Car Insurance For New Driver In Illinois

Reader’s Question:

As a new driver here in Illinois, how would I determine the amount of car insurance that I need?

Savion

Cicero, IL

When you are shopping for car insurance for new driver in Illinois, there are a lot of coverage plans that are available for you. Most of them are required by the state and some are just additional types of coverage. Some would also tell you that you have to increase your deductible so that you can save some money. Some may advise you to lessen your liability coverage, but this could be risky. To determine the amount of car insurance for new driver, you have to know what options are available for you.

In Illinois, it is required that you get liability coverage that includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability would pay for the medical expenses of the other driver and his/her passengers if you cause an accident. Property damage liability would cover the expenses to repair the other driver’s car if you cause an accident. This would also cover expenses for any damages that may incur to other properties such as mailbox, fence, etc.

You also have to take note that in Illinois, you are required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that will cover in case you get hit by a driver that is not insured or does not have enough insurance. Also, as a new driver, if you have a new car as well, it is highly recommended that you get collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision would pay for the damages to your car if you get hit by another car and comprehensive would pay for the damages caused by natural things such as storm and fire.

Will PIP Car Insurance in Illinois Cover Medical Expenses?

Reader’s Question:

I have health insurance as well as car insurance for my vehicle here in Illinois. In case I get into an accident, how would I know which policy will give the best protection?

Lachlan

Cicero, IL

A lot of people purchase health insurance as well as auto insurance if you own an automobile. In case you get into an accident in Illinois, you have to know which of those policies will give you the kind of coverage you need. First of all, you have to be aware if you have “Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury” in your auto insurance policy and make sure you are familiar with what it does. This coverage would set a limit on the utmost cost of payment for every person, every injury and every accident. In case that the limit is not enough, your health insurance would surely give coverage for the outstanding costs.

In case you have “Personal Injury Protection” (PIP), this will cover for medical, hospital and funeral costs in any automobile collisions. In general, anyone who is involved in the accident will be covered, including other parties. This type of coverage is particularly intended for those drivers who don’t have health insurance. So if you have this coverage, you won’t need you health insurance in case of any accident. But since you also bought health insurance, you could get rid of the PIP coverage. Another reason to drop that coverage is that PIP is not required in the state of Illinois.

Drunk Driving in Illinois? Avoid Conviction!

Reader’s Question:

I have so many friends here in Cicero, Illinois who often drive drunk and I’m just afraid they might get into an accident and face DUI. How would I approach someone I know who is too drunk to drive?

Dahlia

Cicero, IL

Approaching a friend who is trying to drive drunk is one of the hardest things to do. But you can definitely intervene to avoid an accident and a DUI charge in Cicero, Illinois. You can try the direct approach, but this would probably not work with a friend who is very drunk, but it won’t hurt to try. You can ask for your friend’s keys and offer to drive or call a cab. Sometimes it would just take someone pointing out the obvious for the person to admit the problem.

You may also offer a diversion by suggesting you grab a bite to eat before heading home. This would work best if there is a place to get food within walking distance, but if not, you can still offer to drive. The food that you eat could sober your friend up, or at least provide you more time to convince him not to drive home. You can also try to explain to your friend the penalties that would be involved if he will be caught drunk driving, such as fines, possible jail time, probation, etc. DUI can also have an adverse effect on his auto insurance as it will definitely go up. Worse, he might just have someone injured or killed and he could also probably kill himself if he gets into an accident caused by drunk driving.

Illinois DUI Conviction – How Long Will It Stay On My Record?

Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI stay on record for the states of Michigan and Illinois? Does it reflect on my criminal record?

Joshua

Cicero, IL

Most traffic violation in Michigan stays on your record for at least 7 years. But, certain convictions and licensing actions remain on your driving record for at least 10 years. The same is true for alcohol violations which remain on your record for a minimum of 10 years. Fatality remains in you driving permanently in Michigan.

According to the Illinois the IL Secretary of State (SOS), moving violations remain on a driver’s record for 4 to 5years from the date of conviction. The information on the ticket will be carried on your driving record for a minimum of 7 years from the date of reinstatement if such ticket forms the basis for suspension or revocation of your license. DUI remain on a driver’s record for a lifetime in Illinois.

See with the various state’s courts to know how long these types of records will remain on your record and whether DUI is criminal or not.