Are you driving without insurance?
Did you check your pink card to see when it expires? If that pink card said that it was in force from June 22, 2009 to June 22, 2010 when does it expire?
What would your answer be?
- 12:01 a.m. June 23, 2010
- 12 noon June 23, 2010
If you picked #1 then you are correct. You need to have insurance in place for one minute after the end of the day shown on that liability card. You do not drive the next day to the insurance office if you need to get new insurance. You take a taxi or get a ride from a friend.
If you picked #2 then you are not alone. This is a common mistake. It can be an expensive one though because you can be charged with driving without insurance if you are stopped by the police. They can tow your vehicle and you will be responsible for the towing charges and the impound fees.
Insurance help
As always though, there is no one answer in insurance, particularly auto insurance. If you did not put your renewal pink card in your insurance folder then the fine is "failure to produce insurance when asked". A much lighter fine.
It is important that you be aware that if the insurance company or your broker has not informed you that you will not have a renewal then the offer is there. Most insurers will give you a "grace period" to make the payment if you are not on a monthly plan. Even if you have had a non-sufficient funds (NSF) payment on the finance plan there is still a requirement that you be advised your insurance is canceling.
Who wants to pay good money on fines? Not you. So make sure that you have up-to-date insurance information and your registration when you are in your vehicle.
