Monday 2 January 2017

Indiana Car Insurance

Indiana Car Insurance Minimum Requirements

Indiana mapThe minimum requirement for Indiana car insurance is liability insurance for bodily injuries and property damages, similarly to a lot of other states.  The minimum amount of coverage for bodily injury is at least $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident.  The minimum property damage coverage amount is at least $10,000.  Indiana’s minimum liability insurance coverage amount is also known as the 25/50/10 coverage.

Indiana follows a Tort system in treating vehicular accidents in the state.  Under the Tort system, it is assumed that there is always someone at fault for causing the vehicular accident.  The one at fault and his or her car insurance provider must then pay for the costs of the accidents which can include medical bills and auto repair bills of the innocent party.

Average Indiana Car Insurance Rate Versus the National Average

The average car insurance premium in Indiana is at least $947 compared to the national average premium of $1437. The car insurance premiums of Indiana’s major cities are significantly higher than the state average although lower than the national average.

State of Indiana’s Law on Drunk Driving (DUI)

In Indiana, DUI is known by another name, operating a vehicle while intoxicated or OWI.  The authorities can apprehend a motorist for drunk driving in two instances.  The first instance is if the police has subjected the driver to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test and found out that he or she has a BAC level of at least .08 or higher.  The second instance is even if the driver does not register a .08 BAC level, he or she can still be apprehended based on the judgment and observation of the apprehending officer.  Visible signs of impairment such as a slurred speech or failing a sobriety test can be taken as proof of drunkenness.

Indiana’s Penalties for First Time DUI or OWI Offense

1. For first time DUI offenders whose BAC level is between .08% and .14%, a minimum amount of 5 days in jail or community service is required.  If the offender’s BAC level is .15% or above, he or she can receive the maximum jail time of one year.  Under Indiana law, the offender must serve the first 48 hours or two days of the jail sentence consecutively.

Conviction for a first time DUI offense is generally considered as a misdemeanor. However if the first time DUI offender has passengers who are below the age of 18 at the time of his or her arrest, the DUI charge will be now be considered as a felony.  The minimum

2. First time offender’s whose BAC level is between .08% and .14%, may have to pay fines up to $500.  If the BAC level is at .15% or higher, he or she can face an additional fine of up to $5,000.3. A first time DUI conviction will result in the suspension of the driver’s license that can last from 3 months up to 2 years.  Once 30 days of suspension has passed, the offender can be eligible for a hardship license.

Before the issuance of a hardship license or the reinstatement of the driving license, the offender must first secure a SR-22 car insurance form.  The SR-22 form will serve as a certification of the offender’s financial responsibility.

4.  Community service of at least 180 hours instead of jail time can be offered to first time DUI offenders whose BAC level is between .08% and .14%.

5. First time DUI offenders will be required to undergo an alcohol or drug assessment test that is approved by the state.  The court can also order the first time DUI convict to attend an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program that is also approved by the state.

Indiana’s Penalties for Second Time DUI or OWI Offense

1.  If the second DUI offense has been committed within a 5 year period, the minimum jail time will be at least 10 days up to 3 years.  However, the court can allow the second time DUI offender to instead serve 360 hours worth of community service instead of serving his or her time in jail.

2. A second time DUI conviction will result in the payment of a fine that can reach up to $10,000.

3.  If the second DUI conviction happens within a 5 year period, the driving license will be suspended for 1 year up to 2 years.  If the 5 year period has already lapsed but it is still within a 10 year period of the first DUI conviction, the driving license suspension can last anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years.

Eligibility for hardship driving license is possible only after 30 days of suspension has passed.  The court will also order the installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device on offender’s vehicle.  The cost of installation and maintenance of the device will be shouldered by the offender.

Before any hardship license can be given or a driver’s license can be reinstated, the offender must first purchase an SR-22 insurance form as a guarantee of financial responsibility.

4. The court can allow the second time offender to perform at least 360 hours community service instead of jail time if the second offense was committed within 5 years of his or her first DUI conviction.

5.  The second DUI will result in offender submitting to an alcohol or drug assessment test.  The court can also require the offender to submit to an alcohol and drug treatment program.  Both the assessment and treatment must first be approved by the state.

Indiana’s Top Ten of Vehicles Stolen

Below is a list of vehicles most favored by car thieves in the state of Indiana.  Owners of these vehicles should take every reasonable precaution and if feasible, install security devices in order to protect and safeguard their car.

Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) 1990 model
Ford Taurus 2000 model
Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera 1994 model
Ford F150 Pickup 2001 model
Chevrolet Impala 2001 model
Ford Explorer 2002 model
Pontiac Grand Am1999 model
Dodge Ram 2001 model
Dodge Caravan 2000 model
Pontiac Grand Prix 2000 model

No comments:

Post a Comment