Majority of motorists wouldn’t even dream of driving their vehicles if it is uninsured and it isn’t because they care about the laws. They know the problems they can face if they don’t have the means to pay for possible damages and injuries. That is why most automobiles are insured for full coverage, rather than the basic enforced. Compliance with the laws usually comes second to its usefulness.
Driving isn’t a right but a privilege gained after complying with the laws. It is regulated by authorities in the state level and therefore rules may differ from one state to another. However, it is a requirement to buy at least liability auto insurance or pass financial responsibility test in the US.
In 47 states and the District of Columbia, it is illegal to operate a vehicle without liability coverage. In Virginia you could get away with paying uninsured motor vehicle fees for one year only. It is currently around $500 and it doesn’t provide you the benefits of a policy. New Hampshire and Mississippi are the other two states where you could post bonds rather than insuring the vehicle.
Considering it is probably easier to buy a policy than meet financial responsibility requirements, you could say that it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle without insurance in the US. In other words, it is a crime. You also need to make sure that the policy covers permissive drivers who may operate your auto.
Most authorities monitor cars through DMV. That means you don’t need to be caught behind the wheel to get penalized. They know the position and they can take action.
You will not probably be put in jail for this crime unless this is a repeat incident or attached to a reckless traffic accident. However, you may face severe penalties and fines depending on where you live. You could lose your license and license plates of the automobile. It will also be costly to get them back. Consequently, some people may even lose their job if they lose their license.
If you ever drive a car with no liability coverage for whatever reason you would be taking a huge risk. First of all, who is going to pay for damages in case of an accident? You may not care much about damages to an old clunker you are driving but it doesn’t end there. Third parties will probably sue you for their losses if you are at fault. There are many law firms which handle these sorts of cases on a no win no fee basis.
Furthermore, some states have “no pay no play” rules that prevent uninsured motorists making claims on others, even if they were at fault. These days, it is hard to go without being detected because everything is electronically recorded and law enforcement can very quickly check the insurance status of a vehicle.
The premium may not be as expensive as you think. Some people are put off by expensive quotes. However, there are hundreds of companies to go to and there is a high chance one of them will offer affordable terms. That is why you should take the time and get several quotes to compare. This is the beauty of having competitive markets.
Finding an affordable policy normally doesn’t take as much time as you think. It would take a lot more time and money to deal with the consequences of getting caught without coverage. Probably the best option is to use a car insurance comparison website to find a few companies in one place. This will reduce the time it takes to get quotes while not preventing you from going direct.