Times can be hard in the city of Chicago, and if you are a driver, you might find it harder if you are not responsible on the road. One thing you don’t want to worry about in the windy city is car insurance. Car insurance is almost something you never think about, but certain actions can hike up insurance rates and make you take notice.
Fleeing the Scene of an Accident
No matter how minor the accident, fleeing the scene is a horrible idea. Even a minor scratch on an unattended automobile while leaving the parking area can turn into a misdemeanor charge if you leave the scene. Accidents involving another person are much worse and could be considered felonies. If you’re caught fleeing the scene of an accident, the state considers you an irresponsible driver, and it could force you to switch to a high-risk (SR-22) insurance.
A DUI Conviction
Getting caught drinking and driving comes with a slew of penalties, which includes license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. If you want to continue driving with a suspended license, you’ll need a special permit, an ignition interlock device for your car, and SR-22 insurance for every car that you can drive. You’ll need to maintain your SR-22 for at least a year or two, or until the courts decide you are not a risk anymore.
Not Paying Child Support
Providing for your kids is important, and the state of Illinois will take your car — or at least make it more expensive to drive it — if you miss your child support payments. Though it may seem illogical, the state can require you to switch to an SR-22 policy if you can’t afford or refuse to pay child support. An SR-22 is difficult to remove, and it requires a court order for removal.
Unpaid Parking Tickets
Sometimes it’s not the severity of the crime but the frequency. If you are constantly violating traffic regulations, the state will recognize you as an irresponsible driver and treat you as such. Once the state considers you a high-risk driver, then you will be required to switch to an SR-22 insurance policy. An SR-22 can cost you more than $1,500 a year, a big price to pay for disregarding a few parking tickets.
Bad Credit
Low credit scores not only raises your premiums; insurance companies might even ask you to pay a bulk of your annual insurance up front. Car insurance companies are wary of individuals with low credit scores as they tend to make more claims or inflate the cost of their claims. If you lower your credit scores, then the higher your premiums, it is best that you should put your finances in order before you get that car.
Your car insurance rates won’t shoot up for no reasons. Insurance companies don’t just look at your driving record; they delve into your finances and personal relations. It’s a bit shocking, but courts see it this way: a responsible person on the road, is responsible in real life.
