What do you do if you get a ticket for having no insurance, but you get insurance before you go to court?

Question

But your insurance is dated after the citation date.

Answer 1

As a traffic prosecutor for the last year and a half, do the following if you were caught driving without insurance but obtained insurance before your courtdate:

1. Print out your policy information (or obtain a copy) as well as the card showing how much you've paid thus far for the policy.

2. Take the information into the courthouse of the jurisdiction you received the ticket.

3. Ask to speak to the traffic prosecutor, or State's Attorney (if it's a smaller jurisdiction--he should have more time to talk to you).

4. In so many words, beg for mercy. Here's how: If you were caught driving at a time when you did not have insurance, the violation already occurred. It's now up to the State to prosecute it. You carry a persuasive point when you have your policy information with you. For example, say this: "I appreciate you taking the time to see me. I was ticketed for driving without insurance. Since then, I have purchased a year-long, full-coverage policy. (Show your policy you purchased as well as how much you've paid thus far). I had insurance immediately before I was ticketed, but it lapsed the week I was caught. I immediately purchased a new policy and I was wondering if you could dismiss my case because I am fully insured now."

Most prosecutors will be receptive to that argument. I would not accept people coming into court with a policy they purchased the day before for 30 days of coverage. That will not work, or should not work.

And generally, it will be up to the prosecutor, not the judge. You will probably not even see the judge.

Answer 2

You still have to pay the fine. The ticket was for not having insurance on the date you were stopped. Now, if you had insurance, but did not have proof with you at the time of the stop, then it will be dismissed, as long as the insurance date is eairler than the ticket date. But if you get insurance anytime after the date of the ticket, you still owe the fine.

Answer 3

Make sure you get the insurance that starts on the month you got the ticket.. If you get the insurance in the same month as the ticket then it should show month and year of policy...ie..05/2007 to 10/2007. Take the insurance to court with you.. you just beat the ticket.

Answer 4

You will probably have to pay the fine. So many Dilberts (for use of a nice word) run without insurance, get a ticket, then get insurance and cancel it after the judge lets them off. I don't know how people get away without insurance, since a notice is sent to the state when it runs out. I always pay my insurance, so I do not have much sympathy. The bottom line is, "Take care of business".

Answer 5

You still didnt have insurance at the time of the citation, so you will have to pay. If it was for just not having proof of insurance, that may be a different story.

Answer 6

If you get the ticket for no insurance, and you actually did not have insurance at the time then you can get fined for driving without insurance.
Depending on the judge they may dismiss because you do now have the insurance, but the fact remains that you were driving without insurance and they can fine you for that.

Answer 7

Driving without insurance is risky and not worth it. You know this now that you've been cited.
It doesn't matter, as far as the ticket goes, that you have car insurance now. You'll still be responsible for driving uninsured. Don't expect any leniency with your fine(s) because you got insurance between then and now--you have to have insurance, it's the law.

Answer 8

Guilty as charged. Pay the ticket. IF you decide to go to court, and have a good reason why the insurance lapsed, you might beat it; but odds are not.

Answer 9

Then you had no insurance at the time of the ticket and you are guilty.

so you try and work out a deal ith the DA

Answer 10

Listen 2 Me LadyBugg....Most prosecutors won't waste your time if you have a clean driving record. So they are inclined to Nolly the charge if your Ins. is post infraction. If your Driving record is Tore Up from the Floor Up...then you will get dinged...so to speak. Also...some states are more strict than others...SC, FL, NY, and GA are very strict.