Insurance premiums can be quite tough to fit into a limited budget, and you may be tempted to avoid insurance policies for that reason. But of course, the purpose of such policies are there to actually help you save money when you get into deep trouble.
That said, it pays to realize that it is actually illegal to drive your car without insurance in the US! Why? Let’s talk about that:
Why Is Not Having Car Insurance Illegal?
This might seem like a strange question to ask. However, it does make some sense if you think about it.
It is true that, in some countries, you can drive even without using a car. It could also be that, in some countries, there are no penalties if you do use a car without being insured. However, in the United States, you can be pulled over and even penalized if you are not insured. Why is this the case?
One of the main reasons is that the state can be held responsible if you cause an accident while not having insurance. This is because, in the US, the state is responsible for maintaining certain buildings, roads, and facilities.
In addition to this, the state is also responsible for paying for the medical expenses of people injured in accidents—even if the accident was caused by a person who was not insured.
Thus, in the US, there is a law that requires you to have car insurance if you are going to drive.
What Happens If I Get Caught Without Insurance?
Let’s take a look at what can happen if you are caught without car insurance in the US.
The first thing to know is that you can only be caught without insurance after a traffic stop.
In this case, the police officer will issue a ticket. If you pay the fine, the ticket will be settled with the state, and there will be no other consequences for you.
However, if you do not pay the fine, it will be a problem for you. You will get a higher fine, and your driving license can also be suspended. For example, if you are caught driving without insurance a couple of times, you will get a ‘decline to pay’ letter from the court. When you get that letter, you must attend court, or you will risk losing your driving license.
Apart from the above consequences, you can even end up serving jail time, having your car impounded, and more, all of which is a true hassle that you can avoid by having car insurance.
What Kind Of Car Insurance Do I Need?
While the specific insurance required will differ from state to state, you can bet that they mostly revolve around policies that cover injuries and property damage.
Meanwhile, some states will also require you to have uninsured or underinsured coverage. Such coverage will protect you from those that are not insured.
With that in mind, do a bit of research to understand what you need. You can also reach out to your state’s DMV for more information.
Conclusion
All in all, if you’re planning to hit the road with your car, make sure you have the right insurance policies in place to not only protect you in the event of an accident but also keep you out of unnecessary trouble. That said, if you do need policies, always reach out to trustworthy and reputable insurance agencies to assist you in getting the right policies that are affordable and useful!
Quesurance is an insurance agency offering policies to surrounding New Jersey communities to protect them like we protect our families. If you are looking for cheap car insurance, get in touch with us today!
