It may just seem like a piece of paper hiding in your glove compartment that comes with a bothersome monthly payment, but car insurance is a must-have asset for any driver in Alabama. In fact, Aaron Insurance Agency, located in Dothan, explains that all drivers in the state are required by law to have a minimum level of coverage to protect others on the road in the event of a collision. What can happen if you don’t have it?

In 2012, Alabama was recognized as having the sixth-highest number of uninsured drivers in the country. In response, the state enacted new practices to crack down on those who didn’t have coverage and were in violation of the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act. For instance, police can now scan license plates to receive a rapid history of car insurance. This is designed to prevent drivers from paying for coverage to get an insurance card, only to cancel payments soon after.

If you are caught without insurance, a police officer may write you a ticket with hefty fines of up to $500 on a first offense. Depending on the circumstances of a first offense, you could also face a maximum of three months in jail, impoundment, and vehicle registration suspension.

Second offenses of being uninsured in Alabama carry more serious consequences. For example, you could be charged with a fine of up to $1,000, face six months of jail time, have your license suspended for six months, and lose vehicle registration up to four months.

In either situation, you will have to make efforts to prove you have auto insurance. Convicted first-time offenders have to pay $200 to reinstate their vehicle registration and verify they are insured a year after. That reinstatement fee increases to $400 if you are convicted two or more times. Repeat offenders also have to file SR22 insurance with a qualified company to prove they are covered, which can cost extra.

With all those possible penalties, the cost of not having auto insurance in Alabama is never worth the risk. To make sure you meet the state requirements, you can find affordable car insurance through Aaron Insurance Agency in Dothan, AL. If you have been convicted of being uninsured and are required to file SR22 forms, this agency is certified to help. To request rates or learn more about your coverage options, call (334) 712-0777 to speak with an expert agent today.