Register Or Insure: Which Comes First?

In most states in the US, you need to get car insurance before registering your car. This is because you are required to provide proof that your vehicle is insured before you are allowed to register it. However, there are a handful of states that do not require proof of insurance to register your car, but you will still need a car insurance policy with minimum coverage before you can drive in that state.

Most states require insurance before registration

Most states require you to have auto insurance before you can register your vehicle. This means that you will need to get insurance, and then take proof of your insurance policy to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you register your car. An insurance card or a printout detailing your coverage is usually sufficient.

Your insurance policy must meet the state's minimum coverage requirements. For example, in New Hampshire, the minimum coverage required is:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• $1,000 medical payments
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury liability per accident

There are a few states that do not require proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. These include Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, in most of these states, you will still need to have insurance to drive legally.

It's important to note that driving without insurance is illegal in most states and can result in serious penalties and fines. Therefore, it is recommended to get insurance before registering your vehicle, even in states where it is not required.

Some states require proof of financial responsibility

In the United States, most states require proof of insurance or financial responsibility to register a vehicle. However, this is not the case in seven states: Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Even in states that don't require proof of insurance for registration, drivers are still required to have a minimum level of insurance coverage before driving. Financial responsibility laws require individuals to prove they have the financial capacity to pay for damages resulting from an accident, regardless of fault. While these laws don't specifically mandate insurance coverage, most auto insurance policies provide enough coverage to satisfy these requirements.

The specifics of financial responsibility laws vary by state. In California, for example, drivers must be financially able to provide monetary protection to those injured or whose property is damaged in vehicle accidents. Indiana has a minimum liability insurance requirement of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one individual, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more individuals, and $25,000 for property damage in a single accident.

You can get insurance without registration

In most states in the US, you will need to show proof of insurance when registering a vehicle. However, there are some states that do not require insurance before registration. In these states, you can get insurance without registration.

The following states do not require proof of insurance to register a vehicle:

• Arizona
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• Washington
• Wisconsin

In these states, you can get insurance without registration. However, it is important to note that even in these states, you will need a valid insurance policy to drive your car legally. Therefore, while you can get insurance without registration in these states, you will still need to get insurance before driving your vehicle.

Additionally, some states have unique requirements for vehicle registration and insurance. For example, in Virginia, you can register your car without insurance by paying a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee to the DMV. In Texas, you must have auto insurance in place and provide proof of insurance before registering your vehicle.

Therefore, while the general rule is that you need insurance before registration, there are some exceptions in certain states. It is always important to check the specific requirements of your state before registering a vehicle or purchasing insurance.

Driving without insurance is illegal

In most states in the US, you are required to have insurance before registering your car. Even in the few states that don't require this, you'll still need a car insurance policy with minimum coverage before you can drive. Driving without insurance is illegal and can lead to various penalties, including fines, a suspended license, and even imprisonment.

Florida

In Florida, driving without insurance is a serious offense that can lead to hefty fines, license suspensions, and even imprisonment. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could face fines of up to $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. In addition, your license can be suspended for up to three years, and you will have to pay a reinstatement fee to get it back.

Florida is a ""no-fault" state, which means it requires drivers to have property damage liability coverage and personal injury protection coverage. The minimum amount of car insurance required by law in Florida is $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Other States

In every state except for New Hampshire, you must have minimum amounts of liability insurance to drive your car. Some states also require other coverages, such as medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist insurance. In New Hampshire, you can provide proof of financial responsibility, which means you have the funds to pay for any injuries or property damage you cause in an accident.

Insurance and Registration

While the specific requirements vary by state, in most states, you are required to provide proof of insurance before registering your vehicle. If your insurance expires, your car registration may be suspended, and you will have to provide proof of insurance to renew your registration. You may also have to pay a fine or fee to reinstate the registration.

You can get temporary insurance

In most states in the U.S., you will need to show proof of insurance when you apply for registration. However, in a handful of states, you only need to prove that you are insured to drive legally; they do not require proof of insurance to register your car. These states include Arizona, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.

If you are only going to be driving a car temporarily, you can get temporary car insurance. The best way to do this is to get a six-month car insurance policy and cancel it when you no longer need it. Reputable insurance companies generally don't offer temporary car insurance for less than six months. You can also pay for car insurance as a monthly bill and cancel it when you no longer need it. Most companies won't charge a cancellation fee, but you will get a refund for any time left on the policy.

If you don't own a car but still need insurance, a non-owner insurance policy or rental car insurance may be the best way to get short-term insurance. Non-owner insurance is also a good option if you regularly borrow cars from others. However, if you live with the car's owner, it's better to be added to their policy as the non-owner policy will only serve as secondary coverage.

Frequently asked questions