Can You Drive a Car Without Insurance in Mi
If you're caught driving without insurance in Michigan, you may have to pay a fine, surrender your license for up to 30 days and even serve jail time — or a combination of all three. In the meantime, your insurer may decide to increase your premiums.
Michigan law includes penalties for two related scenarios: if you are driving while uninsured, as well as if you have insurance but don't have proof of it with you in the car.
You're also on the hook for any medical costs or car repair bills if you cause an accident while uninsured.
- Penalties for driving without insurance
- Penalties for driving without proof of insurance
- Getting auto insurance after a lapse in coverage
- Penalties for driving without insurance in an accident
| Penalty | Driving without proof of insurance | Driving without insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Driver responsibility fee | $200 for 2 years ($400 total) | $500 for 2 years ($1,000 total) |
| Driving privilege | Driver's license suspended for up to 30 days | Driver's license suspended for up to 30 days |
| Reinstatement fee | $25 | $125 |
| Other | Up to one year of jail time | Up to one year of jail time |
Penalties for driving without insurance
Driving without insurance is considered a misdemeanor in Michigan. If convicted, you may have to pay a driver responsibility fee for two consecutive years, face up to one year in jail and surrender your driver's license for up to 30 days. You'll have to pay a $125 service fee to reinstate your license.
Michigan often has the highest auto insurance costs in the nation because of its generous personal injury protection coverage. But that doesn't mean drivers should skip it altogether. Comparing quotes can go a long way toward finding affordable car insurance in Michigan.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance
In Michigan, it's also a crime to simply not have proof of insurance with you while you drive. Law enforcement officers can ask for evidence of insurance during traffic stops or at the scene of an accident. If you have insurance but can't provide proof, you may be on the hook for a $200 driver responsibility fee, which is assessed for two consecutive years. If your license is suspended and you can show proof of adequate coverage, a $25 service fee must be paid before you can reinstate the license.
Getting auto insurance after a lapse in coverage
Insurers tend to increase rates for drivers with a lapse in coverage. That's because you're seen as a riskier driver — and some insurers might refuse to cover you at all. You'll need to find an insurer that's willing to cover you and file an SR-22 on your behalf. But you can shop around to find the best deal, even if you have SR-22 insurance.
Should you have trouble finding insurance coverage, check out the Michigan Automobile Insurance Facility as your last resort. You'll need at least the state's minimum coverage requirements. That includes personal injury protection, payment protection insurance and liability coverage with the following limits:
- $20,000 for bodily injuries per person
- $40,000 for bodily injuries per accident
- $10,000 for property damage
Penalties for driving without insurance in an accident
If you get into an accident while uninsured in Michigan, the penalties can be severe. You'll need to pay for your own injuries and property damage out of pocket. If the accident was the other driver's fault, you lose out compensation for pain and suffering, vehicle damage and lost wages. As an uninsured driver, you might have to pay for the other driver's lost income, medical costs, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and more.
Can You Drive a Car Without Insurance in Mi
Source: https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/michigan/penalties-driving-without-insurance