Home » Automotive Articles » California Law Allows Unlicensed Drivers to Still Buy Auto Insurance; Is this a Recipe for Disaster?
California Law Allows Unlicensed Drivers to Still Buy Auto Insurance; Is this a Recipe for Disaster?
California drivers without a license can still obtain automobile insurance--and it's perfectly legal. Some argue legitimate reasons behind the practice; others say it encourages unlicensed drivers to still get behind the wheel.
August 04, 2011 /Automotive PR News/ -- It may surprise you to learn that California residents who don't have a valid driver's license can still obtain automobile insurance--and it's perfectly legal. In fact, unlicensed drivers are actually a target customer base for some insurance carriers. Some say, however, there are legitimate reasons behind the practice. Others say, that it only encourages drivers who've had their licenses revoked to hide behind the insurance protection, get behind the wheel and increase the risk for California auto accidents and fatalities.
Many states, including California, require drivers whose licenses have been revoked or suspended to acquire auto insurance prior to license reinstatement. This insurance is commonly known as SR-22 must be presented to the DMV before any driving privileges are reinstated.
In many cases, drivers required to provide proof of SR-22 have had their license revoked because they were in a previous car accident and did not have insurance on their vehicle or were convicted of a DUI or multiple traffic infractions.
Some say that requiring at-risk drivers to obtain insurance prior to getting their license back helps to make sure individuals are covered if an auto accident were to occur. Insurance carriers that issue SR-22 insurance are required to notify the DMV (via an SR-26 form) if an SR-22 expires or is canceled.
Others say, however, that it only encourages drivers who've had their licenses revoked to hide behind the insurance protection, still get behind the wheel and put other drivers at risk.
According to Chris Cochran of the California Office of Traffic Safety, 20 percent of automobile accidents around the state that result in injuries involve unlicensed drivers.
In addition, AAA has studied the effects of unlicensed drivers on the road and found that one in five accidents that take place in the United States involve an unlicensed driver. From 1993 to 1997 alone, there were 40,000 deaths as the result of car accidents that involved an unlicensed driver.
Insurance carriers may argue legitimate reasons for selling insurance to unlicensed drivers; however, statistics only reveal a high number of accidents involving unlicensed drivers.
Trenton Cross of the California Highway Patrol told KTVU his feelings about the issue saying, "I strongly believe it's a huge liability issue in the sense of when someone doesn't have a license, it's usually for a reason."
A driver can still be fined or even arrested if they are pulled over and do not have a valid driver's license, however, statistics show that this doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent.
Article provided by The Venardi Law Firm
Visit us at www.vefirm.com
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