Readers Questions:

I am a businessman; I have five cars and every year I have a burden with my auto insurance rates in Alaska. Is there anybody who can help me find a way to avail a cheap auto insurance rate?

Danny

Anchorage, AK

Hello, Danny.

Your question is preferably easy but you must follow the guidelines to avail of cheap auto insurance.

Danny, please take note of this: I do not know how you do it in finding for a cheap auto insurance in Alaska but I hope this is the end of your burden of paying an expensive insurance where you can have a cheap auto insurance.

First, lower the insuring company’s risk. Using seatbelts, not smoking, and having alarm systems can mean cheap auto insurance coverage.

Secondly, ask your agent about any discounts to have cheap auto insurance. Saving money on sports autos works much the same way as saving money on any form of auto coverage. Just be a good driver and keep a clean record.

Next, for teenage drivers - who also fall into the category of what coverage companies call “new drivers” - tend to pay the highest auto coverage rate of all. Most teens are inexperienced drivers with no lengthy record of safe driving.

Mind to take precautions to theft proof your auto. Autos equipped with anti-lock brakes, air bags and automatic seatbelts are also eligible for discounts.

Lastly, get rebates. Some states set aside for rebates. California law allows agents issue as rebates a part of their commission to you.

Reader’s Question:

I want to get car insurance, but last year I received a speeding ticket in which wasn’t my fault by the way so I have a court date to fight it next two weeks. If I wanted to to get car insurance now, would that ticket affect my car insurance rate, or would it only take affect if I was found guilty for the citation?

Parker

Anchorage, AK

Convictions of traffic violations, such as speeding, affect your insurance rates since the infraction is placed on your motor vehicle record (MVR) so before you go to court for the citation it should not affect you getting insurance or auto insurance rates.

If you are obtaining an auto insurance before your court date then this speeding citation should not affect your premiums at this time since you have not been convicted of the infraction. If you wait to obtain insurance after your court date and you are found guilty then on your car insurance application you would have to list this speeding infraction and the insurance company would see it on your driving record. It then would depend upon the insurance carrier’s rating system if this speeding violation would affect your premium.

Reader’s Question:

I was convicted for failure to submit to a breath analyzer test in Alaska and I have a NM driver’s license. Since New Mexico is a non-SR-22 requiring state, do I still have to have the SR-22 form for the state of Alaska, since the renewed drivers license will be in New Mexico?

James

Anchorage, Alaska (AK)

New Mexico and Alaska are both members of the Driver’s License Compact so the information regarding your failure to submit for the breath analyzer (BAC) test should be reported back to New Mexico, your home state. Along with the Alaska infraction information, the Alaska courts or Department of Motor Vehicle will probably also submit to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division what they are requiring of you, including the SR-22.

If New Mexico does not require SR-22s for different violations then you may need to speak with Alaska what other New Mexico insurance they may allow instead of the SR-22 in order to comply with their requirements on you.

As for your NM driver’s license renewal, you will need to verify with the NM MVD to check if you can renew your license without complying with the penalties placed on you by AK, such as the SR-22. It might be that if your license is currently suspended in Alaska, that New Mexico will require you to straighten those issues before renewing your license.