What Happens if You Are Stopped With No Auto Insurance?
In the U.S., the penalties for driving without auto insurance vary by state, but each state considers the act illegal and punishable with fines, driver's license or registration suspension or revocation and even jail time. The severity of the punishment varies by offense, with subsequent offenses resulting in stiffer penalties. The punishment also depends on whether the driver was involved in an accident while driving uninsured.
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Proof of Insurance
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Not all states require you to carry proof of insurance within your vehicle at all times. But if you live in a state that does require proof and you are pulled over and cannot provide your policy, you will get a ticket. However, you can fight this in court by appealing the ticket if the car was insured at the time of the citation. (For a list of each state's requirements on when you must show proof, see Resources.)
Fines
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Because the auto insurance laws are different in every state, particularly regarding when you need to show proof of insurance and even the state's minimum requirements, the fines you will pay if caught driving uninsured will also vary. According to CarInsuranceRates.com, fines range from $100 to $500 per incident, but may double if the state also requires a surcharge. If you are caught driving uninsured more than once, or if you are involved in an accident while uninsured, your fines will significantly increase. (For the amount you will pay in fines in your own state, see Resources.)
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Jail Time
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While not all states penalize uninsured drivers with jail time, many do and will sentence a driver even for a first offense. For example, in Kentucky a first-time offender may spend up to 90 days in jail in addition to heavy fines. Like fines, jail time is more severe for subsequent offenses.
Suspensions and Revocations
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Both your driver's license and your vehicle registration may be suspended or revoked if you are caught without insurance, particularly if you have been caught before or you were involved in an accident. To regain your license or registration, you may have to purchase additional auto insurance in the form of SR-22 or SR-16 coverage, which comes with high premium.
Financial Responsibility
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If you are involved in an accident while uninsured, you will be required to cover all damages to your own vehicle and passengers, even if the accident was not your fault. If you were at fault in the accident, you will need to cover the damages for all other parties, including court costs if litigation occurs.
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References
Resources
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