by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Car accident attorneyMay 9, 20250 comments

What Happens If You Get into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Arizona?

What happens if you get into a car accident without insurance in Arizona? Do fines and penalties differ if you are at fault without insurance? Arizona has minimum insurance requirements for drivers. Not having the proper coverage can lead to some serious side effects, which is what we’ll discuss in this article.

Arizona’s Car Insurance Laws

Starting on July 1, 2020, all individuals driving on Arizona roadways must carry minimum insurance. This includes $25,000 of coverage for one person’s bodily injury or death in an accident and $50,000 for two or more persons. In addition, drivers must have $15,000 in insurance coverage for property damage.

Additionally, you can take out uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. These policies pay a portion of your medical bills or property damage when the other party does not have coverage. This type of policy is optional in Arizona.

The Repercussions of Driving Without Insurance

Driving without insurance can come with serious fines, penalties, and license suspension. Here’s what to expect per offense for driving without insurance:

• First Offense – The first offense will come with a $500 fine. In addition to the fine, Arizona may suspend your license, registration, and plates for up to three months.
• Second Offense – If you are caught driving without insurance for a second time within a three-year period, the fine increases to $750. Additionally, your license, registration, and plates will be suspended for six months.
• Third Offense – After three or more offenses within a three-year period, the fine increases to $1,000. Your driver’s license, registration, and plates will be suspended for one year.

With each of these offenses, you may also be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate. This document shows that you have the minimum insurance coverage according to Arizona law.

What Happens If You Get into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Arizona?

The above fines and penalties are increased when you are involved in an accident without insurance. First, the fines and penalties will apply regardless of who is at fault. For example, if someone hits your car and you don’t have insurance, you will be required to pay a minimum fine and your license might be suspended.

If the accident is your fault, you won’t have any insurance coverage to pay for damages. This means you will need to pay for these costs out of pocket. Additionally, any lawsuits brought against you will be your financial responsibility. Driving without insurance also makes it difficult to recover any type of compensation from the accident, even if you aren’t at fault.

Summary

Driving without insurance can have serious repercussions, especially if you were the at-fault party. Even if you had the proper insurance coverage, the other party’s lack of insurance can cause delays and headaches. Instead of trying to navigate the next steps after an accident without insurance on your own, contact our Phoenix car accident attorneys at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed. We can help you sort through your case to maximize your compensation.