Can The Police Take Your Car For No Insurance

Police Can Now See If You Have Insurance Before They Even Pull You Over

MICHIGAN Its something every driver should have on them when they get behind the wheel and its one of the first things police look for if you happen to get stopped.

But now, some existing technology is providing a new tool thats being used by Michigan State Police and other agencies across the state giving officers the upper hand to determine if youre driving without insurance.

Officers can run a drivers license plate through their in-car computer systems to access the information which began to be available last September.

Insurance companies are now required to send information to the Secretary of States office twice a month, on the 1st and 15th, making that information readily available through the statewide Law Enforcement Information Network, or LEIN.

Its now linked to the license plate for that car so when were on a traffic stop and we run that persons license plate then it will come back either that they have insurance or dont, said F/Lt. Chris McIntire with the Michigan State Police Rockford Post.

McIntire said state law still requires drivers to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles.

While the information might be more readily available, it doesnt mean officers will be specifically targeting drivers for just this reason, McIntire said.

Not having insurance for your vehicle is considered a secondary violation which means police technically cant pull a driver over just for that offense, according to McIntire.

Take A Defensive Driving Course

According to Defensive Driving, taking a defensive driving course was found to be one of the most effective ways to lower your insurance rates. In some cases, you could see a reduction in your rates of up to 10%. In addition to saving you money on your policy, a defensive driving course could also make you a better driver.

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Proof of insurance, or proof of financial responsibility, is mandatory in order to legally drive a car in all 50 states and Washington D.C. While a first offense for driving without insurance or proof of insurance can yield significant fines, repeated offenses can dramatically escalate the severity of the punishments. Besides legal penalties, if youre in a car accident without insurance, youre liable to be sued by the other driver for the damage to their vehicle and any medical bills they incur from the accident.

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How Did Electronic Verification Change Everything

While this did work before there was electronic verification, it is no longer a technique that can be used to deceive. In fact, if a driver is caught trying to pass an expired ID card as active, they can be charged with another crime.

Officers can see if your car is insured electronically instead of being forced to make a phone call and check if a policy is active. If you have your insurance app on your phone, you can get around this by pulling up your card through your app. If you just have paper, the states system will match it to your drivers license and license plate.

This was made possible after an electronic verification system was developed and then implemented in the industry.

Why Are The Rates Of Uninsured Drivers In Some States Higher Than Others

Every state has their own state minimum requirements that are dictated by state officials. The rates of drivers vary from state to state, and just one of the factors that can affect these rates is what limits of liability and coverage options are required.

This is because these requirements will drive the premiums up and make maintaining the cover much more difficult for people living on limited incomes.

In states where higher limits and other forms of coverage are required, the percentage of drivers in the state who violate the law are higher.

Another reason for the high rates of drivers with no insurance could be because of the rate of unemployment in the state. States that have been more affected by the economic recession have lower average incomes.

This statistic means that some just cannot afford to pay for their insurance, but that is not always the case.

States, where there are higher populations of younger drivers, have higher uninsured motorist rates too.

There is not just one specific reason why the rates are high, but there is definitely a correlation between insurance affordability and the rate of uninsured drivers.

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Penalties For Getting Into An Accident While Uninsured

If you’re uninsured or have let your insurance lapse, getting into an accident can be a disastrous situation, both for you and the other driverespecially if they don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. Repair and medical expenses from a significant accident can easily cost thousands of dollars, even exceeding $1 million if serious injuries are incurred. Additionally, uninsured drivers who injure or kill other drivers can face significant fines, SR-22 requirements and prison sentences.

Will I Be Notified Of My Vehicle Being In Storage

Yes. The storage facility operator will notify you that your vehicle has been towed or is in storage and where it is located. Keep in mind that a fee can be charged for the notification. According to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, this charge cannot be more than $50.00.

The notification must not be sent out to you until they have had your vehicle for 24 hours. In most cases, this provides the owner an opportunity to get his/her vehicle out of storage without having to pay a $50.00 notification fee. The notice must be sent to you before the end of the 5th day of storage this is so your storage bill cannot be run up unjustly.

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What Happens When Police Seize Your Car For No Insurance

Below is a list of potential scenarios if an officer flags you on a no insurance charge:

• You can be registered for a misdemeanor and face mandatory court appearance
• You may be ordered to pay a fine
• You will have your driving record marred by a no insurance charge

In some cases, the police may impound your vehicle. Apart from the sadness and frustration youll feel, youll also have to bear impound costs like towing, storage, and impound charges. One of the ugliest possible scenarios, if you ask us.

If your car gets seized, you can go to the police department office to retrieve it. Most offices would ask for a valid I.D. or drivers license and, of course, a valid proof of insurance approved by your states DMV.

Summarily, youd need to get your insurance papers, amongst other things, to get a seized car back.

Has Your Car Been Impounded For No Insurance

Have you had your car impounded for no insurance? Youre not alone as 1 in 25 drivers on Britains roads are uninsured. Drivers caught without cover will need to take out specific impounded car insurance policy in order to release their vehicle.

Driving without a valid insurance policy is against the law most people know that and the vast majority of drivers make sure that theyre properly covered before taking to the roads.

Every year though, thousands of drivers are caught by the police driving without insurance. There will always be a percentage of offenders who had a genuine reason for not being insured, having forgotten to renew their policy or not realised that they werent covered for that particular vehicle.

Most offenders do tend to be young males though, often having just recently passed their driving test. Its not a coincidence that the majority of uninsured drivers fall into the category that insurance companies charge the highest premiums with quotes of £2,000 and above being common.

For some of these new and young drivers the fines and penalties are worth risking when faced with the ever increasing cost of taking out their first policy. According to research carried out by The AA the average fine handed out to uninsured drivers last year was just £299.

In comparison to the cost of insurance, the risk of these relatively small fines can seem like a worthwhile risk to those who dont mind breaking the law in order to save money.

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What Happens If You Get In A Car Accident Without Insurance

If you get in a car accident with no insurance in Texas, there may be serious consequences depending on the accidents severity.

As mentioned above, drivers must have car insurance to legally operate a vehicle in Texas. However, in the event of an accident, a driver who does not have insurance may be held liable for any resulting injuries or property damage.

This could include paying for medical bills and vehicle repairs yourself or even facing criminal charges if determined that the accident was caused intentionally or due to negligence. Remember, the penalties vary depending on the state.

But generally speaking, you could end up paying hefty fines. Repeat offenders could end up getting their drivers license suspended, their vehicle impounded, and their vehicle registration suspended. They can also face criminal charges.

If you are involved in a car accident without insurance and need legal advice, you should speak with experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. Another great option is to consult with uninsured or underinsured motorist lawyers.

What Happens If You Get Into A Car Accident Without Insurance In Texas

• You will be cited and all the penalties for driving without insurance will apply, no matter who is at fault.
• If youre at fault, youll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket, and the other driver and their insurance company can sue you.
• If the other driver or their insurer wins a settlement against you, your future wages and savings may be garnished to pay for damages.

Even if the accident is not your fault, driving without insurance leaves you vulnerable to expensive hospital and repair bills. Driving uninsured doesnt negate the other drivers fault entirely, but youre almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance.

In addition, Texas is an at-fault state that uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means you may not be able to recover all the costs associated with the accident if you are found partially responsible for causing it.

Finally, its important to note that even if you have a history of driving without insurance, you can still save by comparing quotes from the cheapest companies around. For more information, check out WalletHubs guide to cheap car insurance in Texas.

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How Can Police Officers See If You Have Any Insurance

Its just protocol for a law enforcement officer whos pulling you over for a routine traffic stop to ask you to hand over the following:

• Your registration
• Your proof of auto insurance

While some states dont have electronic database systems in place, most of them do. So, if you hand over invalid evidence of insurance, you could land yourself in more trouble and your car could be towed without insurance.

Most states have some type of electronic database tool in place that all officers have access to while they are on-duty in their police car.

To use these systems, all the officer has to do is type in the license plate number to see if insurance is reported on the car. Since companies are required to report in real-time, the information will be up-to-date.

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What Really Happens If You Get Caught Driving Without Insurance

If youre caught driving without valid auto insurance, you could find yourself facing harsh penalties. The amount youll need to pay varies from state to state. Other possible outcomes of driving without car insurance include exorbitant tickets fees, license suspension, license reinstatement fees, having your vehicle impounded, and even jail time. Heres how some states deal with uninsured drivers:

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Where Can You Find The Best Car Insurance For Your Impounded Car

If your car was impounded because of a DUI or DWI offense, then your drivers license was more than likely suspended.

Fortunately, car insurance plays a role in reinstating it with SR22 insurance. An SR22 is more of a certificate than car insurance. The SR22 serves as proof of car insurance for high-risk drivers, especially after a major traffic violation, such as a DUI or DWI offense.

You would still have to buy car insurance, and the only extra charge is the SR22 filing fee of $50. The SR22 would have to be carried out for around three years and renewed on an annual basis. You may have to show your SR22 to the impound lot in order to get your car back.

Even as a high-risk driver and former offender, you still have some variety in your car insurance choices. You can choose from national and local car insurance providers, but local ones tend to be service-worthy for high-risk drivers charged with a drinking and driving offense.

Of course, it always helps to know your stateâs liability insurance requirements and your budget needs. Youâll find that every car insurance quote you get will be different, but you should never go with the lowest one immediately. Look at the providersâ customer reviews to see that you are getting your moneyâs worth.

Your car insurance shouldnât just be a checkbox for getting your car out of impound it should be a reliable service you can lean on for the foreseeable future especially in case of an emergency.

How To Get Car Out Of Impound

With your car insurance all in order, you can now begin the process of getting your car out of the impound lot.

You can locate your car online on your DMVâs website or by looking up impound lots in your area.

From there, you will need to reach out and find out what you need to do to get it back.

There may be towing fees and paperwork you will need to resolve. You would then show your auto insurance documents along with any paperwork that shows you are also the owner of the car.

There may be some time before you get your car out, but it will go by quicker if you have all the necessary documents.

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Can My Vehicle Be Impounded For Not Having Insurance

It depends. You can get a ticket for driving without insurance, but it is within the police officers discretion whether your vehicle will be towed and impounded. Outside of , youre required by law to carry at least the minimum liability insurance. By failing to do so, you risk having your vehicle towed and impounded.

Although your state may only mandate liability coverage, you may be required to carry comprehensive and collision coverage if you drive a leased vehicle.

How Long Can Police Hold Your Car In Impound

State laws vary in regards to how long police can hold your car in impound. Additionally, the amount of time in which a vehicle may be impounded can vary based on the reason why the vehicle was impounded.

For example, if your car is part of an ongoing criminal investigation, the police can hold your car for the pendency of the criminal investigation. If no charges are filed after the investigation is concluded, your vehicle should then be returned. If charges are filed against you, then the vehicle may be held for the entirety of the criminal case, unless your attorney files a motion for the court to release your vehicle.

It is important to note that your vehicle may accumulate storage fees for every day your vehicle sits in impound. Therefore, if no charges were filed against you, then it is important to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible, by paying off the existing impound and storage fees.

If your vehicle was impounded subsequent to an arrest, such as driving without a license or registration etc., then the police may hold your vehicle in impound for a locally designated period of time. It is important to research your local municipalityâs administrative process for impounded vehicles, as that will dictate when you will be able to retrieve your vehicle from impound, as well as the maximum charges that may be charged for impounding your vehicle.

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Can The Police Tow Your Car For No Insurance The Bottom Line

You should never take driving uninsured lightly. Getting cited and having your car towed isnt even the worst thing that could happen if you dont carry insurance.

You could lose more than access to your car, you could lose all your assets.

Get online quotes for auto insurance right now and get insurance before you drive again.

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What’s Considered A Minor Car Accident

Most states don’t require a police report for a minor accident. But keep in mind that what’s considered to be a minor accident varies by state. For instance, Alabama may consider a minor incident to have $250 worth of damage, whereas Oregon may consider $2,500 to be minor.

In many jurisdictions, police won’t issue a report for accidents that occur on private property, such as if you run into your own garage door. Note that many parking lots such as the neighborhood grocery store or local mall are also considered private property, so police may not respond to a minor vehicle incident in these locations unless they have a compelling reason.

Keep in mind, there’s no way to accurately assess a vehicle’s damage at the scene of an accident. There may be instances where the damage appears to be minimal, but a more thorough inspection reveals more issues. When in doubt, it makes sense to get a police report.

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