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WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE?
You will be issued a ticket which will result in a fine of $100.00 TO $500.00. Your car will be towed away costing you a another $100.00 or more.
New, tougher mandatory auto mobile insurance laws
Warning about the dangers of driving without insurance
NEW LEGISLATURE WILL MAKE DRIVING WITHOUT INSURANCE MORE COSTLY. EFFECTIVE 7/01/2007, UNINSURED DRIVERS WILL LOSE THEIR LICENSE FORE 3 MONTHS AND HAVE TO PAY $ 100.00 FEE TO GET IT BACK. ANYONE WHO DRIVES WHILE ON SUSPENSION WILL LOSE THEIR LICENSE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 6 MONTHS. THE NEW PENALTY IS ON TOP OF EXISTING FINES, WHICH RANGE FROM $ 500 TO $ 1000 AND ONCE YOU GET YOUR LICENSE BACK YOU WILL NEED A SR22 FOR 3 YEARS AS WELL
Motorist receiving court supervision for a violation of the mandatory automobile insurance law will be required to purchase and maintain a financial responsibility filing in this form of an SR-22 certificate for Three years as a condition of court supervision. in the event the motorist cancels insurance coverage, the insurance company will notify the secretary of states office. the notice will result in a drivers license suspension of the uninsured motorist until the insurance is renewed.
WHAT IS THE STATE REQUIREMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE?
The law in Illinois requires that every vehicle must carry the following minimum coverage:
- Bodily injury Limits Of: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident.........
- Property damage Limits Of: $15,000 ....................................................
- Uninsured motorist Limits Of: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident
DO ACCIDENTS SHOW UP ON MY MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT?
YES THEY DO. SO NOW, THEY NOT ONLY KNOW HOW MANY TICKETS YOU HAVE, THEY HAVE A RECORD OF YOUR ACCIDENTS AS WELL. There is one draw back to this accident info, it does not tell weather the accidents are at fault or not at fault. So do not Throw away those police reports. you will have insurance companies wanting prove of your not at fault accidents. If you have no proof, either your rates are going to go up or you will be rejected for automobile insurance.
WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF USING THEE INSURANCE SHOPPE VERSES A DIRECT WRITER INSURANCE COMPANY?
A direct Writer insurance company is only quoting their own product. Thee Insurance Shoppe can shop around for you. We Can quote over fifty companies to find you the lowest rate available, and the best policy for you. Let us do the footwork!
I'M ALREADY INSURED WITH ANOTHER INSURANCE COMPANY. CAN I CHANGE COMPANIES IN THE MIDDLE OF MY POLICY PERIOD?
Of course! You wont even need to contact your existing insurance company to cancel the insurance. We can handle the request for you. You would be issued a credit for the unused portion of the policy. From your old company.
THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME. DO I NEED PRIOR INSURANCE TO QUALIFY FOR INSURE COVERAGE?
Prior insurance is not required. However, if you supply us with a copy of your declaration page indicating that your policy expired within the past 15 to 30 days, you will receive a transfer discount of 5 to 10%.
GREAT! HOW SOON CAN I BE COVERED WITH THEE INSURANCE SHOPPE?
Thee Insurance Shoppe can insure you. right away! By having your credit card or check book ready, you can receive immediate coverage over the telephone.
HOW DO TRAFFIC TICKETS EFFECT MY AUTO INSURANCE?
Many Insurance Companies Charge a Surcharge According to the number of tickets as well as how serious the ticket is. Speeding tickets 1-10 or 11-25 are minor violations. Speeding 25 miles over the limits are considered a major violation. And can cause almost as many problems as a DUI. Your surcharge for 1 or 2 tickets can cost you 10 to 15%. 3 or more tickets can cost 20 to 50% or more depending on the amount of moving violations. Major violations can cause not only a raise in your insurance rates but can cause the secretary of state to require a SR-22. Mayor violations can cause a 100% surcharge, depending on how serious they are, as well as how many tickets are on your record overall. Minor violations for most companies will effect you for 3 years. Major violations will effect not only your rates, but it will cause Preferred Insurance Companies to not accept you at all for 5 years. So if you wonder if you get a ticket should i go to court and try to get supervision? That depends if you care what your insurance cost you.
HOW DO ACCIDENTS EFFECT MY AUTO INSURANCE?
Many Insurance Companies Charge a Surcharge According to the number of accidents. Most Companies Feel since Accidents are in fact' what cost them money, they will charge you higher surcharges if you are prone to accidents. Your surcharges Can get even higher if you have more than one accident. After all accidents cost Insurance companies money, not tickets. So you see why that Some companies Might Accept Some Tickets But not Many accidents if any. But the preferred Companies don't want either, no tickets, no accidents and some are now doing a credit check as well. They not only look at your driving but they wont give you their best rates if you credit history is not up to par.
Do I have to use my insurer's body shop for repairs?
That depends on your policy. Sometimes, you and the insurance company agree on a predetermined course of action after you're involved in an accident. That often includes the use of an insurance company-chosen auto-repair facility. If your policy does not have such a stipulation, so you can then choose the body shop that repairs your vehicle. For information on whether you can choose to have original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair parts put on your vehicle, see Know your OEM rights .
I'm moving to another state temporarily. Do I need to purchase coverage in that state?
If you are moving for more than six months, the proper procedure is to purchase coverage in your new state. That way, you can avoid any potential questionable coverage issues.
Keep in mind, however, that your current insurance policy says you are covered in all 50 states.
Do I need to purchase insurance before I buy a new car?
If this is your first car, yes, you'll have to buy auto insurance before you drive your shiny new car off the dealer's lot.
However, if you already have an auto policy, that will generally cover your new automobile for a period of up to 30 days after you buy it. Once that 30-day period is up, you'll have to talk with your agent or company representative to insure that new vehicle. But you are only covered for the same coverage you have already. so if you have liability only and you need full coverage you must contact your agent first.
My teenager just got a driver's license and the insurance rates are through the roof. Do I have to add him/her to my policy? Do I have any other options?
It usually makes good financial sense to add your teen as a driver to your existing policy, but only after he or she gets a permanent license. In addition, if you're driving an expensive car, it might make more financial sense to buy your teen a safe, older vehicle and get him or her a policy of his or her own.
What is an SR-22?
SR-22 is a form that shows that you have auto insurance. It is required by the state for drivers who are high risk. Here are some of the reasons a state might require you to file an SR-22 form:
- DUI (drunk driving)
- serious moving violations such as reckless driving
- racking up a lot of highway points in a short period of time
- being pegged as a habitual traffic offender
- causing an accident while uninsured.
In Illinois high-risk drivers usually have to carry SR-22 insurance for three years. More insurance companies are now willing to sell policies to drivers who have SR-22 status; however, those policies are going to be more costly than a standard auto policy.
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