I am currently working on moving out of NYC, purchasing a car, and obtaining new drivers insurance.
I have not driven a car in about 10 years, never had an accident or been at fault or had points on my license.
I renewed my NY state license in 2021 during COVID, and I mistakenly didn't submit a vision exam in the years following. My license was suspended in December 2023, and I just submitted a vision test this month, and now my license is back in good standing (per the DMV website). I paid for the complete license infraction history, and the missing vision exam was the only item listed.
I have applied for drivers insurance via Lemonade, and have been denied for a policy (after having my license suspension lifted). Their broker responded:
"I took a look at the quote again and it is saying that it was declined due to having one major violation in the past three years. Unfortunately, it looks like the reason your license was suspended was possibly considered a major violation which means we would not be able to offer coverage."
I have a few questions, if anyone knows how to help.
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is this something I should work out with the insurer? Or the DMV? When the Lemonade agent says "the reason was possibly considered a major violation" – it makes it sound like they don't actually know what the specific violation was?
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should I simply try another insurer?
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should something like a missing vision test count as a "major violation", and if so, should it still be on my record after I resolve the situation?
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most concerningly, am I essentially uninsurable for the next three years because of this problem?
I really appreciate any thoughts on the above. I'm currently losing sleep over this.
Do I have an insurer problem? Or am I the issue?
byu/IatrophobicStimulus inInsurance
Posted by IatrophobicStimulus