Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
In California we are obligated to be financially responsible as defined in the law. We are not required to have insurance. We must be able to demonstrate that we can meet all the expenses of an accident regardless of our guilt or innocence. Insurance is the most efficient way to meet this requirement. The potential losses in an accident can be staggering.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
It is the car that needs insurance. Your state probably requires insurance if the car is operated on public roads. If there is not state requirement to have insurance on the car, you still are at great risk if you operate the car. You could be sued into bankruptcy if the car is involved in an accident, particularly if someone is injured.
That is a great question! The answer is until you want to drive the car. The minute you set foot into the car, you need to be insured. The penalties for getting caught as an uninsured driver are steep, and will affect your drivers record and ability to get insurance for a long time. Please don't even consider driving without it. There are several inexpensive policies that you can purchase. Look for a local agent, and have them help you find one.Thanks for asking!
Retired Agent and Broker, Self Employed, Albany NY USA
Assuming you own a vehicle, it is registered, and your state has a compulsory liability law, you really don't want to be operating it without insurance. The consequences can destroy your life (not to mention the lives of other innocent folks.) Without insurance for your plates/registration, your state DMV will no doubt eventually discover this in their database and let you know about it. Many states charge civil monetary penalties for various periods/days of no insurance. Many states require insurance carriers to send electronic confirmation of policy terminations. If you have a run-in with law enforcement, you're busted. Many states will impound your vehicle in addition to possible loss of license, etc. Your period of insurance may be just days or it could be a very long time - but that time WILL run out and probably sooner than you think. Do not let this happen. Surrender your plates and keep your vehicle off the road in a safe place (away from potential damage) until you get more insurance or dispose of the vehicle. If you have a lienholder on the vehicle, you may be in violation of your loan contract. Here comes Mr. Repo......... Avoid this situation at all costs or you'll be sorry.
Agency Owner, The Thomas G Sheehan Agency, 27 Glen Road Sandy Hook, CT 06482
If you don't own a car that is registered in your state, indefinitely. However, in most if not all states, if you own a car and register it for use on public roads and highways, having insurance is a legal requirement. Without it, States can impose fines and cancel registrations. If you have a lien or a lease, the finance company can repossess your car.
Short answer, not long. Best answer if you have a car and privileges you want to keep, don't go without for any length of time.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
Insurance isn’t a tax or merely a legal obligation. Because auto insurance follows a car you should have auto insurance any time you own a car. If you decide to register the car, most states will require insurance covering liability for the operation of the car. If you are going to store a car you should consider comprehensive auto insurance to protect your car from a wide range of “perils.”
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Short answer, not long. Best answer if you have a car and privileges you want to keep, don't go without for any length of time.