Reader’s Question:

My son had 2 at-fault auto accidents within a few months of each other. The only auto insurance he could get after the second accident was high risk. How long does he have until he no longer has to stay on high risk insurance? We live in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Will

La Crosse, Wisconsin

In WI dates and types of moving violations, restrictions, accidents, and withdrawals are all recorded onto your driver record abstract. Driving record information are retained for the preceding 5 years; but, certain violations can result in a motorist record being retained indefinitely. To check which ones this would be, you may contact the WI Department of Transportation.

The WI Commissioner of Insurance states that motorists in WI can be classified by auto insurance providers based on a number of different characteristics including, but not limited to, marital status, age and gender, where the car is garaged, make and model of car, driving record, prior car insurance coverage and annual miles driven.

Drivers can typically obtain insurance from a preferred company instead of a non-standard (high risk) insurance companies when they have had a clean driving record for the previous 3 years to 5 years. To make sure how long your son’s accidents will affect his insurance rates in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and therefore classifying him as a high risk, you may contact the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance.

Your son can obtain a quote here for La Crosse, Wisconsin car insurance here with the insurers to check if their rates are less than what he is currently paying.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, high risk insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m from Milwaukee, WI. I got hit recently by another driver who was clearly at fault Milwaukee. He offered me to pay in cash for the damages rather than make a claim on his car insurance; is that okay?

Karen

Milwaukee, WI

It’s a bad idea to accept cash if you’re injured or if you even have a hint of being injured. Your PIP coverage should pay for your medical expenses and any lost wages that you may incur if you’re injured. Once your PIP is consumed, your health insurance will kick in and pay for the rest of your expenses. You can sue the at-fault driver to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and any lost wages as a result of the crash if you do not have PIP or health insurance.

On the other hand, never take money on the spot if you choose to accept the other driver’s cash offer for the physical damage to your car. Be sure to know exactly how much it will cost to repair your vehicle. You could end up paying for a portion of the repairs yourself if you don’t get an accurate estimate, Say for example, the other driver offers you $1,000 to pay for damages and you later receive an estimate showing that the total cost is $1,500 to repair your car, you may have to kick in $500 of your own pocket.

It is also important for you to carefully examine any documents you may be required to sign that absolve the other driver of any further liability. If the at-fault’s party has consulted an attorney, it is likely that the attorney has drafted a document that will take away your right to sue later. If you are in doubt about signing the document, consult an attorney. Hiring a lawyer is an unavoidable expense that you’ll have to pay for. Always check your policy language for details so it’s advised to contact your Milwaukee, WI insurance agent to have a statute of limitations for reporting accidents.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I received my first offense of DUI in Kenosha Wisconsin. My license was suspended immediately. Can I still be covered by an insurance carrier with a suspended license? If an insurance provider finds out about the DUI conviction, how much does car insurance rates increase?

Britney

Kenosha, WI

The penalties for operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Kenosha Wisconsin can include forfeiture of car and revocation of license for the first time conviction, 3 year license revocation, to up to six years imprisonment, and possible seizure of car for subsequent violations. Also, more harsh penalties apply if death or injury results.

With a drunk driving conviction, car insurance rates tend to increase quite a bit. The amount of the auto insurance rate increase will depend upon your insurance carrier’s rating system. If your insurance does rise to an unmanageable amount, you may get a lower car insurance quote in Kenosha Wisconsin.

Tags: automobile, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

Someone told me that in the state of Wisconsin the car insurance carriers were only permitted to look back 3 years on your driving record. Is this true? I live in Kenosha Wisconsin.

Neve

Kenosha, WI

I am not aware that insurance companies can only look at your driving record for three years in Kenosha or in any part of Wisconsin.Insurance carriers generally can go back 3, 5 or 7 years to look at a person’s driving record.

Most minor moving violations stay on your record for three years while major traffic violations can remain on your record for seven years or more. Many insurance providers will look 3 years back on a driver’s record for minor infractions but will look back for major offenses, i.e. DUI, for a longer period of time, such as 7 years.

On applications for car insurance many carriers will request information on previous accidents and moving violations and indicate how long proceeding the application date they will want you to list. If they request more than 3 years back, then you will need to list the moving violation and/or accident that happened during the time frame they requested information on.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I was driving in Green Bay Wisconsin WI on a restricted driver’s license by DUI. I was driving outside my restrictions. I crashed my car due to a road hazard so will my insurance pay for damages even though I was not driving to/from work as mandates by my restricted license provisions?

Sarrah

Green Bay, WI

The insurance company’s provisions and/or exclusions will determine if this is covered under your policy. Exclusions on a Personal Auto Policy can be different for every carries and state, so you better review your policy:

Some typical exclusion follows:
-committing a high misdemeanor or felony, or seeking to avoid lawful apprehension or arrest by a police officer; or
-acting with specific intent to cause injury or damage to himself or others;
-operating or “occupying” an “auto” without the permission of the owner of the “auto” or name insured under the policy insuring that “auto”.
-War (declared or undeclared);
-Civil war;
-Insurrection;
-Rebellion or revolution;
-Any act or condition incident to any of the above resulting from radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of nuclear material.
-and other specified on each policy…

Based on the typical exclusions listed, it seems like you will have coverage afforded unless there are other exclusions listed on your policy.

Tags: sr22, SR22 filing

Reader’s Question:

How much would a driving without a license ticket cost in Racine, Wisconsin?

George

Racine, WI

The cost of the driving without a license ticket should/must be written on the ticket by the office.

The Wisconsin clerk of the court states that the dollar amount written on your ticket is actually a combination of a forfeiture and numerous fees and surcharges.

A ticket for driving with license expired or without any license in Racine and all cities in Wisconsin is a three point surcharge, which is estimated at $125.90.

You may contact the license division directly at (608) 266-2353.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, Driving without License

Reader’s Question:

My elderly grandfathers drivers license expired last January and he continues to drive his vehicle. Apparently he couldn’t see well enough to complete the renewal exam, so he will likely would not be given a renewal even if he tried. If he gets involve in an accident, will his car insurance cover his losses if he is knowingly driving without a license? We both live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Harry

Eau Claire, WI

If your grandfather is currently insured now in Eau Claire, WI he will be covered for the insurance coverage he has, even if the drivers license is expired. But, when the car insurance policy is renewed usually the driving record is run and it will be known that he doesn’t have a valid drivers license. Then he would have to obtain it or be cancelled or no renewed. Also he will obtain a ticket for driving with suspended/revoked license and can be arrested as well.

Tags: auto insurance, autos, Driving without License, senior car insurance