Driving without insurance in Illinois is considered a petty offense. There is, therefore, no jail time associated with driving without insurance in Illinois.
As long as the car you are driving is insured, you should be fine. Remember, auto insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. It is a good idea to have some understanding of the coverage the car you are borrowing has, and to have a copy of the policy available in case an accident should occur while you are driving.
Illinois is an at-fault state, so if you get into a car accident without insurance, what happens next will depend on who is determined to be at fault. Take photos and record the scene of the accident to ensure honesty from both parties. If the driver at fault does not have insurance, it is possible to sue the driver for damages.
In 49 states and the District of Columbia , a minimum amount of auto insurance is required by law. In New Hampshire, it is required under certain conditions. If you have an accident without insurance, there are stiff penalties. Although the mandatory amounts differ from state-to-state, the requirements for all states include the following:. The latter two cover your medical costs in the event of an accident and are mandatory in some states, optional in others.
What happens if you drive without auto insurance varies based on a number of factors, including the state you are in when it happens, and whether this is your first or a repeat offense. It also matters whether you have been pulled over for a routine traffic stop, or if your lack of auto insurance is discovered following an accident.
In most states, if you are pulled over for the first time and you have no auto insurance, there will be a fine. In some states, including California, the law enforcement officer who pulls you over has the right to impound your vehicle immediately if he or she deems it necessary.
You would then be responsible for towing fees and other costs involved and might not be able to get your vehicle back until you have proof of auto insurance. Once you have been cited for not having auto insurance, your rates to be insured will rise significantly because you are considered an at-risk driver. If you get into an accident without auto insurance, you will face some serious consequences. You will be subject to all the penalties described above and are more likely to have your license suspended and vehicle impounded.
If you are at fault in the accident, the responsibility to pay these costs rests on your shoulders. If you are unable to pay this, may you face the risk of bankruptcy or other financial distress. Because costs for medical care can run into six figures, this could be a disaster that impacts you for the rest of your life. You may not be eligible for the lowest premium because driving without insurance puts you in a higher-risk category.
But you could find reasonably priced coverage if you shop carefully. As a first step, take a look at major auto insurers, such as Geico and Progressive, because they offer very competitive rates and coverage can be purchased online or through agents. Also, check out regional insurers that offer coverage in your state who might be more willing to overlook your faults and provide reasonably priced coverage.
Finally, if necessary, assess insurers such as The General and Acceptance Insurance , which specialize in coverage for high-risk drivers. In all states where required and Washington D. It is your responsibility to have insurance if you are driving a motor vehicle.
Shopping around for quotes from a variety of companies may reveal some lower-priced options that will work for you, especially with discounts. A few states, such as California and New Jersey, offer low-priced auto insurance options for those who cannot otherwise afford it. The Insurance Information Institute publishes a chart that lists the minimum auto insurance requirements for each state and the District of Columbia.
You can check this to see what the minimum liability requirements are for where you live and if there is any additional type of insurance coverage you are required to have. How We Make Money. Mary Van Keuren. Written by. Mary Van Keuren has written for insurance domains such as Bankrate. These laws ban you from suing the other driver or their insurance company for noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering, after an accident. You may even have to pay a certain amount out of pocket before the insurance will help out or before you can sue for economic damages if your state allows that.
The person you hit might have uninsured motorist insurance to help pay for repairs and medical bills. The other driver or their insurance company can sue you for any and all damages you caused. Believe it or not, you can find affordable car insurance. You can get rid of financial stress and take control of your money. The great news is, liability the type of insurance required by state law is generally one of the cheapest car insurances.
Not sure how much coverage you need? Not to worry! Best of all, they do this at no extra cost to you—so you can just pay your insurance premium and enjoy the open road. Find your auto insurance agent today! Ramsey Solutions has been committed to helping people regain control of their money, build wealth, grow their leadership skills, and enhance their lives through personal development since Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books including 12 national bestsellers published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners.
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