Car Insurance for Students Away in College
Reader’s Question:
My daughter is 19 years old and is away at college. My insurance carrier in Anderson, Indiana gives better rates for students who are only at home a few weeks a year. What will be my liability if she drives a friends vehicle while away at college and gets into an accident?
James
Anderson, IN
State liability laws vary so it will depend upon those laws as to what your liability as a parent will be when your child is away at college drives someone else’s vehicle. When driving someone’s vehicle, with permission, the car’s insurance by the owner is primary and if that exceeds the owner’s policy limits the driver’s insurance would be the secondary.
Since your daughter is no longer a minor if she was in an accident that required insurance she would likely be held liable herself and not her parents but since state laws do differ I would suggest speaking with an attorney to check exactly what your parental liability might be in this case. You may also want to talk to your insurance broker in Anderson, Indiana to check if your current car insurance would cover your daughter at all, as secondary insurance, if she drives their car while away at college.
Driving Out of State with Provisional License
Reader’s Question:
Is it possible to drive out of state on a provisional license in Bloomington, Indiana?
Rey
Bloomington, IN
You will need to verify with your Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles to check if they permit you to drive out of state with your provisional license. Most states do permit you to drive out of state but to be sure that you are not breaking any of your provisional license’s conditions contact your DMV in Bloomington, Indiana.
If your state permits you to drive out of state then you will also need to verify with the state or states in which you plan to drive to. The other states’ Department of Motor Vehicle should be able to tell you if you can drive within their borders or without a full license.
In most states there may be some restrictions put on your driving privileges.
Adding a Vehicle in your Car Insurance Policy
Reader’s Question:
Is it legal for someone to put a friend’s car on their auto insurance when they do not own the vehicle and it does not reside at their house? My cousin is doing this in Muncie, Indiana and I think its a bad idea.
Don
Muncie, IN
Yes you are right. It is a bad idea a lot of reasons. If the insurance carrier is not notified of who the real vehicle owner and main driver is, presumably the friend, then the person obtaining an insurance policy in this manner could in fact be illegal. Without your cousin having insurable interest in the car it may difficult for your cousin to insure the friend’s vehicle anyway.
In many states, such as Indiana, putting a vehicle on your insurance policy in order to save money in this manner could be considered insurance fraud. It would be misrepresenting the information to say that the vehicle was his and residing at his house if it really is his friends and is garaged at his friend’s house. His friend’s driving history should be part of the rating process since he is the owner of the car and driver in Muncie, IN.
Do you Inform your Car Insurance Company About Recent Traffic Tickets?
Reader’s Question:
When do you inform your insurance provider in you received a traffic ticket? After you receive the ticket or when you go to court? I need to find a great rate on Indiana auto insurance, where and whom should I talk to?
Robert
Elkhart, IN
At renewal typically each insurer re-underwrites your policy and/or offers a renewal rate for your auto insurance policy. At this time, you should inform them about any new traffic tickets.
There may be some insurance policy guidelines or specifications that require you to inform them of traffic violations during your insurance policy period, but that is mainly for risks or accidents that they may be responsible to help cover you.
Generally, moving violations go on your driving record, so that an insurance carrier in Elkhart, IN can see them when they run your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), after you had plead guilty or otherwise are found guilty.
Can I Purchase a Vehicle in Indiana with International Drivers License
Reader’s Question:
I have driver’s license from Indiana. Can I purchase a vehicle? Please, I need to know if this possible.
Mahatma
Gary, IN
Indiana permits anyone generally to purchase a vehicle if they have the financial mean. If you are currently living in Gary Indiana you will need to register the car there as well. When you go to register the vehicle in Indiana you will need a certificate of Origin, Proof of Insurance, Odometer Statement and Verification of Social Security Number.
If you do not have a social security number or SSN you will not be able to register the car in Indiana. Without the vehicle being registered it would not be permitted to be driven on the Indiana roadways.
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