Reader’s Question:

Kathleen of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I just had a minor accident a few weeks ago. The whole repair process was horrendous. My auto insurance company has designated body shops. Is it advisable to use their designated body shops?

Kathleen

Bridgeport, CT

Hello, Kathleen. I am familiar with the arduous routine that follows when you need to have your car fixed. After the experiencing the shock of having a road accident, you will deal with the trauma of having it repaired. First, remember that your auto insurance can not and should not force you to pick one of their designated shops. And also, check to make sure that the repair cost is not cheaper than your deductible. Otherwise, you are essentially paying for the repair.

There are benefits, though, if you go with one of their designated shops in your area (Bridgeport, CT). Insurance companies have devised this designated body shop program to lessen the inconvenience of having an insured car repaired. Studies have shown that after going through the process of having a car repaired (arranging to have the car towed, obtaining repair estimates, choosing a body shop, looking for a rental car, etc), people would usually want to change their auto insurance company. If you choose a designated repair shop, the tedious process mentioned above will be minimized if not eradicated. The object of designated repair shops is to improve customer satisfaction, so that the policy holder won’t think of cancelling the policy. Of course, the auto insurance companies get discounts from these shops. They get their discounts, you get convenience.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know how long does a driving infraction stay on your record in the state of Connecticut?

Lance

Waterbury, CT

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) representative states that, minor violations stay on your record for three (3) years based on the date the court reports to them. Some major infractions though, such as a DUI, may stay active it stays on your record for a longer period of time, up to ten years in fact.

They Connecticut DMV also notes that out of state infractions are only reported to them if you fail to pay the traffic ticket. So it would appear that out of state infractions would not be placed on your Connecticut driver’s record or assigned points if you properly take care of the violation.

Reader’s Question:

I live in Stamford, Connecticut, How long does a DUI stay on your driving record in my state?

Dan

Stamford, CT

According to the Connecticut Department of motor vehicles records of traffic infractions on driving histories are maintained for 3 years for most violations, although some serious infractions may stay active on the driving history for 10 years.

It would appear that a DUI stays on your Connecticut driving record for the full ten years. Since state statutes can change over time you may want to contact the CT Department of Motor Vehicle to find out for certain the number of years a Driving Under the Influence conviction will remain on your driving record.

Reader question:

I have had my New Haven Connecticut SR22 policy for a year, and it’s time for my policy to renew. Am I better off sticking with the same company so that I can get a consistent customer discount, or should I start looking again?

Grace

Thanks for asking, Grace.

While it’s true that many New Haven Connecticut SR22 insurance companies do offer small discounts to long time policy holders, especially those with good driving records, it’s also true that these discounts are nowhere near large enough to make up for the differences in insurance rates among different car insurance companies. I am not saying that the company you have now is not the best: it may be, but you don’t know until you look. You are under no obligation to leave, just look up quotes.

It should be a habit for you to check on New Haven Connecticut SR22 car insurance quotes anytime you are ready to have your policy renewed. Rates change wildly within just a year or 6 months time, so you can gt big savings. You should also step out and look around if some change in your life occurs which could affect your premium, like getting married or buying a new SUV.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Reader question:

I sort of understand Hartford Connecticut SR22 insurance for non owner drivers, but let me see if I get it straight: it’s a kind of policy, right, that you get when you don’t own a car and it covers you so you can get your license back, but you can only get basic insurance? So why is it so expensive?

Laurel

Great question, Laurel.

I’ll add a few mor details to your already excellent description. Yes, the Hartford Connecticut SR22 non owner driver insurance only gives liability coverage, and it only covers you while driving cars which you do not own. The insurance attached to the car kicks in first in the case of the accident, and then your own insurance if the owner’s is insufficient, or if the owner was not insured at all.

Now, as to why the Hartford Connecticut SR22 non owner insurance policy is so expensive. You forget that his kind of policy is missing in its rating process the most important tool of them all: the vehicle. They cannot rate the vehicle you drive the most often, nor the one you usually drive, or intend on driving. They can’t rate any of these vehicles at all. So, they have to assume that you are going to be driving a vehicle that is more risky than the rest, and there you go.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Reader question:

What is the minimum coverage I MUST pay for in order to get a Connecticut SR22 insurance policy?

Jane

Glad you asked, Jane.

If you live and drive in Connecticut, and especially if you happen to have had your license suspended meaning you have to file a Connecticut SR22 form, then you need to have liability coverage on your vehicle (or for yourself if you don’t own your own vehicle). Here are the amounts of liability coverage required:

• Bodily injury liability: covers death and recovery expenses, medical costs, etc., for victim of crash (i.e. not you nor anyone in your vehicle)
  • $40,000 per accident
  • $20,000 per person
• Property damage liability: covers any problems caused to property, such as vehicle or fence, etc.
  • $10,000

Now, if you want to go beyond just the liability insurance, you can also get a Connecticut SR22 policy with comprehensive and collision insurance coverages. Comprehensive provides you with coverage if your car is stolen or vanadalized, and collision gives you coverage if you crash your car and it is your fault.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Reader question:

I am not a frequent driver. My car is kind of a crap job, and I live close to a bus station, so I avoid it as much as possible. Last time I drove, I got in trouble, and now I’m supposed to purchase Bridgeport Connecticut SR22 insurance to reinstate my license. Like I said, I don’t drive much, but when I do drive, I really need my car. I just don’t want to be paying a hundred something dollars for only 2 days of driving a month, though, you know. What can I do?

Baxter

Great question.

I have several solutions for you which will allow you to get a Bridgeport Connecticut SR22 auto insurance policy for what I am sure is a cheaper price than what you anticipated. One is a discount, and the other is pretty much common sense, and from your question I can figure out that it’s likely that you already qualify for both of them. Here you go.

• Throw some coverage overboard.

With a car that you describe as a crap job, you don’t need a Bridgeport Connecticut SR22 policy which overinsures the thing. Any car that is worth less than $2k? As much coverage as possible has to go. Toss it until you arrive at the minimum, and you’ll save tons.

• Ask for the low mileage discount.

Unless you are driving a thousand miles a day during those two days a month that you drive, you probably can get a low mileage discount on your policy. Most companies give these out to customers who drive ten thousand miles or less in a year.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.