ABA Family Legal Guide

Automobiles

Accidents and Insurance

Insurance

What happens if I don't have auto insurance?

You may be asked to show proof of insurance any time police stop you on the road, and be sent to court if you don't have it. Some states have minimum fines that judges must assess, and you'll have to pay court costs, too. The court will then mandate that you get the insurance you should have had in the first place. If you're a repeat offender, the fine will be higher and you may face the loss of your car and a long suspension of your driver's license.

But the worst consequence, by far, is that you'll have no coverage if you're in an accident and cause damages. You could lose everything you've worked for, including your house.