Reader’s Question:

In New Jersey, what is the age limit under which I can still be insured under my parents auto insurance policy?

Is there an age limit where I can still be insured under my parent’s car insurance policy? I live in Paterson, New Jersey.

William

Paterson, NJ

Typically, most insurance companies will allow you to remain on your parent’s auto insurance policy as long as you live under your parent’s roof and you do not own your own vehicle. Some insurance companies will allow you to remain on your parent’s policy if you are away at college as well.

It is usually an insurance company that decided what its guidelines are concerning insuring the child of their policyholder. So you can request this information from your parent’s insurance provider. The state is normally not involved in setting age limits for this type of thing but to find out if New Jersey has a law governing an age limit for a child to be listed on a parent’s auto insurance policy, contact the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance.

Reader’s Question:

What should I be expecting if I drive without car insurance? What are the penalties? I live in Detroit, Michigan.

Leo

Detroit, MI

The state of Michigan requires no-fault insurance so that every registered vehicle must be insured. It is a misdemeanor to operate your vehicle or let your car be driven without basic no-fault auto coverage. If you are convicted of driving without the mandatory car insurance in Michigan, you may be fined up to $500, put in jail for a year or both.

If you are unable to show proof of car insurance, thus driving without car insurance, you may be found guilty of a civil violation. The court may order your license to be suspended for 30 days or until you can show proof of no-fault coverage on your car.

You may be required to buy a pre-paid non-cancelable insurance policy before you can renew your car’s registration. To get the car insurance coverage that you need in Michigan, you may start by browsing various insurance company websites.

Reader’s Question:

Do I really need to buy insurance before I buy a used car?

Beth

Chesapeake, VA

If this is your first car then indeed you will need to get auto insurance before taking over the ownership of a used car in most states. If you already have auto insurance policy and you are replacing a car on your current policy then the coverage might insure your “new” used car for a few days. You will still need to check with your insurance company and state laws though.

Before buying a new or used car, you need to contact your auto insurance provider to let them know about the car you might buy. They should be able to provide you a quote of what it will cost to add the motor vehicle to your auto insurance policy, which can help you budget for your car purchase. Your insurance company can then let you know when you should call and add the car so it will be covered.