What happens if you don’t have car insurance?

Although there might be times when you’re tempted to drive without insurance, you should always avoid it. Driving without insurance has serious consequences, including fines, the loss of your license, and even jail.

States require insurance to protect other drivers and you. When you have no car insurance, you’re risking higher future insurance rates, being sued by other drivers, and having to pay for car repairs and medical bills out of your own pocket.

More: Can the bank repo your car for not having insurance?

While you might think car insurance is too expensive, buying your state’s minimum requirements doesn’t have to be costly. Read on to explore why you should never drive without insurance, then compare quotes to get the coverage you need to stay street legal.

What are the consequences of driving without car insurance?

Driving without car insurance might sound like it’s not that bad, but it comes with some of the most severe consequences for traffic violations. You’ll face fines, license suspension, mandatory community service, vehicle impoundment, and jail if caught driving without insurance.

So, what happens if you don’t have insurance on your car and you go for a drive? The specifics depend on your state’s laws, but you can explore the potential consequences below.

What are the legal consequences of driving without insurance?

More: How To Sue a Driver With No Insurance

Depending on your state, driving without car insurance is usually defined as either a traffic violation or a misdemeanor. Some of the most common legal consequences for driving without insurance include:

• Fines
• Suspension of your license or registration
• Community service
• Points on your driving record
• Vehicle impoundment
• License plate removal

Usually, you’ll face steeper consequences for being caught without insurance in an accident, especially if you injure someone. You’ll also get a harsher punishment for repeated offenses in a specific period of time.

How much are the fines for driving without insurance?

Again, it depends on your state. Most states charge anywhere from $50 to $2,000 for a first-time offense. However, the amount you might pay can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. For example, most states increase the fine per offense within a time period of about three to five years.

More: What happens if you total your car with no insurance?

You’ll also pay much more if you injure another driver in an accident.

On top of the fine for driving without insurance, you’ll incur additional costs. Some states charge a civil fee that must be paid to the DMV, Secretary of State, or other authorities. The civil fee is a one-time payment in some states. In others, you’ll have a length of time after your first fee to get SR-22 auto insurance. If you fail to do so, the state will charge you every day until you get it.

A third expense related to driving without insurance isn’t necessarily a fee, but it might feel like one. When you finally get insurance, your rates will likely be much higher when you have a gap in your insurance history.

For how long do you go to jail for driving without insurance?

More: How many drivers don’t have auto insurance?

Jail is usually reserved for severe incidents, and most states do not require mandatory imprisonment for your first violation.

However, many states allow judges the option of assigning jail time, even on the first conviction. In these states, first-time offenders are eligible for anywhere between 15 days and one year in jail. Jail sentences are usually handed out in situations where an uninsured driver injured someone else.

In other states, drivers cannot be assigned jail time on their first conviction. However, you’ll be eligible for a jail sentence if you get additional charges for driving without insurance.

More: How to Report Someone Without Auto Insurance

Judges often choose to impose community service for first-time offenses rather than jail, especially when there wasn’t an accident involved.

How long will your license and registration be suspended?

As with other consequences for driving without insurance, your license or registration suspension depends on your state.

The amount of time the DMV suspends your license or registration is often predetermined. The typical period for a first-time offense is 30 days to one year. Another common suspension length is until you submit proof that you meet minimum insurance requirements with an SR-22 form.

More: What is uninsured motorist property damage?

Additional convictions usually increase the amount of time the state suspends your license or registration.

Once your license or registration is eligible to be reinstated, you’ll probably have to pay a reinstatement fee. The DMV might also impose an SR-22 insurance condition for a few years after your conviction, which usually comes with additional filing fees.

Will the DMV impound your vehicle for driving without insurance?

Vehicle impoundment or license plate removal is possible if you drive without insurance. However, this is an uncommon response to a first-time offense. You’ll more often see vehicle impoundment for driving with a suspended registration.

If your vehicle is impounded, most states require you to show proof of insurance before you can claim your car. You’ll probably have to pay a fee to get your car back, too.

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What happens if you get in an accident without car insurance?

While it’s always a bad idea, the circumstances of the incident play a significant role. As mentioned above, the consequences are usually more severe when an accident is involved.

There are three types of accidents you can find yourself in — you’re at fault, another driver is at fault, or you live in a no-fault state. Learn more about each below.

What happens if you cause an accident?

This is the most serious situation you can find yourself in when it comes to driving without insurance. Most insurance companies will immediately classify you as a high-risk driver, even if it’s your first conviction.

When you are in an at-fault accident, your liability insurance protects you from being sued by the other party. Without insurance, you’ll probably be sued, especially if you injured the other driver. You’ll also be held responsible for any damage you cause to their property.

As you might imagine, paying for damage you cause can get expensive. Repairs and medical bills can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands.

Causing an accident when you shouldn’t have been on the road will stay on your record for years, which also affects your insurance rates.

What happens if someone else hits you?

While you won’t face the same severity of consequences, being hit by another driver when you don’t have insurance is nearly as bad.

You’ll still face legal consequences, like license suspension and fees. However, many states limit how much compensation you can claim from another driver when you don’t have insurance.

Some states, like Louisiana, completely deny you any compensation when you don’t have coverage.

Insurance companies are valuable allies when trying to prove you did not cause an accident. Without insurance, you’ll be on your own to submit proof and pay legal fees.

What happens if you live in a no-fault state?

No-fault states limit how much you can sue another driver for and require you to make claims with your own insurance. While there are advantages and disadvantages to this system, it’s not a good situation to be in if you don’t have insurance.

In a no-fault state, you’ll be on your own to pay for car repairs, medical bills, and other expenses. Even if the other driver is responsible, you won’t be able to file a claim against them.

How much car insurance do you need in your state?

According to Forbes, except for Virginia and New Hampshire, all states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance.

Every state that requires insurance includes at least liability coverage. Liability insurance pays for damages and injuries you cause in an accident. It won’t help pay for your car repairs or medical bills, but it will prevent you from being sued by the other driver.

Other common requirements include uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance and personal injury protection coverage. Fewer states require these products, but they offer valuable protection you should consider regardless.

The amount of coverage required by your state is one factor that affects how much you’ll pay for car insurance. 

You can check how much minimum insurance cost with the top insurers below.

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As you can see, there is a lot of variation in coverage requirements. If you need to buy coverage, you don’t need to memorize your state’s requirements. An insurance representative can help you determine the right coverage for your needs.

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Although you might be in situations where you think you won’t be caught driving without insurance, you should always avoid it. You can skip needing high-risk insurance, price hikes in future insurance rates, fees, license suspension, and even jail by ensuring you have the right coverage before driving.

Car insurance can be expensive, but finding affordable rates doesn’t have to be a challenge, especially if you’ve never been convicted of driving without coverage. An easy way to find affordable coverage is to compare quotes with as many companies as possible.

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