Do I Need Proof Of Insurance To Register A Vehicle

Yes, most states require y'all to have a current and valid car insurance policy earlier you can register your vehicle. In 42 states and Washington, D.C., you need proof of insurance to annals your automobile with the Section of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Whether you recently bought a new car or moved to a new state, it's crucial that you have a automobile insurance policy in place earlier you tin start the process of registering your vehicle.

But Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Northward Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin don't require car insurance upon registration. New Hampshire and Virginia don't require that drivers hold an insurance policy but strongly recommend purchasing coverage.

Tabular array of Contents

Vehicle Registration: Do You Need Proof of Insurance?
What Is Proof of Insurance?
FAQs Almost Vehicle Registration

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Key Takeaways

Forty-two states and Washington, D.C., require you lot to accept a electric current and valid car insurance policy in place that meets your state's required coverages to register your vehicle.

In Arizona, Mississippi, Due north Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin, you can register your vehicle without presenting proof of insurance. However, you lot're required to have at least a minimum liability automobile insurance policy in identify before driving.

Many states use an electronic insurance verification arrangement to identify uninsured drivers. If the system tags you as uninsured, you won't be able to register your vehicle in that state.

Practice You lot Need Proof of Insurance to Annals a Vehicle?

Most states require you lot to nowadays proof of insurance before you tin can register your car. You demand to have a current and valid machine insurance policy that meets your state'south required coverages earlier you can register your vehicle.

States that Require Proof of Insurance for Motorcar Registration

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Country

Earlier Registration/Renewal

Before Driving
Alabama

✓

✓
Alaska

✓

✓
Arizona

✓
Arkansas

✓

✓
California

✓

✓
Colorado

✓

✓
Connecticut

✓

✓
Delaware

✓

✓
District of Columbia

✓

✓
Florida

✓

✓
Georgia

✓

✓
Hawaii

✓

✓
Idaho

✓

✓
Illinois

✓

✓
Indiana

✓

✓
Iowa

✓

✓
Kansas

✓

✓
Kentucky

✓

✓
Louisiana

✓

✓
Maine

✓

✓
Maryland

✓

✓
Massachusetts

✓

✓
Michigan

✓

✓
Minnesota

✓

✓
Mississippi

✓
Missouri

✓

✓
Montana

✓

✓
New Hampshire
Nebraska

✓

✓
Nevada

✓

✓
New Bailiwick of jersey

✓

✓
New Mexico

✓

✓
New York

✓

✓
North Carolina

✓

✓
North Dakota

✓
Ohio

✓

✓
Oklahoma

✓

✓
Oregon

✓

✓
Pennsylvania

✓

✓
Rhode Isle

✓

✓
Due south Carolina

✓

✓
South Dakota

✓

✓
Tennessee

✓
Texas

✓

✓
Utah

✓

✓
Vermont

✓

✓
Virginia
Washington

✓
West Virginia

✓

✓
Wisconsin

✓
Wyoming

✓

✓

Forty-two states and Washington, D.C., require yous to have a car insurance policy that meets the state'south minimum required coverages to register your vehicle.

Many states utilise an electronic insurance verification system to identify a driver's insurance condition. If the system recognizes you as uninsured, you will non be able to annals your car in that state.

This electronic system also prevents you from canceling your car insurance after a successful registration without repercussions. If yous discontinue your coverage, your land'due south DMV will be notified, and your registration may be suspended.

You can register your vehicle without having car insurance in Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Yet, nigh of these states crave y'all to have insurance inside a specified period after registration; Virginia and New Hampshire are the exceptions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

To register your vehicle, you lot'll probable demand:

Commuter'south license or another form of identification
Proof of insurance
Car title or signed lease agreement
Vehicle registration application form
Registration fee payment

Requirements vary in each country, and so you may accept to bring more than documents depending on where you alive. Be certain to cheque the website of your state's DMV to detect out what you lot need before heading to their office.

States That Don't Require Proof of Insurance Upon Registration

If you're living in Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington or Wisconsin, you don't demand to accept proof of insurance when registering your car. However, y'all practice need to have car insurance before driving.

Across the U.South., but New Hampshire lacks a mandatory insurance law for drivers. You can both annals your car and drive on public roads without having an active car insurance policy. However, the country's DMV strongly recommends and urges vehicle owners to comport standard liability and property damage insurance.

Virginia doesn't crave insurance either, but drivers must pay a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee if they don't have coverage.

Registering Your Vehicle Without Insurance

Typically, you tin can't annals your vehicle without car insurance. Unless you live in the eight aforementioned states, proof of insurance is required for vehicle registration.

Everywhere except New Hampshire and Virginia, you're required to have car insurance before y'all tin can legally drive. Driving uninsured or with lapsed insurance may issue in fiscal and legal problems.

Here are some of the possible risks and consequences of driving without an agile car insurance policy:

Depending on where yous live, you could be fined $50–$v,000 for driving uninsured.
Suspension of driver'south license.
Jail time.
Increased insurance rates.
In the event of an accident, out-of-pocket payment for personal and belongings damage.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

No matter where yous live, information technology'due south better to take a automobile insurance policy in identify earlier registering your vehicle. As a rule of thumb, insuring your car right away can save you the hassle. Even a brusque lapse in car insurance can dramatically increase your car insurance rates or incur penalities.

What Is Proof of Insurance?

Proof of insurance is a document that proves you lot hold a electric current, valid car insurance policy that meets your state's minimum required coverages.

All states except New Hampshire and Virginia require motorcar insurance earlier drivers can legally bulldoze on public roads. This requirement helps drivers pay for property damage and personal injury later on an accident.

Other than the DMV, local law enforcement can ask for your proof of insurance if you're pulled over. Yous may also have to present proof of insurance when applying for a new motorcar insurance policy.

How to Obtain Proof of Insurance

Insurance companies typically provide proof of insurance immediately afterward your first premium payment. They may transport information technology via mail, fax or as an electronic insurance carte.

Many insurance providers allow you to access your insurance ID through a mobile app. They tin can likewise e-mail yous a digital copy of your card, which you can admission on your smartphone. Those are convenient options that prevent you lot from losing your insurance ID.

If you do lose your insurance menu, near insurers permit you to access your business relationship online. Past logging onto their website, y'all can download and print out a new insurance ID. Additionally, you tin can contact your agent and ask them to send yous a new bill of fare in the post.

MONEYGEEK Proficient TIP

In most states, yous can provide a digital insurance card when asked for proof of insurance past law enforcement. However, be certain to accomplish out to your insurance company to see if this practice is immune in your state. In any case, it's best to carry concrete proof of insurance with you when possible.

FAQs About Vehicle Registration

Registering your auto doesn't need to be a complicated process. MoneyGeek answered some of the frequently asked questions about vehicle registration to make information technology easier.

In most states, you need to present proof of insurance to register your car.

If you don't obtain coverage before your insurance expires, your license may be suspended, your premiums will likely increment, and you'll take to pay out of pocket for any damages after an blow.

In Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, you lot tin can register a machine without proof of insurance.

No, you lot don't need to register a automobile to become insurance. MoneyGeek recommends purchasing insurance for your vehicle every bit soon as you lot tin can since you'll need coverage to be able to annals it in most states.

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