Driving without insurance

Being insured is a requirement when driving a vehicle in almost every state, so getting caught driving without insurance coverage can leave you vulnerable to financial loss and penalties by law.

Car insurance protects you as a driver, as well as others you encounter on the road. You may choose to forego auto insurance in hopes of getting away with temporary savings. But you could wind up paying thousands of dollars if you get caught or have an accident.

Before you consider driving without insurance, we want to help you understand the risks—and help you choose more wisely.

Penalties for driving without insurance vary from state to state. Depending on where you drive, you could face any of the following if you're pulled over and don't have insurance:

• Fines

• Driver's license suspension

• Vehicle impoundment

• Jail time

Regardless of the state you drive in, you're likely to have harsher consequences for repeated violations. Bottom line: getting caught driving without insurance will almost always come with consequences.

It's the law in all states—except Virginia (if you pay the uninsured motorist fee) and New Hampshire. This helps protect you, your passengers, and those you encounter on the road.

Each state has minimum car insurance requirements on the coverages that are your responsibility to have.

Most individuals who own or drive a vehicle need the following car insurance coverages:

This insurance coverage applies when you cause an accident while you're operating your vehicle and helps pay for bodily injuries to others.

This type of insurance coverage helps pay damage costs for another person's property in an accident you cause.

If you're hurt in an accident involving an at-fault driver who doesn't have any or enough car insurance, this helps pay for your injuries. Many states allow you to opt out or reject this coverage.

Financially speaking, driving without insurance can be costly, even more than just the costs insurance would've paid for. If you're pulled over and can't provide proof of valid car insurance, you could end up paying:

Fines are state-specific and can range from very nominal to thousands of dollars. Here are some examples of the consequences of driving without insurance:

• Delaware: The fine for your first offense is $1,500 for driving without insurance and $3,000 for repeat offenses.*

• Illinois: Fines start at a $500 minimum for driving uninsured and go up to $1,000 for a previous driving without insurance violation.*

• Texas: There can be a fine from $175-$350 for a first offense and $350-$1,000 for subsequent violations.*

• Florida: Floridians caught driving without insurance pay a $150 fine for a first offense, $250 for a second offense within three years, and $500 if convicted three times within three years.*

Some states may have harsher consequences, such as suspending your driver's license and registration and requiring you to pay higher fees to reinstate them. Let's review some state-specific examples:

Depending on how many times your license was suspended for driving without insurance, you can pay as little as $20 or as much as $400 to reinstate your license in Missouri.*

In the state of Arizona, drivers who have their license suspended for violating car insurance laws pay a $10 reinstatement fee and $10-$25 for a license reinstatement application fee.*

Facing a three-month suspension of your driver's license and registration in Pennsylvania for driving without insurance can leave you with a fee of $94 to restore your license and $98 to restore registration.*

Many states give police the right to impound your vehicle if you can't provide proof of insurance, leaving you responsible for towing fees and other associated costs.

While it's unlikely for a first offense, you could face jail time for driving without insurance. In Michigan, persons convicted of driving uninsured can face up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both.* These costs add up quickly.

Before you drop your insurance coverage, consider these safer, lower-cost alternatives to help keep you moving:

• Alternate transportation

• Cheaper car insurance

If you cause the crash, you could:

• Be held liable for any bodily injuries and property damage

• Pay fines

• Have your license suspended

• Have your vehicle impounded

If you're not at fault, the law and subsequent penalties vary by state and accident.

When fault is unclear, you may be responsible for handling communication with the other party's car insurance company, which can be time consuming and frustrating. It may also reduce your chances of receiving compensation.

Instead of losing points, you'd likely have your license suspended altogether. First, not every state has a point system for violations. For example, the state of Louisiana records driving violations on your driving record, but not with a point system.

Second, states that do utilize a point system typically track moving/traffic violations as point deductions, whereas a driving without insurance penalty is a suspended license and registration—most commonly after a second or third offense.

Instead of losing points, you'd likely have your license suspended altogether. First, not every state has a point system for violations. For example, the state of Louisiana records driving violations on your driving record, but not with a point system.

Second, states that do utilize a point system typically track moving/traffic violations as point deductions, whereas a driving without insurance penalty is a suspended license and registration—most commonly after a second or third offense.

In most states if you're caught breaking auto insurance laws, the conviction is considered a misdemeanor. While misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, they can require jail time depending on the degree of infraction.

Typically, a first-time driving without insurance offence wouldn't fall under a misdemeanor classification. You can expect to see that for a second or third driving uninsured conviction, and in a state like New Mexico, can leave you imprisoned up to six months.

Yes, the police can tell whether you have valid auto insurance. Here are a couple of ways it's determined:

When a driver is pulled over, police request to review proof of insurance in addition to a driver's license and vehicle registration. Expired insurance, failure to present proof of insurance, and fraudulent coverage lead to insurance law infractions.

In most states, police officers use in-car technology to see if a driver has auto insurance before they even pull you over.

Although this information is accessible to law enforcement, stopping a driver for the sole purpose of a driving without insurance violation isn't likely. As a secondary violation, driving uninsured is typically charged in conjunction with other violations like:

• Vehicle equipment malfunction

• Speeding

• Texting and driving

• Tailgating

• Expired license plates

These are just some examples among many other violations. Regardless of the reason you could be stopped, having valid car insurance and keeping it on-hand in your vehicle will help save you from additional, and often expensive, consequences.

No. Car insurance is required in almost every state. So, if you don't already have auto insurance when buying your brand-new car or for driving a new-to-you vehicle off of a used car lot, consider the following:

If you're able to plan ahead in your car purchasing process, it's best to shop around for car insurance before buying a car. Planning can help you understand:

• How much money you could save

• Which coverages you'll want

• Who you'll be contacting to help finalize your insurance once you select a car

Although planning ahead to find out which insurance company is the best for you and your car, it's not always possible. That's why most insurance providers offer instant online quotes, discounts, and coverages. While you're at the dealership, you'll be able to set up your insurance before starting your vehicle.

If you're planning to receive financing through your dealership, the dealer will require that you have car insurance in place before you drive off the lot. While it's the law to insure your car, purchasing insurance is also a contingency to receiving financing.

In most states, if your car is seized by police due to driving without insurance, it's towed to an impound. If you're unsure where your car was towed, you can search using your car's VIN and then follow these steps to get your towed vehicle back.

You can get a Dairyland auto insurance policy by starting your fast, free quote for cheap car insurance now. We offer:

• Affordable rates

• Flexible payment plans

• Low down payments

• Exceptional service

• Reliable customer support—regardless of your financial history or unique challenges

To get a quote, you'll need to tell us about:

• Yourself, including your age, driving record, and where you live

• The type and number of vehicles you want to insure

• Others who live with you and/or who you expect to drive your vehicle

We're here to help as you make important auto insurance policy decisions for your specific circumstances and financial situation. Call a knowledgeable Dairyland associate at 888-344-4357 for more information.