Question 1

What types of car insurance coverages are best for teens?

Accepted Answer

Liability Coverage is required in most states with minimums set by state. This is what pays for damages to another person's property and/or injuries if you're at fault for an accident.

There are also "optional coverages" that can be required. These depend on car ownership. For example, if your car is leased or financed, the lender may require coverage for

Collision
Comprehensive

Either way, teen drivers can benefit from

Higher liability limits
Collision Coverage

This is important, as accidents can be more likely for inexperienced drivers, so added protection is nice

Another optional coverage to think about is 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Coverage. This can help give teens and parents peace of mind with help for flat tires, dead batteries, running out of gas, getting locked out of the car, and towing.

Question 2

Do I have to add my teenager to my car insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

No, but adding a teenage driver to an existing policy of a parent or guardian may be a more cost-effective option. However, if a parent or guardian has tickets or other serious driving offenses, it may be cheaper for a teen driver to get their own policy. The best way to figure out if adding your teenage driver is a good idea, is to get a quote.

You can easily add a teen driver to your Liberty Mutual policy in your online account. For a new car insurance policy for your teenage or under 25 driver, you can start your free quote today.

Question 3

When will my teenager's car insurance rate decrease?

Accepted Answer

For teen drivers, car insurance typically goes down incrementally for each year of driving. In most cases, this is until age 25-assuming they have a good driving record. Check with your insurance company to find out when your teen driver's rates are expected to go down.

Question 4

Does Liberty Mutual have any other programs or discounts teens can benefit from?

Accepted Answer

Yes! With our RightTrack® program, we'll reward your teen for good driving behavior and could save you up to 30%. You'll keep this discount for the life of your auto policy. RightTrack provides feedback to your teen driver, helps them improve their driving habits, and encourages safe driving behaviors.

We even guarantee a discount just for participating! Also, if your teen driver has a GPA of B or better, our Good Student Discount can help you save even more money.

Question 5

What if my teen is away at school and doesn't drive much?

Accepted Answer

Just let us know! Our Student-Away-At School Discount gives you a discount if your teen driver is away at school and only occasionally drives your car.

Question 6

What is an SR-22?

Accepted Answer

An SR-22 is a specific form filed by your auto insurance company with your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV). Simply put, an SR-22 is proof you're carrying the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage required by your state. An SR-22 is also referred to as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, an SR-22 Bond, or an SR-22 Form.

Question 7

Is an SR-22 a type of insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. An SR-22 is not insurance, but a document that proves you have the minimum amount of liability insurance your state requires.

Question 8

Is an SR-22 the same as a FR-44?

Accepted Answer

No. While both documents serve as proof that you're carrying the minimum required liability insurance required by your state, an FR-44.

Question 9

How do I know if I need an SR-22?

Accepted Answer

An SR-22 is typically ordered by a court or state. Either the judge will notify you of the requirement at the time of your court-ordered hearing or you'll get a letter from your state's DMV. If your state doesn't issue SR-22s, then you won't receive a notification.

Question 10

Who usually needs an SR-22?

Accepted Answer

While laws will differ by state, a person typically required to have an SR-22 is someone who has

Been convicted of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
Serious traffic offenses like reckless driving or a hit and run
Multiple/Repeat traffic violations or car accidents
Caused an accident while driving without insurance
Had their driver's license revoked or suspended and is now getting it reinstated
A hardship or temporary driver's license issued because of a license suspension or revocation
Not stayed current with court-ordered child support payments

Question 11

How do I get an SR-22?

Accepted Answer

Contact your insurance company and let them know that you're required to have an SR-22. If you're a Liberty Mutual customer, contact customer support.
Be sure to have the letter from your DMV or state ordered mandate handy. In some cases, you may need to provide your insurance company with a copy of your letter or mandate before they can issue you an SR-22.
Your insurance company will review your coverages, make any required changes to your auto insurance policy, and then file the form with your state on your behalf. Depending on the state you live in and your insurer, you may be required to pay a fee for your SR-22.
Contact your DMV within the timeframe specified by your insurance company to ensure that the SR-22 has been filed.
It's important to keep in mind that because of the additional risk, not every insurer is willing to offer SR-22s. You may have to shop around for a new insurance company.

Question 12

How much does an SR-22 cost?

Accepted Answer

How much an SR-22 costs depends on the state you live in and your insurance company. In general, SR-22 fees are between $0 - $200 a year.

Question 13

Will an SR-22 increase my insurance rates?

Accepted Answer

Having an SR-22 will typically increase your insurance premiums because the insurance company is taking on additional risk.

Just how much your rates may increase depends on several factors like the company and the type of violation(s). In the meantime, you should talk with your auto insurer about options that may help you to lower your car insurance costs.

The good news is that once the SR-22 is no longer required, you're likely to experience more favorable rates.

Question 14

How long will I need to have an SR-22?

Accepted Answer

While every state is different, the typical timeframe for maintaining an SR-22 is around 2-3 years. However, some may be as long as 5 years depending on the offense.

Question 15

Can I get an SR-22 for motorcycle insurance?

Accepted Answer

Most states offer SR-22s for motorcycle insurance. However, every state is different so check with your local DMV. You may also have to shop insurance companies to get an SR-22 filing specifically for a motorcycle.

Question 16

How do I remove an SR-22 from my insurance?

Accepted Answer

An SR-22 doesn't come off your insurance policy automatically. Once your SR-22 is no longer required, you must notify your insurance company and have them remove the filing with your local DMV.

Question 17

What does a no-fault insurance state mean?

Accepted Answer

No-fault insurance refers to how injuries are covered by car insurance. In a no-fault insurance state, if you're injured in an auto accident, you would file a claim with your own insurance company to pay for related medical costs. This is regardless of fault. No-fault insurance is often called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP for short.

In no-fault insurance states, drivers are normally required to have a minimum amount of PIP Coverage. This is to help make sure that people will have coverage to help if they're injured in an auto accident. This coverage is often in addition to auto coverages like Bodily Injury and Property Damage.

Question 18

What states are no-fault states?

Accepted Answer

Currently, there are 12 pure or “true” no-fault insurance states

Florida
Hawaii
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
Utah

Puerto Rico has its own mandatory no-fault insurance requirement.

*As of February 2023

Question 19

What does it mean when a state has an "add-on" or "choice" no-fault insurance requirement?

Accepted Answer

Add-on no-fault insurance is an option drivers in some states can add to their auto policy for extra Personal Injury Protection. Simply put, it requires a driver's own insurance company to pay for their medical and other expenses, regardless of fault.

In most states this coverage is optional, while in others it is mandatory. Here are the states that offer add-on coverage

Arkansas
Delaware
Washington, D.C.
Maryland
New Hampshire
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Choice no-fault insurance is offered in some states and gives drivers a choice of selecting a typical no-fault auto policy or a traditional auto insurance policy. States that offer this option are

Kentucky
New Jersey
Pennsylvania

Question 20

Who pays for damages in a no-fault insurance state?

Accepted Answer

In no-fault insurance states, the law requires each driver to file a claim with their own insurance company. Therefore, all medical expenses are paid by each of the driver's individual insurance companies. This is regardless of fault.

Question 21

How do no-fault insurance claims work?

Accepted Answer

In no-fault insurance states, the law requires each driver to file a claim with their own insurance company, no matter who's at-fault.

In most no-fault claims, you may have to

Give your insurer a recorded statement of the accident
Complete a medical exam with a physician selected by the insurance company

Failure to follow the requirements of your insurance company could result in a claim denial.

Question 22

Is auto insurance in no-fault insurance states more expensive than traditional liability insurance states?

Accepted Answer

In general, states with no-fault auto insurance have higher insurance costs compared to others. Some reasons may include

Claims are paid regardless of fault
Encouraging more incidents of fraud
Possible exaggerated injuries
Repeat offenders

This in turn can lead to insurance companies charging more.

Learn more about what type of auto insurance your state requires.

What are no-fault insurance states and what does that mean?

Frequently asked questions about no-fault car insurance

What does a no-fault insurance state mean?

What states are no-fault states?

What does it mean when a state has an "add-on" or "choice" no-fault insurance requirement?

Who pays for damages in a no-fault insurance state?

How do no-fault insurance claims work?

Is auto insurance in no-fault insurance states more expensive than traditional liability insurance states?

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