Reader’s Question:

Can I purchase auto insurance without a Social Security number in Arizona?

Patrick

Chandler, AZ

Yes, you can purchase car insurance in Arizona without a SSN but insurance providers will require you to have a US driver’s license which depending upon state laws in which you reside in, you may be required to have a social security number in order to get a license.

There are controversies over the use of credit scores for insurance rating, however the bottom line is that insurance providers have not been able to find a better indicator of risk factors other than using a simple credit-based insurance score along with the other factors that can affect auto insurance rate. It is not less controversial than the use of marital status or sex and even age as a factor. Each of these factors have come under public scrutiny as biased and a form of profiling. Insurance providers are trying to assign an insurance rate to a risk pool. They work hard to determine risks and assist the pool by having those contributors pay their equal share.

Reader’s Question:

My auto insurance has been canceled in the past due to non-payment, am I required to pay the entire car insurance premium up front?

Jim

Gilbert, AZ

You might have to pay your whole auto insurance up front, instead of financing or making payments along the way, if you have had a lapse of coverage. This will depend upon the underwriting rules of the car insurance company you are trying to get insurance with and if you will be required to make a payment in full for your next car insurance policy.

You may in fact be required in Arizona to pay in full and have your car insurance agent file a financial requirement certificate or SR22. Some states require a six month paid in full if you have allowed your car insurance to lapse. The Financial Responsibility certificate is referred to as an SR22 in Arizona.

Reader’s Question:

I am over 60 years old and retired. Should I get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage? My insurance agent said that I don’t need it because I am retired and have Medicare. What do you think I should do? I live in Tucson Arizona.

George

Tucson, AZ

The best way is to purchase as much insurance as you can afford. It may not be easy to decide about such “extras” as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, especially if your insurance broker in Tucson Arizona has given you an advice already. From what you have said, I would keep the coverage. Usually its premium is a small portion of your total premium.

Like all insurance policy, you wish you had more only when you need it.

I would recommend contacting the Arizona Department of Insurance consumer division for car insurance. Having the Arizona state facts about how often this type of insurance is needed at their fingertips, they should assist you make your final decision regarding this type of coverage.

Reader’s Question:

Can I drive out-of-state with a Restricted License or Conditional license?

Jamie

Phoenix, AZ

If you have a restricted or conditional license because to your main full driving privileges being suspended or revoked, then normally there are limitations to where and when you can operate the vehicle. Each state has different rules and guidelines for where you can go with a restricted license.

For instance in Arizona you can only go between your place of employment and your place of residence during specified period of time, secondary or post secondary school according to your educational schedule, treatment facility and office of your probation officer, office of a physician.

If you have a conditional or restricted license and need to drive out of state you will need to check with your Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles to to verify if you can do so. If it is for work, school or an emergency, likely the limitations on your license will not permit you to do so.

Reader’s Question:

Do I need a car insurance first before I can get a license? I live in Glendale, Arizona.

Miranda

Glendale, AZ

According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, to apply for a driver’s license if you are currently licensed in another state, you should bring in your out-of-state driver license and one other form of identification, take the vision test, and pay the appropriate fee. There is no written test required.

The Arizona MVD does not say that proof of auto insurance is required to get a driver’s license. Normally, if you are taking a road test as part of your licensing process though you will need to show proof of insurance for the car before the driving on the roadways with the tester.

I is required in Arizona that every motor vehicle operated on roadways be covered by one of the statutory forms of financial responsibility, more commonly called liability insurance, through a insurer that is authorized to do business in Arizona.

Reader’s Question:

I registered my car in Arizona but they told me that I had to have an sr22 because of my lapse in car insurance. I thought sr22 in only used for dui or traffic violations. Do I really need an sr22 for insurance lapse?

Andrea

Chandler, AZ

It is possible to require an sr22 for insurance lapse in Arizona. Sometimes, an sr22 is required as a result of a DUI or multiple moving violations. in Arizona, however, the state is notified by your old insurance provider if your insurance policy is no longer active. The state will then send you a notice for you to give them proof of your car insurance policy. If you fail to show this proof your driver’s license and/or your registration will be suspended in Arizona. To reinstate your license, Arizona will require you to carry a sr22 form for three years from your suspension date. To more information about the rules of the Arizona Department of Insurance, you may contact them.

Reader’s Question:

I received a ticket for not stopping in the red light in AZ? How will this affect my insurance rate?

Kim

Thank you for asking Kim.

You can receive 6, 4 or 2 points for failure to stop for a traffic signal depending on if you caused death, serious injury or only ran the light in the state of AZ. The AZ DOT Motor Vehicle Division states that there is a new state law that requires any individual who violates the red light statues to attend Traffic Survival School.

If you fail to attend the school, their driving privileges will be suspended or revoked until the class is completed. As for the moving violation conviction, it will be recorded on your drivers history and remain on the record for 5 years.

Each insurance companies use different rating system so to find out how your moving violation will affect your rates, you may contact your insurance carrier. Also to find out your insurance company’s rate you may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance. This is a state agency with which insurance providers must file their rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I received a speeding ticket in LA, will this be added points in my Arizona license?

Henry

Thank you for asking Henry.

Louisiana and Arizona are both members of the Drivers License Compact. This requires all member state to report back to the state in which a motorist is licensed any conviction of traffic tickets. So the Arizona Department of Transportation should be informed by the LA DMV about this speeding ticket you received in LA.

The Transportation section of Arizona statues gives details on the DLC and Arizona’s participation. It does not say if points for out of state offenses will be assigned points or if the offense will be recorded onto your driving record.

According to the Arizona DOT Motor Vehicle Division they indeed would be informed of this out of state ticket and it would then go on your Arizona driving record and that points would be assessed. You may contact the AZ DOT to get more information on this.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I have a CDL and I received a speeding ticket and it has been in my license for almost 3 years. I just want to know when it will come off my record? I live in AZ.

Carl

Thank you for asking Carl.

The Arizona Driver’s Manual states that each time you are convicted or forfeit bail for a moving violation, points are assessed against your permanent driving record.

According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) a violation is taken off your driving record five years from the date of conviction. There is no information that state that when will the points come off . They do say that any convictions received and showing on your driving record within the past 39 months will be provided to an insurance company.

Since neither the AZ driver’s manual nor the MVD site state how long points stay on your driving record you may contact the AZ DOT directly to to get more information and to find out how long points for your previous speeding offense will remain on your record and if it will differ for you since you have a CDL.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I have two DUI in AZ but I am now living in California. Is it possible to get a license and insurance in CA if my license is suspended in AZ?

Mark

Thank you for asking Mark.

If your Arizona license is suspended or revoked due to the DUI convictions, than it is unlikely that you can get a California license. The Department of Motor Vehicles in California would require you to turn in your out of state license, which should be valid at the time.

A database of problem drivers which is the National Driver Register (NDR) linked to all states.. A problem driver is one whose license has been suspended, revoked, canceled, denied due to serious traffic violation. If you do not inform California of your licensing issues in AZ they will be able find out by check out the NDR.

If your DUI issues in Arizona have been taken care of and your driving privileges have been reinstated already, then you should be able to contact the CA DMV to apply for a driver’s license. You should also be able to get car insurance if you have full driving privileges, though it is possible that your AZ DUIs are likely to affect your rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR