Youre Our First Priorityevery Time
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about , but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.Here is a list of our partners.
How Long Do You Have To Report An Accident
So, youâve crashed your car.
It happens to just about everybody at one point or another. Transport Canada says there were over 114,000 serious collisions in 2017 resulting in injuries. There are countless more fender benders, dings, dents scrapes and other minor âuh-ohsâ each year.
If youâve been in a collision while driving in Canada, you likely need to report the incident to the police. Every province and territory has different rules about what needs to be reported, when it needs to be reported, and even how to report your crash. Whatâs worse, the rules can be confusing and hard to find.
To help make your life easier, Iâve scoured the laws and insurance regulations of all 13 provinces and territories â from Part 6 of Yukonâs Motor Vehicles Act to Section 232 of Prince Edward Islandâs Highway Traffic Act, and all 4,750 kilometres in between â so you donât have to.
Wherever in Canada, you crash your car, here is a summary of your obligation to report it.
How To Find Out If A Car Has Insurance
When it comes to finding out if a vehicle is insured, there are few things you can easily check to find insurance details. After that, the search may get a bit more complicated.
Either way, the more information you have about the vehicle, the better. If possible, track down the:
- VIN number
- License plate
- Registration
If you have access to the vehicle and the owners’ financial records, which would be possible if you inherited a vehicle or dealing with an elderly relative’s finances for them, you may be able to determine if the car is insured quickly.
Here are a couple of places to check:
Read Also: What Degree Do You Need To Become A Police Officer
What If Im Hit By An Uninsured Driver
If youre involved in a car accident youd usually swap car insurance details with the other party involved. However, if the other driver is uninsured or refuses to give you their details you should report them to the police.
You can check whether another vehicle is insured by going to the askMID website.
You may also be able to claim compensation from the Motor Insurers Bureau, which protects anyone whos been injured or had their property damaged by an uninsured driver.
Find out more about what happens when you’re hit by an unisured driver.
Want to protect yourself against any losses after an accident? Get legal expenses insurance for just £15 a year with RAC Legal Care Plus.
Am I On The Motor Insurance Database How To Check Askmid To See If Your Car Is Listed
Checking if your own vehicle is on the MID is pretty simple. But if youre not sure how it works, well run you through, step by step.
Step 1: Browse to askMID
Step 2: Enter your Vehicle Registration Number in the box provided
Step 3: Consent to the Data Protection Declaration and complete the Captcha statement
Step 4: Click Check this vehicle
The details of the insured vehicle will then be displayed.
Its that simple.
You May Like: What Handcuffs Do Police Use
Automated License Plate Recognition Systems
The use of ALPR cameras, allows police to quickly and easily identify drivers who do not have valid insurance. By running a vehicles license plate, police can determine whether or not the vehicle is properly insured.
This saves time for police and drivers when they stop for routine traffic stops. ALPR is useful to catch fugitives, traffic ticket violators, speeders, and car thieves. In addition to finding uninsured motorists. ALPRs are mountable on police cars. But they are usually useful at high-traffic intersections and toll booths to catch more criminals.
Consequences Of Driving Uninsured
If you dont have car insurance and still decide to get on the road, you are very likely to face serious consequences. This is because you are putting yourself as well as others lives at risk.
So, what happens if you get caught driving without insurance? That depends on where you live because state laws vary, and so do the penalties for driving uninsured.
For example, for your first offense in Alabama, you have to pay a $500 fine, could face imprisonment for up to three months, and see your license suspended .
In Vermont, the penalties are less severe. Drivers will have to pay a fine of between $250 and $500, and their license will be suspended until they can provide proof of financial responsibility.
In general, if you drive without proper car insurance in many states you run a risk of:
- Being cited for a misdemeanor and ordered a mandatory court appearance
- Paying a fine for driving uninsured
- Having to provide current proof of insurance before being allowed to drive again
- Submitting an SR-22 for future insurance verification
- Paying towing, storage, and impound fees for your vehicle
However, if you are from New Hampshire you do not have to worry about these penalties as it is the only state where car insurance isnt required.
Read Also: Can Police Take Your Car For No Insurance
Can I Report An Accident After 24 Hours
Yes, you can report an accident after 24 hours. Many insurance companies are not open on the weekend. This essentially allows you to be able to wait up to 48 hours before contacting your insurance company about an accident if your accident occurs on the weekend. Also, if you report an accident after 24 hours, during a regular workweek, you might be penalized. In fact, your insurance company might not accept your claim whatsoever. This is why it is extremely important to make sure that you report any car accident that you have within a 24-hour timeframe after it occurs.
Do The Police Always Call Your Insurer
Certainly, not all the time. Usually, a police officer will not call your insurance company to verify your information. The police officer will accept your documentation as proof of insurance if it shows that you have a policy from your insurer and that policy is active within the specified dates.
However, if the officer has reason to suspect you of insurance fraud, he or she may contact your insurer to confirm the validity of your policy. In the event that youve falsified your credentials, you could face serious consequences. Occasionally, the cop will call your insurance company to double-check the information. The officer may believe you if you have proof that you have an active insurance policy.
Recommended Reading: Can Police Help Open Your Car Door
What Happens If The Police Discover Youre Driving Without Insurance
Unless you live in New Hampshire the only state that allows drivers to be uninsured if they can prove theyre wealthy enough to pay for damages out of pocket you cannot legally drive in the United States without liability auto insurance.
Even for a first offense, the penalties for driving without car insurance can put you at risk of:
- Jail time of up to 5 years
- Fines of up to $1,500
- A suspended driver license for up to 3 years
- A suspended vehicle registration for up to 3 years
- Fees to reinstate your driver license and registration
How Long Do You Have To Report An Accident To Insurance
After you been an accident, youre likely to be stressed. However, when you make a claim it is important to make sure that the accident is fresh in your mind. This will allow you to be able to accurately tell your insurance company what happened in the accident. Unfortunately, you really dont have long before you need to report the accident to your insurance company. If you fail to report your accident within 24 hours, you can be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. If this occurs, you can face jail time, license suspension, and fines.
Don’t Miss: How To File A Police Report For Assault
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost For Police Officers
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,771 annually for full coverage, which includes liability as well as optional collision and comprehensive. Minimum coverage, which includes liability-only, costs an average of $545 per year. Police officers who insure their personal vehicles for off-duty use may find that their premium differs from the national average, as your motor vehicle record, cars age and model, insurance claim history and more all play a role in determining your rate.
Police officers are often perceived as safer drivers by insurance companies. Its typically assumed that as a police officer, you understand the law and know whats allowed and whats prohibited when behind the wheel. Additionally, you may spend considerably more time behind the wheel due to the nature of your job, meaning youre likely to have more driving experience than the average driver. Each of these factors may place you in a lower-risk category, and thus earn you a lower premium rate.
Insurers use statistical models to determine the risks they incur by taking on each policyholder. A driver whos been in several at-fault accidents in the past, for example, will usually pay more for their policy than someone with a clean driving record due to posing a higher risk for future accidents and claims.
Law Enforcement Discounts On Insurance
Some companies offer special discounts for law enforcement officers. Some of these companies include:
- Geico: Geico offers a federal employee discount that you may qualify for as a police officer.
- Liberty Mutual: If you are a member of the Fraternal Order of Police , you may be eligible for special savings with Liberty Mutual.
- Country Financial: Full-time police officers may be eligible for Country Financials occupation discount.
- Farmers: In some states, Farmers offers an occupation discount. Speak with a local agent to see if it is available in your area.
- California Casualty: Available in most states, California Casualty sells insurance only to firefighters, police, educators and a few other professions.
In general, getting auto insurance quotes from several providers is a good way to compare coverage, discounts and prices. This way, you may be able to find the coverage you need at a cheaper price. And while some companies list discounts online, not all savings opportunities may be advertised. Talking to a representative from each company might be the best way to find companies that offer law enforcement discounts on insurance.
Don’t Miss: What Should I Major In To Be A Police Officer
Check With Major Auto Insurance Companies
There is a good chance that the vehicle is insured by a major national insurance provider like Progressive, Allstate, State Farm or numerous other insurance companies that operate in your state.
Call a variety of insurers to see if theres already a car insurance policy in place. Youll need some basic information, such as the VIN or license plate number or the name and basic details of the person who owns the vehicle.
The Process Works Like This:
Step 1) You are pulled over by a police officer
Step 2) The police officer requests proof of insurance
Step 3) You provide proof of insurance documentation to the police officer
Step 4) The police officer checks your proof of insurance documentation, verifies the name and date, then hands it back if everything is in order
If the officer suspects you do not have insurance, or if the officer believes the document is fake, then the officer may call your insurer to verify your policy.
Alternatively, in some states, the officer may not need to call your insurer to verify your policy status instead, your insurance status is connected to your license plate, and the police officer already knows whether or not you have insurance.
Read Also: How Many Police In The Us
Does A Written Warning Go On Your Record
A written warning ticket for a traffic violation may show up on your driver abstract. The abstract keeps a record of all your citations, tickets, convictions, license suspensions, reinstatements, etc. These may stay on your record for 3 years and also shows details of the location and date that you got the warning ticket. If you drive commercially then your vehicle may have a National Safety Code number. In such a case all warning tickets may go on your driver abstract as well as the carrier profile of the company you drive for.
Driving Without Insurance Is A Secondary Violation In Most States
In most states, a police officer cannot pull you over for not having insurance. In most states, driving uninsured is a secondary violation. That means police officers can ticket you for not having insurance, but they cannot pull you over primarily because you had no insurance.
If you are pulled over for speeding, for example, and the police officer finds you have no insurance, then you will receive a ticket for speeding and driving without insurance.
If you drive past a police officer at a normal speed limit, however, and have no insurance, and the officer runs your plate and finds you are uninsured, then the police officer cannot pull you over . As a secondary violation, driving uninsured cannot be the primary reason to pull you over in most states.
You May Like: How Do You Become A Police Officer In Texas
What Can Happen If Your Vehicle Is Found To Be Without Insurance
It should be noted that the legal implications can vary state by state if you are caught driving without insurance, but most states in America will at least issue a penalty fine for it.
You also risk having your license and car registration taken from you. You may even risk jail time! The consequences worsen if you are caught Driving Under the Influence , speeding, causing an accident, and other criminal offenses without having insurance. You do not even need to be driving your car in order to be caught without insurance. Many states now monitor the insurance of cars electronically.
This can often mean that your car may get caught whilst it is unattended . In this instance, your car may well be towed or fitted with anti driving equipment such as clamps to stop you from using the vehicle. As well as this, as we mentioned a little earlier in the article, being caught driving without insurance can seriously affect your insurance rates in the future.
You will likely find that it will cost you far more to get insurance if you have previously committed a criminal offense including driving without insurance.
Insurance companies may even refuse to accept you as a customer as you may be classed as a high risk driver. It will go on your record as a car owner.
Will I Be Caught If My Car Is Not Insured
There are currently around 11,000 ANPR cameras in the UK that perform around 50 million ANPR checks each day. The Avon and Somerset police reported that ANPR checks led to around 250,000 fixed penalty notices being automatically issued for uninsured vehicles annually. And according to the MIB, a whopping 132,804 vehicles were seized in the UK in 2018. So yes, it’s likely you’ll be caught if you’re uninsured.
Read Also: What Happens When Someone Makes A Police Report On You
Why Is It Important That Police Can Tell If You Have Insurance By Running Your Plates
It is important that police can tell if you have insurance by running your plates because it motivates drivers to purchase and maintain the auto insurance that is required under Michigan law and, thus, avoid the severe criminal and financial penalties that Michigan imposes for driving without auto insurance.
Those penalties could include: being found guilty of a misdemeanor a fine between $200 and $500 a year in jail suspension of your drivers license inability to renew your vehicle registration being disqualified from suing for pain and suffering compensation and/or No-Fault benefits if you are injured in a crash and being held financially liable for the medical bills and lost wages of anyone else injured in a crash that you are involved in even if you were 100% not at-fault for the auto accident.
What If I Am Asked To Meet With Officers For A Counter
You have the right to say that you do not want to be interviewed, to have an attorney present, to set the time and place for the interview, to find out the questions they will ask beforehand, and to answer only the questions you feel comfortable answering. If you are taken into custody for any reason, you have the right to remain silent. No matter what, assume that nothing you say is off the record. And remember that it is a criminal offense to knowingly lie to an officer.
Read Also: Can The Police Bug Your House Without You Knowing
What To Do If Youre Pulled Over
- Stay calm and compliant even if you feel the officers treatment is unfair.
- Be polite. Its important not to swear or display anger.
- Keep your hands where the officer can see them, and avoid sudden movements.
- If you need to get your documents from the glove compartment, inform the officer that you are doing so.
- Be honest. If you are caught in a lie, you may be charged with obstructing justice.
- Pay close attention. If youve had a negative experience, take note of the circumstances surrounding the encounter, including the police officers name and badge number, and file a complaint.