If your license to drive has been suspended, it may be a good idea to stay insured. Whether you’ve run into trouble because of a DUI, a major traffic violation or for unpaid tickets, having your license suspended can be disruptive to life.
But, once you get your license reinstated you may be able to avoid insurance hassles by keeping yourself insured while on suspension. Here are some reasons why and situations where you will want to keep coverage, as well as some advice on what type of coverage to maintain.
Other Drivers Are on Your Policy
If other drivers are listed on your insurance policy that use your vehicle, which is often the case with families, you will need to maintain your policy in order to keep them protected. The easiest way to handle this during your suspension (assuming your insurance company has not cancelled your policy due to a license suspension) is to have one of the other drivers become the primary driver on the policy.
If you will be without your license for a long time though, it may be better to have the other drivers take out a new auto insurance policy.
Avoiding an Insurance Gap
Car insurance companies do not like to see a gap in auto insurance coverage. Often, if you have had a gap in insurance you may be facing higher rates once you try to obtain coverage again. For this reason, you may want to maintain coverage while you are on a suspension. Read on to find out the cheapest way to stay covered with a suspended license.
The Best Coverage for a Suspended License
If you are the sole driver of your car, you may want to park it while your license is suspended. And instead of dropping your auto insurance to save money (see previous reasons why you don’t’ want to do this) you might choose to buy a comprehensive-only policy.
Comprehensive insurance will cover any damages incurred that are not due to an accident. So, if a tree limb falls on your car, you could be covered. Or, if vandals break your headlights, you cold be covered. While some homeowner’s insurance policies will cover some items in some situations, a comprehensive-only policy is specific for damage to your vehicle not due to an accident
How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up?
There is no doubt that your car insurance premium rate will go up after your license has been suspended. After a suspension, you may be considered a high-risk driver, and this means it is going to cost you more.
How much more will depend on the company and the other factors that go into determining your rate, such as:
- Your driving history (other than the suspension)
- Your credit rating
- The type of car you are insuring
- Where you live
That’s why it’s a good idea to actively shop around to find the most affordable car insurance rates after a license suspension. The InsuranceWins quote form shows you offers from many different car insurance companies so you can find the best rates after a license suspension.
