The Golden State of California has a lot to offer. But, it has some downsides. One thing that most people dislike is how many fines and penalties you have to take care of when you drive in California without insurance. So, if you end up getting a ticket for not having insurance in California, you will have to deal with a whole mess of calculating fines and more.
The only way to avoid such a hassle is by carrying either proof of liability insurance or any other acceptable alternative. This is because if you get caught without valid insurance in the state of California, you could end up drowning in numerous penalties. For instance, if you were in a car accident and did not possess valid insurance, the state has the right to charge you a fine of more than $1,000. Your driving privileges could get suspended, and the possibility of your vehicle being impounded is high, too.
Also, if this occurs, it is wise to get in touch with the best car accident attorney in Sacramento.
Common Penalties for Driving without Insurance
The penalty for driving without a proper insurance in California becomes much more serious if you are a repeat offender; otherwise, it is not that bad.
Penalties for the First-time Offense
First-time offenders are let off easily – usually with just a fine. You will need to pay a fine that clocks around $100 to $200. In addition to this fine, you will need to pay penalty assessment fees. These assessment fees are about $26 for every single $10 of the base fine amount.
Suppose you are fined $100, then you will pay about $260 as the penalty assessment fee. Your total would be $360. Furthermore, the court will decide whether your vehicle will be impounded or not.
Penalties for the Second Offense
For second-time offenders, the amount in terms of fines raises to $200–$500 – the exact fine depends. Moreover, the penalty assessments increase to nearly $520–$1300.
So, if you get a fine of $500, then, in this particular case, you would have to eventually pay between the amount of $1020 and $1800. The total that you would have to pay is almost as much as the annual sum of car insurance in the state of California.
California Car Insurance Laws
First of all, you need to comprehend what exactly it means to drive without insurance in California. In the Golden State, you can only meet the legally mandated share of coverage when you have:
- $15,000 of physical damage liability coverage per individual
- $30,000 of physical damage liability coverage per casualty
- $5,000 of property harm liability coverage
Final Word
Driving without insurance in California seems like a gamble. Even if it is your first offense, you are just handing out your hard-earned cash for nothing. While it is wise to immediately lawyer up so you can be guided through the legal process – the best option is to simply get car insurance so you have a safety net.
