Driving Without Insurance in Indiana

Fort Wayne attorney defends people accused of lacking coverage

In Indiana as in other states, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance, and they face both administrative and criminal consequences if they do not. The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey, located in Fort Wayne and serving Allen County and northeast Indiana, can help you fight a charge of driving without insurance. We deliver sound and effective legal support in serious traffic violation cases. 

Legal requirements for vehicle insurance in Indiana

Drivers in the state must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage for the vehicles they operate. The following are the minimum coverages required:

• $25,000 for injuries or death of one person
• $50,000 for injuries or death of two or more people in one accident
• $25,000 for property damage in one accident

You must provide proof of insurance to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles within a specified time period when specific incidents occur. These include accident in which a report was filed, if you were arrested for a misdemeanor or felony traffic violation, if you received a third point-eligible moving violation within a year of two others, or had a point-eligible moving violation after a previous suspension for not having insurance. 

Penalties for driving without car insurance

In addition to a suspended license for driving without insurance, you will have to pay a fee and provide proof of financial responsibility when you are eligible for license reinstatement. The more violations you have for driving with no insurance, the longer the license suspension period and the higher the reinstatement fees. Your vehicle registration may also be suspended or revoked. 

Other factors that may impact the outcome of driving without insurance charges

While driving without insurance is generally an infraction, Indiana Code 9-25-8-2 makes it a Class C misdemeanor if you knowingly or intentionally operate a vehicle without insurance and have a prior conviction or judgment under the section. A Class C misdemeanor comes with a possible penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. You could face additional or more serious charges for driving without insurance and not reporting an accident, for causing a crash with injuries or fatalities, for driving under the influence or for driving with a suspended license. 

Possible defenses against no insurance charges

Defenses that may be raised against charges of driving without insurance include the following:

• You were unaware your policy had lapsed.
• There was a clerical error and you actually did have coverage.
• You were not the actual driver of the vehicle.
• You were driving an employer’s vehicle and assumed they had coverage.
• The police had no cause to stop you

We’ll assess all the facts of your case to build the strongest defense possible. 

How our Fort Wayne criminal defense lawyer can help

In disputing a driving without insurance charge, the defenses we raise will depend on your circumstances. They could involve gathering and reviewing policy documentation to prove that you did indeed have coverage; advocating for you if you believed you were covered and so did not intentionally drive while uninsured; seeking a dismissal of charges based on insufficient evidence of a violation; or negotiating on your behalf for a reduced charge and penalties. We can also help you with other alleged traffic violations related to the driving without insurance offense. 

Contact an Indiana defense firm for help with your driving without insurance violation 

The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey in Fort Wayne helps drivers in Indiana avoid license suspensions, fines and potential criminal charges when they are cited for driving without insurance. You can schedule a free consultation with our lawyer by calling 260-222-7364 or contacting us online.