Can I Make An Auto Insurance Claim With Recently Canceled Policy?
Reader’s Question:
I had an auto accident but it was not my fault and my car insurance policy had canceled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Could I still place an insurance claim if it is less than a few days canceled.
Gary
Bethlehem, PA
You could not put a car insurance claim through your own car insurance carrier since your car insurance policy was canceled in Bethlehem Pennsylvania and therefore not in effect at the time of the accident. It does not matter if your car insurance policy was canceled even by just a couple of hours, if your auto insurance was not valid at the time of the accident you would not have insurance coverage under your auto insurance policy. Since you mentioned that you were not at fault in the incident you may be able to put an insurance claim through the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
You can try to put an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to check if they will accept it.
It would be helpful in your case if you are properly insured now. Even if you did not get a ticket for driving without insurance it would be best to now have your car insured so that you can legally operate a vehicle.
What Are The Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
I got involved in an accident and was informed that my license was suspended and my auto insurance was not valid prior to the accident in Springfield. What will the penalties be?.
Richard
Springfield, PA
In Pennsylvania the penalties for driving with a suspended license will differ depending on the reason for your license suspension. If it was suspended due to driving a car without auto insurance it will likely be three months before you can have it reinstated.
If you are found by police officer to be driving without insurance in Springfield PA, you could face the following penalties and expenses:
- A minimum fine of $300 for driving uninsured;
- A three month suspension of your driver’s license;
- A three month suspension of your vehicle’s registration;
- A $50 restoration fee to restore your vehicle’s registration;
- $50 restoration fee to restore your driver’s license;
- Your car may not be driven by anyone while the registration is suspended.
In addition if you were at fault in the car accident, you likely will be held personally liable for the damage to the other driver’s car. You may contact the Pennsylvania Driver and Vehicle Services to get more information regarding the penalties.
Driving Without Car Insurance in Pennsylvania – What To Do?
Reader’s Question:
What should I do if I was issued a ticket in for driving without insurance on a car that I do not own and and the car had no insurance? I live in Pennsylvania.
Parker
Levittown, PA
If you were issued a ticket for no insurance on a car that you did not own you should first determine if the ticket that you received was written to you personally or to the car. In most states such as Pennsylvania the law enforcement officer has the option of citing the car (owner) or the driver of an uninsured car.
Most states will suspend your license and require you to get proof of insurance with regards to your state’s financial responsibility laws if the citation was written against you personally. State laws will differ on this. If the citation is for you call the department listed on the ticket to determine what steps you need to take to rectify the situation.
Driving Without Car Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
I’m from the state of Pennsylvania and I did not have car insurance in NC. What will be the penalty for that?
Lee
Erie, PA
It looks like you are licensed in PA but that you were stopped and ticketed in North Carolina for driving without insurance. In North Carolina driving without insurance is a three point violation and can cause you to lose your license plate.
Since you do not reside in NC, the penalty could be different, such as a future proof of liability insurance and fine. To get more information on the specific penalties contact the entity listed on your citation ticket or the NC Department of Transportation (DOT).
As for back in Pennsylvania, since both states are part of the Drive License Compact (DLC) usually they report to each others DMV tickets received. In Pennsylvania a lapse in insurance results in the suspension of your vehicle’s registration for thirty days. If it is also determined that you drove your car while uninsured your driver’s license will also be suspended for thirty days.
Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Allentown, Pennsylvania and I’m thinking, what are the penalties if you get caught driving without insurance?
Paul
Allentown, PA
If Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) finds your car insurance has lapsed for over thirty one days you will have your car’s registration suspended for three months. If you get caught operating the vehicle without car insurance your license will be suspended for three months as well.
The vehicle’s registration plate, card , sticker and your driver’s license must be surrendered to PennDOT to serve the suspension. Reinstatement fees of $50 and proof of valid car insurance must be submitted prior to the time your registration and/or driving privileges are to be returned.
Other than these penalties for not having car insurance on your automobile if you are cited and stopped for operating a vehicle, your car might be impounded and fines will likely result, as well as the aforementioned suspensions.
What Happens If I Drive Without Proof of SR22 Insurance?
Q: What happens if I’m driving and I don’t have SR22 insurance proof?
A: It depends on why you don’t have SR22 insurance proof. If you don’t have the proof because you failed to pay for your SR22 insurance, then you’re probably going to be in a lot of trouble. when you have SR22 insurance and your premium is canceled, your driver’s license is suspended pretty quickly, so if you’re driving without insurance then your license is likely already suspended. This puts you in a bad situation: not only are you driving without insurance, but your driving illegally without insurance. If you’re caught doing this, then you’ll likely have trouble getting your license back and will be filing an SR22 for a while once you do.
If you don’t have SR22 insurance proof simply because you left it at home or somewhere else, then you don’t have much to worry about other than wasting your time. You’ll have to go to court, but if you can provide proof that you were insured at the time then you won’t have to pay a fine. However, you should remember that in the future you need to have your insurance card in your car no matter where you’re going. Even if you file SR22 insurance every month as proof of insurance, you need to prove your financial responsibility another way if you are pulled over.
Why Does SR22 Insurance Cost So Much?
Q: What’s SR22 insurance got to do with pricing? Why are my rates so high?
A: Even if you are pretty good driver and have a history of being so, having SR22 insurance will almost always immediately racket you into a category of higher risk. This happens because of the way car insurance companies rate policies, which is on a basis of risk. So what’s SR22 insurance got to do with it? Well, even if you didn’t get you SR22 insurance requirement because of a moving violation or anything particularly dangerous, most of the reasons for a license to be suspended are pretty risky–drunk driving, accumulating ticket points, getting into an accident. Others, which aren’t quite as risky, such as driving without insurance, are still negative in the eyes of the car insurance company because they want customers who are able to pay them consistently. If you have a record of being uninsured, then you’re less likely to do this.
Lucky for you, it won’t last for ever. What’s SR22 insurance but a temporary thing? In five years, so long as you stay out of trouble in the meantime, you’ll no longer see the effects of SR22 insurance on your record.
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