What Happens If I Don't Have Car Insurance?

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Car insurance is expensive; there is no doubt about that fact. But like taxes, it is one of those things that we just have to pay. It may seem like an easy option to just let your insurance slide, especially when facing financial difficulties as many Americans are today. But the reality is, that if you own a vehicle or drive, you must be insured.

The consequences for driving without insurance vary from state to state, and perhaps even county to county. You are required to show proof of insurance anytime you are stopped by a police officer. In the event you do not have insurance, you will at a minimum be cited and have to appear at court. The court fees are your responsibility, along with any fines. And they will force you to get the insurance you should have had in the first place, and that is if you are lucky. In some areas driving without insurance will not only cost you court fees, fines and the cost of insuring your vehicle but also vehicle impoundment fees, loss of license and jail time. And this is just thinking you simply get pulled over for a traffic stop.

The real damage is done if you are in an accident without having proper insurance. You could find yourself responsible for the damages to your own car, other cars involved in the accident, medical bills for yourself as well as other people involved in the accident... the list goes on and on. Medical bills alone for one person in a serious accident can run into the hundreds of thousands. In the blink of an eye, you can find yourself in the midst of a legal and financial nightmare, and simply put, losing everything you have worked for including your house.

Obtaining car insurance does not have to be extremely expensive, although if you have gone without coverage for more than thirty days you will likely pay a higher premium than someone who has maintained the minimum amount required by law. Look into your states requirements, and at the very least carry those amounts of insurance on your vehicle.

Unless you make car payments, you can generally get by with basic liability coverage. Depending on several factors including the type of car you drive, your driving record, your lifestyle (a spouse and children will pay off for you in this regard), and your age basic liability may cost you as little as $50 a month. Shop around and get quotes from a minimum of five companies, even more if you do not find a quote you are happy with.

If you absolutely cannot afford car insurance, look into other transportation methods while you get back on your feet financially. No matter how you look at it, driving without insurance is not a risk you should take.

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Cheap Car Insurance in Dallas, Texas

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The Dallas Cowboys football club is world-renowned for being skilled and tough. Something just as tough that is found in this city is the traffic. Trying to work your way through the congested streets of Dallas can be a challenge for even the most skilled driver. Once you know that in 2004 alone there were almost 150 accidents resulting in death in this southern city, cheap car insurance in Dallas, Texas obviously becomes a must-have.

Finding cheap car insurance may seem akin to locating a needle in a haystack. It seems that auto insurance prices increase by leaps and bounds each and every year. If you are tired of paying high premiums, there are things you can do to help you realize a better rate on your car insurance.

Cars are stolen each and every day in Dallas. If you leave your car unlocked you are practically inviting a thief to jump in and drive away. Instead of just ensuring everything is locked each time you leave the vehicle, invest in a good car alarm. This is not only a great deterrent for would be car thieves, but it also can mean cheaper car insurance. Many companies offer a percentage discount to their clients who take this safety step.

If you only drive your car a short distance each day or week, mention this to the insurance company. Many insurance companies offer a discount for low mileage. Obviously if you aren't out and about on the road as often as other drivers, you aren't going to risk the same chance of getting in an accident. Every insurance company has different provisions when it comes to this particular discount, but if it applies to you mention it to your agent to see if you can enjoy cheaper car insurance in Dallas, Texas.

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Changing Car Insurance Companies

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There are many different reasons you may be considering switching your car insurance policy, but there are also quite a number of things that you need to consider before you do make that switch from the old one to the new one.

First of all, you need to make very certain that your new policy is already active and working for you before you do make your switch. Having written confirmation of this coverage will enable you to make your switch with confidence. Using email or faxes, insurance companies can now deliver proof of insurance fairly quickly and without delays.

Once you do have that proof of insurance, you can request that your old company cancel your coverage. You have to be careful to make sure that you are providing the old insurance carrier with your new policy information. This is because insurance companies are required to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if there is a gap or loss of coverage on your part. Giving them the new name and number they don't end up notifying the DMV- and this can save you a lot of grief later on.

Depending on the policy that is replaced you may still yet have some work to do before you can really be sure that everything is properly set into motion. If you changed carriers at the end of your car insurance term, it is usually not all that different from filing for a renewal. You will likely have to obtain a new invoice for your premium payment, new policy ID cards and make sure that your policy terms and conditions are correct. However, if you did change insurance mid policy, this may require a bit more legwork to do correctly. Firstly, make sure that you get a cancellation endorsement. Simply canceling your policy and letting the old insurer know is not sufficient- many people do this and then find that they have a bill for the next premium anyway, so make sure that you get this in writing.

Toss out your old insurance ID cards and replace them with the new proof of insurance. When the old insurance policy has not run its full term, the cards you have will show the current policy term. This can really be beneficial if there is an accident so you are sure to be using the correct cards should something happen.

Also, make sure that you understand what your old insurance carrier does about unearned premiums- sometimes, insurance companies charge for short rate cancellation factor and this will be a percentage of your unearned premium more often than not.

Switching car insurance policies is generally easier than it may look here. As long as you are certain to make sure that everything you have from proof of insurance with the new company, to proof of cancellation of the old is in writing, you should be fine. Making the transition generally doesn't involve any sort of lapse in coverage and usually goes smoothly for those who have decided that they prefer one company or carrier to another.

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Travel North, South, East Or West and You Must Have Auto Insurance

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If you live in California, you must have California auto insurance. This coverage will offer protection for your vehicle and financial assets as you visit and live in a state that has many regions to offer persons on vacation.

Southern California is the place that has been romanticized in both movie and song. The year round warm weather makes southern California beaches a place to relax year round. In addition to the sand and sun you can also find some of the best waves for surfing to be found. Also take time to visit the many visitors attractions of Orange County with its resort destinations that include the original Disney park. LA offers entertainment that may not be found in any other area of the world.

Move North through the San Jose Valley and you will see where much of the food that ends up on your table is grown. Citrus crops as well as row crops grow here when it is too cold in the rest of the nation to produce fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Silicon Valley, is home to the technology that has made our nation great. Many businesses and executives call this area their home.

The San Francisco Bay area has much to offer. This renowned community for the arts has much in the way of theater. The city also shows us much in history with its cable cars. Take time for the Warf and to visit the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you prefer a place where you can find some real winter weather Northern California has areas that receive several feet of snow every winter. Mount Shasta Ski area is a favorite winter destination for many Californians. There are many beautiful snow covered mountains in Northern California.

If you want some hot weather, California can also offer that. Death Valley, California is the lowest point in the United States. It often reports the highest temperature in the nation, with temperatures often being well over 100 degrees. Other areas in the great California deserts offer warm to hot day time temperatures with cool dry nights.

While there are many places to see in the great state of California, traveling to each of them by car requires that you have California auto insurance. The law requires that you carry a minimum amount of coverage for damage you may do to other vehicles. In addition you may choose to have coverage that will pay to repair your vehicle if you cause the accident.

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