Many people believe they don’t need car insurance because they are careful drivers. Others think that they can’t afford it. But the truth is, accidents can happen to anyone at any time— even the most careful drivers.
If you’re caught driving without insurance, the consequences can be severe. Keep reading to understand what you need to know about the risks of being an uninsured driver.
If You Cause an Accident, You Could Get Sued for Damages
Suppose you cause an accident, and the other driver or passengers are injured. When this happens, you could get sued for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you don’t have insurance, you will be responsible for paying these damages out of your own pocket. And what if the damages exceed your ability to pay? In this case, the court could order your wages garnished, or your property seized to cover the costs.
If Injured in an Accident, You Could Be Stranded Without a Way to Pay Your Medical Bills
Even if you have health insurance, there’s a good chance that your policy won’t cover all of your medical expenses if you’re injured in a car accident. That’s because most health insurance policies have deductibles and co-pays that must be paid before coverage kicks in. You’ll be responsible for paying these out-of-pocket costs if you don’t have car insurance.
In some cases, your injuries could be so severe that you require long-term care or are permanently disabled. If this happens, your medical bills could quickly become overwhelming. Once again, you’ll be stuck footing the bill if you don’t have car insurance.
You Could Lose Your License
In most states, it’s illegal to drive without car insurance. There are a variety of penalties for driving without insurance coverage, and in some cases, you could even receive a license suspension. Even after your license is reinstated, you typically need an SR-22 certificate to prove you have obtained the minimum required insurance liability coverage your state requires.
In some states, your license could even get revoked permanently. Having a revoked license would make it very difficult to get to work or run errands like grocery shopping. In extreme cases, repeat offenders could even receive jail time.
Your Car Could Get Impounded
If you cause an accident or get pulled over while driving without insurance, your car could get impounded. As a result, you may have to pay impound and storage fees to get your vehicle back—and those fees can add up quickly.
The Bottom Line
The risks of driving without insurance far outweigh the cost of premiums. So if you’re currently uninsured, it’s time to rethink that decision.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. However, the consequences are much more severe if you’re involved in one without insurance. From being sued for damages to having your license suspended or revoked, there’s a lot at stake in driving without insurance.
So do yourself a favor and get insured today. It could save you a lot of money—and hassle—in the long run. And if you need affordable SR-22 insurance, our insurance company can help you with that as well. Contact Accurate Auto Insurance today to receive an instant quote!
