Rental Vehicle Auto Insurance in Illinois – Do I Need It?

Reader’s Question:

What kind of insurance is available if I decide to rent a vehicle for my vacation here in Illinois?

Patrick

Elgin, IL

There are a few kinds of insurance coverage one can choose from while driving a rental vehicle: Rental Vehicle Insurance Coverage that may be found under an existing car insurance policy, rental auto insurance that is provided by the car rental company separately, and third party insurance coverage such as those offered by Credit Card companies in special instances. It is best that you understand how each is different from the other so that you don’t end up paying for redundant insurance protection while renting a car there in Illinois.

Rental Vehicle Insurance Coverage
Most auto insurance policies come with auto insurance coverage for driers who will be using another vehicle such as commercial rental vehicles. Some policies even extend the same level of insurance coverage to the rented vehicle as they do on your own vehicle. Do find out exactly what type of terms and provisions for rental vehicle insurance that is listed under your policy since some only extend coverage if the rented vehicle is for recreational purposes and not for business use.

Car Rental Insurance
This is good only if you really don’t have any auto insurance on your own. This simplifies facilitating claims for loss or damage on a rented vehicle but may come out expensive since it is charged on a daily rate.

Third Party Auto Insurance
See if your credit card company has any type of accident insurance if they are used to pay for car rental services. This can come in very handy in saving you unnecessary insurance expenses.

DUI Consequences in Illinois If Convicted?

Reader’s Question:

We are afraid but we are doing everything for my sister so that she won’t get convicted on her DUI case here in Elgin, Illinois. What could she be facing if she will be convicted?

Jake

Elgin, IL

There are a lot of consequences that could flow from your sister’s DUI case in Elgin, Illinois if she gets convicted. Loss of her driver’s license is the one on top of the list. She may also pay heavy fines, court costs and extensive administrative fees. She may also be on probation, serve time in jail state prison; her vehicle could be impounded or forfeited. She may also install an ignition interlock device on her car. She has to remember that DUI laws are strict, the prosecutors and the courts often act without mercy or discretion and the penalties are harsh.

Aside from the obvious legal consequences of dealing with the law enforcement, the courts, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), there are also practical consequences that often flow from a DUI arrest or conviction. DUI is a crime and a DUI conviction will give your sister a permanent “criminal” record. She can lose her job or be prevented certain future employment, especially if it is state job, law enforcement-associated or involves driving. A DUI conviction can also cause her insurance rates to skyrocket and insurance companies sometimes will cancel her coverage altogether. If that happens, your sister can definitely get an online rate quote for her car insurance from this website.

Tags: car insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties

Illinois Blood Alcohol Test – Do You Refuse?

Reader’s Question:

I have heard from someone that Kane County, Illinois is implementing a no-refusal weekend with regard to blood alcohol testing for people suspected of driving under the influence. What that this mean and how helpful would this be in the prevention of DUI?

Lucy

Elgin, IL

Kane County, Illinois officials say that people suspected of driving under the influence will only have the choice to either voluntarily have their blood alcohol content measured by urine, blood or breath test or they will have their blood drawn involuntarily.

The Kane County’s State’s Attorney recently announced the No Refusal Weekend but did not answer questions about what weekend the forced blood draws will occur. Search warrants have been written in advance in preparation for No Refusal weekend. Police officers would only have to fill in specific details in each DUI case and have an assistant state’s attorney review it before it is signed by a judge. The Kane County Health Department would supply phlebotomists to do the blood draws.

Officials are also optimistic that when faced with an order for an involuntary blood draw, most DUI suspects would agree to take a breath test instead and that more DUI suspects would take plea deals rather than go to trial.