One of the most important requirements for driving a car is having auto insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and the consequences are very serious. A common reason for driving uninsured is that money is tight because of unemployment or under-employment. Some people feel they can take the chance because they've never been in an accident...yet.
Anyone who doesn't have auto insurance should renew their lapsed policy or get a new one. Here are some of the consequences of driving without auto insurance.
Fines
The amounts vary depending on the state and on the circumstances. But in many states, fines can reach a few thousand dollars.
Legal Penalties
Some states will revoke your driver’s license or require you to purchase SR-22 insurance for driving without auto insurance, while other states may suspend your license after the second or third time you are caught. Registration suspension is common in many states as well, as having your car impounded.
Jail
Repeat offenses of uninsured driving can result in imprisonment in some states. Factors such as frequency of offense, whether you were the cause of an accident and if another person is injured all contribute to the possibility of imprisonment.
Lawsuits
Auto insurance protects you by covering the medical bills of another party that gets injured in an accident. Damage to his car or other property are covered as well. You would only have to pay the deductible. However, without such protection, the injured person may sue you for compensation of medical bills, as well as any other form of damages that occur as a result of the accident. If the person wins the lawsuit, you could be ruined.
Driving uninsured isn't worth the consequences. People who think they'll never get caught should think again. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to save on auto insurance. Just ask us how!
Need proof of coverage? Call First Insurance Group at (502) 348-5921 for more information on auto insurance.