Fines for Expired Car Insurance, Driving Without Insurance

Driving a car can be a dream of many, but if any accident or other damages are suffered by a car then it can possibly give nightmares to the owner. This is because if anything happens to the car, the car needs to be brought back to a usable condition. If the driver and passengers of the vehicle have suffered any injuries, then the medical expenses could be huge. Road safety continues to be a pivotal developmental issue in our country. As per a report shared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2019, the accident-related deaths were 1,51,113. This figure is indeed a matter of concern. The Indian government has been continuously putting efforts into halving such fatalities. The year 2019, is significant as it saw the culmination of the efforts in regards to Road Safety. The enactment of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019. A stiff hike in the penalties for violating the traffic rules to bring in discipline and make the citizen more responsible. Apart from all these, if the accident has happened due to the fault or mistake of the driver of your car, then he has to reimburse the damages and medical costs of the person suffering the damages. A list of such huge expenses can possibly make someone go bankrupt. Besides, if someone dies in the accident, the payments would be even higher. This is the reason; Motor Vehicles Act made it mandatory to have a car insurance policy for every car in use. So a direct question arises: can I drive a car without insurance? The answer is ‘NO.’ If you do so, you will be breaking the law. Now the very next question is, what is the fine for a car without insurance? Let’s have a look at that. Without insurance fine for car and car insurance expired fine. An amendment was made in Motor Vehicles Act in 2019, and the fine amounts were increased significantly to avoid any defaults on the part of car insurance policyholders. The fine amount is the same in both the cases that are car insurance expired fine and without insurance fine for the car. If you are caught for the first time driving without car insurance, the fine amount shall be Rs 2000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months. If you are caught again, then the fine amount shall increase to Rs 4000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months. Also Read: Jumping the Red Light: Fines and Payment Methods

What Other Penalties Apply Besides Fines and Imprisonment?

Apart from payment of fine and imprisonment, if required, common punishments involve the following two:

1. The driving license of the driver stands suspended for a stated time period.
2. The registration of a vehicle for which the insurance policy was not found shall stand suspended.

Does the Same Penalty Apply to All Vehicles?

Irrespective of whether you have a two/four-wheeler or any other commercial vehicle. Having the right insurance is important. Ensure to have the bike insurance policy and so forth to avoid fines. Today buying vehicle insurance is easy and hassle-free. Paying a fine without insurance is surely not what you would want.

What Happens if the Police Catch You Driving Without Insurance?

1. The vehicle can be stopped at the designated booths
2. The vehicle registration certificate and driving license also need to be shown. Failure to present these documents could result in issuance of additional fines
3. The penalty for driving without insurance involves the issuance of a challan immediately. The challan amount can be paid both online and offline

Also Read: RTO Fine For Using Tinted Glass

How to Pay the Fine?

As discussed above, paying the challan amount is simple and can be done in the following two ways. Online

1. Visit the website of the state transport body.
2. Under the section of e-challan payment or payment for a traffic violation, enter all the details of the vehicle.
3. Enter the CAPTCHA code. Select the convenient payment option and get the dues cleared.
4. A payment confirmation receipt will be shared with you.

Offline

1. Visit the nearby traffic police station.
2. Contact the designated officer that will let you know the penalty amount that needs to be paid.
3. Pay the sum to clear the fines.

Anyone who fails to make the challan payment should remember that it will increase the fine that might be imposed when caught next time.

Tips to Avoid Fines

You would surely not want to pay a penalty for driving without insurance. Here is the rundown of some simple yet helpful tips to avoid fines generally:

1. Keep handy all the important documents in regards to the vehicle. The important documents include a pollution certificate, registration certificate, etc.
2. Ensure that vehicle insurance papers are renewed timely. Always check the insurance papers before taking the vehicle on the roads. Most importantly, a third-party liability cover should not be missed at any point in time.

Is it possible to renew a policy after it has already expired, or is it necessary to buy a new policy? It is possible to renew an expired policy within 90 days of the expiry of a particular policy. However, this may make you miss the ‘No Claim Bonus’ accumulated overtime. Hence you should try to renew a policy well in time.

How to avoid legal complications?

• Whenever you buy a car, irrespective of whether a new one or a second-hand one, buy an insurance policy immediately.
• Renew the car insurance policy  well within the time frame
• It is necessary to have a hard copy of the valid policy in the car itself to avoid any hassles.
• Prefer to store a soft copy of the insurance policy in your email or on your phone so that if you are unable to find a physical policy, it can prove helpful

What are the types of insurance policies available?

Broadly, there are two types of car insurance policies available. They are third-party policy and comprehensive policy. Third-party policy The third party car insurance policy is mandatory by law. It covers only the damages and medical costs to be paid to the third-party with whom the accident has taken place. No payments towards own vehicle or medical expenses are covered under third party car insurance. Also Read: How to Check And Pay Traffic E-Challan Online

FAQs

Is the fine amount the same for a two-wheeler, four-wheeler, commercial vehicles, and private vehicles?

Yes, the fine amount is the same irrespective of the type of vehicle and ownership.

“My policy has expired. Shall I take a new policy or renew the older one?” asks Manish

It is better to renew the same policy and not opt for a new one not only because you will miss on the ‘No Claim Bonus’ if you do so but also because a new policy will involve a lengthy procedure of vehicle inspection and other procedural requirements.

Can I drive a car without insurance if I own a second-hand car?

No, car insurance is mandatory for any car, whether new or secondhand.