If you have been driving uninsured or your coverage lapsed, you can get insured again. A gap in coverage can raise your rate and label you a higher-risk driver, so the sooner you close it the better. You are also far from alone, and closing the gap is a manageable step.
Below is how common being uninsured really is, why gaps happen, what a lapse does to your rate, and how to get legal again. You can also read our overview of the states GoAuto serves to see where coverage is written.
Key Takeaways
- About 14.0 percent of motorists, or one in seven drivers, were uninsured in 2022 on the Insurance Research Council’s estimate, so a coverage gap is common.
- A coverage lapse moves you into the high-risk or nonstandard category, which usually means a higher price than a driver with continuous coverage.
- A lapse is a temporary rating factor, and its effect generally fades the longer you keep coverage continuous.
- Nonstandard insurers write policies for drivers with gaps, so coverage remains available after a lapse.
- Driving without proof of financial responsibility can lead to a suspended license and registration, plus the full cost of any accident you cause.
- Meeting your state-minimum liability requirement is the simplest way to close the gap and get legally back on the road.
You Are Not Alone: How Common Being Uninsured Is
Roughly one in seven drivers on the road is uninsured.
In 2022, 14.0 percent of motorists, or about one in seven drivers, were uninsured, according to a 2023 Insurance Research Council study published by the Insurance Information Institute. Coverage gaps happen to a lot of people, often because of cost or a missed payment. The important thing is closing the gap, because the longer it lasts, the more it can affect your rate and your record.
Why Coverage Lapses Happen
Most lapses happen by accident.
A missed payment is the most common cause, but gaps also open up when someone sells a car and waits to buy another, lets a policy expire between moves, or cancels coverage during a tight financial stretch. A change of bank card can quietly break an autopay setup, and a renewal notice can get lost in a move or a change of address. Drivers who only drive occasionally sometimes assume they can skip coverage, then find a short gap has consequences. None of these make you a bad driver, though insurers still treat continuous coverage as a signal of lower risk, so the cause matters less than how quickly you close the gap.
What a Coverage Lapse Does to Your Rate
A lapse makes you look higher-risk to insurers.
Allowing your coverage to lapse is one of the factors that moves a driver into the high-risk or nonstandard category, as NerdWallet’s guide to high-risk insurance notes. A premium is built from many pieces, including your driving record, how much you drive, your location, and the coverage limits you choose, as the Insurance Information Institute’s overview of auto insurance price factors explains, and a gap in coverage is one more piece an insurer can weigh. That usually means a higher price than a driver with continuous coverage, though it does not mean you cannot get insured. Nonstandard insurers specialize in drivers with gaps, so coverage is available, and choosing state-minimum coverage in Ohio or any state GoAuto serves keeps the cost down.
How Long Does a Lapse Affect Your Rate?
It is temporary, and the effect eases the longer you keep continuous coverage.
A lapse is a temporary rating factor. Like other factors that raise a premium, its impact generally fades the longer you go without another gap, so the higher rate you see right after closing a lapse is not the rate you are stuck with forever. The single best thing you can do is close the gap now and then keep coverage continuous from here, because every month of uninterrupted coverage rebuilds the history insurers reward. Some carriers also weigh how long you were uninsured, so a short gap closed quickly is treated more gently than a long one. A gap measured in weeks is a different picture than one that has run for a year, and many carriers ask how recently you carried coverage when they build your quote. Confirm any specifics with your insurer when you quote.
How to Get Insured Again After a Gap
Getting legal again is a short, practical sequence.
Start by deciding on a coverage level that meets your state-minimum liability requirement, which is the simplest way to satisfy the law and get back on the road. Gather the details a quote needs, including your license, your vehicle information, and the address where the car is kept. Get a quote, compare what a state-minimum policy costs against any higher level you may want, and choose the option that fits your budget. Once you pick a policy and it is in force, you have closed the gap and you are legally covered again. If your license or registration was suspended because of the lapse, ask your state DMV what it takes to reinstate, since some states require you to show proof of your new coverage before they lift the suspension. From there, the work is simply keeping the policy active.
Why You Should Not Wait
Driving without insurance carries real legal risk.
In most states, you cannot legally drive without proof of financial responsibility (usually auto insurance), and driving uninsured can lead to a suspended license and registration, as the Institute explains in is it legal to drive without insurance. Beyond the rate impact, an uninsured accident can be financially devastating, because you would be paying out of pocket for the damage you cause. Closing the gap today protects both your wallet and your license. If you are shopping locally, our hub for car insurance in Georgia is a quick place to start.
How to Avoid a Lapse in the Future
A few habits keep your coverage continuous from here on.
Set your policy to autopay so a forgotten bill cannot cancel it, and update the card on file whenever your bank issues a new one. Keep a reminder a few days before each renewal, and watch for renewal notices when you move so a change of address does not swallow them. If you sell a car and plan to buy another soon, ask about keeping a policy active or using a non-owner policy to bridge the gap rather than going uninsured. Never cancel your old policy until the new one is in force, and confirm the exact cancellation date so the two policies overlap by a day instead of leaving an open window. Continuous coverage is one of the easiest ways to keep your long-term rate down, because it is part of the record insurers price on.
What to Have Ready Before You Quote
A few details let you bind a policy in one sitting and stop the gap.
Before you start a quote, gather your driver’s license, your vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN, the address where the car is kept, and a payment method for any down payment. If you had a prior policy, having the carrier name and roughly when it ended helps the quote reflect your real history. With those in hand, you can quote, choose a coverage level, and bind the policy in one sitting rather than going back and forth. Down-payment and payment options vary by state and situation, so ask what applies to you when you quote. If you want to see what this means for your own coverage, contact GoAuto to go over the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get car insurance after being uninsured?
Yes. A coverage gap makes you a higher-risk driver, and you can still get insured. Nonstandard insurers write policies for drivers with lapses. Many insurers can activate coverage soon after you complete a quote; timelines vary.
Does a coverage lapse raise my rate?
It can. A lapse is one of the factors that moves a driver into the high-risk category, which usually means a higher price than continuous coverage. Choosing state-minimum coverage helps keep the cost down.
Will my rate go back to normal after a lapse?
Usually, over time. A lapse is a temporary rating factor, and its effect generally eases the longer you keep coverage continuous. There is no fixed date that applies to every driver, so the practical move is to close the gap, avoid another one, and confirm the specifics with your insurer when you quote.
Do I need insurance if I am between cars?
It depends on your situation. If you have sold one car and plan to buy another soon, a non-owner policy can keep your coverage history unbroken so you avoid a gap. Whether that fits you depends on your state and circumstances, so ask your insurer what is available when you quote.
What happens if I drive without insurance?
You cannot legally drive without proof of financial responsibility, and doing so can lead to a suspended license and registration, plus the full cost of any accident you cause. Penalties vary by state, so check your state DMV.
How quickly can I get insured?
Many insurers can activate coverage soon after you complete a quote; timelines vary. Completing a quote and binding a policy online is generally the quickest way to close a coverage gap.
How long can I go without car insurance?
There is no safe length of time, because you cannot legally drive uninsured and even a short gap can raise your rate. The practical move is to close any gap as soon as possible.
Closing the Gap: What to Remember
A coverage gap is common and fixable, and the sooner you close it the less it costs you. Buy a policy that meets your state-minimum liability requirement, close the gap as soon as you can, keep coverage continuous from there, and confirm any penalties or requirements with your state DMV. Those steps are what actually get and keep you legal.
About GoAuto
GoAuto Insurance writes auto coverage across its licensed states, and considers drivers who have had a coverage gap. GoAuto focuses on state-minimum liability coverage, the lowest coverage level the law allows, and can handle SR-22 filing once your policy is active. Down-payment and payment options vary by state and situation. Eligibility, coverage, filing timelines, and pricing depend on your state and your individual circumstances, so to see what applies to you, get a quote.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage, pricing, eligibility, and SR-22 or state-minimum requirements vary by state and by driver. GoAuto Insurance is available in TX, LA, GA, FL, NV, OH, AL, and TN. Confirm requirements with your state DMV and get a quote for terms specific to you.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute, Background on: Compulsory Auto/Uninsured Motorists (2022 data)
- NerdWallet, High-Risk Auto Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute, Is it legal to drive without insurance?