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Driving without insurance in California can land you in trouble. If you get caught, the authorities might stick you with a huge fine. On a bad day, you might even get your vehicle impounded or your license revoked.
Keep reading as we take you through the consequences you might face if you get caught driving without insurance in California. We’ve also prepared a review of some of the best insurance companies in California to keep you out of trouble.
California Car Insurance Laws
Driving without insurance means that you’re driving without proof of financial responsibility. That said, there are minimum standards of legal responsibility acceptable to California law. In California, you are said to meet the legally required amount of coverage when you have:
· $5,000 for property damage coverage
· $15,000 for injury coverage for one person
· $30,000 for injury coverage per accident
Insurance coverage gives you something to fall back on in case you get into an accident. If you hit a person or cause property damage, your insurer will pay for the damages up to the limits stipulated in your coverage.
Driving around California without proof of coverage can have negative consequences. According to the California state penal code, you are required to show proof of auto insurance whenever an officer of the law requests you to do so.
You don’t have to take the original copy of your insurance policy with you every time you’re driving. A paper copy of your proof of insurance or a digital copy from your phone will suffice. Either way, to avoid getting fined, always make sure you’re carrying proof of financial responsibility when you’re driving.
What Does It Mean to Get Caught Driving Without Insurance?
In California, getting caught driving without car insurance means:
· You don’t have proof of auto insurance
· You don’t have the minimum amount of coverage
Financial Responsibility
The California Vehicle Code 16028 (a) VC statute requires that all motorists should carry proof of financial responsibility while on the road. This means that you should carry proof of automobile insurance. Besides that, you can also prove financial responsibility by either depositing $35,000 with the DMV or getting a $35,000 surety bond. That being said, buying liability insurance is the cheapest option.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in California
If it’s your first time getting caught driving without insurance in California, the penalties are not severe. But, it gets worse if you are a repeat offender or cause an accident. Here is a breakdown of what might happen to you if you get caught.
First Conviction
California penalties for first-time offenders aren’t that bad. In most cases, you might get a fine ranging from $100 to $250, plus penalty assessments. At worst, the court could decide to impound your vehicle.
Second Conviction
If you’re caught driving without insurance for the second time, you’ll get fined between $200 and $500. Your vehicle could also get impounded. After several convictions, you might get a 180-day jail term.
If your vehicle is impounded, you can only get it back after an insurance company files an SR-22 form on your behalf.
California Penalty Assessment
The fines for driving without insurance in California are pretty lenient. However, penalty assessments are quite the opposite. The amount of money you pay in penalty assessment boils down to where you live and what the local officials decide to apply to your case.
Depending on these circumstances, you could be subject to all the following penalty assessments.
· Penal code 1464: $10 for every $10 in your fine or part of $10
· Government Code 70372: $5 for every $5 in your fine or part of $5
· Government Code 7600: $7 for every $10 in your fine or part of $10
· Government Code 76104.6: $1 for every $10 in your fine or part of $10
· Government Code 76000.5: $2 for every $10 in your fine or part of $10
· Government Code 76104.7: $4 for every $10 in your fine or part of $10
That being said, for some of these assessments to be levied, all your local officials have to vote on them. But, in case you are subject to all these assessments, you’ll get $29 added on top of every $10 in your fine.
That means that your $200 fine could turn into $780. If you’re hit with the maximum fine of $500, you could end up paying a total of $1,950 in fines. This amount could pay for a full year of auto insurance coverage.
Getting into an Accident Without Insurance
Getting arrested for driving without insurance in California is bad. However, it doesn’t even come close to what you’d face if you caused an accident. If you cause an accident without insurance coverage, you are solely responsible for paying for the other party’s vehicle repair and medical bills.
And if you can’t come up with the full amount to pay the other party, they could sue you for the damages and injuries that you caused in the accident.
As if that’s not enough, you’ll also get your license suspended. The suspension usually lasts for a year, after which you can get your license reinstated. But there’s a catch. You need an insurance company to file an SR-22 on your behalf.
An SR-22 is mostly reserved for risky drivers, so you should be prepared to spend a little more to cover the increased coverage charge. You might also have to seek help from a specialized insurance company since some don’t cover risky drivers.
Even if you didn’t cause the accident, the mere fact that you were driving without proof of insurance could significantly reduce your recourse after the accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is only obligated to pay damages up to the policy limits.
Best Car Insurance in California
To avoid the future heartache of getting caught driving without auto insurance, you need to get coverage from a reputable insurance provider. Most car insurance companies in California charge huge rates, while others have unfavorable policies.
You’ll need to make your choice wisely. You can do so by comparing quotes from different auto insurance companies. Here are four of the best car insurance companies in California:
Geico
Geico offers some of the most affordable insurance policies in California, both for minimum and full-coverage policies. You can also get discounts for keeping a clean driving record, having all vehicle safety features in place, or getting good grades in school.
Apart from the standard coverage, you can get extra coverage on your policy. This extra coverage includes rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and classic car coverage. The company also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, a form of extended warranty that covers mechanical failures due to normal use.
Geico has a financial strength rating of A++ from AM Best and an A+ rating from BBB (Better Business Bureau). This indicates that it’s capable of paying its customer claims and has good business practices.
State Farm
State Farm is one of the most preferred insurance providers for teen drivers. It offers pretty affordable rates and tons of discount programs geared towards empowering young drivers.
In addition to low premiums, the company also offers other discounts, including a 10% to 15% discount for applicants who complete an approved safe driving course. A 25% discount is also available for applicants who maintain a B average in school.
That being said, the low premiums and discounts only apply to teen drivers. So, if you are an adult, you might have to dig a little deeper into your pockets for this one.
Progressive
If you’re already considered a high-risk driver in California, then Progressive might be a good choice for you. It has pretty affordable rates and offers a program called the ‘Progressive Snapshot program’ that allows you to get lower rates for good driving habits.
The company is one of the top-rated insurance providers both in California and other states. This is clearly depicted by the fact that it has a reliable claims reputation, coupled with an A++ rating from AM Best.
Wawanesa
Wanawesa is based in Canada and primarily sells auto insurance in California and Oregon. The company has average scores when it comes to customer service in most states. But in California, it has some of the best ratings in customer service. The company is also known for its solid reputation among auto insurers.
The company came in first in the J.D Power 2021 Auto Insurance Study that measured customer satisfaction in terms of pricing, coverage, claims, and more.
Wanawesa has an A+ rating from BBB and an A rating from AM Best. The company only offers standard coverage. But if you’re in the market for basic coverage from a provider that places its customers first, it’s a pretty good choice.
Do I Need Insurance for a Rental Car in California?
When renting a car in California, you are only required to provide third-party liability coverage. Third-party liability covers come as part of your local liability coverage from your insurance provider.
What Happens if I Let My Insurance Lapse in California?
Letting your insurance lapse is not a crime. Unless, of course, you drive while uninsured. That being said, insurance companies don’t like this and are likely to raise your premiums when you reinstate coverage. It might also cause your car’s registration to lapse automatically.
Can an Undocumented Emigrant Get Insurance Coverage in California?
Since undocumented immigrants don’t have any legal papers allowing them to be in the state, they might find it difficult to gain access to many services. However, the state of California has enacted a law that allows undocumented emigrants to get car insurance.
Can I Be Classified as a Criminal for Driving Without Car Insurance?
The California Vehicle Code Section 16029 states that it’s illegal to drive without proof of financial responsibility. In most cases, this means you can’t legally drive in California without auto insurance.
That being said, every time you get caught, you add points to your drivers’ license record. But if you’re charged with a misdemeanor, you could face jail, probation, or be subjected to hefty fines.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in California?
All car insurance companies in California charge different premiums. However, you can expect to pay at least $1,700 per year for insurance premiums. That being said, several factors come into play when determining your insurance rates, including your age, credit score, marital status, and driving history.
Hire WinIt to Fight Your Case
WinIt is an app that can help you solve disputes regarding traffic and parking tickets. All you need to do is snap a picture of your ticket, submit it to the app, and let the team handle every aspect of your dispute. You can use its services for just 50% of the fine.
The Bottom Line
Driving without proof of financial responsibility in California can be costlier than buying the most expensive premiums in the state. The fines, coupled with the constraints that come with getting a license, can wear you down.
So, the next time you’re driving in California, make sure to bring your proof of insurance with you. You never know, it could save you lots of money.
