My car while parked was hit by a delivery truck and the bumper got damaged. I took my car to my regular repair place here in Arizona and was given an estimate of $875. When I submitted this to the truck driver’s insurer, they requested me to have the car assessed at their partner repair shop and got an estimate of $720. I want to have my car fixed in my regular repair place even though it charges more. Will the truck driver’s car insurance still cover for that?

Elizabeth

Phoenix, AZ

The Arizona Department of Insurance states that you are allowed in Arizona to choose a repair shop and get damage assessment of your car. Car insurance providers will ask you to get other valuations to make sure that your choice repair place has quoted an evenhanded price, though. Additionally, all insurers have their preferred repair shops because they are known to have decent and competitive prices for repair jobs.

The Arizona Department of Insurance also mandates that the insurer may not require you to travel unreasonably to get damage assessment for your vehicle from a repair shop, or bring the car on your own to a specific repair place to have it fixed. In your case, though, you can appeal that the car repairs be done in your choice repair place. If explained and handled properly then you might be able to come up with a good settlement and the repair process can be charged to the paying car insurance company. If this would not be the case and the truck driver’s insurance company will only cover $720, but you still want to pursue having your car fixed by your choice repair shop, then you will need to shoulder the remaining amount.

Our neighbor damaged my son’s parked vehicle in Deer Valley, Arizona. Our neighbor’s car was not insured but he got insurance on his other car. Can we place a claim against the policy on the car that is insured? He was arrested for drunk driving.

Tim

Deer Valley, AZ

I do not think you could file a claim for the damages caused by the uninsured automobile against the car insurance policy of the other vehicle with insurance. Your neighbor is responsible for the damages.

To have the damages fixed in Deer Valley, Arizona you may see if you could place claims against your own insurance provider under your collision coverages.

Another option is to seek legal help to determine if you will have to take your neighbor to court and seek a judgment against your neighbor for the damages you sustained while he was driving drunk.

You may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance online or call their consumer hotline at 1-800-252-3439 for consumer help.

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.

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.

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

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

What is the coverage of the uninsured motorist insurance? I live in Arizona.

Freeman

Thank you for asking.

The Arizona Department of Insurance states that Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you or passengers in your vehicle for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a driver who has no liability coverage.

This may also protects you or passengers in your vehicle for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a driver who has insufficient insurance to cover your injuries or your passengers.

Uninsured motorist coverage (or UM) provides coverage for your medical bills, loss of earnings and pain and suffering if you suffer injuries as a result of a negligent drivers who does not have liability insurance, including a hit-and-run motorist. Underinsured motorist coverage (or UIM) provides coverage situation that your damages exceed the other driver’s liability coverage.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

How many points will be assessed for a speeding ticket (14 miles over limit) in my Arizona record? Will this increase my insurance rate?

Leo

Thank you for asking Leo.

Moving violations in Arizona points range from 2 to 8 points depending upon the gravity of the offense. Speeding is listed as a 3 point offense by the AZ Department of Transportation. This violation point list does not state how much over the speed limit this point amount is for so would appear it is 3 points on an AZ license for any speeding ticket.

It actually depends on your insurance company’s rating system if the speeding ticket that you received in Arizona will increase your insurance rate after one offense. To get more information about your insurance provider’s rating system regarding traffic violations, you may contact your insurance carrier or the Arizona Department of Insurance which whom insurance providers must file their rates with.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

I was required to have an sr22 because they said there is a lapse on my car insurance. I thought sr22 are for DUIs? I live in AZ.

Kelly

Thank you for asking Kelly.

It is possible to need a sr22 for insurance lapse in the state of Arizona. Usually, the sr22 is required as a by-product of a DUI or multiple moving violations. But, in Arizona, the state is notified by your old insurance provider if your insurance policy is no longer active. At that point, the state will send you a notification for you to give them proof of your car insurance. Failure to provide this proof Arizona will suspend your driver’s license and/or your plate registration. To reinstate these items, Arizona will require you to maintain an sr22 form for a period of three years from your suspension date. To get more information regarding this, you may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR