Can You Get Auto Insurance with a Suspended License?

Truth be told, if you have recently gotten your license suspended then it’s not going to be easy to get auto insurance with a suspended license. It’s not impossible either. It’s definitely going to be tough, and more expensive, but you can certainly get auto insurance with a suspended license.

Regardless of whatever reason your license got suspended, whether it’s due to getting two to three consecutive speeding tickets, for driving under influence, or for being involved in at-fault accident and not paying unpaid fines; most insurance companies will see you as a high-risk driver.

As you’re generally considered a high-risk driver, this means that auto insurance companies will have a much higher probability of compensating a significant amount within your coverage. So, most insurance companies will be reluctant to offer you auto insurance, and if they do, they may charge a much higher premium.  

Even though you can get auto insurance with a suspended license, you need to put in the effort to get to it. Don’t worry, it’s not something that will drain you out, but it’s crucial to be very tactful.

This article explores why you need auto insurance with a suspended license, and how to obtain it with a suspended license. It also covers discussion on whether an SR-22 filing is required, if your insurance could be revoked, and whether you can make a claim while your license is suspended.

Why Do You Need Auto Insurance with a Suspended License?

In the US, it is both mandatory and crucial to have auto insurance even with a suspended license, and here’s why.

• Legal Requirement: Apart from New Hampshire, it is legally mandatory for every vehicle owner to have auto insurance. Owning a vehicle with no auto insurance can lead to serious legal repercussions like hefty fines, community service and even jailtime.
• Financial Protection: Even if your vehicle is parked at the garage, it is still susceptible to damage, and even theft. Without auto insurance the entire loss or compensation will go out of your pocket, which is even worse if you’ve purchased the vehicle on credit.
• Increase in Future Costs: Being uninsured for the time being can increase insurance premiums in the future and exclude you from redeeming discounts due to policy lapse.

How to Get Auto Insurance with a Suspended License?

Getting auto insurance with a suspended driving license can be somewhat challenging, it can get overwhelming especially if you don’t exactly know what to do. If you’re aware of the actionable steps along with tactful approaches getting auto insurance with a suspended license is possible, and it shouldn’t be much of a hassle either.

Incase if you are already struggling to acquire auto insurance after the license suspension, or if you’re trying to figure out how the process works, carefully follow the guideline accordingly as it’s suggested below.

Apply for a Restricted or Conditional License (Hardship License)

You can’t legally drive in the streets with a suspended license. Whether it’s for work, school, or driving to the hospital for yourself or your family members, you will need an active driving license.

But as your license is suspended for a specific timespan, your best option is to get a restricted driving license. A restricted or conditional license, also known as a hardship license, is a special driving license that allows you to drive back and forth in specific areas or locations.

This can be determined by the court, or the DMV authority. Upon getting a license suspension, you will be eligible to apply for a restricted license after 30-45 days depending on the regional laws of where you’re residing.

If you’re going through court proceedings, then you will have to appeal to the court for a restricted and conditional license through your lawyer. The judge will decide whether you’re fit for the restricted license, and if you’re the conditions will be approved accordingly.

Alternatively, you can either visit the local DMV’s website or visit their regional office to submit an application for the restricted driving license. Make sure to submit necessary documents with your application such as State ID/Residency ID, and Social Security Number. In some cases, you may also need a driving skills test certificate.

You will have to pay your local DMV an application fee, this varies from one state to another. In Michigan, the application fee for a conditional driving license is $300. After submitting the application, it should take up to 2 weeks to get the restricted license. If not, make sure to contact the DMV to know why it’s being delayed, or whether it has been rejected.

If it has been rejected, you will have to repeat the steps to re-apply for the restricted license, but this time make sure to provide any information, or document which is additionally required to get it approved. If there are legal issues involved here, it’s best to consult with an insurance lawyer.

Find and Compare Auto Insurance Companies Offering the Most Reasonable Rates

This is apparently the hardest part as most auto insurance companies are reluctant to have clients with a suspended driver's license. To find such auto insurance companies, you should search for non-standard auto insurance, or high-risk auto insurance online.

Typically, auto insurance companies that have non-standard auto insurance, or high-risk auto insurance as a part of their policies offer insurance services to drivers with suspended licenses.

If you manage to find such auto insurance companies, then that’s a huge step forward. The next thing that you should do is list down the companies that are offering either of these two types of auto insurance policies. And, if they do, visit their website to check the rates. .

Most auto insurance companies offer quotes as the coverage varies from one customer to another. Plus, as you’re among the high-risk driver zone, it’s most likely that you will have to contact them for a price quote.

So, contact at least 5 insurance companies that provide auto insurance services in your region, and that seem suitable to you, and list down their offered prices. Now compare and determine which auto insurance companies offer you the best rates. While you’re at it, make sure to also do some background analysis to know that these insurance companies are reliable.

Check reviews on Google Business Profile listing, 3rd party sites, and open question platforms like Reddit, and Quora. If you’re not sure you can even open your own threads on Reddit or Quora and ask how reliable these companies are.

Based on your analysis, go for the auto insurance company that’s both reliable and which also offers the most reasonable rates. You can even put on a hard negotiation with their competitors to find the best bid.

Looking for a reliable auto insurance company in Michigan? PLPD Insurance offers the best policies within an affordable budget.

Get an SR-22 Certificate

The SR-22 certificate is a special document issued by an auto insurance company that proves that you have the minimum auto insurance coverage that’s legally required by the state. So, the SR-22 certificate is equivalent to minimum coverage auto insurance policies.

This is the reason you may often see SR-22 certification or file often being termed as SR-22 insurance. Just to be clear, this is not an insurance, rather a substitute document that simply proves that you have minimum liability coverage.

The only way to get an SR-22 certificate is through an auto insurance company. So, if you’re unable to get a regular auto insurance policy then you can file for SR-22 from any reputed auto insurance company, or the ones that specifically offer non-standard/high risk coverage.

Apart from the usual ways, if you’re dealing with a court proceeding, you can even ask the court to allow you to have a SR-22 certificate. So, if a judge gives the order, and approves you to have a SR-22 certificate, then it’ll be much easier to acquire it from any auto insurance company.

While the SR-22 certificate is a viable option, it is not a permanent solution as it’s only valid for 3 to 5 years. The cost of filing SR-22 ranges from $15 to $25 depending on the state and the region. And the SR-22 premium varies from $2,776 to $3,714 per year. So, in the meantime, you should take every possible step to get your driver’s license reinstated.

Enroll in a Defensive Driving Course

Another approach is to prove with actionable evidence that you’re more responsible, and you are taking effective measures to improve safe driving skills. In a defensive driving course, you learn many essential ways to drive safely and avoid accidents which includes the following.

• Situational awareness: You are trained to observe the road while driving, and spot issues that require immediate action like slowing down, shifting lanes, and hitting the brakes.
• Reaction and Respond Timing: In the road, it’s always crucial to be alert, and quickly respond to avoid hitting or getting hit by another vehicle. So, you will learn ways to improve your reaction and respond time for minor to severe situations.
• Maintaining Safe Distance: Commonly the two second rule is applied here, which is you maintain 2-seconds of distance from the driver that’s in front of you. This is to ensure you have the split-second time to promptly respond and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of you.  
• Defensive Driving Techniques: There are special training regiments here to build the natural ability to stay focused on the road so that you don’t get distracted or impulsively indulge in aggressive driving.  
• Speed Adjustment: Small roads, main roads, and highways are built differently, and are suitable for different speed limits. The instructor will provide you with strict guidelines to maintain a range of speed that’s appropriate for each type of road, and how you should increase, decrease or maintain a certain speed.
• Understanding Other Drivers: Even if you are driving safely, other drivers may not. So, it is crucial to understand how to deal with every type of driver on the road starting from law abiding drivers to reckless drivers. By knowing and understanding their psychology it will be easier for you to predict their actions and navigate your vehicle safely.  
• Traffic Laws: It is important for you to be aware of the traffic laws so that you can drive safely and avoid getting tickets for certain traffic violations. This will help you become a more responsible driver both personally and legally.
• Hitting Emergency Breaks: While you’re driving on the roads there may be an emergency situation which may require you to hit the hard breaks. But a slight mistake here can lead to a dangerous accident, so you will learn effective break techniques, and evasive maneuvers.

Once you complete a defensive driving course, you will get a certificate which demonstrates that you have acquired the necessary skills to drive safely on the roads. This will help you boost your chances of getting auto insurance as you may be reconsidered as a more responsible driver.

Plus, if it’s your first car accident, the auto insurance company may apply an accident forgiveness policy and relieve you of the increase in insurance rates. It’s not guaranteed though, but it will boost your chances of getting auto insurance with a suspended license. On top of that, it will also improve your chances of getting your driving license back faster.

Improve and Maintain a Clean Driving Record

If you want to raise your chances of getting auto insurance while your driving license is suspended, you will need to make visible efforts to show that you’re a more responsible driver now.

The best, and most effective way of doing that is to improve and maintain a clean driving record. If you can ensure a new track record of getting zero traffic violations, no speed tickets, not getting pulled over while driving, and most importantly not getting involved in any accidents for the next few months then it will be easier for you to prove and claim that you are now more responsible on the roads.

This will have a tremendous impact on your driving profile, and clean driving records have always been a vital criterion for getting the best auto insurance coverage. You have a major shortcoming here, and that’s your suspended license, but with an improved and clean driving record afterwards you can turn the tables in your favor.

It’s not guaranteed that you will get auto insurance with a suspended license, but there are some auto insurance companies that may consider providing one at relatively cheaper rates for you compared to other suspended drivers.

Regardless, it will definitely improve your chances of getting a SR-22 certificate, so in that way it’s a win-win. Not to mention the long-term benefits are huge because if you can maintain a clean driving record then you will get your license back sooner, and you will also get lower auto insurance premiums along with attractive discounts.

Is the SR-22 Filing the Only Alternative for a Suspended Driving License?

The SR-22 certificate is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves that you have the minimum auto insurance coverage required in the state that you’re living in. The SR-22 certification has been specifically designed to ensure that high-risk drivers who are on trial or are convicted of reckless driving and other driving violations remain protected by the minimum auto insurance coverage.

So, yes, the SR-22 filing is the only alternative if you have a suspended driving license, and if you’re unable to get auto insurance, or can’t afford the higher rates. Simply put the SR-22 is often a requirement for drivers with a suspended license, especially the ones with severe car accidents.

Will My Auto Insurance Get Revoked for Having a Suspended License?

It depends on your auto insurance company and their existing policies. But yes, generally there’s a high chance that your auto insurance will get cancelled by your auto insurance company.

Auto insurance companies generally review their client profiles quarterly, semi-annually and annually to determine auto insurance rates for each customer. They have access to DMV records which are often cross checked to verify your legal driving record.

So, the moment they find that you have a suspended license they may decide to cancel your auto insurance with a 30-day notice period. Or they may not agree to renew your auto insurance if it’s near the expiration date.

Can I Claim Auto Insurance if My License Gets Suspended?

If you already have an existing auto insurance policy, then yes you can claim insurance even with a suspended license. Here’s the catch though, if you claim the insurance before your license gets suspended then the insurance company is obligated to cover the damages.

But if you claim the auto insurance after your license gets suspended, then depending on the reason of the suspension and its severity the insurance company may claim that you’ve violated their polices so you’re not entitled to the coverage anymore. And to validate their claim, they may say you indulged in illegal driving activities which is not covered by insurance.

So, even though you can claim your auto insurance, it’s difficult to specifically say whether you will actually get the compensation from your coverage. In worst case scenario, your auto insurance company may even send a notice to revoke your auto insurance. But all that depends on the agreed auto insurance policies between you and the company.

Final Remarks: Can You Actually Get Auto Insurance with a Suspended License?

Well, the short answer is yes, you can get auto insurance with a suspended license. Although it’s tough especially as drivers with suspended license are considered high risk drivers, and insurance companies generally have a policy to have an active license to acquire auto insurance.

The best part is, there are some effective ways of getting auto insurance with a suspended license which includes applying for a restricted/condition license, finding non-standard/high risk auto insurance policies, getting an SR-22 certificate, enrolling in a defensive driving course, and maintaining a clean driving record.

The SR-22 certificate is an alternative here, but by applying a combination of these techniques it’s possible to get auto insurance, and significantly enhance the chances of acquiring insurance at a cheaper rate.

So, if you’re looking for a reliable auto insurance agency in Michigan, please contact us, and we can help you explore the best auto insurance policies within your budget.

FAQ

Can you get car insurance with a suspended driving license near Detroit Michigan?

Yes, you can but just like any state or region the complexities remain more or less the same.

Will my auto insurance rates increase after a license suspension?

Yes, even if your existing auto insurance policy is renewed, it is likely to increase significantly. And, if you’re trying to acquire auto insurance with a suspended license it can cost you a much higher rate especially as you’re viewed as a high-risk driver for the auto insurance company.

Will my auto insurance rate spike after my driving license is reinstated?

Well, that depends especially on your driving record. If you manage to drastically improve it and maintain a clean driving record for 6 months to a year, then your insurance rates might not rise as much or may even decrease. On the other hand, getting your license reinstated will definitely make it easier again to get auto insurance.

Can I rent or purchase car insurance with suspended license and no auto insurance?

No, to rent a car you need an active driving license, and auto insurance. And, to purchase a car, and register it under your ownership it is legally mandatory to have auto insurance.

Can auto insurance companies find out that my license has been suspended?

Yes, auto insurance companies have access to DMV database nationwide, so they can easily figure out whether you have an active or suspended driving license, along with the reasons, and legal violations for the suspension.