Rental Car Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I have just gotten into a serious accident and currently in the process of replacing my car. I’m not quite sure if I have rental car coverage on my auto insurance here in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Would it be advisable to just rent a car or just take public transportation in the mean time?

Billy

Oak Lawn, IL

You need to move forward and get going after you had a serious accident. Make sure that you perfectly understand the coverage that you have on your car insurance in Oak Lawn, Illinois. To find out for sure if you have a rental car coverage on your policy, grasp the nettle and get in touch with your car insurance provider or talk to your insurance agent. They would be able to tell you specifically what your car insurance policy covers. You may also go over the copy of the insurance policy and review the details to determine if you have rental car coverage.

Renting a car than taking public transportation if you have rental car coverage would be so much sensible until you have your car replaced. You have to rent the finest vehicle that your insurance coverage lets you. Depending on your car insurance policy, the rental car you get could not be as nice as the one that you own. Nevertheless, you will not be marooned at home or cause trouble to your friends for rides in the course of getting a replacement car. Before you rent a car, make sure that you talk to your insurance agent first because you could still be responsible for collision damage to the rental vehicle.

Non-Owners SR22 Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I no longer have a vehicle but my insurance agent friend here in Illinois says I might still need to carry an SR22 since I will still be driving a different vehicle. What is it and what should I do?

Gary

Palatine, IL

Hello Gary, under the financial responsibility laws of Illinois, anyone who have been caught driving under the influence (DUI), proven at-fault in a car accident or has accumulated any number of moving violations severe enough to have his or her license suspended and lose car insurance coverage, would be required to file an SR-22 form. An SR-22 is proof of financial capability of a driver to compensate for any damages or injury he or she may cause to another person or property (the required coverage should not fall below the state required minimum limits).

Even if you would not be driving your own vehicle for a while, you will still be required to maintain an SR-22 for at least a couple of years to make sure you’re still carrying adequate liability insurance under a Non-owners SR-22. Please take note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle your driving is covered for any damages or loss it may incur. This type of insurance only covers liability from injury or damages.

You may want to purchase a Non-owners insurance policy if you would like to protect the vehicle you will be driving there in Palatine, IL. This is different since an SR-22 covers other people from damages or injuries you caused while a Non-owners Insurance policy works the other way around.

Teen Driver Car Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

My husband and I are going through divorce and we have a teenage son. We don’t know yet as to who will have his custody. He already has his license and uses my car all the time. What happens if I don’t list him in my car insurance policy in Illinois?

Nina

Schaumburg, IL

If you do not list your teenage son in your car insurance policy Schaumburg, Illinois, you have to be prepared for the potential consequences. Your car insurance policy can be cancelled, non-renewed or you may have surcharges because of that. Some car insurance providers would drop your insurance policy for misrepresentation if do not list your son at the time of the application process or when he gets his driver’s license. Since your teenage son has access to your vehicle, you may be required to list him on your car insurance policy.

If your state lets insurance companies to void policies for misrepresentation, not listing your teenage son on your insurance policy could be a huge mistake. If he gets into an accident and you file a claim, your insurance provider can void your insurance policy since you failed to let them know about your teenage son. If you are not sure if your teenage son is properly covered, get in touch with your insurance agent or your car insurance company.

Modified Car Insurance Quotes in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

Why would car insurance companies look at it differently if I modify my car here in Illinois? Will my insurance rates go up once I decide to do that?

Terrence

Champaign, IL

Car insurance companies might look at it differently if you modify your car there in Illinois. Even something that is basic as a modification of the body would leave one considering the connotations that would come from the changes, such as the way the vehicle looks like on the roads and how it would be considered by other drivers. Your current car insurance company might not give coverage for a modified car, especially at the time of a collision. You have to talk with your car insurance agent first if you’d like to modify your vehicle and discuss the probabilities that could come from such actions.

On the other hand, your car insurance company may also still be willing to give coverage for an additional protection at a justifiable rate. Car insurance policies and premium rates are different from one company to another, but in most cases, there are several policies that could consider any type of modifications you make to a car’s overall worth. Some car insurance providers could charge you a whole lot more so it’s in your best interest to find other companies and check if they could give you premiums that cost less than others do.

Illinois SR22 Auto Insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI conviction here in  Illinois and my license has been revoked. I’m getting ready to get my license back and I was advised by a friend that I need to file SR22 auto insurance. Is this some type of insurance policy?

Oscar

Naperville, IL

Since your driver’s license has been revoked because of your DUI conviction in Naperville, Illinois, you need to file an SR22 auto insurance to get your license reinstated. SR22 is not an auto insurance policy, but rather it is a type of rider that is added to an Illinois insurance policy. It is a form from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that shows that a driver has auto insurance. This is a document required as proof of financial responsibility under Illinois state law for persons convicted for DUI. This is simply a form which must be filed by the insurance company stating that auto liability insurance is in effect for a certain individual.

You can check with your insurance company first if they do offer SR22 auto insurance. That way, you can simply add SR22 to your insurance policy. If not, you need to contact an insurance agent to buy liability insurance to get SR22 from another insurance company. Ask the agent for SR22 form once you have committed to purchasing a policy. You need to take the form to the Illinois DMV and this can be done personally.

Teen Driver Car Insurance With DUI in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

My 20-year old teenager son just received a DUI in Illinois for the first time. How will this affect my insurance rate and his since his insurance is also under my policy with him as driver?

Pam

Chicago, IL

Too bad for you, but DUI is a serious offense in Illinois and is classified as a violent crime. Unfortunately, this offense will permanently remain on his driving record. He may lose his driving privileges and can either be imprisoned or fined.

This offense is also taken very seriously by any insurance company since the driver becomes a risk to them compared to a person with a clean driving record. This would likely increase his rate which can affect the whole policy, including your premium rates.

A DUI can subject yours to high-risk auto insurance rates for three years according to the Illinois Secretary of State. The IL SOS DUI Fact Book states that high risk insurance for a driver convicted of DUI averages an additional $1500 per year!

However, since insurance companies rating systems are not the same, it is better that you find out more from your insurance agent as to how much the increase will be and for how long.