Car insurance is a fact of life in the United States. Every state requires that all drivers carry some form of auto protection, either through state minimums for auto insurance, paying uninsured motor vehicle fees, or through cash bonds.
Undocumented immigrants often have a hard time getting a license, and therefore, should not be taking the risk of driving without a license or auto insurance. This creates a real problem for many people. However, there are a growing number of states that are beginning to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license.
This, in turn, is helping more people to get the auto insurance coverage they need to not only protect themselves, but to protect other drivers on the road.
Here are the basics of getting auto insurance in the United States.
Get a Driver’s License
The most important step to obtaining auto insurance coverage is to first get a driver’s license. If you do not live in a state that issues licenses regardless of immigration status, you may be out of luck. Insurance companies are highly unlikely to sell you auto insurance coverage without a valid state driver’s license.
If you do live in a state where you can obtain a license as an undocumented immigrant, you’ve crossed the biggest hurdle preventing you from getting auto insurance. With your valid license, you can shop for the best rate for your situation.
Before you begin your search, it’s important to understand what you need to cover and how much you should cover it for, so that you make the best choice for you and your family. Here are the basics of the different types of auto insurance coverage.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage
You purchase auto insurance to protect you from financial loss should you be at-fault for an accident. In most states, you will need a valid driver’s license and auto insurance coverage in order to drive legally.
Liability Insurance – This is the basic type of auto insurance coverage required by almost every state. Liability coverage pays for medical expenses and damages to others that result from an accident in which you are found to be at-fault.
Personal Injury Protection – While liability insurance covers you for damages to others when you are at-fault for an accident, personal injury protection protects you even if you are not at-fault. It can cover medical expenses and even lost wages.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – You may have take n all the right steps as an undocumented immigrant to drive legally, but many others do not. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could still face financial losses if you do not have this type of coverage.
Comprehensive and Collision – These are both optional coverages that offer you a higher level of protection. Depending on the circumstances, comprehensive and collision may pay for or replace your vehicle if it is involved in a collision, is stolen or vandalized, or is damaged by a natural disaster.
The bottom line is that as an undocumented immigrant, you should never drive illegally. Once you get your driver’s license, use the InsuranceWins form to shop around for the best rates and a suitable car insurance policy for your needs
