Reader’s Question:

My best friend advised me to consider some things to get discounts when I subscribe to auto insurance policy. What specific things are of help for me to get discounts on auto insurance here in Houston, Texas?

Michael

Houston, TX

Discounts offered by auto insurance providers there in Houston , Texas usually depend on the features of the car their potential clients wish to include in the coverage of their auto insurance policy. In this case, I suggest that you choose to buy cars with features such as air bags and anti-lock brakes, which diminish chances of physical injuries during incidents of roadway collisions. Moreover, consider cars with anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locking device and car alarms that, on the other hand, reduce chances of theft.

Discount opportunities may also be granted to you when your auto insurance policy covers multiple cars and/or drivers. Some insurance providers also give discounts to their clients that already have at least five years subscription to their company.

However, insurance companies do have various experiences with their policyholders. And typically these companies attribute these experiences as potential leverage for their discount opportunities. Insurance providers have paid different claim payouts, thus, some may charge higher insurance premiums on particular insurance type and coverage while some charge lower. More often than not, insurers apply such instance on their discount offerings. Try to shop for at least three insurance quotes, so to speak, for you to have options to choose from.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am away from home for college and I want to get affordable car insurance here in Houston, Texas. How can I shop for car insurance while I am attending school?

Olson

Houston, TX

We know that car insurance can be costly, especially if you are a student who is on a tight budget. However, with some arrangement and research, you could get affordable car insurance while you are attending school in Houston, Texas. Like any other shopping, you have to shop around several car insurance providers so that you can compare each one of them and get the best deals on auto insurance for students. To be eligible for the most affordable rates and discounts, you have to continue to have good grades. Some auto insurance providers offer discounts if you have an average grade of B or higher.

I also suggest that you drive convenient, dependable cars that have good gas mileage. Keep in mind as well that sports car or other vehicles that are prone to theft would be more expensive to insure. Make sure that you have safety features in your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes and airbags because these could lower your insurance rates. If you have higher deductible on your car insurance, this will surely have lower premiums. Best of all, you need to be a safe driver and have a clean driving record because this will go a long way in maintaining a lower premiums while you’re a student.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I just usually depend on my husband regarding so many things including our car insurance here in Houston, Texas. I don’t know much about it so I wanna take time in going over some things in our policy. What are the basic things that I need to understand about our car insurance policy?

Neve

Houston, TX

It’s very important that you are familiar with the things that are included in your car insurance policy in Houston, Texas so that you know what to do in case of an accident; you understand what you are paying for; and also make sure that you are not over paying them. All vehicle owners have to be aware of the terms in your car insurance policy. You don’t have to wait for an accident to happen to find out that your auto liability insurance is not enough.

First of all, you need to know that if you want to reduce your annual insurance premium costs, you need to have a higher deductible. You also have to maintain a good credit rating so that your car insurance would not cost as high as drivers with bad credit. Also, if you combine other insurance coverage with the same insurance provider, such as home, life and health insurance policies, the insurance carrier may provide you a discount. You can also get rid of or say no to things such as road side assistance and other things that do not happen frequently especially of you know you could take care of them.

Tags: auto liability insurance, car insurance, car insurance policy

Reader’s Question:

I got a drunk driving charge here in Houston, Texas but the insurance policy is not under my name. Will the rates go up for the auto insurance policyholder?

Carina

Houston, TX

Yes, your drunk driving charge in Houston, Texas can have an effect on the rates of the policyholder if you’re a driver listed under the policy. The driving record of any licensed motorist on a policy or in a household could have an influence on the insurance rates as well as insurance provider’s choice to insure the automobile. Certain violations could cause an insurance company to turn you or the policyholder down for insurance coverage or to pay higher premiums.

A motorist with a bad driving record would be more of a risk for an insurance provider than a motorist with a clean driving record and thus their premiums are typically higher. The whole policy, therefore, could be affected by one motorist’s drunk driving charge or serious driving violation. If the policyholder’s insurance premiums increase because of your drunk driving charge, they might want to check if they can have a better rate so you can advise the policyholder to check online rates from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, drunk driving insurance

Reader’s Question:

I just moved here in Houston, Texas a few months back and I remembered being apprehended for DWI two years back when I was in Austin and now, I would be getting a new car insurance. Would my previous DUI record affect the cost of car insurance that I plan to get?

Mary

Houston, TX

Probably one major thing to ask is that, were you convicted or acquitted for DUI? This needs to be confirmed because if you have been convicted, this record will remain under your name for a long period of time even if you move to a different city. Houston, Texas has stricter DUI laws and this would definitely affect the kind of premiums you can get from insurance companies depending on the gravity of the offense you have committed.

Many people may have access to your DUI records, even for a long period of time after your conviction. Insurance companies may try to avoid people with prior DUI records. Even employment opportunities may also suffer because of this. DUI help in the form a legal professional is really important in dealing with such case. Lawyers or attorneys may be able to help you after a DUI conviction. Especially that there are stricter DWI laws here in Houston, Texas, DUI attorneys can help you expunge your DUI records. With conviction of DUI on your record, or even if you do not declare it on agreements and application forms, insurance companies still have access to such information and thus will give you higher premium options or refuse application as a worst case scenario. I was able to find an interesting deal in terms of auto insurance for people who are previously apprehended for DUI like me on this website.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI conviction, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My older sister was charged with DUI here in Houston, Texas and I heard my parent talking about a bail or something. What does this mean and does this involves money or I just thought so?

Joy

Houston, TX

In any criminal case, which includes those for DWI cases, the term bail is being used in a lot of recognizable senses such as security-cash or bond-that is given for the appearance for the person arrested for DWI, the bondsman and it could also refer to release the suspect. The first definition is the most common and must be employed for clarity. Admission to bail bond is the order of the court that the DWI suspect be discharged from custody upon bail. The discharge on bail is being accomplished by the acceptance by the court of security for the appearance of the suspect before a court for some part of the criminal proceeding.

In your sister’s DWI case in Houston, Texas, the bail is evidenced by a cognizance or bond that would ordinarily become a record of the court. The bond is in the nature of an agreement that is basically of that the state would release your sister from custody the sureties would undertake that she would appear at a specified time and place to answer the charge made against her. If she fails to appear, the sureties become the absolute debtor of the state for the amount of the bond.

Tags: bail bond, DWI, DWI lawyer, DWI trial

Reader’s Question:

What could be the elements that a person in Houston, Texas can be charged for DWI? How can they prove intoxication of the person while he was driving?

Archie

Houston, TX

A first offense for DWI in Houston, Texas is a Class B Misdemeanor and if we will legally define it, it would be a person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. The elements of DWI include that the person, on or about a particular date, was operating a motor vehicle in a public place, in a particular county, while intoxicated. The streets, highways, parking lot, beach, etc. are considered public places. “Intoxication” is the term used for prosecution of DWI cases and has been specifically defined by the Texas legislature.

There are three different ways that the State of Texas my prove intoxication. The first one is by not having the normal use of physical faculties. The second one is by not having the normal use of mental faculties and the third one is having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. It is very important to note that the law provides for intoxication through the introduction of any intoxicating substance into the body. It would not be a defense for DWI if the person has valid prescription for a substance.

Tags: blood alcohol content, drunk driving laws, DWI, DWI arrest, DWI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

It’s so bad that I was charged with DWI here in Houston, Texas. I gotta find the best lawyer, so how would I find the lawyer who could help me?

Max

Houston, TX

Selecting DWI lawyers may seem difficult at first and let me warn you that it’s not a good idea to hire the first lawyer that you meet. There are so many lawyers in Houston, Texas who don’t limit their practice in defending DWI and criminal cases and some of these lawyers only handle a few cases a year. Some lawyers may even be incompetent or inexperienced and don’t have much knowledge about DWI.

For you to be able to find the best lawyer, you must know some things that could help you narrow your search. You have to find out if the firm have lawyers who are highly experienced in defending DWI cases and these lawyers are those who limit their practice to DWI defense. The lawyer you would hire should also have access to the State’s most experienced expert witnesses on the forensic testing of breath and blood alcohol. You would also know if the lawyer is ethical if you ask him/her if they make promises as to the results that they can obtain. The answer should always be no, because specific results could not be predicted accurately. Lastly, I strongly suggest you not to hesitate to ask the lawyer if their firm would actually handle your DWI case or would sign you up and refer you to another firm or lawyer.

Tags: blood alcohol test, breath test, DWI, DWI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I heard that the Rhomberg balance test is used by police officers in Houston, Texas if they suspect that a driver is under the influence. How is this test being done and is this an accurate indicator of impairment?

Eden

Houston, TX

The Rhomberg balance test is an instrument used by police officers in Houston, Texas on drivers whom they suspect of DUI. But this test is considered to be designed for failure and the only purpose is to give the officer probable cause for the DUI arrest and evidence to support a drunk driving court case. The Rhomberg balance test is a non-standardized test which means that it is not recognized by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The result of this test holds less weight in court because the NHTSA has not found it to be an accurate indicator of physical and mental impairment.

During the Rhomberg balance test, the motorist is told to stand with his/her feet together, with head tilted back and eyes closed. He/she should estimate the passage of 30 seconds, then tilt the head forward, open his or her eyes, and say “stop.” If he/she overestimates a period of 30 seconds by counting too slowly, the officer would likely conclude that the driver is under the influence of alcohol. If he/she underestimates 30-second period by counting too quickly, the officer could conclude that the driver is under the influence of stimulants.

Tags: DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer, field sobriety tests

Reader’s Question:

I’m very much concerned about my job after being arrested for drunk driving in Houston, Texas and I fear that I might just be terminated or something. Shall I take the risk and tell my employer that I was recently charged with DUI?

Buck

Houston, TX

Many employers would not hire someone who has a drunk driving conviction in their driver’s history. Most companies go back a certain number of years to check a potential employee’s background. Since you are currently employed, I hate to tell you that a DUI conviction could end your employment. If your drunk driving arrest in Houston, Texas would be reported to your employer, you may either be suspended or terminated. I suggest that you check your employee handbook to see what it says about being arrested for any criminal charge. Some companies even periodically check’s a driver’s history of their employees.

The question of reporting an arrest for DUI is a very important issue that you need to address to your DUI attorney immediately. Do not disclose your DUI arrest with your employer until you have spoken to your DUI attorney. Your DUI attorney would give you the best advice possible on what you should do after your DUI arrest. You have to be knowledgeable on your rights and obligations before risking immediate termination because of your DUI arrest.

Tags: DUI, DUI advice, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer