Reader’s Question:

Will my car insurance policy number be the same if I have more than one vehicle in North Kona?

Bill

North Kona, HI

Yes, if all of the vehicles are on the same car insurance policy then even though there are multiple vehicles there will be only one auto insurance policy number. Normally you will be issued an auto insurance card for each car to carry with you and show to police officer if requested to do so.

Typically, each insurance card will have policy holder(s) name, the policy number, description of the vehicle and its vehicle identification number (VIN) on it. So while all of your vehicles are under the same car insurance policy number the insurance cards will differentiate between them all and list the vehicle that the insurance card is for on it.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

What happens when my vehicle windscreen gets broken and the stereo and other personal items inside my car gets stolen in Honolulu. Is this still be under my car insurance policy?

Frank

Honolulu, HI

The broken windscreen or windshield in your vehicle would normally be covered by comprehensive insurance policy though the personal belongings stolen from a car are usually not covered by car insurance policy but instead by a person’s renters or homeowner’s insurance.

Since I do not know the specifics of your auto insurance policies I am unable to tell you which coverages would cover this theft situation but your car insurance agent that knows the particulars of your policy and coverages can inform you how to make claims for your vehicle being broken into and your stereo and other personal items being taken in Honolulu HI.

Tags: auto insurance, homeowners insurance

Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI remain on your driving record and impact your auto insurance rates in Pearl City Hawaii? I got a DUI about 6 years ago and my insurance rates never went up. I’m now planning on moving and obtaining new insurance. Will I my new insurance be affected by that DUI from 6 years ago?

Rachel

Pearl City, Hawaii (HI)

The Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicle site does not list how long a DUI remains on your driving record but I suggest that you contact the Traffic Violations Bureau at (808) 538-5500 for driving history information. As for insurance carriers they can go back three, five or seven years usually to check your Motor Vehicle Record and rate your car insurance policy.

Some states may have limits on the length of years an insurance carrier can look back, so verify with the Department of Insurance for the state in which you are moving to to verify what their regulations are regarding this concern.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

What is the first thing to do after I get my first moving ticket in Pearl City Hawaii?

Marx

Pearl City, HI

After receiving a traffic ticket in Pearl City Hawaii you will need to follow the instructions on the citation that you receive, which might include contacting the traffic court. By contacting the court clerk you should be able to know what your options are with regards the traffic ticket. A driver typically determines if they want to pay the traffic ticket and admit guilt or contest the ticket and not admit guilt.

If you don’t admit guilt and the courts agree with that evaluation, then your auto insurance won’t be affected. If the court instead agrees that the police officer giving you the traffic ticket was in the right, you will have to pay the the fine, court fees, and have the violation put on your driving record which could affect your auto insurance rate.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, car insurance cost, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

What is the law for Hawaii no insurance and if it is your 1st or 2nd offense in Koolaupoko? Am I going to jail? My 3rd offense was an accident.

Uma

Koolaupoko, HI

Driving without insurance in Koolaupoko and in any part of Hawaii typically results in heavy fines such as $1000 for the first offence and up to $3000 for the 2nd offense. Other penalties may include imprisonment and suspension of your driver’s license. If the last violation was due to an accident the penalties are likely to be quite harsh.

As you know the mandatory amount of auto insurance on a vehicle in Hawaii is $20,000/$40,000 bodily injury liability and $10,000 for property damage liability plus PIP of $10,000. If you do not have this insurance on your car you are required to surrender the registration certificate and license plates and will not be able to drive the car.

To verify what penalties you are likely to get for your latest violation contact the number listed on your citation or even perhaps your local DMV.

Tags: auto insurance, car, driving without insurance

Reader’s Question:

Recently I was stopped by the police officer in Ewa, Hawaii for an expired registration. My car was towed and I was given a ticket. I would like to know how often is it that the police officers will tow your vehicle for an expired registration?

Jeff

Ewa, HI

There are some state laws that indeed permit for a police officer to tow away a car if they find it without valid registration. Hawaii, and other states such as Texas, Utah, and New Jersey are just a few of these states that permit for the impounding of a car with expired registration.

I am not sure on specific information about how often cars are towed for this offense in Ewa, HI. For your state’s statistics regarding the impounding of cars you could contact your DMV or perhaps Highway Patrol. In most state or local laws it might not be mandatory towing but instead up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer. If that is the case it might be determined by if the law enforcement officer has the time to oversee the impoundment of the car or is called to an incident elsewhere if a vehicle is towed for the offense.

Tags: automobile, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I live in Koolaupoko, HI and have just been recently involved in a car accident. I think the vehicle will be declared a total loss but I would like to know is, how soon can I remove the total loss car from my insurance policy?

Pam

Koolaupoko, HI

Most insurance carriers will advise you that you should not remove a total loss car from your insurance policy until you are no longer using a rental car and your damaged car is no longer registered under your name. The car is usually no longer in your name at the end of the process of insurance settlement when you sign over the title to the insurance carrier and receive your check for the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle.

In many states, an insurance company will be able to remove the vehicle from your policy retroactive to the accident date when you are ready to take it off of your policy. You should discuss with your insurance provider at what point they would advise you to remove your coverages from the totaled car and if they can make the cancellation retroactive or not.

To know more about your total loss car or claims procedures you can speak with the insurance adjuster working your claim or you may try contacting the consumer division of the Hawaii Insurance Department.

Tags: automobile, car, car insurance, insurance

Reader’s Question:

What are the advantages of purchasing Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage in Hawaii? I live in Ewa, HI.

Mark

Ewa, HI

The minimum mandatory insurance coverage in Hawaii includes bodily injury liability of $20,000 up to $40,000 per accident and a $10,000 per property damage liability.

Hawaii insurance companies also offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverages to policyholders of auto insurance. You may buy a minimum of $20,000 per person of UM and/or UIM coverages. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for serious injuries or death if the motorist at fault does not have insurance or in case of a hit and run accident. Underinsured motorist coverage pays if the motorist at fault does not have enough auto insurance.

UM and UIM insurance coverage advantages are in the added protection you get. This is different with bodily injury liability coverage which covers the other driver if you are at fault. Bodily injury liability insurance takes care of injuries to other party that you are responsible for, while uninsured and underinsured motorist pays for any serious injuries if the other party was uninsured or underinsured for your injuries.

Tags: autos, car, car insurance, insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am a divorced 59 year old lady. I have had 1 ticket within at least 20 years and I have a very low income. My daughter just gave me a 1987 Honda civic. I am currently unemployment and looking for job.What is the most affordable insurance I can get.? I am an AARP member.

Molly

Honolulu, HI

If you have had only 1 ticket within twenty years and have a good driving record besides that you should be in good standing to get cheap auto insurance. Having an older vehicle, the 1987 Honda Civic, can also assist you with your car insurance rates.

Some insurance companies can offer you a cheap car insurance quote if you will either contact them or go through online. You may enter your zip code on the box provided in this page to get a free quote in your area.

Make sure you mention your AARP membership, see if you quality for a safe driver discount or other discounts that may be available for you so that you can get quote the cheapest insurance for Hawaii AARP car insurance or elsewhere.

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that now I will have to pay the full year premium in advance to restore the insurance just because my auto insurance was cancelled for non-payment? I live in Hawaii.

Pink

Honolulu, HI

It will depend upon the underwriting rules of the insurance provider in Hawaii you are trying to get insurance with if you will be required to pay in full for your next car insurance policy.

Additionally, it matters if the state requires you to file a financial requirement filing. Most states require a six month paid in full if you have permitted your insurance to lapse. This is called an SR22s in most states.

Another factors that will likely play a part in the decision of an Hawaii insurance carrier and if you will have to pay for a full year’s policy in advance would be the length of time of your insurance lapse after your cancellation due to non-payment and if there were any losses since the cancellation date. For instance, some insurance company will usually reinstate a policy that has cancelled because of non-payment - as long as the lapse in coverage has been less than thirty days, and there have been no losses.