The penalties for driving without insurance vary from state to state. In some states you are penalized by having your license suspended for a certain amount of time, sometimes your vehicle's registration is also suspended for a period of time.

In other states the penalties include a fine only or a fine and possible jail time. Some states impound your vehicle on the spot if you are to be an uninsured motorist on the roadway.

For example in Illinois the penalties for first time offenders is a minimum $500 fine for operating an uninsured vehicle. If you are driving a vehicle while the registration is suspended for no insurance you will receive a minimum fine of $1000.

Indiana laws state that a person in Indiana may not register or operate a motor vehicle if financial responsibility (FR) is not in effect for the vehicle. The operator of a vehicle that is without insurance in Indiana is subject to a 90 day license suspension or 1 year suspension if this is a repeat violation of the FR law within 3 years.

In Ohio, if you are caught driving without financial responsibility (insurance), the penalties can include: suspension of driver's license for a minimum of 90 days and up to 2 years, impoundment of your license plates and/or automobile plus fines and court costs.

If you are involved in a crash without insurance, or other FR coverage, in OH additional penalties may apply. You may have a security suspension of your license for 2 years or more and a judgment suspension for an indefinite period, until damages are paid.

Penalties in West Virginia for driving without insurance can include suspension of your vehicle registration and drivers license as well as criminal penalties that could result from a conviction in magistrate court. Criminal penalties for driving without insurance can include fines of between $250 and $5000 and jail time of between 15 days and 1 year or both.

The Department of Motor Vehicles for you state likely has listed on their website what the possible penalties are for driving illegally without the required minimum insurance coverage on your vehicle. It is recommended that you always carry at least the minimum coverage when driving since the penalties are so severe if you do not.

Also if you are in an accident without insurance all of your assets can be at risk since the person your harmed, or their insurance company, can normally come after you personally for the damages you caused. In many states if you do not repay the person, or their insurer, for the monies they paid out for their damages than you license can be suspended indefinitely. If a person is severely injured in the accident the money you are may need to pay the victim may be in the hundreds of thousands and thus puts your assets and future earnings at risk.

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