New York throughs the book at texting drivers

Drivers in New York beware. The Senate has put through a new law that will make texting while driving a primary offense. New York is just one of a few states left where texting and driving (or talking on the phone and driving) is a secondary offense. Out of 31 states that ban using mobile devices while driving, New York is one of four states where it isn’t a primary offense. What does this mean for drivers who use their mobile devices while on the road? As a secondary offense,…

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More and more people driving without insurance

The high unemployment rates and continuing poor economy have affected almost everyone across the United States. When people lose a job they start looking at where they can cut their bills to make ends meet. Unfortunately, sometimes their car insurance is one of the areas that get cut. The rate of uninsured drivers for 2010 hit 16.1 percent. Several states have amended previous insurance requirements, or changed the minimum amounts a driver is required to carry. Some states have changed coverage that was once mandatory, like underinsured motorist, and made…

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A check list of the last 30 days in car insurance news headlines for the U.S.

It looks like 2011 is going to be the year for several states to make all out changes to laws relating to car insurance requirements. Some of the states involved in making changes to existing legislation, are; New York, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.  Also, in the car insurance news headlines…several states have decided to raise the minimum liability coverage required. Texas, for instance, has raised the minimum liability limits to 30/60/25. This means $30,000 for each injured person, up to $60,000 per accident. Property damage is staying at $25,000 per accident.…

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New York drivers in for steeper point surcharges

The cost of driving in New York can add up and it’s going to get higher. Starting next week drivers better hang up while behind the wheel or they’ll face a steeper penalty on their record. Driving while talking on the phone has been illegal for many years but only now has the point count gone from 1 point to 2. The state requirement allows 11 points over an 18 month time period before you’ll lose your license. Experts agree, since car insurance rates are based on the amount of…

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New York’s fire department proposes unpopular “Crash Tax”

insurance news Staten Island Fire Dept Under Pressure

The Stanton Island City Council has been pushing around a new proposal that is being referred to as, “crash tax” This new fee will be assessed to both drivers, whether at fault or not, and can become effective as early as this July. The FDNY will charge $490 to each driver involved in accidents resulting in injuries, $415 for vehicle fires and $365 for just showing up. In a statement from FDNY spokesman Steve Ritea, “The intention here is to take the burden off of taxpayers and make the parties…

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