How long can you go without insurance before your license is suspended in Florida? This is something that drivers need to understand well in order to remain free from legal and financial quagmires. Florida has a very tight policy that governs car insurance for the sake of the driver and other road users. One may be suspended from driving without insurance, charges of fines, or even lawsuits filed. This article helps you to better prepare for such an emergency.
Understanding Florida insurance laws
In Florida, car insurance is a legal requirement. One must definitely possess a liability insurance coverage for property damage and bodily injury. The minimum coverage is $10,000 for either. This law is, therefore, meant to protect everyone sharing the road and also to reduce the financial risk in case of an accident.
So, can driving without auto insurance be illegal? The answer is yes. When gotten in the actual act of driving without insurance, you could face its consequences. One, you will pay a fine. The fines are normally high, especially when you are a repeat offender. Secondly, your driver’s license may be suspended, and to get it back, you will hence pay a reinstatement fee and then provide proof of insurance.
If you have no insurance and cause an accident, the penalties will be even more severe. You will be required to pay from your pocket all the damages, from car repairs to medical bills whose cost can run very high and put you in a difficult financial position. Also, your driving record will be tampered with, meaning you will pay more in insurance in the coming days or years.
For more information, you can refer to this article here: Is it illegal to drive without car insurance?
Consequences of driving without insurance
Uninsured driving has significant legal and financial implications. First, it is an offense not to have insurance, and if one is nabbed while driving, it attracts an instant fine. These fines are colossal and can grow further if you are a repeat offender. Additionally, you could end up losing your driver’s license if caught driving with no insurance. You will then have to pay a certain amount of money and prove you have valid insurance to renew the license.
Driving without insurance also has other potential costs should one happen to have a crash accident. One has to pay for all the damages and the injuries inflicted to the other party and also to self. This could turn out to be very straining on you thus leading you to debts. Furthermore, one could be filed lawsuits and other fines if they find that they cannot pay for the fees.
Driver’s record is also tainted if you do not have insurance, and it goes unsaid that upon being recorded, insurance premiums are affected when you are to buy the insurance. The insurance companies will deem one a very risky driver, and some will not even insure you. This not only increases your insurance costs, but it also becomes hard to get a new insurance company.
Steps to take if caught without insurance
If implicated for lack of insurance, first, remain calm. Cooperate with the police and receive the ticket. After receiving the ticket, carefully scrutinize the details contained in the ticket to ensure no mistakes are made.
The second step is that you need to buy insurance and make it as soon as possible. Choose insurance friendly to you and in your economic bracket. After buying the insurance, keep all documentation associated with it.
Thirdly, one should submit the new insurance proof to the relevant driver’s license authority. Do it as soon as possible to avoid prolonged license suspension. In the case of suspension, you must fulfill all requirements set so that you can get the license back. It may involve payment of the reinstatement fee and attending the traffic safety course.
Seeking legal guidance
It may be quite groggy for you when an accident occurs but lacks insurance. First of all, one should gather all the information concerning the accident. Record details of the incident, take pictures of the scene, and get contact information from those involved.
The next thing is finding the support of an injury attorney. The attorney helps to understand the rights that a client has, therefore taking them through the legal process. An attorney assesses your situation and offers professional advice on the course of action that should be taken next. He will assist you in negotiating with the involved parties and protecting your rights in court if need be.
In the case of an accident, the liability would be challenging without insurance. An attorney will help you find ways to cut down on such costs and ensure you are not forced to pay more than is necessary. They will also help you settle and seek ways to solve the case out of court if possible.
Ignorance and lack of expertise are the pitfalls of why people delve further in a case. Getting a lawyer is quite essential, and thus one should not allow the situation to get worse. A personal injury lawyer can be quite a good companion in this regard.
If you need a good attorney, contact a Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorney. They have the experience and knowledge for this hard time. Don’t be afraid to help protect your rights and approach them.
Conclusion
So, now you know “How long can you go without insurance before your license is suspended in Florida?” Driving without car insurance in Florida can lead to serious consequences that you cannot ignore. From license suspension to financial penalties, lacking insurance affects not only you but also others. To protect yourself and comply with the law, always maintain valid car insurance.