SR22 and Cheap Car Insurance for Preferred and High Risk Drivers

Who is most likely to use Cell Phones while Driving?

Steve — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:03:56 +0000

Cell Phone usage while Driving is Down in Some Age Groups

Which age group claims to be paying the most attention behind the wheel? How much do you use your cell phone while driving?

The GMAC Insurance Distracted Driving Study, part of the 7th Annual National Drivers Test, asked drivers about their driving habits to determine just how focused people are when they’re behind the wheel. 56% of the national driving public said they have complete eliminated making calls, texting and sending emails while they’re behind the wheel. Another 32 % said they’re using their phones less while driving.

The most startling numbers come from the 16-17 year old drivers. 75% of the youngest drivers said they have completely eliminated usage of their mobile devices while driving. In fact, the youngest age group is the most likely to say they have completely eliminated mobile phone usage while behind the wheel. Right behind the youngest drivers are the oldest drivers on the road. 72% of drivers age 60-65 said they have completely eliminated mobile phone usage while driving.

The worst offenders are the drivers age 25-34. 72% of the drivers in this age group are still admittedly using their cell phones to make calls, text and even send email.

While there’s a noticeable difference in distracted driving habits across different age groups, there’s not much difference between men and women. 58% of men and 54% of women say they have completely eliminated the use of their mobile devices while driving.

The biggest deterrents stopping people from using their mobile phones behind the wheel have been news stories featuring accidents caused by distracted driving, mobile phone bans, laws, ad campaigns and initiatives that urge people to put their mobile devices away while driving. Interestingly, 8 out of 10 drivers say they have never been distracted or even come close to having an accident due to using a mobile device while driving.

How much do you use your phone while driving?

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GMAC Insurance Personal Lines Group is one of the largest automobile insurers in the United States. GMAC Insurance Personal Lines Group offers property and casualty products, including personal auto, RV, motorcycle, commercial auto and homeowners insurance. With a nationwide network of claims professionals, local independent agents and brokers and a 24-hour, toll-free claims hotline available 365 days a year, GMAC Insurance provides superior claims service for its customers.

Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in Mississippi

Steve — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:03:35 +0000

Cheap SR22 Insurance in MS

MS SR-22 Requirements
In the state of Mississippi it is illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. There are lower limits for drivers of commercial vehicles and also for drivers under the age of 21. Drivers can also be arrested if they are found to be under the influence of drugs or other controlled substances. Penalties for a first-time DUI are as follows:

Up to 48 hours in jail
A fine from $250 up to $1,000
License suspension for 90 days
Hardship driving privileges are possible after 30 days

Other possible penalties are:

Complete an Alcohol Safety Education Program
Attend a Victim Impact Panel

Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.

Mississippi has an implied consent law which means that you have given your consent to be tested to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood, breath or urine if stopped by an officer and he suspects that you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you refuse to submit to the test your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days for the first refusal, and for 1 year if there has been a previous refusal.

The minimum required liability insurance coverage is as follows:

$25,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per person
$50,000 for Bodily Injury Liability per accident
$25,000 for Property Damage Liability per accident for property damage

Drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer if they stop you for any statutory violation. If you do not have proof of liability insurance, the penalty is a $1,000 fine and suspension of your driver’s license for one year or until you prove that you have insurance.

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The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements in the state of Mississippi are subject to change. Visit the Mississippi Insurance Department at http://www.mid.state.ms.us/ for current information.

Have you had a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that required form SR 22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Could You Pass A Current Written Driver’s Test

Steve — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:05:52 +0000

Passing the Driver’s Test is Difficult for Some

Most drivers only take the written test once to obtain their driver’s license. Maybe it should be given to all drivers more often because according to the 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test nearly 20% of drivers today could not pass the current written test. The report listed the state of Kansas as having the best score on the test, 82.9%. Washington D.C of all places was last at 71.8%. Older drivers, ages 60-65 scored the best at 80.3%

Are men or women the better driver? Asking this question could certainly start a high-spirited conversation but according to the GMAC Test, men averaged better than women drivers. 27.2% of women failed the test compared to 13.6 of the men.

The test highlighted all areas of driving questions but one of them that lots of drivers struggled with is what to do when a traffic light turns yellow. According to the GMAC Test, 85% of the drivers taking the test were not able to select the correct action to take. That is an amazing statistic.

You might consider picking up a driver’s pamphlet at your local DMV and read through it. You might be surprised at what you do or do not know.

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Are you getting car insurance for the first time or have an insurance requirement for SR-22 filing? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer affordable auto insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.

Misconceptions about Car Insurance

Steve — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:27:09 +0000

Car Insurance Policy Perceptions

Car insurance policies offered by different companies are similar, yet sometimes can be very different. Each company markets to different drivers and offers varying coverage and terms. Making assumptions about the coverage a particular policy provides can be very disappointing. Guessing about statements heard in everyday life can also be inaccurate. Here are some things you may have heard or thought were true about insurance –

-A driver’s motor vehicle record is the only factor used to price my insurance. Actually the motor vehicle record is only part of the equation when rating a potential insured for an insurance policy. The driver’s age, make, model and year of the vehicle, where the driver lives and garages the vehicle, years of driving experience, and then the coverage selected are all used to rate an insurance policy. All these factors can be weighted differently with different companies.

-A new car is more expensive to insure than a used one. Actually this might not be the case. Newer vehicles have more standard safety equipment and are built to with-stand higher impact in an accident than older models.

-Small cars are less expensive to insure than large models. Again, this might not be true as stated in the paragraph above. Smaller cars take a heavier toll in accidents compared to some larger models. The damage that a large car or truck can inflict on a smaller car can be severe.

-Red, yellow, black or silver cars cost more to insure. The color of your car has no bearing on the price of the insurance policy.

-Full coverage means having comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, towing coverage and car rental reimbursement. First of all, there is no such actual term as “full coverage”. This terminology has evolved over the years to mean that you don’t have just liability. Truth is, comprehensive and collision are really physical damage coverage. Comprehensive coverage takes care of damage that happens to your car that is not a result of an accident, such as theft, vandalism, fire and the like. Collision coverage takes care of damage as a result of colliding with an object other than a car accident, such as hitting a pole or a deer. Towing, rental coverage and road-side service are all addition individual items that can be added to an insurance policy.

-If my car is broken into and items are stolen, this loss is covered by my car insurance policy. Actually theft from your car is covered under your homeowner’s policy or your renter’s policy, not your car insurance policy.

Remember to check your policy thoroughly or call your agent or broker to verify exactly what your policy covers. If you change insurance companies, be sure to compare the new policy with your old one. Again, it could be quite a bit different.

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Utah Legislation Changes UM/UIM Coverage

Steve — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:21:25 +0000

Kemper Specialty Changes UM/UIM in UT

The Utah Legislature recently changed Utah Automobile Insurance law with the passage of HB-167 “MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE MODIFICATIONS”, which amends provisions relating to uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverages. Taking effect May 8, 2012, the new law broadens the requirements for when signed coverage rejection forms are to be obtained from a policyholder. Now, newly signed UM or UIM rejections will be required whenever BI/PD limits are changed, whenever there is a change to the Named Insured on the policy, or when an additional vehicle (NOT a replacement vehicle) is added to a policy where UM or UIM coverage(s) or increased limits of UM or UIM had previously been rejected.

To assure that all Kemper Specialty policies remain in compliance, Kemper will be referring all customer requests for these types of policy endorsements back to the producing agent so that appropriate counsel can be provided and rejection signatures obtained. Policies without signed rejections will be uprated to include the coverages at limits matching the policy’s BI limits.

Policies that already include UM and UIM coverages which equal the BI limits will not be affected by this law change and won’t require any action.

The bill can be read in its entirety at http://le.utah.gov/~2012/bills/hbillenr/hb0167.pdf

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The Kemper, family of insurance companies serves clients in markets across the United States. More than 6 million policyholders have their basic insurance and financial needs met by a nationwide network of career agents and independent agents and brokers. As one of America’s leading financial services providers, the Kemper family specializes in property, casualty, life health and accident insurance.

Cheap SR22 Insurance in North Carolina

Steve — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:14:58 +0000

Cheap SR22 Insurance in NC

NC SR22 Requirements
It is against the law in North Carolina to operate a vehicle if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In addition the limits are less for drivers under the age of 21 and commercial drivers.

North Carolina has an implied consent law that means that you agree to submit to a chemical test of your breath, urine or blood if a law enforcement offer suspects that you are driving while intoxicated.

Conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in North Carolina is a complex matter. The final decision in a DWI case is the responsibility of the court. At a minimum, your license will be suspended for 1 year and you may be required to attend a Substance Abuse Assessment/Treatment program.

However the court will also consider aggravating and mitigating factors with the DWI when making a decision. Additional penalties for DWI could result in the following:

Jail time from 7 days to 24 months
Fines from $2,000 to $4,000

To better understand the aggravating and mitigating factors, please see the website noted below. The final determination of these factors is the responsibility of the court.

An SR 22 Certificate is required following a conviction for DWI in North Carolina and must be maintained for a period of 3 years after the conviction.

The minimum coverage required is as follows:

$30,000 for bodily injury or death for each person
$60,000 for total bodily injury for all persons in an accident
$25,00 for property damage

State law also requires licensed drivers to carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage on their vehicle. The coverage limits for UM/UIM need to be at least equal to the highest bodily injury liability limit on any vehicle on the policy. For example, if the above limits are what you have on your policy, then the following minimum UM/UIM limits must also be on the policy:

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury of $30,000/$60,000
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist property damage of $25,000

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The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements in the State of North Carolina are subject to change. If you have questions or want more information visit the North Carolina Department of Insurance at http://www.ncdoi.com/.

Washington State to Increase Sentence for Deadly DUI Accidents

Steve — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:09:06 +0000

Maximum Sentence for Deadly Drunk Driving Wrecks to Increase in WA

A bill has been passed by the Washington State Legislature and has been sent to the Governor that would increase the maximum sentence for drivers convicted of deadly drunk driving accidents. The bill would more than double the sentence range for first time vehicular homicide convictions.

A person convicted of a deadly DUI accident could face between 6 and 8 years in jail which is more than twice the current sentence range.

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Good Driver Discount Rules Changed in CA

Steve — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:50:26 +0000

New Car Insurance Regulations in California

State regulators in California announced some changes to the rule regarding the good driver discount which may affect some California insurance customers. Good drivers can take advantage of rates that are up to 20 percent lower if they qualify for the discount.

Previous rules specified that drivers would lose their eligibility for the discount if they were responsible for an accident that resulted in death or $750 in property damage to any single person in a crash. Bodily injury was not a factor.

With the recent changes, insurance companies can disallow the discount if the driver is shown to be at least 51 percent at fault in an accident, and also which led to $1,000 in property damage or bodily injury within the last 3 years.

Be sure to check with your agent or broker to see if these new regulations affect your premium.

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Pleasant and Helpful

Lynn — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:53:30 +0000

Arizona Car Insurance Customer Appreciates Service

Jennifer,

You were so pleasant and helpful! Thank you! I will call you again when I put insurance on my motor home.

Fred
AZ auto insurance customer

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This customer needed an Arizona car insurance policy and was very happy with the transaction he had with Jennifer. He is planning on calling her again to get a policy for his motor home.

Lots of Issues to Deal With

Lynn — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:11:42 +0000

AR SR22 Car Insurance Customer Issues Solved

“Shane was just awesome! I had lots of issues to deal with for my car insurance policy and he always called me back and handled everything perfectly. He was very informative and patient with me.”

Thank you,

Shannon
AR SR22 Insurance Customer

Shannon needed an Arkansas auto insurance policy with an SR22 filing and needed help with several issues. Shane was able to get her a great policy and took care of all the issues for her.

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