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Can you get car insurance with a suspended license? The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes, but includes specific details regarding the different types of car insurance people with suspended licenses are eligible for, the costs associated, best practices, and other related factors.
License Suspension
A person with a suspended license cannot drive legally. Once your license is reinstated you can drive again. Suspensions are temporary. Your license can get suspended for a variety of reasons.
What Are the Reasons for a Suspended License?
Each state has different laws regarding driver’s license suspension. Some of the most common across several states, according to The Zebra, include:
- Driving without insurance
- A conviction related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Refusing to take a blood alcohol content test or use a breathalyzer
- Too many previous traffic violations
- Fleeing an accident
- Failing to file a vehicle accident report
- Speeding excessively
- Driving recklessly
- Failing to respond to a traffic court summons
- Failing to follow specific rules for junior drivers
- Failing to complete traffic court-ordered driving rehabilitation
- Using a fake driver’s license
- Drinking underage
- Vandalizing property
- Failing to pay child support
- Failing to pay taxes
- Inability to drive safely due to a medical condition
Getting Car Insurance with a Suspended License: Overview
Potentially, you can still get car insurance even if they have suspended your license states Ever Quote. However, you cannot drive legally with a suspended license. With a suspended driver’s license, it’s common for auto insurance companies to cancel or not renew insurance policies. Your insurance company will learn of your license suspension when they review your motor vehicle report when it’s time to renew your policy.
The best way to get auto insurance during a license suspension is by joining someone else’s policy. You might need to list the policyholder on your car’s title in this case. If you don’t have another person to make the policyholder, consider purchasing a comprehensive insurance only policy.
Find an insurance company willing to cover you with comprehensive insurance for a car in storage that no one will drive. You might have to file an affidavit stating that you’re not using the vehicle with your state.
Is Car Insurance Needed if License is Suspended?
Value Penguin says that while you’re not legally allowed to drive a car, you might still require car insurance during a license suspension for a few reasons:
- Your policy includes other drivers. If other people use your car and policy, you’ll still need car insurance. Speak with your insurance company about listing one of the secondary drivers as the primary driver on the policy during your suspension.
- You want to avoid a gap in coverage. If you cancel your policy, you’ll have a gap in auto coverage. Many insurance companies see a gap in insurance a liability and then charge more, so if you can continue your coverage you may save more money long term.
- You receive coverage while your car is in storage. A car in storage still recovers some basic auto insurance. A Comprehensive policy should cover issues like theft, damage, vandalism, or other similar problems.
- Your suspension grants you some driving privileges. Some instances of suspension allow for the use of a hardship or restricted license, which allows limited driving to places like your workplace, school, or medical appointments.
How to Reinstate License After Suspension
You will need to take several steps to reinstate your license once the suspension has passed Insurance.com notes.
In addition to paying any related fees or completing required education courses, you might also have to prove that you have the minimally acceptable amount of car insurance.
Many insurance companies use form SR-22, also called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility or Certificate of Liability Insurance to prove to the state that you have car insurance when you go through the license reinstatement process.
You should provide the license issuing agency both a copy of your insurance policy and form SR-22. Remember, SR-22 is not an insurance policy itself but is instead proof that you currently have car insurance.
Some states, like Florida and Virginia, require form FR-44 rather than form SR-22. Form FR-44 has stricter guidelines than form SR-22. If your state does not require either form, you may still need to provide proof of insurance in a different form.
Your insurance company might not provide form SR-22. If that’s the case, you’ll need to find a new car insurance company.
How Much Is Car Insurance with a Suspended License Violation?
The Zebra explains that the top five most expensive driving citations are hit-and-run, street racing, driving under the influence, refusing to perform a chemical test, and driving with a suspended license. If you’re pulled over and issued a ticket for driving on a suspended license, your insurance rates could go up over 67%.
Most insurance companies keep rates for three years, so the rate hike you incur for receiving a driving with a suspended license citation could impact your expenses for several years.
Can I Lower My Car Insurance Coverage if My License is Suspended?
If you’re still paying off your car or you have a lease, you’re subject to the car insurance rules stipulated by the bank or car dealership since they technically own the vehicle Value Penguin explains. Usually, these entities require extensive car insurance. Lowering your coverage could result in the dealership or bank adding forced coverage.
If your bank or car dealership forces car insurance coverage on you, whatever lower-level insurance you purchased will be moot, the insurance you got rid of will be reinstated, and you’ll be responsible for paying for it, often at a higher price than before.
If you own your car outright, you might be able to lower the coverage on your vehicle during a license suspension. If you’re certain you won’t be driving your vehicle during your license suspension, you could remove your collision coverage. Since this coverage protects you if you crash into another object while driving, you won’t need this coverage.
You might consider continuing comprehensive coverage during your license suspension. It covers vehicle damage related to vandalism, theft, weather, and animals. Another coverage option for those storing their car in a locked garage without any severe weather concerns is storage insurance or storage coverage. This coverage is sufficient for care stored in a secure location.
Remember, a license suspension is a temporary state. Make sure you follow the recommendations for maintaining car insurance to ensure you can get right back on the road once your suspension is lifted.
Sources:
https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/can-you-get-car-insurance-suspended-license/
https://www.everquote.com/blog/car-insurance/suspended-license/
https://www.valuepenguin.com/car-insurance-suspended-license
https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31268853/what-does-full-coverage-car-insurance-cover/
https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31268343/who-offers-the-cheapest-car-insurance/
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