My DUI conviction here in Houston two years ago had a negative effect on my car insurance. How long will it stay high and what can I do to have lower car insurance?

Gary

Houston, TX

The amount of time that your DUI can affect your car insurance rates in Houston depends on the guiding principles of your car insurance provider and the regulations of the state you live in. Different states have different laws regarding how long a DUI or DWI stays on your driving record. It could stay on your motor vehicle record (MVR) for as short as a few years to as long as 10 years depending on the state and the conditions concerning your DUI conviction. As long as your alcohol-related offense stays on your MVR, it is most probably to have an effect on your car insurance premiums.

Every car insurance carrier has their own means of assessing and rating drivers. To determine the amount of time your DUI will remain on your MVR, you can get in touch with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and to determine how long your present car insurance carrier would continue to give higher premium, get in touch with your car insurance agent.

To lower the payment for your car insurance, you have to shop around the car insurance market. You will discover that even if you have a serious DUI offense two years ago, there are other car insurance companies that can offer you reasonable fees for your coverage. You can do this by simply going online and visiting car insurance comparison quotes Websites. You can collect different car insurance quotes from them and choose the best one that has lower rates than what you pay right now.

Are there any real advantages to getting my car insurance policy over the Internet as compared to buying it from an insurance broker or directly from an agent?

Yoshi

Houston, TX

Yes, although the Internet does not have exclusivity when it comes to the best car insurance deals it does make it far easier for many people to find the best car insurance rates available. Here are five (5) reasons to consider buying car insurance online:

1. Get the Latest Rates – Insurance comparison websites (like this one) has made it possible for anyone to get access to the latest car insurance rates inn the market, without the need to contact different agents or consult a broker. You only have to put some basic information in (e.g. age, gender, type of vehicle, location, etc.) in order to find out about the best-priced offers out there.

2. Have More Companies to Compare – Another great thing about the Internet (and insurance comparison websites) is that you actually get to compare offers from a wide-variety of insurers simultaneously. This can significantly increase your chances of finding the best-priced policies out there.

3. Save (a Lot of) Time – With comparison websites you can cut-down the amount of time you spend having to shop and compare for the best deals online.

4. Independent Rating Agencies – Companies like A.M. Best and J.D. Powers give car insurance rating information which will help you find the best (and worst) performing companies in your area. This can be quite useful in determining which insurers you should go with.

5. Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Provides a level of transparency concerning the track record of businesses (insurers) in your area. The BBB website can give you valuable insight about the insurers your interested in.

My teen daughter already got her license and I’m adding her up to our car insurance here in Houston, Texas. What exactly do I need to do to ensure that I won’t have a sky high car insurance rates increase?

Cale

Houston, TX

I have to be frank with you that the car insurance rates for your teen daughter will not exactly be as cheap as you want them to be. However, it is a great idea that you just want to add her up to your existing car insurance policy there in Houston, Texas. You could be able to ask your car insurance provider if they can offer you discount for being a good driver and for having multiple cars under one policy since you are adding up your teen daughter. They can also be able to offer your daughter a good student discount if she has an average of at least 3.0 in school. This kind of discount is intended for teenagers to young adults aged 23-25. So in some instances, it will be a great idea for you to include your daughter in your car insurance policy.

If you are planning to buy a car for your teen daughter, you may opt to get older model cars because they normally cost less to insure since their parts are not too costly. This means lower risk of the car insurance company so you will have lower cost car insurance premiums. So in case you decide to get an older vehicle, you may opt not to get comprehensive and collision coverage so that your car insurance rates would be cheaper.

It’s my first time to buy car insurance of my own here in Houston, Texas and I need some help to get lower rates. What are the things that I can do to help me lessen the premiums that I would pay for my car insurance?

Lance

Houston, TX

A car insurance company considers a lot of issues to determine your car insurance rates in Houston, Texas. Some of these factors include your age, the state where you reside, your driving history, etc. Even though you couldn’t do so much on these things, that are still some ways to get lower rates on your car insurance. Here are some suggestions of the things that you could do to help you lessen your premiums:

–Get higher deductible.
–Do away with non-compulsory coverage such as rental car insurance, towing and labor, etc.
–Get rid of comprehensive and collision coverage if you have an older vehicle which is worth less than $1,000, especially if you can manage to pay for repairs if needed.
–Make sure that you could get all the discounts that you are entitled to such as discounts for safety features on your vehicle.
–Maintain an unblemished driving history to avoid being in the higher risk category of drivers.
–Keep away from purchasing a car that is more likely to be stolen or would cost too much to repair.
–Always keep in mind that it is very important to shop around for your car insurance coverage. Car insurance rates for the same coverage on the same vehicle could vary greatly among various insurance companies.