angeles, CA

Since you have a DUI charge in Los Angeles, California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has suspended your driving license. You would have to obtain SR22 insurance policy to reinstate your license. Your insurance company will provide SR22 filling which serves as a proof of insurance to the DMV. In this way, the DMV is assured that an insurance company has provided at least minimum liability coverage for you. Your insurance company will immediately inform the DMV if the policy lapses for any reason.

In Los Angeles, the SR22 filing period is for three years. But the term can be extended depending on individual cases due to stringent insurance laws in Los Angeles. As soon as the SR22 filing period is over, the insurance premiums will be lower, depending on your driving history. The prices of insurance are based on your driving history and also on your driving experience. It’s great that you can get online quotes for SR22 car insurance from this site.

My driver’s license has been suspended because of a DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California. I was told that I need to secure SR22 car insurance in order for me to get my license back. What is this and how long would I have to carry SR22 in my insurance policy?

Bunny

Los Angeles, CA

Because of your DUI conviction in Los Angeles, California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspended your driver’s license and you need to secure SR22 car insurance to have your license reinstated. SR22 filling is provided by insurance companies which serves as a proof of insurance to the DMV. That way the DMV is assured that insurance company has provided at least minimum liability coverage to you. The insurance company immediately informs the DMV if the policy lapses for any reason.

The rules regarding SR22 insurance may vary. In Los Angeles, generally, SR Filing period is three years. Due to stringent insurance laws in Los Angeles, however, the term can be extended depending on individual cases. Depending on your driving history, the insurance premiums will be lower as soon as the SR filing period is over.

I have been charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. I’m so concerned about the financial consequences that I might have. I just want to know, what do DUI lawyers charge and will my insurance rate go up?

Martina

Los Angeles, CA

Most people charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California would be concerned about the possible penalties including fines, lawyer charges and insurance rates. The fees for DUI lawyers actually vary. There are a lot of factors to consider like the seriousness of the charge and the number of DUI offenses the defendant has committed. There are some DUI lawyers who charge as little as $350. Most good Los Angeles DUI lawyers charge a minimum of $1000 because of the amount of time involved in reviewing the case and making sure you get the right result and also because of the risk of having to go back multiple times.

Regarding your insurance rates, it would most likely go up. A DUI conviction is reported on your driving record. Your rates will almost certainly go up if your insurance company finds out. In some cases, your insurance company might drop you as a customer and you may have to enter the assigned risk pool, where rates are dramatically higher. It can also be possible that your insurance company would not find out about your DUI charge, and then your rates should not go up.

I’m really concerned about my car insurance after being charged with DUI here in LA California. I heard that some of the traffic laws in California have changed. How would my insurance company deal with my DUI case?

Maxine

Los Angeles, CA

Under the California law, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. This may sound unfortunate for you. Several insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy.
At times, DUI conviction can escape your insurer’s attention or don’t end up on your motor vehicle record. But if your insurer finds out about your DUI in California, you are likely to have higher rates and possibly policy cancellation or non-renewal.

You asked how your insurance company would deal with your DUI case. Well, in general, there are two ways insurance companies deal with customers with DUI conviction. First is that they may raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you have been convicted of DUI. Second and worse is that they may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction. If this happens, you may shop around to get lower rates for your insurance policy.

My husband was recently convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles, California for the first time. He has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. He wants to know if he should write his insurance company in LA with an explanation of the circumstances before they learn of the conviction. Thanks.

May

Los Angeles , CA

It must be a very bad time for you and your husband knowing that he has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. My suggestion is that he may want to explain his California DUI conviction only if his insurance company finds out about it. In general, insurance companies check motor vehicle records on their policyholders about every three years. His DUI conviction might go unnoticed.

On the other hand, if his Los Angeles insurance company notices his DUI, there’s no guarantee that it would raise his insurance rates or cancel his policy. Rules may differ by insurance company. Most insurers say that generally, they look at a policyholder’s total driving record and claims history when considering what penalty, if there would be any, they will assess for a DUI conviction.