Think driving without insurance is okay because the coverage is expensive and out of you budget or simply because you don’t want to endure the expense? It is a crime to operate a vehicle without the mandatory auto insurance in place that’s required by the state. As such, there’s a slew of penalties that occur if you’re caught driving. Exactly what’s going to happen if you’re caught driving without state-required auto insurance coverage?
Consequences of driving without auto insurance in place vary from state to state, but as a general guideline, you can expect the following consequences.
Traffic Ticket
If law enforcement stops you for any reason, you’re expected to show proof of current auto insurance. Failure to provide this proof will result in a ticket that you must pay. The ticket may also result in points being added to your driving record. The cost of the ticket varies, but expect to pay no less than $100 for the fine amount. Can’t you think of many better ways to spend $100 instead of on a fine?
Suspension of Driving Privileges
It doesn't matter if you live in California or New Hampshire; Tennessee or Florida. Driving without auto insurance will result in suspension of your driving privileges until proof of coverage is provided to satisfy the state. When your driving privileges are suspended, you cannot operate a motor vehicle under any circumstances. Doing so can result in a ticket and in some cases, an arrest!
More Expensive Auto Insurance
The average cost of insurance varies from state to state. In 2016, Louisiana drivers paid the most money to insure their cars, with an average annual rate of $2,106. In the same year, drivers in Maine paid $888 annually for auto insurance, making it the cheapest state for coverage. If you think that finding cheap insurance is hard now, wait until you try to find coverage after you’ve been suspended for failure to carry mandatory auto insurance!
Suspension of Vehicle Registration
If you are caught driving without auto insurance and do not show proof to the court that you had coverage at the time of the incident, expect the vehicle registration to be suspended. This is a common consequence that drives face when they do not carry the recommended amounts of auto insurance on their vehicle at all times. Once the registration has been suspended, you’ll need to pay a hefty amount of money to reinstate the registration. Furthermore, you’ll also be required to show proof of auto insurance before reinstating the vehicle registration.
Accident Costs
Perhaps the most devastating consequence drivers face when they choose to drive uninsured is the costs of an auto accident, if they’re involved and the cause of the crash. Drivers without auto insurance are expected to pay the damages of the accident out of their pocket. The average auto accident costed more than $11,100! Do you have this kind of money lying around to hand over to pay for an accident? What happens if the accident is more severe and there’s worse injuries and damages?
The Bottom line
Auto insurance may seem like a nuisance and another bill that you don’t want to pay each month, but the fact is that it is legal to carry in almost every state in the U.S. Failure to carry the required amounts of auto insurance is a crime and if you’re caught, can result in a slew of penalties, including those listed above. It is best to carry auto insurance at all times and avoid the risks that otherwise come your way. Besides, when auto insurance is in place, you’re fully protected and nothing is more important when you are driving.