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What Can An Attorney Do If I Am Charged With Driving Without Insurance
If you have been cited for driving with no insurance in California, you should speak with an experienced traffic ticket attorney immediately. Your attorney may be able to show that you actually have auto insurance but you simply were not carrying proof of insurance with you at the time you were cited.
Your attorney may be able to have the charges dismissed if you obtain insurance following the incident and bring proof of insurance to the judge or prosecutor. Your attorney will be able to go to court without you having to appear in person to resolve your case.
My Car Is Parked On The Road But I Dont Drive It Does It Need To Be Insured
Yes. According to section 143 of the Road Traffic Act, anyone who uses, causes or permits a person to use a vehicle on the road must have an insurance policy in place. Parking a vehicle on the road falls within the category of uses.
Your car could be hit by another vehicle if its parked on the road so needs to be covered.
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Can You Register A Car Without Insurance
In most cases, no. A few states, like Florida, allow you to register proof of financial responsibility and pay a registration fee instead of buying insurance. But doing so is often not much cheaper than buying insurance and is incredibly financially risky.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
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Should I Hire A Lawyer For Driving Without Insurance In Michigan
Given the dire legal and financial consequences, my best advice is also the simplest: never drive without insurance in Michigan. However, since most people have no idea how terrible the penalties are for driving without insurance UNTIL AFTER it is too late, and should the circumstances result in your being charged with driving without insurance, I would definitely advise you to hire a lawyer to protect you from criminal and financial liability.
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Driving Without Insurance In Arizona
Like most other states, Arizona requires its drivers to have a minimum amount of auto insurance pursuant to the Financial Responsibility Law. If you have a vehicle registered in Arizona and want to operate it, then you must carry the following minimum amount of insurance:
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident and
- Property Damage Liability Coverage: $10,000.
Alternatively, if you do not want to purchase auto insurance, you have the option of self-insurance. To ensure yourself, you must purchase a bond in the minimum amount of $40,000. When you register your vehicle, you must provide proof at the DMV of either your auto insurance or self-insured bond. You cannot legally drive with registration and without the minimum insurance coverage.
Upon request of a law enforcement officer, you must provide proof of financial responsibility, and if you fail to do so, there are consequences. Arizona has some of the strictest penalties for driving without insurance. The penalties vary according to the circumstances.
Used Cars And Vehicle Registration
Many people wonder if they buy a used car, whether they can they drive it without registration. The answer is it depends on the state. In Michigan, for instance, you can drive home a newly purchased used vehicle but only if you drive the vehicle directly to the first place of storage within 15 days of the sale. You must have the properly assigned title with you and should check with your insurance company to be sure you’re covered. Again, the number of days you have to register a car varies so you should check with your state’s DMV.
In most states, certain types of vehicles need not be registered — including “off-highway” vehicles, stored vehicles, or vehicles for which a “non-operating” has been filed with the state department of motor vehicles.
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Do I Need Insurance For A Rental Car
Most rental car companies provide the state minimum insurance with their rental vehicles. You are not required to purchase extra insurance, but it could be a good idea if you dont already have coverage through your regular auto insurance policy .
State minimum requirements typically only include coverage for other parties damages after an accident you cause, not your own car. This means that youll be on the hook for repair or replacement costs for the rental if you dont have extra insurance. Keep in mind that your personal auto policy still applies in most cases when you are driving a rental car.
If You Are An Undocumented Immigrant
If you are in the country without proper documentation, then you most likely do not have a valid driver’s license, making it impossible to get insurance. If you were to be caught driving in this case, you would face not only penalties and fines but also potential deportation. Luckily, 12 states and Washington, D.C., have introduced programs for undocumented immigrants to get legitimate driver’s licenses. Obtaining a legitimate card with driving privileges is the first step in obtaining insurance.
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Vehicle Impounded And Loss Of Registration
If you’re caught driving without insurance, especially if you’re involved in an accident, a court could order your vehicle to be impounded and your license and registration to be revoked. In most states you will not be able to drive the vehicle again until you submit valid proof of insurance to your state’s DMV, typically an SR-22.
Penalties For Getting Into An Accident While Uninsured
If you’re uninsured or have let your insurance lapse, getting into an accident can be a disastrous situation, both for you and the other driverespecially if they don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. Repair and medical expenses from a significant accident can easily cost thousands of dollars, even exceeding $1 million if serious injuries are incurred. Additionally, uninsured drivers who injure or kill other drivers can face significant fines, SR-22 requirements and prison sentences.
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When Dont I Need Car Insurance
Although the majority of cars do need to be insured, there are some exceptions to the rule. Your car doesnt need insurance if its:
- been declared off the road using the SORN procedure
- been scrapped, stolen or exported with notice
- between registered keepers or dealers
- registered as in trade with the DVLA
What Is The Penalty For Driving Without Insurance In Alberta
Drivers can face a number of penalties. You can face fines, and a license suspension, and see your premiums increase.
You will not be arrested or face criminal charges. However, you could face jail time for failure to pay fines for driving without a policy. You could be arrested if you are caught in a criminal act while driving with no insurance.
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Why Is It Illegal To Not Have Car Insurance
Because car accidents are expensive. They cost Americans $242 billion every year for immediate expenses like car repairs, medical bills, and lost income and workplace profit. Counting all accident-related costs makes that number jump to $836 billion.6
In fact, someone who is critically injured in a wreck will typically face up to $1 million in accident-related costs.7 If their insurance doesnt cover it all, theyll be buried under a mountain of bills they cant afford to pay.
Most people dont have a million dollars to fork over after an accident. You know who does? Insurance companies. Thats why insurance is so criticaland why its required by law in most of the U.S. Its whole purpose is to protect you and people around you from financial ruin after an accident.
California Car Insurance Laws
First, lets take a second to understand what it means to be driving without insurance in California. In this state, you only meet the legally required amount of coverage when you have:
- $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $5,000 of property damage liability coverage
Your policy might list these limits as 15/30/5.
Ultimately, having this much liability coverage gives you something to fall back on. If you cause an accident or hit a person or object with your car, you can rely on your liability coverage to pay for the damages up to the limits listed above .
In California, driving without insurance means not having the above amounts of liability coverage. But thats not all. Per the state vehicle code, youre also required to show proof of that coverage to a law enforcement officer when requested to do so. You could show a paper copy of your insurance card or pull it up on your phone. Either way, though, to avoid a ticket for no insurance, youll need to show proof of insurance when asked.
However, just because you are able to prove financial responsibility, it is important to keep in mind that if you are responsible for causing an accident, the damages could easily exceed $35,000.
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Penalties For Driving Without Car Insurance By State
Car insurance helps protect you by paying for vehicle repairs and injuries if youre in an accident. Driving without it is risky. If you dont have insurance, you could be on the hook for accident-related expenses if youre at fault. And if thats not bad enough, most states have penalties for driving without car insurance.
Punishments vary by state, so its important to know the laws where you live before getting behind the wheel.
Consequences for Driving Without Car Insurance
People typically understand the penalties for speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But not everyone knows that if you drive without insurance, youll likely have to pay a fine, and the state may suspend your license and/or registration. You may even face jail time in some states, and penalties typically get more severe if you have multiple offenses.
You will likely pay more for car insurance when you get a new policy because insurance companies often charge higher premiums for drivers who have a lapse in coverage. And you need coverage to get back on the road.
Penalties For Being Involved In An Accident Without Insurance In Ny
If you or someone else is driving your vehicle without insurance and is involved in an accident, the DMV will immediately revoke your license and registration for a minimum of one year after the collision.
On top of having to pay a $750 civil penalty and $1,500 in fines to have your license reinstated, you will also be held liable to pay for any injuries or damages that occurred in the accident.
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What Does Car Insurance Cover
Car insurance can cover the financial fallout if you damage someone elses property or vehicle. If you opt for a higher level of coverage, you may also be covered for the repair or replacement costs of your vehicle after a collision, fire, theft or weather event.
Insurance policies can vary in coverage and price, which is why its important to review your options carefully and weigh up the benefits alongside the price.
Is Accidental Policy Lapse A Legitimate Defence
I accidentally let my policy lapse. Is that a legitimate defence? No. Even if its just for a day, driving uninsured can land you in hot water.
Theres no obligation on insurers to automatically renew your cover, although many will do that these days.
Its your responsibility to make sure youre covered before you drive a vehicle.
You may be able to argue mitigating circumstances, but youd still be guilty of the offence.
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What Happens If You Get Pulled Over Without Insurance
If you get pulled over without insurance, even if you’re a first-time offender, you’re likely to get a ticket that carries fines. Fines for driving without insurance can reach as high as $5,000 in some states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Hawaii. Many states will also suspend an uninsured driver’s license, even if you’re a first-time offender. The suspension may end after a specific period, or once you’ve presented proof of insurance or filed an SR-22 with your state. There’s also a chance your car could be towed, and you won’t be able to get it back until you’ve paid a fine and provided proof of insurance.
Many states will suspend your license if you’re caught driving uninsured.
Have you previously been caught driving uninsured? If so, there’s a good chance getting caught again will lead to a larger fine. You could even risk serving jail time.
Pro tip:
If you’re caught driving without insurance, your future car insurance rates can increase to be significantly higher than otherwise.
If An Uninsured Driver Is At Fault
Drivers with a lapse in coverage who are deemed at-fault will be financially liable for any resulting damage, and could even be sued by the other driver. However, some states require uninsured motorist coverage, which means the other driver could already be covered by their own insurance if an uninsured driver is at-fault.
Similarly, in states with no-fault rules, drivers use their own insurance companies to pay for minor injuries. As a result, if an uninsured driver causes an accident in a no-fault state, the insured driver will be covered by their own insurance up to their policy limits.
One exception is possible, though rare: If you had a lapse in coverage but had already paid for a policy that hadn’t come into effect yet, your insurance company might reimburse you for a claim. However, this is unlikely, and would require you to have a good driving record, a long history with your insurance company, and an accident that took place a few days before your new policy was to begin. The company would be under no legal obligation to reimburse you, though, as you were technically uninsured during the intervening period.
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Benefit Of Maryland Driving Without Insurance Lawyer
While the process of getting the citation from the police officer may not have been significantly different than getting a speeding ticket from a police officer, the criminal penalties associated with driving without insurance means that there is a possibility of incarceration. Any time that there is a possibility of going to jail, it is extremely important to work with an attorney who knows the law as it relates to driving without insurance, who knows the jurisdiction, and who can get you the best possible outcome in the case.
You Can Get Car Insurance In California Even If You Are
Uninsured: Unless you’re a newly licensed driver, having a history of driving without insurance or lapses in coverage is a risk to insurers. To insurance companies, it’s similar to a bad driving record, which is why drivers who let their insurance lapse for 60 days pay about 6% more than the average premium in California.
USAA, State Farm, Nationwide, and Geico tend to have the lowest rates for drivers who want to regain coverage.
Driving someone else’s car: It’s not illegal to drive someone else’s car if you do not have insurance, but non-owner car insurance can protect you if you don’t have a car but still drive regularly. If you borrow a car from someone living in your own home, you should be listed on the car owner’s policy. But you may want to explore non-owner coverage if you need to reinstate a driver’s license, you rent or borrow cars frequently, or you want to maintain continuous auto coverage between vehicles.
Geico, State Farm, Nationwide, and The General good places to shop if you need non-driver car insurance.
High-Risk: If you’re a high-risk driver who has been denied coverage from traditional insurance companies, check out California’s assigned risk program. Whether you require an assigned risk program or still qualify for high-risk insurance from conventional providers, you’ll pay more. In California, drivers with just two speeding tickets pay an average of 97% more on their annual car insurance premiums, for example.
State Penalties And Fines For Driving Without Insurance
Below is an overview of the consequences you can expect for your first offense of driving without insurance in each state. This data comes from each state’s department of motor vehicles . Contact your local DMV to find more detailed information.
| State | |
|---|---|
| None | Varies |
*In Washington, DC, there are different violations for owning and registering an uninsured vehicle, as well as operating an uninsured vehicle. These are the penalties for operating an uninsured vehicle.