Consequences of Driving Without Insurance in Illinois

Automobile insurance policies are an essential part of protecting people financially, with you as a driver and the other drivers as well. This is why car insurance plans are required in the state of Illinois, as well as almost every other state in the country. Liability insurance, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage, are required by the state of Illinois. People who are caught driving without insurance can face harsh penalties. There are other consequences to driving without insurance as well. If you are pulled over by a police officer or in an accident, you will be required to show your proof of insurance to the officer who pulls you over.

Fines and fees can add up to over $4,500, and other penalties like driver's license suspension are on the table too. The state of Illinois keeps watch for repeat offenders and may require drivers to provide additional proof of financial responsibility for up to three years or more after a conviction. Knowing what the consequences are for the first offense, second offense, and subsequent offenses can give you an idea on how seriously Illinois takes people who drive without insurance

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance

Penalties are handed out to people who do not meet the minimum limits required by law. A minimum limit is the lowest amount of insurance a person can buy to drive legally in the state. Other optional types of insurance coverage are available for purchase. However, there is no penalty if you are in an accident or pulled over and do not have optional types of insurance coverage. Liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage are both required by the state of Illinois.

Other types of insurance coverage, ones that are not required by law, include collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage, roadside assistance, medical payments coverage, and others. Keep in mind that your lending company may require you to have certain types of insurance beyond the minimum amounts required by the state.

Penalties For 1st And 2nd Offenses

For a first offense in the state of Illinois, people can receive a fine between $501 and $1,000 or more. Also, a person can lose their driver’s license for some time, depending on the situation. This is outside of potential expenses you could have for being at fault in an accident and liable for damages to another person’s vehicle or body. People who are caught driving without insurance may also be required to appear in court. A person’s second offense generally has a higher fine than the first offense and a higher likelihood of losing your driver’s license for a period.

Penalties For Subsequent Offenses

If you are caught driving without insurance for more than two times, the penalties become even larger. In addition to fining people who break the law multiple times in this way one thousand dollars or more, you could find another thousand dollars added to that depending on the circumstances surrounding your lack of insurance and how you are caught. Longer suspensions are incurred as well, and you still have to pay to reinstate your driver’s license to be able to drive legally again. Another penalty that driving without insurance three or more times brings is the requirement to provide an SR-22 financial responsibility certificate each year for the following three years or more. This proves that you have not only obtained insurance but also are keeping it valid.

Reducing The Fines

If you end up appearing in court, take the time to get an automobile insurance policy and bring it as proof to the court that you have it. It is possible a judge may reduce the fine you are required to pay by $100, which is more money in your pocket.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance In An Accident

For people who get into an accident while driving with no valid insurance plan, you will be held liable for the bodily injury expenses of the other people injured, as well as property damage to their property. This can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over time and create massive financial difficulty for people who cannot afford to pay. Outside of that, you will be fined by the state of Illinois for an additional $2,500 beyond the regular penalties if another person was injured in an accident that was your fault, and you do not have insurance.

Also, the other driver's insurance company can sue you to recover their losses. If you are considered to be at fault for the accident, your liability insurance policy would normally pay for the damage done. If you do not have an insurance policy, however, the financial responsibility for these damages becomes yours.