Author: Emissions

Alaska Car Insurance

Last updated on November 9th, 2017

When it comes to car insurance laws and policies the state of Alaska is a good deal different from most other states due to its unique environmental, geographical and socioeconomic characteristics. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the state’s car insurance law that sets it apart from the from other states is that while Alaska has a slew of laws concerning Alaska car insurance, and there are certain towns and regions in the state that are exempt from these requirements. These areas that are exempt from the state’s laws on car insurance are typically isolated from the outside world and have rather small populations, both of which can make minimum car insurance requirements an undue burden on the community. In addition to vehicles that are operated in the specified areas, vehicles that are designed to go off-road and vehicles that are non operational are not required to adhere to Alaska’s minimum car insurance requirements.

For those that are not exempt from Alaska’s laws governing car insurance a rather strict mandatory coverage limit must still be met in order to operate a vehicle legally. The state of Alaska requires that every vehicle be insured with at least $50,000 for injuries to a single person, $100,000 for injuries to multiple people and $25,000 for property damage; all three of which are designed to cover those that are not at fault in an accident. These amounts are higher than in any other state in part because Alaskan officials want to minimize the lawsuits that are a common result of accidents where the minimum insurance carried by the at-fault driver is not enough to cover the damages from the accident. If a driver has accrued more than 6 points on their license in a 5 year span they will be required to meet these limited liability insurance requirements established by the state of Alaska even if they live in an area that is normally exempt from such requirements. Like most other states Alaska also requires that the driver of a vehicle keep proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times. Failure to provide proof of insurance when it is requested by a police officer or an authorized representative of the Department of Public Safety could result in the vehicle being confiscated and impounded until such proof is provided and all fines have been paid. In addition to routine traffic stops proof of insurance is also required if a driver is involved in an accident that resulted in bodily injury, death or damage of property over $501. Alaska is also one of many states that will legally require a driver to carry full coverage on a vehicle that was purchased with a loan. In some states this is left up to the lenders and car dealerships but Alaska has had regulations in place for many years that ensure that all new vehicles purchased with a loan will carry full coverage auto insurance so that if the vehicle is totaled in the first year or two neither the owner or the lender are left holding a worthless asset.

Although car insurance laws in Alaska may seem somewhat lax, especially in their allowance of people that live in certain parts of the state to disregard the legal requirements, when it comes to enforcement of the car insurance laws on the book not many states are as unbending as Alaska. If a driver is pulled over in Alaska and fails to show proof of insurance minimum 90 day suspension of the driver’s license will the punishment handed out and based on the driving record and prior infractions the suspension could be as long as a year. Alaska state law also stipulates that any driver that is involved in an accident and fails to provide proof of insurance, regardless of who is at fault, will have their license suspended for a similar period of time. No matter what the case or how it is discovered, if the DMV is notified that someone is driving a vehicle without proper auto insurance they are required by state law to immediately suspend the license of the owner of the vehicle and/or the person that is driving the vehicle. Failing to provide proof of insurance in Alaska will also result in a hefty fine of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent infraction.

In instances where someone that does not have insurance on their vehicle is responsible for an accident that caused property damage or bodily harm the state of Alaska still holds the uninsured driver responsible for paying all damages to the injured party within a period of three years. If the matter is not settled within that time frame the driving privileges of the at-fault uninsured driver that failed to pay for the damages will be revoked for a period of three years.

Filed under: Alaska, Articles, Car InsuranceTagged with: ,

Exemptions for Massachusetts

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

Vehicles Exemptions Massachussetts – Vehicles in the state of Massachusetts are required to pass emissions and safety inspections. However, in some cases vehicles may be exempt from these tests, let’s take a look at which ones are exempt.

The following vehicles are exempt from emissions testing:

 

  • Diesel vehicles less than 8,500 lbs. that were manufactured before 1998 and/or are over 15 years old
  • Diesel vehicles weighing up to 10,000 lbs. that were manufactured before 2007 and/or are over 15 years old
  • Non-diesel medium duty vehicles that were manufactured before 2008 and/or are more than 15 years old
  • Motorcycles and mopeds
  • Military vehicles
  • Electric powered vehicles

Farm and Construction Exemptions

Farming and construction vehicles that are not meant to be driven on the road are exempt from emissions testing. These include the following:

  • Construction vehicles used in the actual construction work process (i.e. bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, articulated loader/haulers)
  • NOTE: This does not include pickups or vehicles owned by construction companies to be driven on MA roadways (i.e. semis, dump trucks, cement trucks, etc.)
  • Tractors and off-road farm equipment (does not include pickups or vehicles with farm registration plates driven on MA roadways)

Source: http://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/smog-check.php

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Arizona – General Emissions Information

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

There are general questions concerning the Arizona emissions testing program that people have.  This section will attempt to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and provide tips on Arizona emissions policies.

Can I have a passenger or pet in the car during emissions testing?

No, you should not bring any passenger or pet in your vehicle when you bring your vehicle for emissions testing.  You will be required to exit the vehicle during emissions testing or you will need to move to the passenger seat.  No other person and no pet is allowed in the car during emissions testing.

What if my car is not running?

All vehicles must be able to enter the emissions inspection station on their own power.  If you have any trailers or attachments on the back of your vehicle you will need to remove them prior to testing.

Can I get my emissions tested if my check engine light is on?

If your vehicle is from 1996 or is newer and has OBD equipment you will not pass the emissions testing procedure if your check engine light is on.  You should have your vehicle repaired prior to testing.

How much are the fees for emissions testing in Arizona?

The fees vary depending on location and type of vehicle.  In the Tuscon area all vehicles are $12.25 to get the emissions testing done.  In the Phoenix area if your vehicle is 1981 or newer and under 8,500 pounds the fee is $27.75.  Heavy duty diesel vehicles which weight more than 8,500 pounds are assessed a $28 fee for emissions testing, and most other vehicles are $19.

What happens if I live outside of the emissions test area but I received an Emissions Required notice?

You can print out an emissions exemption form found here and submit it.

 

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Louisiana Car Insurance

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

Vehicles registered in the state of Louisiana must meet or exceed state requirements regarding car insurance. Because Louisiana is a tort state, which means that every time there is accident involving two or more vehicles one of the drivers must be found at fault for the accident and it is the at fault driver that is required to take on financial responsibility for all injuries and damages caused by the accident.  As of 2010 minimum Louisiana car insurance requirements are set at $15,000 in individual bodily injury liability coverage, $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Louisiana’s minimum property damage coverage makes it one of the few states that requires resident to purchase more property damage coverage than individual bodily injury coverage since in most states these two amounts are either the same or the property damage coverage is lower.  In addition to vehicles that are not designed to be driven on the highway and vehicles that are nonoperational, vehicle that are owned by the state and buses owned by individual municipalities, such as cities, are not required to meet minimum state car insurance requirements.

In Louisiana motorists are legally obligated to provide proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer upon request. Proof of insurance requirements can be met by producing an insurance card issued by the insurance company, though the declaration page from the policy or a written statement from the insurance company will suffice as well. If a driver is not able to provide proof of insurance upon request they will be in violation of Louisiana car insurance law and will likely be penalized accordingly. When a motorist is found to be driving without insurance in Louisiana state law permits immediate seizure of the uninsured vehicle or the vehicle’s license plates and requires the placement of a yellow sticker on the vehicle to indicate that it does not have insurance. In order to get the vehicle or license plates back the vehicle owner must present proof of insurance and pay any necessary fines. The first time a driver is caught on the road without insurance they will be hit with a fine ranging from $75 to $100; subsequent offences can result in fines as much as $700.

The state of Louisiana also has a rather unique law called “no pay no play.” The no pay no play law prevents uninsured drivers from collecting the first $10,000 in injury or property damage benefits paid out by an insured driver’s policy. In other words, if an uninsured driver is involved in an accident, even if they are not considered to be at fault in the accident, they will forfeit their right to be reimbursed for the first $10,000 that they would otherwise be owed. Under this law an uninsured driver that is involved in an accident and sustains $12,000 in property damage would only be allowed to collect $2,000 from the insurance company and will still be penalized by the state for driving without insurance.

Louisiana state law also dictates when an auto insurance policy can be canceled. If a policy has been active for at least 60 days a policy can only be canceled for certain reasons. Most of the most common reasons for cancelation, such as failure to a pay insurance premiums or the suspension of the policy holder’s license, typically allow the policy holder a grace period ranging between 10 and 30 days before the policy is actually canceled by the insurance company.

Louisiana is one of the few states that operate an automobile insurance plan, which helps high risk drivers obtain an insurance policy. If a driver has too many negative marks on their driving record or has a history of accident or drunk driving they may not be able to find a car insurance company that is willing to voluntarily insure them, even at an inflated cost. If a Louisiana resident is unable to find a car insurance company that is willing to write an auto insurance policy for them they can request an automobile insurance application from any insurance company licensed to sell insurance in Louisiana. As part of the application process the applicant must certify that they have been unable to find an insurance policy over the last 60 days. The application will be sent to the automobile insurance plan office and, if approved, the driver will be assigned to an insurance provider that will be legally required to write them a car insurance policy. Once on the automobile insurance plan the insurance company will be required to insure a driver that is placed with them for at least three years, after which the driver must re submit another application if they still are unable to find an insurance company to sell them car insurance in Louisiana.

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Indiana – General Emissions Information

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

There are many common questions that residents of Indiana have about the state’s emissions testing program and requirements to pass the Indiana emissions inspection.  This section will look at the most frequently asked questions and their answers concerning the Indiana emissions testing program.

How often does my vehicle need to be brought in for emissions testing?

In Indiana, emissions testing is required every two years.  If your vehicle was manufactured in the last four years it is exempt from requiring emissions testing until it is five years old.  Emissions testing in Indiana is done on an odd year/even year basis, meaning if your vehicle was manufactured in a year ending with an odd digit (such as 1997) you will need emissions testing to be done on odds years (such as 2013, 2015, 2017), and if your vehicle was manufactured on a year ending in an even digit your vehicle will need to get emissions testing done in years ending on an even digit.

When will I need to get my vehicle’s emissions tested?

In order for you to renew your registration in Indiana you will need to have your vehicle pass the Indiana emissions inspection.

How will I know if I have an emissions test that I need to complete?

You will be notified if you live in Lake and Porter counties by the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles when you have an emissions test due.  Indiana will send this notice out to you about two months prior to the due date of the emissions test.

Do I need to wait for the emissions testing notice in order to have my vehicle’s emissions tested?

No, you can have your emissions tested earlier if you wish.  Vehicles can have emissions testing done as early as October of the year prior the due date.

Is there a customer service number or email if I need to contact someone from Indiana’s Clearn Air Car Check program?

Yes, you can call toll free 888-240-1684 or you can send an email to [email protected] if you would like to reach someone to speak with.

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Maryland – Emissions Failures and Retests

Last updated on November 9th, 2017

There is a chance that your vehicle may have failed the Maryland emissions inspection test.  In the event of Vehicle Emissions Failures there are a few possibilities that caused this and there are certain steps you now must follow.

Your vehicle could have failed the test for the following reasons: Your vehicle has exceeded the standards for hydrocarbon resulting in a hydrocarbon failure.  Your vehicle has exceeded the standards for carbon monoxide resulting in carbon monoxide failure.  There could have been a sample dilution failure.  Your vehicle could have failed the On Board Diagnostics test.  Your vehicle could have missing, disconnected, or broken emissions control equipment.  Or your vehicle could have had a gas cap failure resulting in vapors leaking from your vehicle.

If your vehicle failed the Maryland emissions test your next step is to have the vehicle repaired to correct whatever failure(s) have occurred.  After your vehicle is repaired you need to get your vehicle retested.  When you go to get your emissions retest you should bring along your initial test results paper that you were given, along with the paperwork from the garage/service center that repaired your vehicle’s emissions issues.   The first retest of your vehicle is free.

If you spent $450 or more on your emissions related vehicle repairs you may be eligible to get a Maryland emissions waiver.  If you would like to apply for the waiver you must complete the backside of the vehicle inspection report paper you were given after your vehicle was initially tested.  You must also submit the receipts for the work you had done on your vehicle.

If you fail the retest your second retest you will need to pay for.

If you have any questions you can contact the emissions inspection program at 1-800-638-8347.  If you have questions for the MVA the customer service contact number is 1-800-950-1682.

 

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Maryland – General Emissions Information

Last updated on November 10th, 2017

Maryland – General Emissions Information – There are many commonly asked questions concerning the Maryland emissions program.  In this section we will look at the most frequently asked questions concerning Maryland’s emissions inspection program and provide the answers to them.

How will I know if my vehicle needs to get its Maryland emissions inspection done?

Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration will send a letter to you approximately 8 weeks before your vehicle’s deadline to have emissions testing is.  You can have your vehicle’s emissions tested anytime after receiving the letter up to the full 8 weeks until the deadline.

What if I forget the letter sent to me from the MVA?

If you forget to bring your letter that you received telling you that your emissions needs to be tested you will need to provide your registration in its place when go to get the emissions inspection done.

Is there a fee to have my emissions tested in Maryland?

Yes, there is a $14 fee to have a Maryland emissions inspection performed.  There are multiple forms of payment accepted: credit card, money order, cash, or personal check (you will need two valid forms of ID if you wish to pay by personal check).

When will I find out if my vehicle passed or failed the emissions inspection?

After the emissions inspection is performed you will be given an emissions paper that tells you whether your vehicle passed or failed the Maryland emissions inspection.  In the event that your vehicle failed the emissions test the paper will inform you of when your emissions retest will be.

Do I need to pay for a retest if my vehicle failed the initial emissions inspection?

No, you do not need to pay for the retest.  The retest is done for free.

If I cannot get my vehicle tested by the due date am I able to get an extension?

You can request an extension by calling 1-800-638-8347 and explaining your situation.

 

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Maine – Emissions Failures and Retests

Last updated on April 25th, 2018

Maine Emissions Failures Retests – There is a chance that when your bring your vehicle in for its Maine emissions inspection that your vehicle may fail the test. If your vehicle fails the emissions test there are a few steps you will need to follow.

Upon emissions testing failure in Maine, you will have sixty days from the test date to have your vehicle repaired and have an emissions retest performed and passed.  If you do not comply with this you risk receiving a citation or possibly having your registration suspended. If you go to have a retest done and you are within the sixty days limit the retest will be performed free of charge.

It is recommended that for repairs you go to a qualified technician that has the proper diagnostic and repair equipment.  Most dealerships and repair shops should have the required equipment but you should ask prior to bringing your vehicle there to ensure they are qualified.

If your vehicle failed the emissions test you are not supposed to drive your vehicle until the repairs have been made.  If your vehicle was manufactured in 1996 or later, following having your repairs made on the vehicle you will need to drive the vehicle for one week  so that your Onboard Diagnostics can collect the required amount of data for a retest to be performed.

There are no extensions or waivers allowed in the state of Maine.

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Texas Car Insurance

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

When it comes to car accidents involving two or more drivers Texas Car Insurance law requires the driver that caused the accident to pay for any injuries or property damage sustained by other parties. Since the costs of even a minor accident can place unbearable financial burden on many motorists the state of Texas operates under a financial responsibility law that requires drivers to prove that they have the ability to pay for any damage or injuries they cause before they are able to legally drive on a public road.  The easiest way for Texas residents to prove financial responsibility is to purchase an auto insurance policy that includes the minimum amount of coverage as required by state law. In the state of Texas the only type of insurance that is legally required to be maintained on a vehicle is liability insurance. The state mandates that every auto insurance policy purchased in the state should include at least $30,000 in bodily injury or death benefits for an individual person and $60,000 in bodily injury or death benefits per accident. These benefits are only to secondary parties involved in an accident with the policy holder and cannot be paid out to the policy holder or passengers in the policy holder’s vehicle. In addition to bodily injury and death coverage Texas State law also requires auto insurance policies to include a minimum of $25,000 in property damage liability coverage which can be used to pay for the property damage caused by the policy holder. Because the costs of medical care and property damage can be so high, even in a relatively minor accident, Texas recommends that vehicle owners purchase liability coverage in amount that’s exceed state minimum requirements. Purchasing extra coverage will also help reduce the chance that the policy holder is sued by another party because their liability coverage did not cover the full cost of the accidents. According to Texas law at-fault drivers are responsible for the entire cost of an accident and even if they have insurance they could still be personally liable for a portion of the cost if their insurance does not cover everything or if the other driver attempts to sue for punitive damages. Although liability coverage is generally described as bodily injury or property damage coverage it can actually cover a much wider range claims. Liability coverage for instance can be used to pay for punitive damages if they are awarded to the court and it can also help pay for  policy holder’s attorney fees if they are sued because of an accident and will even pay $250 toward bail if the policy holder or driver of the insured vehicle is arrested.

Liability coverage on a vehicle also covers more people than just the policy holder or the person that happens to be driving the vehicle. The liability coverage included with most policies covers the policy holder’s immediate family and any other people living in the policy holder’s home. If a Texas vehicle owner wishes to have auto insurance coverage that will pay their injuries or property damage most Texas car insurance companies will allow them to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverage typically covers pretty much any physical damage done to the insured vehicle no matter how it was caused and who was at-fault for the damage. Some residents may also wish to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage which will be activated if the insured vehicle is involved in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have enough coverage to pay for the injuries to all parties involved in the accident.

In order to enforce state car insurance requirements Texas residents are required y law to present proof of insurance in a variety of situations Like many other states Texas requires a vehicle owner to provide proof of insurance when they register a vehicle with the DMV or when they receive or attempt to renew their drivers license. Drivers are also required to provide proof of insurance when they are pulled over or involved in an accident. Failure to provide proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer upon request will often result in a traffic citation and other potential penalties if they are convicted of driving without insurance. For a first offense an uninsured driver will be fined anywhere from $175 to $350 and for a second or subsequent offense a Texas resident could face a fine as large as $1,000 and will also have their license suspended and their vehicle impounded. If an uninsured driver is involved in an at-fault accident that results in serious injury or death to the other driver they will receive a minimum $4,000 fine and could potentially be sentenced to up to 1 year in jail. Driving uninsured in Texas will also result in a black mark on the driver’s record that could result in increased insurance premiums.

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Colorado Car Insurance

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

When buying Colorado Car Insurance Policy there are a variety of requirements that must be met in order for the policy to satisfy Colorado State law. The most obvious requirement that drivers in Colorado have to meet is maintaining minimum levels of liability coverage on their vehicle. These minimum levels are set by the state government and are mandatory for every Colorado resident that wants to operate a vehicle on a public road. The liability coverage required by the state of Colorado consists of three different categories, bodily injury to a single person, bodily injury for a single accident and property damage. The minimum required coverage for bodily injury to a single person is $25,000 while the single accident minimum is set at $50,000. The property damage minimum required by the state is the lowest of the three and sits at $15,000. While there are other types of insurance coverage available to Colorado drivers only the liability coverage, which protects the policy holder from financial liability if they are responsible for an accident, is required by Colorado State car insurance law. In addition to minimum coverage requirements the state of Colorado also requires its residents to carry proof of insurance with them at all times while driving a vehicle. If a driver is pulled over or is involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance to the officer on the scene they may be issued a citation as well as other penalties. There are a few different documents that will satisfy Colorado’s proof of insurance requirement, including an insurance card issued by the insurance company, a copy of the insurance policy itself, the declaration page from the policy or even a letter from the insurance company on company letterhead verifying that a vehicle is covered. All acceptable forms of proof of insurance in Colorado must include the VIN number of the vehicle, the make, model and year of the vehicle as well as the period of coverage.

The penalties for not adhering to state regulations regarding car insurance in Colorado tend to be rather severe in comparison to many other states. For first time offenders caught driving without car insurance on their vehicle the penalty in a mandatory $500 fine in addition to four points being attached to the driver’s license. While the monetary fine is larger for first offenders in most states the points that are attached to the driver’s license can also have a significant financial impact since they will result in higher insurance premiums. A second offense will carry an even heavier penalty in the form of a $1,000 fine and a four month suspension of the driver’s license. A third offense will also result in a $1,000 fine though instead of a four month suspension the driver’s license will be suspended for 8 months and the driver will be order to serve 40 hours of community service as punishment. With each offense the insurance premiums for the offending driver will continue to increase substantially, resulting in an even heavier financial burden.

In addition to minimum car insurance requirements the state of Colorado also requires insurance companies to offer certain other types of insurance to drivers even though the law does not require the driver to actually purchase the type of coverage. For example, Colorado insurance law requires insurance companies to offer their customers both uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage in the same amount of the bodily injury coverage they have. If a driver purchases $100,000 in bodily injury coverage the insurance company will be required to offer them t least $100,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Starting in January of 2009 car insurance companies that do business in Colorado are also required to offer their customers at least $5,000 in medical payments coverage. Every time an auto insurance policy is purchased in Colorado this coverage is automatically added to the premium unless the driver actively opts out of the coverage and has it removed from their policy. Collision coverage, which covers the policy holder’s vehicle from damage sustained in an accident, is another type of coverage that the state of Colorado requires insurance companies to offer.

Colorado car insurance law also covers many subtleties often over looked by drivers, such as the cancellation of the insurance policy and the potential grace period. Many states require insurance companies to allow their customers to have a grace period during which their insurance remains active even if they have not paid the bill. However, in Colorado there is no legally required grace period and unless the premium payment is received before or on the date it is due the insurance company is within its right to deny coverage for any accident that results immediately afterwards. Colorado also regulates the cancellation of car insurance policies before they expire. The only way a policy can be canceled before the term is up is if the policy holder is found to have lied on the application, they have failed to make a payment or if their license has been suspended.

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