Driving Without Insurance In Illinois

Driving without Insurance Joliet Illinois Attorney

Stricter Penalties for the Uninsured Illinois Driver

We take tickets for uninsured drivers very seriously.  Whether a first time offense or a repeat offense, depending upon the situation, the consequences can be far reaching and prove to be costly.  The Law Offices of Tim Henderson know how important driving privileges are to you.  As an experienced traffic attorney Tim Henderson will help you follow all of the required steps to successfully resolve your insurance problem.  If you have been charged as an uninsured driver, Tim can help you.  He has extensive experience with traffic tickets and traffic violations in the Cook, Kane, DuPage and Will County area - including the cities of Joliet, Wheaton, Skokie and Maywood.

Illinois drivers convicted of driving without insurance coverage encounter serious and, possibly, far reaching consequences.  You face stiff fines, possible license suspension or revocation, any associated cost of repairing any damages you caused while driving uninsured, and even possible jail time.
 

Illinois Insurance Coverage Required for All Illinois Drivers

Every driver in Illinois is required to carry a specific minimum coverage:
•    $20,000 - injury or death of one person in an accident
•    $40,000 - injury or death of more than one person in an accident
•    $15,000 - damage to property if another person.

Drivers are also required to carry an insurance card in their vehicle to prove that they have insurance.

Driving Without Insurance Carries Serious Consequences in Illinois

Driving without a license is considered a petty offense with a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of $1,000.  In 2006 Illinois increased the consequences when they passed a law that mandated license suspension following a conviction for uninsured driving.  The suspension is to last three months and a $100 reinstatement fee must be paid before the license can become active again.
 
 If a person is found guilty of driving without insurance, the law requires that you show proof of insurance to the Secretary of State with a special certificate called an SR-22 for a period of 1 to 3 years.  This type of insurance is available from my insurance companies.  The insurance company then will provide a monthly SR-22 certificate to the Secretary of State.  If the insurance company is unable to show SR-22 compliance, the uninsured driver's license will be suspended.

Increased penalties for uninsured driving convictions in Illinois

•    Uninsured operation of a motor vehicle will remain a Class A misdemeanor, if another person is injured.  Uninsured Illinois motorists who are involved in an accident that injures the other party will have their vehicles seized.
•    A second offense of driving without insurance will mean the vehicle registration is suspended for four months. If you are cited for driving with a suspended vehicle registration, you will face a $1,000 fine.
•    The court will impose an increased fine of $2,500, in addition to any possible jail time, if the uninsured driver causes bodily harm to another person and has been convicted of two or more violations of uninsured operation.
•    The fine for the third and subsequent uninsured driving convictions will also increase to $1,000 even if no injuries are caused by the uninsured driver. In addition to the increased fine, Illinois drivers cited three times by police for driving without proof of insurance, as of 2003, will have their driver's license revoked.

New and harsher penalties for an uninsured driving conviction in Illinois makes an experienced, dedicated, knowledgeable traffic court attorney even more important.  Tim Henderson knows how important your driving privileges are and takes all of the steps necessary to help minimize the consequences and achieve the best possible resolution.

Representation for the Uninsured Illinois Driver

If you have been charged with driving without insurance in Illinois, Tim Henderson will work with you to help resolve the charges. Serving clients in Joliet, Skokie, Wheaton, Rolling Meadows and the counties of Kane, Will, Cook & DuPage, he works to protect your license and your driving privileges.  Contact him today for a free consultation.