New Auto Insurance Laws in Wyoming
Mandatory fingerprinting before car insurance is issued
Effective immediately, drivers are now required to submit fingerprints before they will be allowed a license or access to car insurance in Wyoming. The Wyoming Insurance Code will mandate local Wyoming resident to submit fingerprints before an initial application for license.
They must also submit a birth certificate, a valid US passport, a consular report if born abroad, a citizenship certificate and a certificate of naturalization.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal investigation will conduct criminal background checks before issuing new applicants their license.
The Wyoming Insurance Department (http://insurance.state.wy.us/index.asp) made fingerprint checks the law to ensure that all licensed drivers are trustworthy, fair and honest, thereby deeming them able to be insured.
Drivers who successfully receive their licenses, can then apply for car insurance in Wyoming.
Wyoming auto insurance companies are required by law to provide their customers with the following minimum coverage:
$25,000 for bodily injury to yourself for one accident
$50,000 for bodily injury of up to two people, including yourself in one accident
$20,000 for property damage in one accident
You will see this written out at 25/50/20 in your car insurance policy. Wyoming car insurance companies who offer you anything less than these minimum amounts are breaking the law and should be reported to the Wyoming Insurance Department or your local authorities.
Electronic Car Insurance Verification
The state of Wyoming has passed a law that allows the Wyoming Insurance Department to provide online access to verify if a driver has insurance. It will be sufficient proof of car insurance. This initiative hopes to decrease the number of suspended licenses and cancelled car insurance contracts.
New speed limit laws for I-80
The I-80 between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming is now subject to changing speed limits that will depend on and reflect the driving conditions when they deteriorate and become poor driving condition. Drivers are warned to keep watch for the variable speed limits on this stretch of the highway, or risk getting speeding tickets and fines.
Speeding tickets work against you in the eyes of your car insurance provider and will likely affect your car insurance premiums. If you had discounts applied to your car insurance, they may be revoked.
Wyoming Hailstorms Cause Car Insurance Claims to Rise
Cheyenne, Wyoming – Recent hailstorms in southeastern Wyoming have cause an uproar of concern for the damage done to Wyoming residents’ car. The balls of hail, often large and sharp, have caused so much damage to vehicles that some people have to say goodbye to their vehicles forever.
The Wyoming Department of Insurance suggests that policyholders consider the following steps when making a claim to their car insurance providers.
- Ask your car insurance company for a full explanation of your benefits. The cost of their settlement and what they pay to you should include the cost for repair or for a consultation should you choose to salvage your vehicle.
- Independently contact other sources to verify that what your car insurance company is paying you is fair according to market prices. Ask your car insurance company how much your premiums will increase after you have made your claim.
