No Car Insurance
Car insurance is mandatory in all 50 states and drivers are required to carry proof of car insurance in their vehicle, usually in the form of an insurance card. If the date on your insurance card shows your policy as expired, there may be actions you can take to avoid penalties for no car insurance. If your policy expired recently for the non-payment of premiums, you may be able to have coverage reinstated retroactively to cover the date of your citation.
If Your Policy Was Recently Renewed
If you recently renewed your policy and haven’t received your new insurance card, or have not yet replaced your old insurance card in your car, some jurisdictions will allow you to bring proof of current insurance to the police station or courthouse and have your ticket dismissed. You will have to demonstrate proof of continuous insurance without lapses and some jurisdictions may require drivers to appear in court with proof of insurance to have the charges dismissed.
If Your Policy Lapsed For Non Payment
Just because your insurance card says your insurance is current doesn’t mean you won’t be caught if your policy is lapsed for non-payment. In many states, insurance companies are required to report lapsed policies to the state DMV data bank. Police can check for the status on the policy.
If you have no car insurance, your policy has only lapsed for a few days and you haven’t had any accidents in that time, your insurer may agree to reinstate the policy back to the cancellation date if you make a payment.
If You Just Don’t Have Car Insurance
If you are driving without auto insurance, you are subject to fines, suspension of a driver’s license and in some states, even jail time. If your policy has been lapsed for more than a few days, your insurer will not agree to cover you for the date you were caught without insurance. Some people pay for a month of insurance and hope the insurance card will keep them from getting a ticket for a year, but it doesn’t work. Driving with no car insurance is a crime and you will get caught.
Driving Without Car Insurance Is Expensive
Drivers caught driving with no car insurance can face fines as high as those for DUI citations and a suspension of their driving privileges. Not only will they have to pay these costs, but they will also pay higher car insurance rates when they get their license reinstated, since driving without insurance is a serious violation. The high premiums can last for up to three years following the violation and can cost these drivers hundreds of dollars a year.
Cheap State Minimum Car Insurance
There are many insurance companies which offer inexpensive mandatory minimum limits insurance coverage. While you may think the insurance is expensive, it is cheap compared to the cost of being caught with no car insurance. In many cases these policies can be purchased online or over the telephone and many policies offer automatic payment plans tied to a credit or debit card for the absent minded. There is no reason to drive with no auto insurance.
Lower Car Insurance Rates
To find affordable mandatory minimum car insurance coverage in your state, enter your zip code and begin a car insurance quote online. When consumers get free online quotes, they can compare the rates, coverage, and policies offered by many of the best car insurance companies in the U.S., finding the best, cheap car insurance rates. Start your car insurance quote now and save money with cheap rates so you won’t be caught with no car insurance.
