Reader’s Question:

What advantages is there to pleading not guilty to a failure to control violation? It is my first accident and I would like to know what it will do to my auto insurance rate.

Gene

Boise, ID

The penalties and citation for ‘failure to control’ differs depending on your state laws. When you plead not guilty typically you will need to attend a court hearing and defend yourself to the charge. Generally If you are found not guilty it would be an advantage you by the charge being dismissed and therefore not being recorded on your driving record.

Accidents and citations can indeed affect your auto insurance rates. How it will affect your insurance will depends on how your specific insurance carrier decides on their insurance rates since insurance carriers vary on how they change or increase their rates. All insurance providers must file their rates with the state’s insurance regulatory body therefore if your insurance rates do rise you can check with this entity to find out about your insurance carrier’s specific rating system.

Reader’s Question:

I am roommate with my sister and a friend in Idaho. I am over the age of 25 but, my sister is not. She has a valid driver’s license, but she does not drive my vehicle and she currently does not own a car. Am I required to add her to my insurance?

Karen

Pocatello, ID

Insurance carrier guidelines vary but typically an insurance company will require you to list all licensed motorists in your household. If neither your sister nor the other roommate drives your car then you may be able to exclude them from your insurance policy.

Whoever you exclude from the policy would then not be covered by any part of your car insurance if they ever did drive your vehicle. To know more about insurance laws in Idaho or get consumer help with car insurance questions you can contact the Idaho regulatory body for insurance companies in ID.

Reader’s Question:

I have received three traffic tickets last year in Idaho. All of the tickets were zero points. I have one accident in my driving record as well. Do insurance providers charge more for having violations on your driving record or do they charge more for having points on your driving history? I live in Idaho.

Fred

Boise, ID

With DMV points each violation such as moving violations, at-fault accidents, or driving under the influence (DUI), is assigned a certain point value. When you are found guilty of one of these violations, the appropriate number of points is added to your driving record. The more tickets or points you have, the worse your driving record will be.

Each Idaho insurance providers has its own method of assessing applicants, so the points on your driving history may or may not have a direct impact on the insurance rates you pay for car insurance. Insurance providers typically care about the infractions that you have been convicted of and have been put on your driving record, not the DMV points system attached to the infraction.

Reader’s Question:

What do I need to know regarding Auto insurance in Idaho for my company?

Abegail

Boise, Idaho (ID)

In Idaho, vehicle insurance is a requirement for all. A company-owned car needs to have a proof of car insurance when first registered in this state. Insurance card should be stored handy in the car at all times in case a police officer asks for a proof of car insurance.

To get the best deal from any car insurance company, you need to have a headcount of the number of employees that require insurance. Then you can decide how much you’d purchase from such headcount. You can opt to purchase more than the minimum as most companies do so. Equip yourself with the minimum level of insurance in Idaho…and better know how often your employees drive company-owned vehicles

Reader’s Question:

What will happen if you had your auto insurance lapse for 1 year in Idaho and you want to insure it again with a different carrier?

Paulo

Boise, ID

You should be able to get insurance and get your car insured but you will normally find higher insurance premium due to the lapse in coverage and especially if you were terminated for non-payment. You will also lose out on any previous discount you may have had for having continuous coverage with your car insurance company.

Before getting auto insurance you will also need to take care of any issues, like license suspension and other penalties the state of Idaho may have placed upon you because of being uninsured. The Idaho Department of Transportation states that in ID, failure to carry motor vehicle insurance is a reason for your driving privileges to be suspended.

To get more information regarding penalties for being an uninsured auto owner, contact the Idaho Transportation Department through their website.