What happens if you don't have bodily injury in Indiana?

Drivers in Indiana need $25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $50,000 per accident) and $25,000 of property damage liability insurance. Collision, comprehensive and gap insurance may also be required by a lender or lessor if your vehicle is financed.

In addition, an optional but recommended type of coverage in Indiana is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. It replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should’ve had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.

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The penalties for driving without insurance in Indiana can include fines up to $250, license suspension and increased monitoring for three years. Penalties for repeat offenses may be even harsher, including fines up to $1,000.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Indiana

Not having car insurance and not being able to prove that you have it are two different violations. If you have insurance but cannot prove it when you get pulled over or at the scene of an accident, you are guilty of an "administrative violation", similar to a seat-belt ticket. In Indiana, your citation might be dismissed if you can provide the court with proof of valid insurance for the date of the citation on or before your court date.

Driving without car insurance at all is much more serious, and the penalties are more severe. In addition to the legal consequences, you can also expect your car insurance premium to go up.

You can avoid these consequences by meeting Indiana's minimum car insurance requirements.

Required Car Insurance in Indiana

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident

The key to maintaining the minimum amount of coverage required by Indiana is to find a policy you can afford. If your coverage has already lapsed, start by comparing quotes from the insurance companies WalletHub's analysis identified as having the best post-lapse rates.

Best Car Insurance in Indiana After a Lapse in Coverage

• USAA
  
• Indiana Farmers Insurance
  
• State Farm
  
• Indiana Farm Bureau
  
• Geico
  

Drivers in Indiana pay an average of $898 per year to maintain the minimum amount of coverage. That's nothing compared to the consequences of driving without insurance, especially if you get into an accident.

What Happens If You Get Into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Indiana?

1. If you get into an accident: all penalties will apply.

If you get into an accident while driving without insurance in Indiana, you will incur the penalties for driving without insurance no matter who is at fault. Driving uninsured can make it difficult to be compensated for damages if you are not at fault and can have long-lasting and life-changing consequences if you are at fault.

2. If the accident is your fault: you'll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket.

In addition to the legal consequences of driving without insurance, you could easily be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars or more in damages to your vehicle, the other driver's car repairs and hospital bills, and your own medical care. You could face mounting debt or even bankruptcy, especially if the other driver doesn't carry uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.

3. Even if you were not at fault or only partially at fault, there will be other consequences.

Driving uninsured doesn't negate the other driver's fault entirely, but you're almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance. In at-fault states such as Indiana, the driver who caused the accident is usually responsible for damage to your car and any medical treatment you may need. However, Indiana uses a modified comparative negligence system, which means you may not be able to recover all the costs associated with the accident if you are found even partially responsible for causing it. This would leave you to cover these costs out of pocket if you were uninsured at the time.

In Indiana, you need $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person ($50,000 per accident). Bodily injury liability insurance pays for other people's injuries after a car accident that you cause, and it can also cover your legal fees if you are sued after a crash.

In addition to bodily injury liability insurance, drivers in Indiana need to purchase $25,000 in property damage liability insurance. Property damage liability coverage pays for damage to others' property after an accident caused by...