I have been a full-time mom since I gave birth to my son. Now he is 4 and is attending pre-school. I have recently volunteered my car for carpooling and I am curious if this qualifies me for a lower motor vehicle insurance cost. I live in Kentucky.

Moira

Louisville, KY

The price of gasoline is shooting up. That’s an unfortunate fact that car owners will have to deal with everyday. One of the simple ways to save on gas is carpooling. Many have resorted to carpooling to get to work or school, and to cater to the changing times, motor vehicle insurance providers have devised discounts to reward motorists who use their cars less. Since you have agreed to start carpooling, it’s quite possible that you would be eligible for a lower motor vehicle insurance rate. If you have been carpooling for quite some time, and have not been receiving the rate adjustment, all you need to do is contact your insurance agent and ask him or her what you need to present as proof that you indeed share a ride. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents and whatever else they may require, submit it to your agent and inquire if you are entitled to a refund. If you are, they would usually apply the difference to your next policy statement. The terms and conditions on this particular issue may vary between motor vehicle insurance providers in Kentucky. Some may offer less and others may offer more. Each one may require different forms of proof. Besides inquiring from your agent, you could also seek out information on your own by visiting various websites on this topic and get up to date on the issue.

I am from Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky, and I heard that Kentucky is a no fault state. But what exactly is a no fault insurance?

Max

Lexington-Fayette, KY

Max, you are right. Kentucky is indeed a no fault state. So, this means that auto insurance policies there are a bit different than the standard ones that work in other states. Presently, there are 12 states that are no fault. These states are New Jersey, Hawaii, Kansas, Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Utah. But there are three states that are under a choice no fault law and where you are right now, Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky, is among them along with New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

What this means is that the motorists have a choice to reject the lawsuit threshold and just retain the right to sue in court for any injuries that are involved in any vehicular accident. What you have to take note of is the nature of the no fault insurance system because no fault auto insurance is in fact misunderstood widely. No fault auto insurance is just a system that makes it compulsory for the drivers to carry insurance for their own protection, but at the same time it limits the capability of the drivers to sue the other parties or drivers for damages. By law, the no fault system makes your auto insurance companies pay for your damages, which have to be within your policy. The company would cover the payments regardless of who was at fault in the accident that the driver has involved himself in. The other drivers who are involved are going to be covered by their own insurance companies.

The good thing about this is that you are guaranteed immediate medical attention, and it also lowers the legal fees. Actually, there is still a lot more to know about this. Just ask around.

How long does an inexperienced motorists rate apply to insurance companies in Kentucky?  I am a new driver and my auto insurance rates are higher than I was expecting them to be.

Jeff

Louisville, KY

Each insurance companies in Kentucky is different in their rating factors; this includes their insurance rates for inexperienced and young drivers. For some auto insurance companies it is three years for others it can be 5 to 9 years that an insurance company will term and rate someone as inexperienced.

Some companies do not look at the date that the driver was first licensed at all, but use their age as the only rating factor. When the age of the driver is the thing being looked at, typically a motorist under the age of 25 is considered inexperienced.

If you have just recently received your driver’s license you should shop around for car insurance to find the best insurance rates for your car and level of experience behind the wheel of it.

Im 18 years old and I was pulled over and was caught driving without auto insurance. What will happen to me? I live in Kentucky.

Bill

Lexington-Fayette, KY

According to the State of Kentucky all motorists are required to carry liability coverage in the amounts of 25/50/10.These numbers stand for $25,000 total for bodily injury per person up to $50,000 total for bodily injury coverage per accident and $10,000 total for property damage per accident.

The penalties for operating a vehicle without Kentucky car insurance can be severe. For the first offense you are cited to go to court and can be fined between $500 – $1000 or be imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both.

Your KY motor vehicle registration and license plates can be suspended or revoked for 1 year or until proof of motor vehicle insurance is provided. You could also lose your license for up to 1 year. The penalties increase for each subsequent infraction of not having proper proof of car insurance.