Reader’s Question:

I am from Oregon and just bought my first. Will my credit score be checked by the car insurance company when I apply for one?

Margaret

Salem, OR

It has been a common practice by personal car insurance companies in the United States, and Oregon is not an exception, to check on a prospective costumer’s credit standing when determining car insurance premium rates.

When calling a car insurance company for possible insurance application, keep in mind that your credit history will be checked. Insurers believe that there is a direct correlation between an individual’s credit history performance and potential claims they will file in the future. So, it fundamentally means that having a bad credit history will be viewed with suspicion by a car insurance company. So, those delinquent credit card payments in the past will definitely have an effect on a possible favorable feedback on your car insurance application.

Does the US government allow car insurance companies to pry on your credit record? The answer is yes. Companies are allowed to employ reasonable procedures under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, so long as the manner is equitable and fair to the consumer.

If you think that your credit record is better than what the car insurance company can find, make sure that you have furnished the insurer with your correct name, social security number, date of birth and address. If there is a mistake in your credit report, get in touch with the credit bureau, so that an inquiry will be launched. Inform your local agent immediately, too. Do not wait for the credit bureau to inform the car insurance company on your behalf.

Tags: car insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I just bought a used car here in Salem, Oregon. I know I need auto insurance coverage, but I don’t know much about auto insurance. I heard about standard and non standard auto insurance, which one should I get? Do I get to choose?

Priscilla

Salem, OR

No, Priscilla, you don’t get to choose. The auto insurance company in Oregon will be the one to decide that. But first, let’s differentiate the two. Standard insurance is what most every motorist has, people with regular cars and regular lifestyles. Non standard auto insurance is what motorists with bad driving history have. These are the type of motorists that are considered high risk customers by the auto insurance company. These motorists are believed to be prone to accidents or vehicle damage.

Let’s talk about high risk drivers. If you don’t see yourself in this group, that’s good. High risk drivers are usually the ones with several traffic violations. If you have a DUI in your record, there is a chance you’ll become a part of this group. If your job requires you to drive a car in a dangerous way, like stuntmen and race car drivers, you will be in this group. If you have been driving around for several months or years without auto insurance coverage, auto insurance companies will not like that as that shows irresponsibility and might merit an automatic membership in the non-standard insurance group.

When you apply for auto insurance, the auto insurance company will ask questions about you and your driving history, and they will also do a background check to see what type of a customer you are and will be.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, DUI, used car

Reader’s Question:

I’m thinking of selling my old car and buying a new one. Yay! Can my old auto insurance policy extend to the new vehicle I’m going to purchase? I’m not going anywhere anyway, I’ll still be living here in Salem, OR. I hate paperwork.

Lisa

Salem, OR

Wow, a new car! That must be exciting. And I understand too well that it sucks to think about stuff like insurance when all you can think about is car colors! I’ll try my best to help you out. To start off, you don’t actually need to purchase new automotive insurance before buying a new car, and you don’t necessarily have to inform your insurance company beforehand. That would be a little too much like asking permission, and you should be able to buy that gorgeous baby whenever you want. Your old insurance policy will cover your new car, at least temporarily, and only an as-is basis. If, for instance, you only have liability coverage on your old vehicle, you’ll still have only liability coverage on the new. The problem there is if you’re borrowing money to finance the purchase, your bank will most likely require you to take out comprehensive coverage. In that case, you have to call your agent there in Salem, OR to add coverage.

Different insurance companies have different grace periods, too, for you to notify them of the purchase. If your time has elapsed, certain coverages may be removed. The upshot is though you don’t have to inform them first, you will eventually have to do so. I find it best to get the paperwork out of the way as soon as possible, so you can enjoy that ride the sooner.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost

Reader’s Question:

I live in Hillsboro, Oregon. I am just curious as to how many days does an insurance carrier settle a car insurance claim?

Karen

Hillsboro, OR

If you place a car insurance claim you have a right to be notified of the process to be used to settle your car insurance claim and the update of your claim. This is according to the Oregon Insurance Division. Insurance carriers must respond to the car insurance claim that has been filed within 30 days. Insurance carriers must finish an investigation of a claim within forty five days, unless they need additional time.

Generally, insurance providers try to pay car insurance claims in a reasonable amount of time.

In some situation, the progress of the car insurance claim may become slow due to special cases or if a claim adjuster has an increased case load or extreme weather events.

If you would like to know more about car insurance claim in Hillsboro, Oregon you may contact the Oregon Insurance Division directly. To check if your insurance provider has any time limits with regards to car insurance claims beyond the Oregon state laws, read over your car insurance policy and check with both your insurance agent and the claims adjuster working on your claim.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My husband and I own two cars that are being used by our two teen children. Do we need to insure both kids if each of them is already assigned to each car at a rate much higher than we’re previously paying? Is it legally necessary for us to insure them even if they don’t have their own cars yet?

Melinda

Salem, OR

Adding all licensed drivers in your household to your auto insurance policy is usually a requirement of most insurance companies and is NOT a state law. You have the option to exclude other drivers in your household from your policy but if that person did drive your car, even in an emergency situation, coverages would not be extended to them. Be sure to let your Salem, OR insurance agent know about your situation.

The reason for this requirement is that in rating of an auto insurance policy, an insurer consider all resident operators of an insured vehicle, including your children, as risk factors that can affect your rates.

Due to the fact that teen-age drivers are inexperienced and more likely to get involved in accidents, insurance rates are high. However, as they gain experience and mature as drivers, your children’s rates should go down. You can ask your insurance company if discounts are available to help balance out the higher rate from insuring your children on your policy. In OR, a good student discount may be available through your insurer for children under the age of 25 who have good grades in school.

If your teen-age children do not have their own cars yet, the OR Division of Insurance notes that you have to make sure your insurer understands which cars they will be driving and whether it will be occasional or princi­pal use.

Tags: car insurance quotes, car insurance rate, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that the state law in Oregon can only go back 3 years on your record? Thanks

Tommy

Thank you for asking Tommy.

The Department of Motor Vehicles for Oregon maintains motorists driving records.all convictions for traffic violations and crimes, suspensions, revocations and cancellations of your driver’s license are all included in your driving record.

When deciding or determining your insurance rate, an insurance company can only use the last three years of your driving record according to the Oregon law.

If it has been more than 3 years since your last moving violator or accident, you may qualify for your premiums to be lowered. To get more information what exact Oregon law or statute is regarding your motor vehicle record being looked back at by insurance providers, try contacting the Insurance Division of the Oregon Consumer and Business Services.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I am a mailman and I got a DUI and Im required to get sr22. What do I need to do since I need to drive to work? Am I going to be covered by my company’s insurance while Im at work? Im in Salem Oregon, going to college……had way to much fun at a party and got in trouble :).

Gene

Thank you for asking Gene.

According to the Oregon DOT site an SR-22 is a certificate from an Oregon-licensed insurance company certifying that you have purchased liability insurance that meets the minimum required limits of coverage.

The OR DMV requires that your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate with DMV if, for example:

* You failed to provide proof to DMV that you have liability insurance,
* You’ve been convicted of driving without insurance,
* You’ve been involved in an uninsured accident,
* You are applying for a hardship or probationary permit, or
* At the time of reinstating your driving privileges following a DUII suspension.

It seems that Oregon State is requiring you to carry the SR-22 to reinstate your license after a DUII suspension. Oregon law requires you to keep a SR-22 in effect for 3 years from the ending date of a suspension which requires an SR-22 or for 3 years and 33 days from the date of a driving uninsured conviction.

As for your work, you will need to contact your employer’s insurance provider as well as your own insurance company to make sure you are properly covered for driving it with your current situation. You will need to check with them to get a definitive answer since insurance companies guidelines and terms of policies differ.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Q: What should I do in order to get low cost Salem OR SR22 insurance?

A: The single most important thing for anyone who wants low cost Salem SR22 insurance to do is take a good look at the market and the available prices that are in it before they commit to an insurance policy with a particular company. If you don’t, you will end up paying much more for your car insurance premium then you really need to be.

Most people will hunt for the best prices on a television set or a bag of rice, but it doesn’t occur to do the same when it comes to Salem SR22 insurance. But the truth is that you will lose a lot more money buying SR22 insurance from the wrong place than you will rice. As a matter of fact, failing to search among car insurance quotes for a good company could mean you will end up paying hundreds of dollars more than a better company would have given you.

Most people do pay more, but by shopping around you can avoid being a statistic. Get at least ten car insurance quotes from companies in your area, big and small, before you make your final decision.