Car Insurance

For some reason, some insurance companies make the filing of an SR-22 document seem like a mystery, giving you the impression it is some secretive and complicated matter that you should not question too closely. You cannot start becoming an informed insurance buyer without knowing what SR-22 means, and if you fall into one of the categories of drivers required to file the form, you should know exactly what you are getting into.

Because the SR-22 document essentially proves your financial responsibility, people have erroneously concluded that it is insurance for poor people. This is not the case. It is true that having a very bad credit history can affect your options in buying insurance, but it also affects your ability to get an SR-22 filing because, if you recall, the whole point of having it is to establish financial responsibility. The major reasons you will need an SR-22 include:

-getting caught driving without insurance,

-being cited for DUI/DWI or other serious moving violation,

-causing an accident (being at fault) while driving uninsured,

-receiving repeat citations in a short period of time, and

-driving with a suspended or revoked license.

In most states you will be required to have an SR-22 for a specific length of time, often three years. If you get through that time period without reneging on payments or getting additional tickets, your SR-22 requirement will expire.

Consider it like probation

You will have a long-term filing status with an SR-22, typically three years as mentioned above, which you should think of as driving probation. That is how your state DMV and police think of it, so you should, too. The SR-22 is not insurance itself, and you are required to have ongoing insurance coverage during your SR-22 status. The insurance company that issues you a policy pursuant to an SR-22 filing will notify the authorities in your state at once if your policy is unpaid, canceled or lapses, triggering the suspension of your license once again.

Not every insurance company will file the SR-22, so you need to become an informed consumer first and do your research. There are also different rates for the service, as well as a wide range of policy costs, so you really do need to shop around. You can look forward to a smooth experience if you use a company experienced with the SR-22 filing, and some insurers will stay on top of things to the point that they will file a termination form with the authorities (called an SR-26 in some states), usually within some 10 days of the SR-22′s expiration.

Different state requirements

Generally speaking, if you have an SR-22 currently and move to another state, you will have to finish out the stated time period anyway. You will also need to get in-state insurance with liability limits that meet the required minimums in your former home state. For example, if you have an SR-22 in a state where the minimum liability figures are 50/100/25, and move to a state with 25/50/10 limits, you still have to carry the former, higher limits in your new state. You will continue in your SR-22 status in the new state until the time period ends in the old one.

Some states do not have SR-22 requirements, like Delaware, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kentucky. If you move to one of these places while in SR-22 status, however, you will have to meet the insurance requirements of the old state where you were required to file the SR-22. If your SR-22 is from, say, Arizona, and then you move to New Mexico, you will continue filing the SR-22 with Arizona until the time period runs out. You will get a New Mexico policy, but keep on filing your SR-22 in Arizona until your period expires.

Bottom line

You need to shop around to find insurance companies that will do these filings if you do not want to handle it yourself. A variety of firms, including SR-22 specialists, exist for the express reason of helping you stay on the road, safe and insured. With some companies and in some states, there may be a filing fee attached to the SR-22, as well. The concept as a whole is similar among the many states using SR-22 programs, but you need to remember that the devil is in the details, and there are a lot of them. It is crucial that you find a firm that has the experience and expertise to help you navigate through the complexities of the SR-22 filing.

Most states require an SR22 for major convictions such as a DUI or DWI, driving while license suspended or revoked and at fault accidents without insurance to name a few. Visit Southeast Insurance Agency for your next sr22 insurance quotes quote today.

Because extended auto warranties are often misunderstood, they open the doors to all kinds of unscrupulous businesses. To make sure that you do not fall victim to such scams, it helps to understand more about what extended warranties entail. In that way, you can know that the extended warranty that you purchase is a sure deal.

Familiarize Yourself with the Terms of an Extended Warranty

The first way to protect yourself against potential scams is to become more informed about extended warranties. An extended warranted is not a duplicate warranty that only comes into effect after the auto manufacturer’s warranty expires; instead, it is an extension of the original warranty. The purpose of an extended warranty is to protect you against the expense of costly repairs. Typically, the more costly repairs are needed after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. It is therefore important that the extended warranty you get is a comprehensive policy. You don’t want the surprise of submitting a claim only to have them reject it on a technicality.

Research the Different Extended Warranty Options Available

When looking into extended warranties, take the time to research the different options available. A good way is to ask friends and colleagues what companies they use. In this way, you can get objective feedback on companies that are reputable or companies that you should avoid. Another good way to research the reputability of the extended warranty company is to read online reviews. The Web is a great resource for getting objective customer feedback.

Get Online Quotes to Compare with Dealership Offers

While you are online, you can also compare the different offers made and find out who is offering the best deal. What you may find is often that online companies offer more competitive rates than dealerships. This is valuable information you can use to negotiate a better warranty if you do want to go through a dealership.

Read the Fine Print

Before signing off on any extended warranty agreements, make sure you are familiar with what is covered and what is not. Also make sure that the start date of the policy is clear so there are no gaps between when the manufacturer’s warranty expires and the extended warranty kicks in. A good policy will include roadside assistance and even minor repairs. Also make sure that the warranty company will pay directly for the repairs. Policies that ask you pay out first and then get reimbursed defeat the purpose of having the warranty in the first place. The reason you want the warranty is so that maintenance costs are covered without you having to dip into your pocket.

Make Sure you Have a Comprehensive Extended Warranty

Most extended warranties are made up of two different components. One is mechanical breakdown which is when you will find yourself stuck on the side of the road. The other is general wear and tear which inevitably happens over time. Moving parts in the vehicle need to be replaced from time to time, and this generally forms part of your regular service check. Make sure that whatever policy you choose has both of these components. Without the wear and tear coverage, you may end up not having a properly serviced car and could end up having it break down. At the same time, having a policy that provides you with roadside assistance for a mechanical breakdown is essential.

Avoid Companies that Process Claims Through Reimbursements

Many less-than-reputable companies like to make promises that they have no intention of keeping. Often, they will state that you first need to pay for the cost of repairs and then ask you to submit the claim saying that they will reimburse you. The problem with these companies is that too often they find a reason not to pay the claim and you never recoup your costs. A reputable company will pay the licensed mechanic or repair shop directly. After all, that is what you are paying a monthly premium for.

Be Careful of Email Offers

Frequently, scammers use emails to entice customers to purchase their policies. They often offer low-priced warranties and promise guarantees that they seldom fulfill. Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true; they probably are. If you purchase one of these types of extended warranties, chances are that either they’ll reject your claim or be out of business a few months down the line. Then you will be left without a warranty with expensive repairs to take care of.

Endurance Warranty.com has been helping car owners save money and gain peace of mind for almost twenty years. You won’t find a more affordable or more comprehensive group of extended auto warranty plans anywhere. Nor will you find more knowledgeable or friendly staff to help you find the warranty for you. Visit online today.

Many people question the real value of having an extended warranty on their car. They often underestimate the cost of vehicle repairs and think that the manufacturer’s warranty is more than adequate. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The sad reality is that motor vehicles are incredibly complicated. With all the moving parts and environmental factors, the only guarantee is that you car will need repairs at some stage. If you unsure as to whether an extended warranty is really worth your while, here are some factors to keep in mind.

Manufacturers Know the Limitations of the Vehicle. Do You?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is a reason why manufacturers and car dealers only provide a limited guarantee. Manufacturers know the effect that general use has on the vehicle and that over time wear and tear will occur, even if you are diligent about looking after your car. Most often, expensive repairs are needed after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. For this reason, an extended warranty can be very valuable.

Can You Afford the Cost of Repairs and Maintenance if You Don’t Have a warranty?

Motor vehicles need to be serviced regularly to ensure they are in good running order. Sometimes these services can be routine and relatively inexpensive. At other times, services can involve major repairs which can get pricey. If you have a savings account with money set aside for such eventualities, perhaps you will not benefit from an extended warranty. But the reality is that if you have a savings account, the chances are that you would far rather spend the money on a vacation or purchasing something special for yourself. Spending savings on repairs can be very demoralizing.

What Sort of Mileage Do You Put on Your Car?

If you only use your vehicle occasionally, the chances are that there will be less wear and tear on your car. If it is securely parked in a garage, then it is less exposed to various environmental elements. If, on the other hand, you spend a lot of time of the road and clock up a lot of mileage, chances are that your vehicle will need a service and repairs more often. In that case, it makes sense to take out an extended warranty.

How Expensive Are Services and Replacement Parts for Your Car?

Often, the replacement parts for luxury and imported cars are very expensive. If you do not have an extended warranty and the manufacturer’s warranty lapses, you may find yourself in for a nasty surprise. Repairs could run into the thousands of dollars and if you don’t have the cash readily available, you could be without a car for some time. When purchasing a car and considering an extended warranty, this is an important factor to keep in mind.

Can You Afford to Be Without Your Car?

Consider how your life would be affected if you didn’t have a car for several weeks. Most people would find traveling by public transportation frustrating, when they are used to having their own mode of transport. Think about this; if you don’t have an extended warranty and your car breaks down, can you afford to be without it while you save up for the repairs?

Do You Need Roadside Assistance?

If your car breaks down on the side of the road, are you confident enough in your ability to be able to handle the situation? Perhaps you can change a tire but what if it is something more complicated than that? Most extended warranties will offer roadside assistance which includes towing if they can’t get your vehicle going again. This can be a very valuable benefit.

How Long Do You Plan to Keep Your Car?

Some people only purchase and drive relatively new cars. Once the car is paid off or the warranty expires, they usually trade in their car for a newer model. Even if this is the case, keep in mind that an extended warranty can increase the resale value of your car. A buyer who know there is a maintenance plan will be more willing to pay your asking price.

When Is the Best Time to Purchase Your Extended Warranty?

Most people think that they only need to purchase an extended warranty when their manufacturer’s warranty expires. This is because it is often perceived that an extended warranty is an additional insurance policy. In reality, an extended warranty is as the name implies. It is an extension on your existing warranty. Because of this you will benefit from more affordable rates if you purchase your warranty earlier rather than later. Warranties that have already expired or are about to expire will be more expensive than warranties that still have a year or two on them.

Endurance Warranty.com has been helping car owners save money and gain peace of mind for almost twenty years. You won’t find a more affordable or more comprehensive group of extended car warranty plans anywhere. Nor will you find more knowledgeable or friendly staff to help you find the warranty for you. Visit online today.

The consumer protection movement really took off in the 1960s and 1970s, when state governments (and the federal, too) began creating agencies charged with fighting scammers and ripoff artists operating in the marketplace. The public took to this new attitude wholeheartedly, and local and network news programs began hiring consumer advocates who would take on scofflaw firms on behalf of individuals and the public at large. The result is a very high awareness in American society of the rights of consumers and the proper operation of businesses.

The Internet has not changed, but amplified the situation. Today there is such an avalanche of information that it can be difficult to know what is true and what is not. This has made the job of consumer advocates even more involved, in government and media as well as in private firms doing “consumer reports” in print and on the Web. It is particularly important for consumers to take time and exercise caution with the purchases that loom largest in our lives, namely, houses (the most expensive thing most people will ever buy) and vehicles (the second-most costly for most folks).

How to tell good from bad

There are some general rules of both business and human behavior that come into play in all kinds of interactions, particularly economic ones. The basic common sense that you would use to determine truth or falsehood also apply when you are researching the companies behind the car warranties that you are being offered as you shop for your new ride. The first thing to remember, of course, is not to hurry. You do not just go out and buy the first car you like and add the first warranty you are offered. In fact, you have to leave enough time to research the dealers, the cars and the warranties that you may decide to buy.

When looking for a good car dealer, you start, of course, with referrals, and then branch out to newspaper ads, the Web and window-shopping. As you start making a list of possible purchases, note also the names of the dealers and start checking them out with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and online complaint sites. Then you need to check out each specific car you like, with Carfax or another reporting service. Finally, after you have sat down with a salesperson, you should request copies of any extended warranties that are on offer (and if you cannot get one, take your business elsewhere).

Then do it all again

When you have a complete list (dealers, specific cars, warranty provider names) you can return to your first step, research, and plug in what you’ve learned. When it comes to the dealer and the car, you use your own good sense as well as that of a mechanic friend or hireling. When it comes down to rating the extended warranty firms, that will take a bit more digging, but it is worth it. Remember, too, that it is absolutely in the interests of reputable warranty companies for you to do this. The car warranty industry, like any other, has had its share of miscreants, and is quite serious about driving the fly-by-night firms out of town (better yet, out of business).

What do you look for? For one thing, transparency. Just as you should beware of dealers who will not show you a Carfax report or give you a copy of an extended warranty, you should avoid warranty firms that will not answer questions on the phone or send you more information. In addition, you will check the company names with the BBB, consumer reporting sites, government oversight agencies and, of course, the handy-dandy Internet. All you have to do is enter the name of the company followed by the word complaints, and you should get all kinds of information, especially on the questionable firms that get the vast majority of consumer complaints.

Bottom line

Again, it really is in the best interests of reputable extended warranty firms for you to take the time to check them out. Do not let the salesperson at any dealership, new or used, tell you that you can only buy one particular warranty package. The fact is, you can buy your extended warranty from any company that you like. This will be a result of the research you do, as well as your own good sense and the solid advice of more experienced auto and insurance people. In fact, your insurance agent can also be a good resource for you, so run the facts and figures by your agent if they have experience in the area.

Bottom line? Do not just use your head. Use the heads and experience of all kinds of folks who know more about it than you do. Although it takes a little time, you will be glad you did when you save 30-40% over the dealer’s offer with a solid, dependable third-party warranty firm.

Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or van we can find the best possible extended car warranty for your money. Do not let your limited warranty expire without shopping for continued coverage first. Visit 5starwarranty.com online today for more information.

In different states, different insurance companies operate in different ways. However, in certain specific situations, all of the states operate in the same manner. One of these situations is the coverage made available to what are called high-risk drivers, a category that includes people with multiple serious infractions as well as others who have been convicted of drunk driving, variously called Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Because many insurance companies will cancel policies of such drivers, states require the ones who wish to continue driving (legally) to buy financial responsibility insurance. These are called SR22 policies.

As opposed to normal car policies that can cover everything including roadside assistance and towing, SR22 policies are basic, no-frills liability insurance. You can determine the precise regulations where you live by contacting your state DMV, and how to go about getting the coverage. Not all insurance companies sell SR22 policies, but there are typically a number of them doing so in every state.

Improving your record

If you have ever been cited for driving under the influence (drugs or alcohol), driving without insurance, or driving without a license or with a suspended one, you may be declined by mainstream insurers. If, for any reason, you become uninsurable to most insurers, states have established these financial responsibility insurance laws so that you can legally drive. In fact, in some situations you may need to obtain SR22 coverage to get your license back after a suspension, in order to show that you are prepared to resume driving in a legal manner.

Even if you have had serious problems with driving, including DUI convictions, America is famous as a land of second chances. If you return to responsible behavior, get your SR22 coverage and resume driving in a consistently safe manner (and get no more tickets), this can work to your advantage and, over time, lower your insurance costs. States and insurers around the country operate somewhat differently in these matters, but clearly it is in your best interest to change your driving habits and behaviors. Your new, clean record is the best evidence that you are doing so.

Getting the facts

You can contact the DMV directly or, if you have an insurance agent, he or she can make an inquiry for you. It may be that you were told to look into SR22 insurance by the court because of excessive tickets, accidents or other driving-related problems. Sometimes the DMV itself, depending on the state you live in, will even mail you a notice that you are required to obtain the financial responsibility coverage. In some cases, the news will be somewhat of a shock when your insurance company drops you and sends a letter to that effect. Of course, you should have seen it coming if you were having ongoing driving problems but, still, it can be quite a wakeup call to find out that you cannot legally drive anymore.

If your insurer drops you, or if you have been driving without car insurance, you can also deal with the problem directly and seek out auto insurance companies that offer SR-22 coverage. Some companies may charge an extra fee for filing it, so make sure you ask about this. Remember that this coverage is under the oversight of state insurance commissioners and companies that offer it have to follow some specific procedures. In certain cases, you may even have difficulty getting an SR-22 filed if you have a particularly low credit score, although there are always ways to get coverage for all but the very worst offenders.

Bottom line

If you are required to get SR22, do not get depressed about it, just get with a new program and make a determined effort to improve your driving record. Once you are insured with an SR22, stay out of driving trouble and every year you have no tickets, accidents or other problems, you will make progress toward normalizing your record. After a sufficient amount of time (which depends on your unique situation, insurer and state) you will begin to pay less in premiums. As long as you stay on the straight and narrow, so to speak, you will regain full privileges as a driver.

Shop around, of course, but be prepared to pay more for insurance while getting just basic coverage. The main thing that states want to make sure of is that you will not drive uninsured and cause damage that others have to pay for. The fact that you will get this coverage, and keep it while driving legally and without getting any tickets or having any accidents, is proof in and of itself that you made the responsible decision. You decided to get back on the (right) road with an SR22 policy, and you made the right choice.

Most states require an SR22 for major convictions such as a DUI or DWI, driving while license suspended or revoked and at fault accidents without insurance to name a few. Visit Southeast Insurance Agency for your next sr22 car insurance quote today.