Category: Vermont

Vermont Car Insurance

Last updated on November 20th, 2017

Vermont Car Insurance – The state of Vermont requires that every vehicle registered with the state be covered with a variety of different types of insurance in order to be legally drivable on a public road. First and foremost Vermont requires that all vehicles be insured with a certain amount of liability insurance in case the driver of the vehicle is involved in an accident for which they are found to be at-fault. In the state of Vermont the at-fault driver in an accident is legally responsible for paying for all damages and injuries that occurred as a result of the accident. For this reason, the state requires liability coverage on every vehicle in order to make sure that every driver has the ability to pay for an accident if the need should arise. Without liability coverage the at-fault driver in an accident would be responsible for paying for the costs of an accident out of their own pocket, a financial burden which many Vermont motorists cannot afford to take on. In order for an insurance policy to meet Vermont State requirements it must include a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for a single individual, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for a single accident and $10,000 in property damage coverage. Bodily injury coverage is necessary because it will pay for the injuries of those involved in a car accident caused by the policy holder, though bodily injury liability coverage will not pay for any injuries to the policy holder or any passengers in the insured vehicle. If a Vermont resident wishes to have insurance coverage that covers their injuries as well as any injuries to their passengers in an at-fault accident they are free to purchase personal injury coverage for their auto insurance policy. Property damage liability coverage serves to pay for any property damage incurred by other drivers at the hands of the policy holder and like bodily injury coverage it cannot be used to pay for the property damage incurred by the policy holder or nay passengers in the insured vehicle at the time of the accident. The most common use of property damage liability coverage is to pay for the damage to other vehicles involved in an accident. Vermont motorists that wish to have insurance that will pay for the damage to their vehicles can purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. This type of coverage covers all type of damage to the insured vehicle including damage that was the result of an accident in which the policy holder was determined to be at fault.

In addition to liability coverage Vermont car insurance law also requires residents to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for every vehicle that will be driven on state roads. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is similar to bodily injury coverage in that it pays for many of the same things, including medical bills and wages lost due to injury. However, unlike bodily injury coverage uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is meant to be used only when the policy holder is involved in a car accident and the at fault driver either has no coverage at all or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the injuries sustained by the policy holder and passengers in the insured vehicle. The minimum amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that a vehicle owner must have in Vermont currently sits at $25,000 for injuries to a single individual and $50,000 for all injuries resulting from a single accident.

Vermont State law requires that every resident needs to be able to provide proof of insurance upon request. Failure to provide this proof of insurance can result in a traffic citation, if it is an officer that is making the request, or denied access to certain government services, such as vehicle registration. Driving without insurance is against the law in the state of Vermont and those that are caught driving with no insurance face penalties that can be much more burdensome than the insurance premiums that the driver opted not to pay. A traffic citation for failure to provide proof of insurance in Vermont is typically accompanied by a $100 fine and possibly the suspension of the vehicle’s registration. If a policy holder allows their insurance to lapse they could have their registration suspended as well.

The only way a Vermont vehicle owner can legally avoid purchasing an insurance policy for their vehicle is to obtain a certificate of self-insurance. Evidence of self-insurance requires that the vehicle owner put down a $115,000 deposit with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles as proof that they do have the financial resources to pay for any accident in which they are found to be at fault. Very few residents are able to provide proof of self insurance simply because the upfront cash required is more than the average person has on hand to waste.

Filed under: Vermont, Car InsuranceTagged with: ,

Vermont Emissions

Last updated on March 16th, 2021

Vermont Emissions

Every vehicle that is registered in the state of Vermont is required to undergo a safety inspection annually. If your vehicle is newer than the year 1996 and is powered by gasoline or is newer than 1997 and is powered by diesel and weighs less than 8500 pounds, this also means that you will be required to have an onboard diagnostic tests performed.

This test is in response to the states smog and emissions requirements. You can have both the safety inspection and the Vermont emissions test performed at the same time and at the same location.

Vermont Emissions

Moving to Vermont

When you move to the state, you will have 15 days from the date you register your vehicle to have the Vermont inspection completed and to bring your vehicle in for a smog check. It is important that your vehicle is ready so that you will not have issues during this time.

Vermont Emissions

Requirements

Inspections for checking the safety of your vehicle are pretty straightforward in the state of Vermont. First, the technician will verify your registration, which must be current and accurate in regards to the vehicle. Next, you will have to provide the technician with your insurance. You should make sure that it complies with the regulations that had been set in place before you have your vehicle tested.

Finally the vehicle identification number is compared to the documentation that you have provided. Once all of the documentation portion has been verified, the technician will then check some of the basic components of your vehicle to make sure they are in working order.

For example, all safety equipment will be checked, such as seatbelts. Other items such as your mirrors, bumpers and windshield wipers will also been checked. The technician will also check your tires and wheels and look for any issues that may be causing problems with your steering and suspension.

Your brakes and lighting equipment will also be reviewed as will your windshield, Windows, and intent. Finally, your exhaust system will be checked and your emissions will be reviewed to make sure there are no issues with you, catalytic converter, or the fuel system that can cause leaking.

An onboard diagnostic inspection tests will also be performed and your technician will fill out a report at this time as well. If you pass the test, you will be provided an inspection sticker to be placed on your windshield until your vehicle is ready to be inspected once again.

Vermont Emissions

Conclusion

If you happen to fail the tests, you will be required to make all necessary repairs and have the vehicle retested before you are able to receive your registration from the state. It is important to keep your vehicle compliant with the rules that have been set forth by the state so that other drivers on the road as well as you and your passengers are safe while you’re driving your vehicle.

This also allows you to have the benefit of reducing the emissions that your vehicle produces so that you are able to keep the environment healthy and air quality clean. Citizens of Vermont should be well aware of how their vehicles affect the air quality and should make sure that they followed laws that have been put in place to protect it.

Vermont Emissions

Filed under: Vermont, Articles