Although requirements may vary, all states in the U.S. require drivers to carry insurance. This is due to various reasons between covering accidents you are responsible for or covering injuries you and your passengers may sustain in a no-fault state.
Driving without insurance puts you at risk of several legal consequences. These consequences can also make it harder for you to find affordable car insurance when it is time for you to drive again.
State Laws for Car Insurance
Car insurance requirements vary by state, so the consequences for driving without insurance also change depending on where you live. Basic repercussions for driving without insurance include:
- Fines
- Citations
- License suspension
- Vehicle impound
- SR-22
- Jail time
These also vary depending on the severity of the situation in which you are caught driving without insurance. If you cause an accident while uninsured that results in injuries, for example, this could result in license suspension, an SR-22 and even jail time. Fines vary depending on the situation and your location. In general, you may be sent to court for driving without insurance. There, the court can issue you an SR-22 requirement. This requirement means you must carry an SR-22 form along with the state-required amount of car insurance for as long as the requirement lasts. Usually, SR-22 requirements last between 3 to 5 years depending on the situation. If you have an SR-22, you are required to carry the minimum amount of car insurance even if you don’t have a vehicle.
What Happens if You Can’t Afford Car Insurance?
Car insurance can be expensive, but it is more expensive to risk driving without. There are ways to save money on car insurance and insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers are those who have poor driving records, low credit scores or are otherwise high risk for filing a car insurance claim.
Either way, speak with an insurance agent about ways you can save money on car insurance so that you don’t have to risk the consequences of going without.
Keep in mind that car insurance is not only for other people’s benefit on the road, but yours as well. Car insurance covers damages to your vehicle as well as injuries you and your passengers may sustain. There is also coverage for damages that may occur if you get in a wreck with another driver not carrying car insurance.
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