Will my current auto insurance here in Alaska increase immediately after I get convicted for DUI? How long would I have to pay those higher auto insurance rates?

Galen

Anchorage, AK

Unless your auto insurance policy in Alaska is already up for renewal, your premiums will not increase immediately after a DUI conviction. In general, an auto insurance company runs a check on your motor vehicle record (MVR) if they are renewing your auto insurance policy or if you are a new customer. Once your auto insurance provider notices your DUI, it’s the time that your premiums will increase. Depending on the state laws and the rating systems of the auto insurance companies, your premiums will be affected for a period of three, five or seven years, or as long as the conviction is on your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record if the insurance laws in Alaska allow it.

Because of a DUI conviction, auto insurance premiums are likely to increase substantially and you will be considered as a high risk driver by auto insurance companies. On average and depending on the guidelines of your auto insurance provider, the increase on your premiums is 30%.

Your DUI would have a negative effect on your auto insurance as you will be placed in a higher risk group and your rates could stay higher on a number of years after your conviction. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it because you can still shop and compare auto insurance quotes to find the most manageable rates.

Can I really get cheaper car insurance coverage online as opposed to going with a car insurance agent or broker?

Ingrid

Anchorage, AK

We don’t mean to say that you can only get cheap rates online. However, the Internet does tend to make it much easier for the everyday person to find the best car insurance deals out there. So in many ways, you can have a much better chance and spend far less money and time if you shop for coverage online.

The Latest Rates

Using insurance comparison websites (like this one) you can get a quick car insurance quote check for free. This allows you to see the latest rates and find the cheapest deals in the market. And it only takes a few minutes to put some information in (e.g. age, gender, type of car to be insured, location, etc.) and get the quote offers available in your area.

More Companies to Choose From

Another advantage of shopping for car insurance online is that you are able to compare more offers coming from a wide-variety of insurers in virtually no time at all. Again, with the help of insurance comparison websites which runs a quote check from several different auto insurers simultaneously. No need to contact different agents or brokers.

Better Information

Going with the right kind of auto insurance company can save you a lot of money in the long run. There are many other websites that can educate and help you become a smarter when shopping for coverage. Independent rating agencies like J.D. Powers and A.M. Best as well as the Better Business Bureau provides valuable consumer information to help you find the best car company for you.

My cousin here in Anchorage, Alaska has just been charged with DUI. The family decided that we will get a lawyer to defend him on his DUI case? Will we be able to speak to a lawyer outright if we contact a law firm?

Lia

Anchorage, AK

Generally, lawyers will not be able to be the person that you can reach if you contact a law firm to defend your cousin his DUI case in Anchorage, Alaska. Except of course, if there is an emergency situation, like if the person is in jail. The highly trained staff members of the law firm answer almost all questions. They usually make effort to let you talk to a lawyer you call in if an immediate need exists. The reason behind that is because lawyers are in court almost every day with previously scheduled client interviews.

Most law firms offer free initial consultation to every person charged with a crime, including DUI charges, who sets an appointment to talk to a lawyer. If your cousin gets to talk to lawyer about his DUI case, make sure that he appears on time and bring all of the paperwork with him. When he comes in for his free consultation, he will be told the favorable and unfavorable aspects of his DUI case and how the lawyer would approach handling his case, based on the knowledge they have in front of them at the time of the consultation. Your cousin is also not obligated to hire the lawyer merely because he has a free initial appointment.

What are the penalties for dui in Alaska? This is my second offense.

Bill

Anchorage AK

In the state of Alaska, a DUI or Driving Under the Influence offense is both a very serious and very costly offense. DUI is still among the top reasons for most collisions, deaths, and accidents on America’s roads up to this day. Anyone convicted of a DUI charge can expect heavy punishments. Getting auto insurance for DUI offenders is a must if one wishes to get back on the road again.

Let’s give you a better idea of what to expect after a DUI conviction in Alaska: First offense fined $1,500 and a 72 hours in jail, 90 day license revocation. 2nd offense: $3,000 fine, 20 days in jail and 1 year license suspension. 3rd offense: $4,000 fine, 60 days in jail, 3-year license suspension. 4th offense: $5,000 fine, 120 days in jail, 5-year license revocation. 5th offense: $6,000 fine, jail time of 240 days, 5-year license suspension. Consecutive offenses face $7,000 in fines, 360 days incarceration, and a suspended license for five years.

Getting an affordable auto insurance for DUI is a fact of life after a drunk driving conviction. It’s a really bad idea to allow anyone with a DUI charge on his or her records to drive a car without appropriate auto insurance coverage. Doing so will not only cause you to lose your license and pay bigger premiums, if caught, but can seriously undermine your financial bottom-line should you get into (or cause) an auto accident.

The good news is that getting the best auto insurance for DUI in Alaska is now easier than ever, thanks to the Internet! With many auto insurance companies and DUI insurance specialist offering services on the Net, as well as the abundance of DUI and auto insurance portals, anyone can get the latest auto insurance rates and offers available on the market today absolutely free.

It only takes a few moments of your time, with a small bit of effort, to compare prices from among the many auto insurance providers catering to those with DUI records. Done well, the right kind of coverage can save you hundreds of dollars annually, while keeping you protected on the road.

We decided to have a separate insurance for our teenage daughter once we buy her a car. Can we take her out already on our auto insurance policy here in Alaska? If she still uses our car and crashes it, will the insurer pay?

Adriel

Anchorage, AK

Once you have bought a new car and insurance for your daughter, it would still be a tough decision to make whether or not to exclude her on your auto insurance policy in Alaska if she is still using your car. You could opt to exclude her already in your auto insurance policy as you can decrease your premiums by doing this. This is going to be through a “named exclusion,” which means that your daughter will be excluded from protection under your auto insurance policy. However, doing this exclusion would require your daughter to have her own car and her own auto insurance policy.

Your daughter’s own car and auto insurance policy may not be a problem since you are already planning to do this. However, the problem may arise if your daughter still uses your car and gets into an accident. If she is already excluded in your auto insurance policy, your insurance company will not pay for any damages and injuries because she is an excluded driver. You may very well consult an insurance agent about this and check if it is allowed to have a named exclusion in your state.

I’m from Alaska, and I just want to know if you have any suggestions on how to deal with an insurance company if my car gets involved in a collision?

Lovely

Anchorage, AK

Car accidents can be very tricky, not to mention traumatic and expensive, so making sure you know what to do and what to prepare before filing that claim with your auto insurance carrier can save you lots of unnecessary troubles and frustration. Here are a few things one should remember when involved in a car accident as well as when dealing with an auto insurance carrier:

1. File a Police Report – You will need that police report for insurance purposes. As soon as you get involved in a car crash call 911 if there is anyone injured or otherwise needing emergency treatment first. Call the Police soon afterwards.
2. Exchange Contact Information – You would most likely have an Insurance Identification Card that has all the important information needed to facilitate claims and payments between the parties involved in the car accident, and their respective insurance companies. Also get license plate numbers and phone numbers.
3. Contact your Insurance provider immediately – Do not delay informing your insurance provider about the accident or you might not get the compensation you deserve.
4. Get ready to answer questions – You may be getting a follow up call from the other party’s car insurance representative (and with yours as well). Answer truthfully and accurately since this will be used legally as well. Make sure you take note of the name of the representative you spoke with and take note of what was discussed.

Tags: advice, auto insurance, auto insurance claims, auto insurance quotes, car insurance company, car insurance discounts

Thank goodness I have never been in an accident but my brother was unfortunate to have been in one but his injuries weren’t too bad. If I’ll be unfortunate as well and be involved in an accident, how will my auto insurance company here in Alaska consider that my vehicle is totalled once I file a claim? Also, how will they determine the value of my car if they need to replace it?

Laurence

Anchorage, AK

It may be hard to cope after a vehicular accident and it can be traumatic at times, especially if you try to deal with your auto insurance provider in Alaska as well as the loss of your automobile. But it would be beneficial if you are familiar with the correct questions to ask, and have a practical knowledge of the circumstances. Your auto insurance provider may declare that your vehicle has been totalled after an accident if it could not be restored in safety. Also, your car is regarded as a total loss if it will cost more to have it repaired than the value of the vehicle. The laws in the state of Alaska could also mandate the insurer to declare it a total loss because of the extensive amount of damage on the vehicle.

To determine the value of your vehicle, the claim adjuster would consider the mileage, the state of the body, interiors and tires as well as the added parts or equipment on your vehicle. From the condition of the vehicle prior to the accident, the claim adjuster would look for similar models that are on sale in your neighborhood and would base the total loss approximation on the comparable vehicle. This process is what commonly known as determining the Actual Cash Value of the vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car, car insurance

A friend of mine was pulled over for drunk driving while driving my vehicle in Anchorage, Alaska. Will this affect my car insurance rate after he was charged with DUI?

Peggy

Anchorage, AK

In general, the tickets that your friend got when he was driving your vehicle in Anchorage, Alaska would not affect your car insurance rates. Any tickets for traffic violations such as DUI, speeding, driving without a license, drunk driving, etc. should all have been issued to your friend, the driver, and not the vehicle. This would typically show up on his driving record and affect him.

Let’s say, for example, your friend had crashed your vehicle while driving it. In situations such as this, it would have affected your car insurance. That is because most likely, it would be your car insurance that would have to pay out claims resulting from an accident. Be careful the next time you lend your vehicle to other people. It’s good that you trust the person but be sure that he would be responsible in case an unexpected thing happen. So if you are in need of a car insurance policy, you can always get a free insurance quote from this website.

I was almost arrested for DUI here in Anchorage, Alaska. I am wondering, what are the possible penalties in terms of DUI law violations?

Jerry

Anchorage, AK

Like almost all states in the US impose a harsher penalty especially on drunk driving or driving under the influence of either alcohol or substance. Here in Anchorage, Alaska, the government had been very keen in implementing DUI laws to prevent road accidents. If a person gets arrested for DUI, he will be subject to additional criminal law penalties such as jail time, fines and community service. The worst would be suspension and even revocation of his driver’s license. Suspension of driver’s license can go from a minimum of 90 days up to a maximum of 3 years based on the gravity of the offense as well as the frequency. There is also a great possibility that your vehicle may get confiscated or having an ignition interlock device. Vehicle ignition interlock is a breath-testing device which measures a vehicle operator’s BAC, prevents operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (BAC level of .02). DUI offenders are usually required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device.

These are at least the most common penalties that are being imposed on DUI offenders in Alaska. Just the same, in case you get involved in such DUI cases, I suggest that you seek the counsel of a knowledgeable lawyer that could defend you during proceedings. I also recommend checking for possible affordable auto insurance that caters pre or post DUI cases.

I am doing a research for drunk driving laws here in Anchorage, Alaska as part of my DUI school program, what are the law highlights of DUI laws in this city?

Sarah

Anchorage, AK

Local state laws in Anchorage, Alaska have been stricter than ever. But to give due credits, these harsh policies keeps our roads a safe place for every Alaskans. Major highlights on Alaska DUI laws include a “per se “ Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of .08 as of August 25 of 2005. This means that any person found to have at least .08 or more blood-alcohol concentration is already an intoxication in the eyes of the law. This automatically means that there would be no additional proof on driving impairment is required to determine DUI violation. Now if the driver is under the legal drinking age of 21, Alaska implements a Zero Tolerance BAC level and should be at 0.00. That means, the driver should not have any trace of alcohol in the body.

Many states like Alaska impose stricter penalties for DUI offenders with a high BAC at the time of the offense, about 0 .15 to 0.20 percent. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above their state’s penalty standards will likely look up for a longer jail time, higher fines, and more driver’s license sanctions.

Whereas in most cases, people who are found guilty of DUI suffer severe consequences involving their driving privileges. It really helps a lot that we know what constitutes these laws so that every driver in Alaska can have second thoughts on driving under the influence. Having said so, I suggest that a good and reliable auto insurance can be of no additional cost should you keep a DUI free record. Affordable insurance quotations are available on this website.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI lawyer