Whether you drive a motorcycle or car or drive for a service like Lyft or Uber, you need car insurance. While you may think driving with insurance is more costly, driving without car insurance can increase costs if you receive a penalty. You can face fines and possible jail time when you’re pulled over or get into an accident and uninsured. At MAIF Insurance Online, your Maryland auto insurance provider, we want to ensure you drive insured so that you can prevent penalties and have peace of mind when driving.
Penalties for Offenses Driving Without Insurance
If you are pulled over without insurance, you can pay hundreds in penalty fees. Possible penalties include a loss of vehicle registration or license plates, uninsured motorist fees, and restoration fees. Driving uninsured is a misdemeanor in Maryland.
If you are convicted for a first offense, you can lose five points on your license, face a fine of 1,000, and possibly face jail time of up to one year if you are in an accident. For the second offense, the fine increases to 2,000, and you can possibly face two years of jail time.
Additionally, if you are driving another person’s vehicle but are unaware that their vehicle is uninsured, you can still face penalties. Be careful when driving; if you drive uninsured, you are liable for damages instead of your insurance company.
Find The Right Car Insurance For You
Every state has the minimum insurance required to drive a vehicle. In Maryland, the minimum auto liability limits are 30/60/15. This means bodily injury is $30,000 per person or $60,000 per accident, and property damage is $15,000 per accident. There are multiple types of insurance to choose from, including:
- Personal Injury Protection: Also known as no-fault insurance, this insurance covers bodily injury or medical care regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
- Liability: This insurance protects you if you are found at fault in an accident. Liability insurance can cover medical and legal fees. Additionally, liability insurance can cover vehicle repairs.
- Collision: Collision coverage will cover you in the event of an accident with another vehicle or object. This coverage will reimburse you for damage to your car but not for bodily injury or damage to other vehicles or objects.
- Comprehensive: Full coverage or comprehensive insurance can help pay for repairs or damage to a car in cases “other than collision.” Many drivers leasing a car will need comprehensive car insurance.
Do you have a new vehicle and need auto insurance? Are you driving without insurance? Get a free quote on our website or call MAIF Insurance Online at 301.476.4887. We want to ensure that you don’t face more legal fees for your situation, including possible collisions with objects or other vehicles.