How can I get auto insurance with a suspended license? If you have been pondering on this question like some others have, then you need to continue reading this.
In this article, we will provide the answers you seek and help you traverse some available options to get auto insurance coverage despite the temporary restriction on your license.
Is It Possible To Get Auto Insurance With A Suspended License?
Yes, it is possible to get car insurance with a suspended license. However, the process may be very daunting, depending on the reason for your suspension. Insurers won’t provide you with cover if you are not lawfully allowed to drive or if you illegally drive after having your license suspended.
You may be refused coverage by some insurers if you are considered a high risk, such as having a driving history that shows that you are very prone to getting into accidents.
However, depending on the conditions on which your license was suspended, you can still get auto insurance. In this case, where an insurer agrees to provide you with car insurance despite a suspension, your rates may rise.
How To Get Car Insurance With A Suspended License
Not all insurance firms will provide coverage for someone who has a suspended license. Where a firm agrees to do so, you may be classified as a high-risk driver, which can result in very high premiums.
The following options can assist you in getting auto insurance with a suspended license.
- Utilize Non-Standard Insurance Companies. These companies mainly provide coverage to drivers with poor driving history, including those with suspended licenses. So you will need to find the company policy that best suits your needs.
- Purchase an SR-22 insurance. An SR-22 is a Financial Responsibility/Insurance certification from your insurance company that shows you possess the minimum car liability insurance coverage required by your state. In a lot of states, this is a requirement for those with suspended licenses. It is also required when you seek to reinstate your license.
- Apply for a hardship or restricted license: It is easier to obtain insurance coverage when you have a hardship or restricted license, as most insurance companies won’t insure you without it. However, different laws apply for each state, so confirm your eligibility to apply for this with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
- If the title of the car also has an additional person’s name on it, insure it under that name.
- Where a member of your household has a clean driving history, you can rate that person as the driver on your policy. This option reduces the perceived risk for insurance firms, which may result in lower premiums despite your suspended license. However, not all insurance companies accept this option.
- Search for cheap/discount insurance policies. Not all insurance companies provide coverage for holders of suspended licenses, those that do take high premiums. As a suspended license holder, you may still be eligible for certain policy discounts – for defensive driving courses, maintaining a clean driving record for a particular duration, or for the use of some safety features in your vehicle. Comparing rates of different companies, and searching for discounts that you may qualify for can assist you in getting the best rates.
What Is A Driver’s License Suspension?
A driver’s license suspension is a temporary ban on your license that restricts you from legally driving. You may, in some instances where you need your car to get to work or to take your child to school, be allowed, but they’re very restrictive.
License suspension is different from license revocation. The rules and regulations for suspending, reinstating, and revoking a driver’s license, differ in each state.
What Can Lead To A Suspended License?
- Drinking under the legal age
- Unreported accident
- Committing illegality with your license
- Not paying child support
- Driving without an insurance coverage
- Driving under the influence
- Physical or mental condition that impairs driving
- Fleeing from a law officer
- Failure to appear in court and failure to pay a diving ticket
- Having too many driving record points or tickets within a short time frame
- Refusing to complete a prescribed chemical test
- Failing a test for drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving
Why Do I Need Car Insurance If My Driver’s License Has Been Suspended?
There are a couple of reasons for you to maintain car insurance coverage despite having your license suspended.
You may need to have an auto insurance for the following reasons:
- Requirement for license reinstatement. You may be required to possess an insurance coverage for your license to be reinstated
- To prevent a lapse in coverage. This can cost you higher rates after your license is reinstated. Insurance companies associate a gap in coverage with high-risk drivers.
- Eligibility for a hardship or restricted license. To apply for this, you may be required to have insurance coverage if you are to drive to keep a medical appointment, work, or school. You may be required to have your insurer file an SR-22 form to confirm that you have met your state’s mandatory minimum coverage requirements.
- To protect your vehicle. Although you are prohibited from driving, your car could still get damaged by a natural event while it’s parked. If you have no insurance, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself.
- To comply with a lease or loan agreement. If you have loaned or leased your vehicle, the company requires you to carry insurance, irrespective of the status of your license, to protect the company’s vehicle in your possession. Otherwise, you will be violating your loan or lease agreement with the company, and you may have to pay for force-placed insurance.
- To avoid a penalty. If you do not possess insurance but have a car with a valid license plate, you may be fined in some states, even if the car is parked and not being driven, such as Maryland.
Auto Insurance Companies That Provide Insurance Coverage For Drivers With A Suspended License
There are not so many standard car insurance companies that provide coverage to drivers with a suspended license as they are considered high risk. However, here are some of the firms that do offer:
- Allstate
- Farmers
- GEICO
- MetLife
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Travelers
- USAA
Also, there are non-standard car insurance companies that offer holders of suspended license insurance at reduced rates than the standard companies do. Some of these non-standard car insurance companies include:
- Acceptance
- Explorer
- Gainsco
- The General
If you are denied coverage by both standard and nonstandard insurance companies, you may approach state-funded plans, which are basically designed for high-risk drivers who can’t secure insurance through other sources.
Conclusion:
It is possible for you to get car insurance with a suspended license, though it may be tasking.
By conducting thorough research, exploring non-standard insurance companies, acquiring an SR-22, and searching for cheap or discounted policies, you can successfully get the coverage you need.
Always ensure you understand your state’s specific requirements and regulations regarding auto insurance and license suspensions.
Remember, maintaining a clean driving record moving forward is crucial to regaining your driving privileges and obtaining more affordable insurance rates.
Disclaimer: the information provided in this article is only for informational purposes and not legal advice.
