While it can be a hassle to make sure that your car insurance is always up-to-date, it is worth doing. This is because if you get pulled over, you can get a ticket for failure to have car insurance. If you do get pulled over and face this ticket, you have a few options regarding what to do next. If the officer or the DMV makes a mistake and wrongly accuses you of this issue, there are ways to verify that you do indeed have insurance for your vehicle. Alternatively, you can request an insurance compliance hearing in order to defend yourself. You can learn more about all of these options on this page.

Your Options

Having car insurance protects you, even if you are a great driver. Every time you get in the car there are other people around you who are also driving. They might not be as vigilant or careful as you are. The most important thing to remember is that if you have been ticketed for not having car insurance, you have options. Let’s take a look at those options.

If you get a notice from the DMV that includes a fine for not having insurance coverage on your vehicle, you can do a few things to protect yourself. First, you can send in proof that you have insurance on your vehicle, and the DMV made a mistake. To do this, you can send a letter from your insurance company to the DMV. The letter should outline your coverage. Alternatively, you can provide your permanent insurance card to the DMV. After doing this, you should receive a notice from the DMV within 14 days that confirms your coverage and you will not have to pay the fine.

Your second option is to prove to the DMV that you moved out-of-state or sold the vehicle in question. To prove that you moved out of the state, make a copy of your new registration with the new state you live in and send that to the DMV. To prove that you have sold your vehicle, you can mail the DMV a copy of your bill of sale, repossession document, junk receipt, total loss document, or the title on or before the cancellation of your insurance. Again, in these situations you should receive a notice from the DMV within 14 days that confirms they received your paperwork. This should solve your insurance issue.

Requesting an Insurance Compliance Hearing

Your last option is to request a hearing to contest the insurance fine. At this hearing, you can address whether your car was registered in your name at the time your insurance was canceled and that you insurance was maintained while it was registered in your name. You can defend yourself against the insurance issue. In order to request a hearing to contest this, you can contact the DMV before the date of the suspension.

Getting Help

If you face a situation where your car insurance is called into question, and you face a DMV fine or worse as a result, you can fight the ticket. Outlined here are three of the most common ways to do this. If you need further assistance, an attorney can help you. To fight a ticket or learn more about the insurance compliance hearing, contact our office.