The Hidden Costs of Driving Without Insurance
It’s a risky endeavor, being behind the wheel of a car without auto insurance. Everything from icy roads to falling tree limbs to drunk hit-and-run motorists poses costly and unsafe risks to you and your family.
If you were to suddenly rack up thousands of dollars in bills or walk away from a totaled vehicle, what would you do? Do you have the money in the bank? Can you afford to buy another car? Most drivers can’t pay such huge costs out-of-pocket.
The Risky Road of Not Having Auto Insurance
That’s why auto coverage exists in the first place: the cost of not having car insurance is so incredibly high.
Getting Behind the Wheel Without a Safety Net
Bad things happen. Insurance of all types is on the market to protect against the unpredictable nature of life. In the case of an auto policy, an icy road might cause a multi-vehicle collision for which you’re deemed to be at fault. A tree limb might fall on your car. You could hit a deer and damage your ride beyond repairs. Or get your vehicle stolen or vandalized. Or…
The point is that there are countless ways of damaging, destroying, or losing your vehicle or causing damage to others. What would you do without adequate coverage?
The Myth vs. Reality of Driving Uninsured
Does it really matter if you insure your vehicle or not? You’re a careful driver who’s never even been in a fender bender. Besides, you’re driving a beater that is halfway to the junkyard anyway. The cost of insuring it would be more than the car is worth.
The reality is that getting a policy is mandatory in all but two states in the nation. The penalties for driving uninsured can be pretty stiff. And the laws are in place for good reasons.
If cost is a problem, you can buy the lowest-cost coverage available. Liability insurance isn’t ideal. Comprehensive and collision insurance offers much more pocketbook protection. Liability won’t pay for your own vehicle or injuries, but it will at least cover third-party claims if you’re at fault for an accident. Best of all, it’s cheaper than a full policy, and it will keep you legal behind the wheel of your car.
But the number one reason to have a policy is simply because unpredictable calamities happen to the best of us (and they can be costly).
The Legal Pitfalls of Skipping Car Insurance
Can you drive a car without car insurance? That is, will the law allow motorists to make the bad decision of going without coverage? Probably not.
It’s illegal in all but one U.S. state to drive without a policy in place. Only New Hampshire motorists can drive uninsured (and only if they can prove they have the financial capability to cover the costs of an accident they cause). In most other states, drivers must purchase at least liability insurance as the minimal level — and cost — of coverage.
The Penalties and Legal Implications of Driving Without Coverage
The cost of not having car insurance is pretty high. The legal penalties vary by state, but fines are in the hundreds of dollars, and license suspensions are common. The penalties escalate with every offense. Even more devastating is the requirement to file an SR-22 certificate with the state. This labels you as a high-risk driver, which can cause your premiums to double or even triple.
Worse even than running afoul of the law is the financial cost of being uninsured. Can you afford to pay thousands of dollars out of your own pocket if your car is hit? What if it’s totaled? How would you afford a lawyer and court costs if you were sued for an accident? What would you do without a way to get to work or school?
Even the most careful drivers can rack up huge bills if a deer or other wildlife darts in front of them or their car is stolen or vandalized. The purpose of a car policy is to protect wallets against unexpected costs. Without it, you’re vulnerable to all kinds of steep legal and financial penalties.
The Long-Term Financial Burden Following a Citation
It’s just a fender bender. No big deal until the police officer asks to see your proof of coverage. But you don’t have a policy in place. Now, it is a big deal.
In the first place, the citation will probably set you back a couple of hundred dollars. You might even lose your license and be unable to drive at all for a period of time. How would that affect your ability to get to work and transport the kids where they need to be?
Then there’s the sticker shock when you do get coverage. Because you were fined for lacking protection, most insurers will now consider you a high-risk driver. That means your policy will cost more. Maybe a lot more.
It’s just not worth it, especially since your agent will work with you to get you a policy you can afford. You can get a cheap liability policy and you might even be able to get cheap full coverage car insurance.
You can further reduce the cost of protection by doing business with an independent auto insurance agent. Independent agents don’t work for just one insurer. Instead, they’ve contracted to represent the products of multiple major carriers, so they can go shopping for the protection that best meets your needs at a price you can best afford.
If you get labeled a high-risk driver, your independent agent has access to the most affordable high-risk coverage on the market. In time, you’ll lose the label and once again qualify for a policy at more affordable rates.
Your independent auto agent can also show you how to take advantage of various strategies for reducing your premiums. Just one example is bundling your auto and homeowners insurance to save you money.
Protective Measures Against the Uninsured Motorist Risk
The law is clear in at-fault states — the insurer of the driver at fault for the accident pays for the damages of all parties. But what if that at-fault driver has no policy?
Can you drive a car without insurance? In most states, it’s illegal, but it still happens all too frequently. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, and the repairs cost thousands of dollars, who pays the bill?
That’s why there’s an option called uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. With that benefit, your own insurer will handle your covered claims even if another driver is at fault if that driver has no policy or does not have enough to fully pay your bills. An uninsured/underinsured policy is a very inexpensive — but incredibly valuable — form of financial protection.
The Moral and Ethical Choice of Having Car Insurance
Imagine your car is hit and seriously damaged by an uninsured driver. You’re handed an $8,000 repair bill, which you send to the at-fault driver. “Sorry,” the driver responds with a shrug. “I don’t have $8,000.”
Now, imagine the impact on your family. You can’t come up with the repair bill, and you lose your mode of transportation. How will you get to work or get the kids to and from school?
Choosing not to obtain a policy is a decision that hurts society and those closest to you. Do the right thing. Driving without insurance hurts everyone.
Don’t Go Without Auto Insurance! Get a Quote on Affordable Car Insurance from Acceptance
The cost of not having a car policy is too high. It could cost you thousands of dollars out of pocket for a collision. You might have to go weeks, months, or even longer without transportation. You could get a fine for having no insurance and even losing your license.
It’s easy to avoid the many serious consequences of driving without insurance. Simply reach out to Acceptance Insurance. Call us at 877-405-7102 or get a quick online quote. You can also find an office near you and discuss your options with one of our knowledgeable agents.
