The Consequences Of Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance can lead to serious short- and long-term consequences:
- Fines, license suspension, and SR-22 or FR-44 requirements
- Vehicle impoundment and much higher insurance premiums
- Denied claims, civil lawsuits, or even jail time after an accident
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Risks of driving uninsured
Driving without car insurance is illegal in almost every state, and getting caught can result in serious financial and legal consequences. Annual car insurance rates can go up as little as 2% to as much as 58%, depending on the state, if you're caught driving without insurance.[1]
Even if you're not at fault in a crash, being uninsured could leave you without coverage when you need it most.
Let’s take a closer look at what could happen if you're pulled over or involved in an accident with no insurance.
Is it illegal to drive without car insurance?
Yes. In most states, it’s illegal to drive without proof of insurance—and the penalties can be steep. Here's what you may face:
- Fines and penalties, even for a first offense
- License suspension or revocation
- SR-22 or FR-44 filing requirements (state-dependent)
- Vehicle impoundment and storage fees
- Denied coverage if you’re in an accident
- Higher rates when you try to get insured again
- Jail time in some states for repeat offenses
- Civil lawsuits if you cause injury or property damage
- Fewer insurer options and added paperwork to get legal again
Only New Hampshire and some parts of Alaska don’t require insurance by default—but even there, a DUI or crash can trigger coverage requirements. Wherever you are, you’re still financially responsible if you cause damage.[2]
Thinking about dropping coverage?
If your car isn’t being driven, you might be tempted to cancel your insurance to save money. But before you do, here’s what to consider:
-
A lapse in coverage can raise your rates when you try to get insured again
-
A parked car can still pose a liability risk, depending on where it’s stored
-
Some insurers offer storage-only coverage to keep your policy active while protecting your car
⚠️ Heads up: Storage coverage has strict eligibility rules—check with your insurer first. But if you're looking to cut costs without giving up protection, it's worth exploring.
Self-insurance implications
Self-insuring might sound appealing, but it's not as simple as skipping your premium and saving money on your own.
Some states allow self-insurance, but only if you deposit tens of thousands of dollars with the state. That’s not a realistic option for most drivers, especially if you’re already trying to manage costs.
How Much Car Insurance Rates Go Up After an Accident
While it depends on the specific violation, insurance company and location, you can expect to pay a penalty for up to five years after a car accident.
How much is the fine for driving without insurance?
Excluding New Hampshire, every state will ticket you for driving without insurance. The monetary penalty can vary drastically between states. In many places, it's cheaper to buy minimum liability insurance than to get a ticket.
"If your license ends up suspended, some carriers won’t cover you at all or will charge significantly higher premiums. Your license status plays a big role; a suspended or expired license can make it much harder to get insured."
-Erick Sosa, Licensed Insurance Agent and Sales Manager at The Zebra
Get the best coverage for your budget.
Can your license be suspended for driving without insurance?
Yes. In many states, driving without insurance can result in having your license suspended. But rules vary:
- Some states suspend your license until you show proof of insurance and pay any related fees
- Others impose a fixed suspension period, like 30 or 90 days, regardless of when you get insured
In some cases, reinstatement depends on how you were caught—whether at a traffic stop, after an accident, or through an automated system.[3]
Car Insurance with No Insurance History
On average, drivers who are previously uninsured pay $153 more per year than drivers with a stable history of insurance coverage.
Can your vehicle be towed if you don't have insurance?
You don't need to drive your vehicle to face the consequences of lapsed auto insurance. Currently, 22 states electronically monitor whether registered vehicles are insured. If you’re caught with a registered, but uninsured, vehicle, you will be fined.
If you’re caught driving without insurance, it will be up to the officer's discretion whether or not to tow your vehicle. Because car insurance is legally required, a police officer would be within their rights to tow your vehicle. In this case, you would face impound fees in addition to other penalties.
Unless you are involved in an accident without insurance, fines, license suspension, and auto impoundment will be the extent of your penalties. You are unlikely to receive jail time after a first-time offense of driving without insurance. Things get more costly if you're involved in an accident while uninsured.
Maybe—but it depends on their policy. If a friend has a permissive use clause, their insurance may cover you occasionally. But that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Driving uninsured is never a great idea. Even one accident can leave you on the hook for property damage or medical bills if you’re not covered.
Buying a new car? You’ll need proof of insurance before the dealership lets you drive it off the lot.
What happens if you're in an accident and you don't have insurance?
Below, we'll look at what could happen in various situations if you're involved in an accident when you don't have active car insurance coverage.
When you are at fault
Being involved in an at-fault crash as an uninsured motorist is a very serious situation that would likely result in you being designated as a high-risk driver in the eyes of an insurance company, even if it's your first offense. Suppose you get into an at-fault accident and you do not have insurance. In that case, you will most likely be sued by the other driver's insurance company for bodily injury or property damage (sometimes both), ranging from a few hundred bucks to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the incident. Not only that, but legal penalties in many states increase dramatically for drivers who cause bodily injury to others while uninsured. This infraction can stay on your driving record for years to come and affect your ability to get insurance.
When you are not at fault
This varies by state and situation. Some states have what’s called a “no pay, no play” law, limiting the compensation you can receive after a not-at-fault accident if you’re uninsured. In Louisiana, on the other hand, you will receive no compensation after an accident if you’re uninsured, regardless of fault.
If the fault is difficult to determine, having an insurance company on your side is beneficial. A claims adjuster or representative will speak to the other insurance company on your behalf and pursue funds to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Without insurance, you are on your own after an accident and all the financial responsibility will fall on you.
When you live in a no-fault state
Some states have no-fault laws, which means that regardless of who is at-fault in an accident, each driver must file insurance claims for their own bodily injury and/or property damage with their own insurance company. However, if you're uninsured in a no-fault state and get in a collision, you won't have an insurance provider to turn to, nor can you file a claim with the other party's insurance even if you're not at-fault. You would need to cover your own vehicle repairs or replacement, medical bills and more out-of-pocket.
How much does the minimum level of insurance cost?
At the end of the day, the consequences of driving without proof of insurance and not meeting insurance requirements will be more costly than purchasing state minimum liability coverage. Some companies offer monthly coverage to meet lower budgets. You can also reach out to our licensed agents, who can help compare even more companies to find the best fit for you.
The table below highlights the average rates for minimum coverage. Your rates will vary based on individual rating factors, but this gives you a general idea of how little you might pay for the basic required amount of car insurance from top names in the industry.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $43 | $257 |
| Travelers | $46 | $274 |
| GEICO | $49 | $297 |
| American Family | $56 | $333 |
| Progressive | $57 | $344 |
| State Farm | $66 | $399 |
| Auto Club | $70 | $418 |
| Farmers | $70 | $420 |
| Nationwide | $73 | $438 |
| Allstate | $88 | $530 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
While these insurance premiums are just estimates and may considerably change based on where you live, use this data as a starting point. The best way to find cheap car insurance if you’re uninsured is to assess as many companies as possible.
If you’re an uninsured driver, enter your ZIP code below to see how cheap car insurance can be in your state.
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How states know if you're uninsured
Most states use monitoring systems to track whether drivers are actively insured, even if they haven’t been in an accident or pulled over. These systems fall into two categories: active and passive monitoring.
- Active monitoring means that a state uses technology to audit insurance status on registered vehicles automatically.
- Passive monitoring means that insurance status is checked more randomly, such as at a traffic stop or when you renew your registration.
Regardless of the monitoring system, driving without insurance is a risky choice. States have mechanisms to detect uninsured drivers, and the consequences can be severe. Check with your state's Department of Insurance website to see which type of monitoring is used where you live.[4]
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Driving without insurance: FAQs
Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Automobile Insurance Consumer Frequently Asked Questions. NHID
Driving Without Insurance: Penalties by State. Thompson Law
How Long Do They Suspend Your License for No Insurance? Legal Clarity
Insurance Departments. NAIC
Jesse White Highlights Successful Electronic Automobile Insurance Verification Program. Illinois.gov
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.