Will my car insurance rates here in New Jersey increase if I do some enhancements on my car such as adding DVD player?

Ian

Vineland, NJ

A lot of drivers put a spark in their automobiles by having some improvements, enhancements and add-ons like audio systems and DV player. However, remember that in case your automobile has to be repaired or is declared a total loss, I am sure that you would like those things be regarded in the value of the automobile. In a number of instances, your enhancements will not be covered in case you did not inform your car insurance provider about it and paid additional premiums. The best option you have in these kinds of conditions is to get in touch with your insurance agent or your car insurance provider and let them know the things that you have done or added to your vehicle.

Your car insurance provider in New Jersey will make a decision if they have to raise your insurance coverage and thus, your rates as well. For that reason, you need to keep the proof of payments for your vehicle enhancements. In case you have spent a lot of money for the improvement of your vehicle, you need to inform your car insurance provider about it and support the value you are telling them with the proof of payments. But in case you have done something on your automobile to just keep it in good driving shape, you will not have extra claim payment. This kind of improvement will just be regarded as regular car maintenance.

Can my car insurance company here in New Jersey opt to non-renew my policy if they don’t want to cover me anymore? What are the possible reasons an insurance company can do just that?

Melvin

Passaic, NJ

Car insurance companies can opt not to renew your policy once it is time for renewal. However, state regulations do not constantly explain the reasons wherein a car insurance policy cannot renew policies. Your car insurance policy may not be renewed if your insurer in New Jersey does not want to provide you coverage anymore. Typically, a car insurance policy may not be renewed if the policyholder has had too many claims for accidents that you have caused, has a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), or has had a lot of traffic tickets in the last three to five years. These things could undoubtedly increase your car insurance rates from your subsequent insurance provider; however, they will not make you a car insurance outcast.

In case a car insurance company does not want to renew your policy anymore, they will send you a notification. State laws differ, but a car insurance company usually should give the policyholder a notification for nonrenewal of 10 to 30 days. This notification may or may not explain why the car insurance company does not want to renew your policy anymore. In case you want to know the reason why your policy is not being renewed and it is not explained in the notification, you would have to send a request in writing to the car insurance company.

It’s probably time for me to replace my very old car with a new one but I’m still concerned with my car insurance. Does the type of vehicle that I will purchase matter in determining my car insurance rates here in New Jersey?

Gaël

Toms River, NJ

The type of car that you drive is one of the factors that determine the cost of your car insurance in New Jersey. Part of the formula of your insurance cost is the make and model of your car because car insurance companies relate it to the expenses they would have to shell out in an accident or if your car is stolen. When a new vehicle model is introduced, car insurance organizations make a comparison on the probable costs for that vehicle to insure against other car makes and models. While experience builds up for that vehicle, its rating could go up or down and it can influence your premiums for collision and comprehensive coverage.

Based on the vehicle ratings, sports cars and sport utility vehicles (SUV) are just two types of vehicles that perhaps cost more to insure in terms of auto liability coverage. Some car insurance companies evaluate an SUV in another way which is based on the vehicle’s account of causing further damage to other cars during an accident. So if you are purchasing a new car, you must research on its crash test rating and make sure that the car has low insurance losses in real crashes to help you save on your car insurance rates. Aside from the type of vehicle that you drive, other factors include your driving history, credit score, your location, insurance claims history, age, sex, the type of coverage and how much coverage you buy.

I’m a new resident here in New Jersey and I don’t know if my requirements meet the one on this state since I came from another state. Is there anything that I have to know about car insurances here in the state of New Jersey?

Ally

Elizabeth, NJ

Almost every citizen who just moved in New Jersey is actually worried whether their car insurance policy meets the requirement of the state. It is best for those citizens who are in question to check with the Department of Banking and Insurance of the state for them to know the state policies.

The thing that New Jersey is known to is that it is also a No Fault State which makes New Jersey drivers comprehensively insured. But even if it is a No Fault Policy, there are still listed exemptions just like one should take a Liability Policy or the list the Minimum Liability Policy to cover some of the expenses one cannot afford even with their car insurance. But with our present economy, medical bills skyrocketed too that there is a big possibility that the other party will not be able to pay for all the damages so it is much required to have at least more than the minimum liability. And aside from this advised policy, one should get a Personal Injury Protection to pay for medical expense and other things that may occur and that it can be also extended to the other party if they don’t have enough coverage. Laws are good for one doesn’t need to suffer in an accident but you also have to protect yourself.

Can you tell me more about how one can be a victim of car insurance fraud? I’ve seen some distressing news about it lately here in New Jersey and I don’t want to be a statistic.

Irene

Jersey City, NJ

Over the years car insurance fraud has become a very serious matter for motorists and car owner’s everywhere. Everyone who owns a vehicle and pays for auto insurance should be aware of how these criminals operate and how they victimize people, cheating them out of their money, causing emotional and financial distress (causing the victim’s auto insurance premiums to increase significantly) and even putting innocent lives at risk.

Since we believe that everyone should be as diligent as you are in raising awareness about car insurance fraud, here are some of the more popular methods that car insurance scammers utilize, everyone should be prepared:

“Rear-Enders” Staged Accidents
A vehicle driven by one of the accomplice vehicle will suddenly speed right in front of you and suddenly slam it’s brakes, not giving you enough time to respond and therefore causing you to crash towards it. And since Rear-end collisions like this will most likely be treated by a judge as your fault, you will have to pay for pre-inflicted damages and maybe even for fake injuries.

The “Good Samaritan”
There will be a person who seems to be trying to help you by waving you seemingly out of traffic jams or dangers but will actually cause you to crash into another (accomplice) vehicle and will deny doing so in court or an investigation, leaving you paying up for damages or injuries that may very well have also been staged.

I just got my driver’s license here in Jersey City, New Jersey, and I would like to know what factors can make car insurance rates high before I buy one. Thanks!

Kurt

Jersey City, NJ

Hello Kurt. Congratulations for getting your driver’s license! You must be very excited to hit the road already. Along with your new found freedom comes the responsibility of maintaining adequate car insurance coverage not only for your personal and financial well-being, but for others as well. So it would be to your advantage to know how car insurance companies determine the rates you pay.

Here’s a list of factors that affects car insurance rates and premiums:

1. Your age has a big impact on how your insurance rates are evaluated. Young, inexperienced drivers are considered more prone to be involved in car accidents to expect your premiums for the first year to be high.
2. The kind of car you drive affects your insurance rates. Sports cars costs more to insure than older vehicles.
3. Your credit history, or lack off, can also influence your insurance premiums. Insurance companies sees the lack of an established credit history in the same light as a bad credit rating, until you are able to show them otherwise.
4. Where you live also affects your insurance rates. Urban dwellers are statistically more inclined to get involved in car crashes as compared to those who live in the country.

I suggest you get at least five or six quotes online to determine the best provider there for your car in Jersey City, New Jersey. Make sure you get a good idea of what’s out there base your purchase on what you will need for insurance, not what’s cheapest.

My husband seems to have poor driving habits that makes me think if I would just have to exclude him from my auto insurance policy here Jersey City, New Jersey. Still, I wanna keep him insured under my policy so the question is, is there a way that I can keep my premiums down despite of my husband’s driving record?

Terry

Jersey City, NJ

In some situations, your auto insurance provider in Jersey City, New Jersey could keep your husband off your insurance policy. You may think that you would have to pay more for your auto insurance coverage if you list your husband as a primary driver or occasional driver on your auto insurance policy. However, there are still other ways to keep your premiums down despite of your husband’s bad driving history. An auto insurance expert suggests that in these conditions, you may start by having a serious talk with your husband to tell him that he can work out on having safer driving patterns.

Of course, you would want your husband to be fully aware of the consequences of having poor driving record. Speak with him that he may likely have a disastrous incidence because of that. You could tell him that the results would not only be having higher auto insurance premiums but it can also result in a serious accident which no one would like to happen. Auto insurance providers principally cover the couple’s vehicle because they presume that both of you will use that vehicle. This would come down to having a higher risk because of your husband’s poor driving history. So make your way in convincing him to be a safer driver and take refresher driving courses.

How does car theft affect my car insurance and what can I do to prevent it? my friend’s new car got stolen here in Clifton, New Jersey and found out they’re insurance wont cover the total price of the vehicle. I don’t want the same thing to happen to me.

Amanda

Clifton, NJ

Car theft, its a nightmare! Plain and Simple. Car theft costs has amounted to Almost $8 billion dollars as of 2008 and it seems that the number of incidences will not go down any time soon. Not only does it cause a lot of emotional distress, car theft also wreaks havoc on your finances especially on your auto insurance. As a victim, you would have to deal with all the paperwork and file all police reports in order to get a claim and, hopefully, your insurance policy will reimburse you for the full amount of your stolen vehicle, barring any complications with the insurance company.

You would want to avoid this at all costs so here are a few things to remember on how to protect yourself against car theft, and your car insurance rates from climbing:

Add additional safety mechanisms – Shop around for after market vehicle security systems, its worth the investment, since most of the time the security features of even the newest models can be overcome by very experiences (and very determined) thieves.

Review your insurance policy – Just because you can say you have car insurance doesn’t mean it will actually cover you in the event of a vehicle theft. Read and understand the term of your policy and know exactly when and how your car is covered.

If your car there in Clifton, New Jersey does get stolen contact the police to file a report immediately. Also get in touch with your insurance agent as soon as possible.