West Virginia WV Auto Insurance Question
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know how will a speeding ticket I got in West Virginia affect my auto insurance?
Tim
Huntington, WV
How are you today Tim?
It is hard for me to give you a definite answer at this point since each of the insurance company and the different types of moving violations are all taken into account differently.
Your first speeding ticket or moving violation will not impact your insurance, if it does, will not be too much. In general, a speeding ticket only stays on your driver’s record for three years and you will have the chance to redeem yourself onwards and give it a clean record.
Auto insurance companies have different practices when it comes to how they pro-rate your insurance premiums for speeding tickets and moving violations. If ticket was received in the past, some companies will raise your rates but others will consider the severity of the violation when they raise your rates. It is also true that some insurance companies will just raise your rates on a per violation basis, regardless of the severity of the violation.
You will encounter problem when your own insurance lapses and need to apply for a new one in West Virginia. When you apply for auto insurance, you should fully disclose your driving history to the company if asked. Especially for new clients, auto insurance companies pull a driver’s record, but often will ask you before they do so if you have any speeding tickets, collisions or other moving violations. If you conceal any ticket, you will not get insurance with them–they will find your driving record and your insurance claim record, so it’s best to be up front and honest with them when you apply for insurance.
Teen Auto Insurance West Virginia WV
Reader’s Question:
What are the reasons good enough for me to enlist my teenager in my auto insurance policy? I know for a fact that it could be very expensive and I wonder if that’s optional for me. I have auto insurance in West Virginia.
Lei
Huntington, WV
Hello there, Lei
Thanks for asking me a very relevant question today. First and foremost, enlisting your teenager as one of the drivers in your auto insurance policy will give you peace of mind that he or she will have insurance coverage whatever happens on the road.
Next reason I can think of is for your teenager to earn valuable insurance experience, known in some places as ’stars’, which he or she will need soon if she purchases his or her own car and will need auto insurance. Most insurance companies in West Virginia will provide less expensive insurance to people who have clear insurance experience. Thus, this valuable insurance experience will tell the insurance company how to charge your teenager, and as they drive with no claims, risk level will go down.
It is a fact that teenagers, who are less experienced on the road, are much more likely to be involved in a collision than older, more experienced drivers. This results to higher premium rates when you enlist your teenager because of this calculated risk that auto insurers consider in granting coverage for your child.
Although, since not all teenagers are reckless in fact, auto insurance companies will normally give discounts in the long run if there is enough evidence of a clean driving record for your teenager. You can also ask your local auto insurance agent in West Virginia of other ways by which you can get discount for teenage auto insurance.
Auto Insurance Rate West Virginia WV
Reader’s Question:
If my friend got into an accident in my vehicle and that person who got into the car accident isnt on my insurance policy, and there were no damages to my vehicle, however there were minor damages to the other persons vehicle. Will my auto insurance cover the repairs of the persons vehicle? Will my auto insurance rates increase, because of someone else getting into an accident in my vehicle?
Jason
Charleston, WV
With most insurance providers if the individual resides in the household and was not listed as a motorist there would be no coverage. If the individual does not live in the household and was driving with permission then this may be covered. If covered, your Property Damage would cover the other person’s car. If you stay with your current insurer, and they pay out on the claim, your car insurance rate may go up at Renewal time. This would be based on the information they would be trying to recover some of the money they paid out on your behalf.