insurance lapsed for 60 days after being insured for 6 months. told that it would go from 120 to 160 per month. told that i would be treated as if first time driver due to lapse in converage. Why? Can they do that? Is that legal? Any oversight? What can I do??? I’ve been driving for 20 years; zero accidents, zero tickets.

It is legal. Unfortunately, Insurance companies pretty much have free reign to charge you whatever they want for whatever reason. They now see you as an irresponsible driver, so your premiums are going to be higher.

I would shop around for a better quote if I were you. Just bear in mind that your lapse in insurance coverage is going to haunt you wherever you go. Even if you lie about it, any prospective insurer will find out.

How can you negotiate with insurance agency after a wreck that was caused by you if you have no insurance to cover the other driver? Are there any legal ramifications?

If you caused an accident and had no insurance – the other driver will be able to file an uninsured motorist claim. Their insurance company will pay for all the things yours would have (if you have insurance).

Then the other driver’s insurance company will turn the matter over to their subrogation department. The Subrogation department will contact you about paying them back. Do not ignore them – they can have your drivers license suspended, sue you or turn you over to collections.

However, the subrogation department will be willing to set up an interest free payment plan for you to repay them for all they paid their driver. Most likely they will want at least $100 per month – until the debt is paid in full. If you miss payments – they suspend your license, sue you or turn you over to collections.

The other thing you can do – is see if the subro dept will accept a lesser lump sum. For example: you owe them $10,000 – they may be willing to take 7,000 if you pay it as a lump sum. They would rather get a little less all at once – than collect the full $10,000 – 100 dollars at a time.

Can you dispute the amount they want? No – not really. They paid it – you owe it.

** not legal advice **

I have been told that my insurance is high because of a bad credit rating. I am currently enrolled in a DMP to pay down some credit ds and I’m sure this is why it is so bad. Will any insurance company work with me to lower my rate? I currently have GEICO insurance bc it was the lowest I could find. I lease my and always make my and insurance payments on time.

Isn’t it a joke that insurance companies can base your rate on your credit history!! Like, someone with bad credit just has to be a bad driver! This is an issue that needs to be addressed…just doesn’t make sense to me where the relation is…anyway, in the meantime…raise your deductable up to $500 or higher, but stash enough extra $ to cover it if you have the need to file…hang in there…in the meantime, hope you have cut up those ds!