What is the penalty for driving without insurance in New Hampshire?

You can get car insurance without a license from some small local insurers. To get car insurance without a license you need to exclude yourself as a driver on the policy and list a licensed family member, friend, or caretaker as the primary driver. It’s possible, with some effort, to insure your car so someone else can drive it.... read full answer

How to Get Car Insurance Without a License

1. Contact regional insurance companies or a local independent agent.

Focusing on smaller companies will give you the best chance of finding coverage as an unlicensed driver. Most national companies will not insure you without a license. The risk is too high, in their eyes, that you will drive the car yourself.

2. List yourself as an excluded driver on the policy.

This is a legal statement that, as an unlicensed driver, you are not going to drive the car. Note that if you do drive illegally and get into an accident, the insurance company will not cover any claims. If you get or regain your license while the car is insured, you must notify your insurance company and provide your new license number before you are legally insured on the policy.

3. List the person who will operate the vehicle the most as the primary driver on the policy.

This can be a spouse, family member, roommate, caretaker or friend. They may live with you or not. They must, of course, have a valid driver’s license.

4. List the primary driver on your registration as part-owner.

Try this step if you can’t find any company that will insure the car for you without a license. There should be no trouble insuring the car with a licensed driver listed as co-owner.

Why You Might Need Car Insurance Without a License

• Your license is suspended and you need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 to reinstate it
• You only have a learner’s permit
• You are insuring a collectible vehicle that you won’t drive
• You own a car that is driven by a caregiver or chauffeur
• You need to co-sign a policy for an underage driver

If no one is going to drive the car, but you want to protect it against accidental damage while it’s stored, you have the option of purchasing comprehensive-only or parked-car coverage. You will have to cancel your registration and turn in your plates to do this, but it is cheaper than buying a policy that also offers liability coverage. This type of insurance is offered by many national firms such as Allstate and State Farm.

You can drive without insurance in California if you provide proof of “financial responsibility” instead. To show proof of financial responsibility in California, you will need to place a $35,000 cash deposit in order to get a self-insurance certificate from the DMV or a “surety bond” from a company licensed in California. You must carry proof of either insurance or financial responsibility in your vehicle at all times.... read full answer

Driving without insurance in California generally leads to a fine of $100-$200 for a first offense. A second offense within three years triggers a fine of $200-$500. California police can also impound the uninsured driver’s car.

These fines are just the beginning, though. California adds a series of extra charges to all tickets, including a county penalty fee, a state penalty fee, and more. Consequently, a $500 base fine can easily rise to a total of $2,500. Plus, you can have your license suspended for up to four years if you get into an accident while you don’t have insurance.

Even if you have a history of driving without insurance, you can still save on your premium by comparing quotes from the cheapest insurance companies in California. For more information, check out WalletHub’s complete guide to cheap car insurance in California.

The difference between SR-22 and regular insurance is that SR-22 insurance is for high-risk drivers who are convicted of major moving violations, while regular insurance is for anyone who drives a car. The underlying insurance coverage is the same, but the SR-22 designation will make that coverage more expensive. An SR-22 is a form that an insurer files with the state to show that a driver has the legally required amount of insurance. Regular insurance does not require any sort of form.... read full answer

Key Differences Between SR-22 Insurance and Regular Insurance

People who drive under the influence, drive without insurance, or are habitual traffic law violators may end up needing an SR-22 to help reinstate their license or meet their state’s legal requirements. SR-22 insurance usually costs significantly more than regular insurance because of the high-risk designation that comes along with offenses such as DUI and reckless driving.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to SR-22 insurance.