Is there any way I can get car insurance even if I don’t have a driver’s license here in Iowa? I only have a learner’s permit.

Abner

Houston, TX

Abner, not only are you allowed to get a car insurance even if you only have a learner’s permit, you are obligated to have one. Since you have a learner’s permit, it is implicit that you are already driving around Texas and you may already have a car. If you are already a member of the driving population, then it is your responsibility to have car insurance coverage that will take care of things if, heaven forbid, you figure in an accident. Car insurance will take care of you, your car and the people and things affected by the car accident.

You will have to shop around for a car insurance company that will offer you coverage. It would be much harder to offer you a quotation as there is no car to base the premium rate from. Usually, the risk factor on which the car insurance premium rate is based is calculated with you and the car in mind. They’d check if you are a high risk driver, and then see if your car belongs to a high risk category also. You see, some types of cars belong to the high risk category. These are cars that are statistically prone to theft and also high powered cars.

My friend recently got in a car accident in Texas with a rented vehicle and according to her, it was the other party’s fault. Since neither of the cars (hers and the other driver’s car) are insured, they both decided not to inform the police. What would happen she is caught for not having a car insurance here in Texas?

Ben

Houston TX

Without an insurance for a rented car, your friend will likely have to pay the cost of repairing the vehicle and the rental lost since the car will be out of commission. Since the other party is at fault in the accident, your friend may have to bring the case to court if the person at-fault is not willing
to pay the damages instead of making a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance provider should that driver’s car was insured.

In Texas, the minimum requirement is $25,000.00 for every person injured, $50,000.00 for every accident and $25,000.00 for property damage. This law, which took effect on April 1, 2008, is referred to as 25/50/25.

Failure to comply to this law will result in a penalty ranging from $175 to $350 for the first conviction. The fines for the succeeding convictions ranges from $350 to $1,000. Your driver’s license can also be suspended and your car be impounded. For more information on this matter, you can check the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act in the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601.

Aside from the required reinstatement fees as part of the administrative actions due to this conviction, there are also surcharges, which the Department of Public Safety assess according to the traffic violation. The surcharge for having without a car insurance is $250 a year for three years.

Your friend can seek legal advice if the driver who is at fault does not want to pay the damages.

Bodily injury liability covers injuries do to a car accident.

1. First Aid at the Accident

2. Doctor bills due to the accident

3. Money for lost wages

4. Final expenses

5. Lawyer Fees

Property Damage Liability covers the damage that is sustained in an accident:

1. Structural damage to homes, storefronts, etc.

2. Repair or replacement costs for other stationary objects

3. Car restoration or replacement expenses

So, what coverage limit are right for you? Every state compiles there minimum guidelines individually. 15,000/30,000/15,000 is the minimal norm but that may vary from state to state so check your state guidelines. You might have noticed that there are three coverage figures and not two. This ..