International Driver’s License and Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Tennessee. My friend from Italy borrowed and drove my car. He got involved in an accident which caused $1,200 damage to my car. When I submitted the claim, my agent asked for my friend’s international driver’s license. My friend is reluctant to give his driver’s license since he is worried that this will affect him in terms of denied auto insurance coverage in the future since he is planning to eventually work here. Would this really be the case?
Carl
Knoxville, TN
Before a foreign visitor can drive legally in the United States, he or she is required to get an International Driver’s License (IDP) from his or her home country before even setting foot in America. An IDP verifies that the foreigner has a valid driver’s license in his or her country of origin. This license then allows them to legally operate a motor vehicle on the public roads of the United States before they obtain their US license.
In your case, your auto insurance company in Tennessee may be demanding to see your friend’s international license to verify if he was legally permitted to drive in the United States. It is not probable that this claim will be attributed to him when he applies for a US driver’s license and car insurance coverage in the future. This particular claim is under your auto insurance policy, so his insurance rates in the future should not be affected.
It is unfortunate, though, that a claim this big will definitely mar your insurance record. This information will be used by auto insurance companies as a basis to raise your premiums. You may see an increase in your future auto insurance rates because of this particular claim even if the accident was your friend’s fault.
SR-22 Insurance Tennessee
Reader’s Question:
I appreciate you help if anyone from Chattanooga, Tennessee TN could give me information I need on Tennessee sr-22 requirements and information….thanks so much!
Martino
Chattanooga, TN
As most states do, Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles subscribes to the SR-22 federal system of communication. This is used to monitor the insurance status of individuals that have had previous problems in the State of Tennessee. The Secretary of State’s office in Tennessee located in Nashville administers the requirements, and oversees the policies that are written in this manner.
The State’s DMV allows for license reinstatement through a liability insurance policy, written to at least state minimums, endorsed with an SR-22 form to keep the state informed of the status of the policy. TN will not release a suspended license, or release any holds on another state license until the SR22 requirement is met by the driver. Typically, the requirement period for an SR22 is 2 years continuous when in Tennessee TN.
Liability insurance applied to any type of motor vehicle that can be legally driven on the road, or applied directly to an individual (non-owner) is recognized in TN. As long as the your auto insurance in Chattanooga, Tennessee is maintained without interruption, the license remains valid under either hardship or occupational status. Once the mandated time period of coverage is met, you can drop the SR22 policy in Chattanooga, Tennessee without issue.
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