» Types of Auto Insurance

SR22 DUI Insurance

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:37:23 +0000

Missoula Montana offers several options for those of us with a less than perfect driving record.

High Risk Auto Insurance

Since this risk is categorized as a high risk you are going to pay more. I know this is added stress. You probably have court dates, lawyer fees and embarrassment to deal with. So lets make this as easy as possible. High risk car insurance is easier to obtain than you might expect. Companies are even offering discounts and better rates due to the competitive market conditions.

DUI Auto Insurance Providers in Missoula

There really is no easy way to get a lower premium right after being convicted for DUI, but there are auto insurance carriers in Missoula Montana who specialize in DUI insurance. Keep in mind that once you have decided on an insurance company they must file an SR22 form.

What exactly is an SR22?

An SR22 filing is simply a form your insurance company will send to the DMV confirms you have auto insurance. This must be filed before you get back on the road. This form is often required for people convicted of DUI or for people with multiple moving violations in a relatively short period of time. Obviously from the insurance company point of view, a poor driving record is perceived as high risk. Most of the personal insurance companies do not underwrite this risk and the only place left is to seek the support of the specialty insurance company.

Teen Car Insurance

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:02:12 +0000

Insurance for teenagers in Missoula is always going to be high. Statistically speaking teens have a high accident rate in Montana. We also can assume that teens are more likely to become distracted behind the wheel by loud music, cell phones, texting and looking at themselves in the mirror. This makes for what the auto insurance companies call a “high risk” policy. Accept it, rates are going to be high, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the costs. Here are some tips for parents: Tips to lower car insurance rates for Teenagers in Missoula 1. Keep teens on your current policy. You are more likely to get better rates by adding new drivers to a current policy by taking advantage of the multiple car discount. If a high school or college student were to attain their own policy the rates would be significantly higher. 2. Always inform your care insurance company if your teen is going away to college. If they are going college and leaving the care at home they will not be driving as much. This should drastically lower your monthly payments. 3. The car they drive is a key aspect of coverage. Depending on the make and model, you could cut the rates in half. Cars to avoid when looking for a discounted rate are sports cars, convertibles, muscle cars, older cars without safety features, trucks and SUV’s. Some companies even charge more for red cars as they are more likely to be targeted by traffic police. Stick with a basic sedan that has great safety ratings and features. 4. What about discounts? Your teenager will need to maintain a grade point average of a B or better to qualify. Typically you will need to provide proof via report cards or official letters from school faculty. Many companies require periodic updates throughout the length of policy to ensure grades are still standing at a B level. Most insurance companies also offer teenagers a discount on the auto insurance if they take a driver improvement course or similar classes. Check with the local DMV for more information. 5. Shop around. You would be amazed to see how different premiums can vary from provider to provider. Make sure you find the most teenager friendly company.

Montana Government New Teen Driver Information

I copied and pasted the following information from the government website:

Montana Department of Justice · Driver Services

It gives complete information on drivers license policies and procedures for teens in Missoula. New Drivers Individuals wishing to obtain a Montana driver license must:

provide parental consent and complete the graduated driver licensing process if they are under 18
pass written, vision and driving tests
provide the required documents
- proof of identity
- proof of Montana residency
- proof of authorized presence

Learner’s License (All Classes)

A learner’s license:

allows an individual to operate a vehicle when accompanied by a driver who has a valid license of the same class and type as that of the vehicle being driven
valid for up to one year from the date of issuance

A Traffic Education Learner’s License (TELL) allows minors to operate a motor vehicle when their licensed parent or legal guardian is in the seat beside them. Individuals with a learner’s license from another state can drive in Montana for 60 days with a licensed driver.

Graduated Driver Licensing

Montana’s graduated driver licensing law creates a three-step program that allows new drivers under the age of 18 years to safely develop and improve their driving skills. Each step progressively increases the privileges and responsibilities of a new driver in an effort to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving minors.

Step 1: Permit Period

Age and Permits
- Teenagers may obtain a Traffic Education Learner’s License (TELL) as early as age 14½ years old only if they are in a state-approved traffic education program.
- Teenagers may get a Learner’s License from a driver exam station if they meet all of the following criteria:
  - are 15 years old and successfully complete a state-approved traffic education program, or are 16 years or older
  - pass the required driver license tests
  - turn in any other driver licenses
  - do not have a license suspended, revoked or denied in any other state or jurisdiction
  - pass the medical requirements for the type of driver license desired
  - have not been found by a court to be mentally incompetent, alcoholic and/or a habitual user of illegal drugs
Length of Permit
- A teenager must hold a permit for a minimum of six consecutive months before applying for a First-Year Restricted License.
- The permit is valid for up to one year.
Conditions During Permit Stage
- Teen drivers must acquire at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night.
- A driver with a TELL permit must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian.
- A driver with a Learner’s License must be supervised by a licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed driver age 18 years or older who is authorized by the parent or guardian.
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
- The teen driver must not get any traffic violations for alcohol or drug offenses in the six-month period before advancing to Step 2.

Step 2: First-Year Restricted License

When teens have satisfied all Step 1 requirements, they may apply for a First-Year Restricted License at a driver exam station. They must:

pay the associated fees
bring all required documents
- proof of identity
- proof of Montana residency
- proof of authorized presence
- a completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent/Legal Guardian Certification form

Initially, the driver license will show a restriction code on the front and back. This restriction remains in effect for one year. During this period, the following restrictions apply:

Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
Teenage drivers may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with some exceptions.
- These exceptions including emergencies, farm-related activities, travel to and from school, church or work, and specific parent-authorized purposes.
- Law enforcement officials may contact the parent or guardian of a teen driver to verify the purpose for which the teen is authorized to drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
For the first six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have only one unrelated passenger under age 18 in the vehicle.
For the second six months, unless supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older, a teenage driver may have three unrelated passengers under age 18 in the vehicle.

Penalties for violating the Step 2 license restrictions are:

First Offense – between 20 and 60 hours of community service
Second Offense – suspension of the teen’s driver license for six months

Step 3: Full Privilege Driver License

First-Year Restricted License restrictions automatically end on the date indicated on the back of the driver license, or when the individual turns 18, whichever occurs first. Once the teenager reaches Step 3, the driver license confers full privileges. For more information on graduated driver licensing, go to the Graduated Driver License Law page on the Office of Public Instruction website.

Womens Car Insurance

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:37:06 +0000

It turns out being a female is also an important factor when it comes to car insurance rates in Missoula and any other city in the US. Although this may seem unfair, you have to consider that insurance companies look at statistics only. They are not interested in “fairness”. So ladies, this article is for you. See if you can get some insight and save a little money on your auto insurance premium.

Why Do Women Get Better Rates?

The number one reason female car insurance quotes are lower is primarily because statistics show men are more accident-prone Serious accidents for male drivers are nearly double. As such, men make more claims than women and so costs for men are naturally higher. I hear men complain about “women drivers” all the time. It’s funny to see the look on their faces when I tell them the statistics. The truth hurts doesn’t it fellas. Speed is also a factor because men tend to drive faster. Maybe it’s just that sense of machismo that most men are born with. How many female NASCAR drivers are there in the circuit? Also, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that men get in more trouble with the police for speeding, but I believe this statistic is skewed because women can easily get out of tickets for crying during a pull over. I would like to see the numbers on that one. The choice of car is also a big part of why male car insurance premiums are higher in Missoula. Men tend to buy faster and more powerful vehicles (think NASCAR). I was told it was because women think practically rather than living out their fantasies. Uh…I think its because women prefer cute and stylish to fast and furious.

How to Shop for Car Insurance

Never stick with the same car insurance company just because you have been with them for years. You need to review your rates annually and shop around. You’re most likely going to save money with a car insurance comparison, but you need to do some research.

Make sure you do an online comparison and that you are consistent with deductibles, car information and personal data. A small change in deductible will greatly affect the rate quote. You don’t want to be stuck with a huge deductible in case of an accident.

Should you choose liability or full coverage? You’re car must be paid for in order purchase liability insurance and it will be considerably cheaper, but if anything happens to the car you will get nothing. So, unless you have a junker, go with the full coverage option. Also, if you own a home, retirement accounts or any other assets then don’t go with liability because you will expose yourself to a lawsuit in case of an accident.

Women need to understand their policies. If you suddenly become single, or have to handle your own insurance, it’s vital that you know the basics. If you don’t do a little research, you may pay for it in the long run.