Can I park my car on the road with no insurance?

Most drivers know they need insurance before they can drive, but what if you plan on leaving a vehicle parked on the street?

Auto insurance requirements vary by state, so if you live in a state requiring car insurance, you probably need coverage before parking on a public road. If you don’t have insurance and park on the street anyways, you’ll face fines, tickets, and a car tow.

Although it may be tempting, there’s no real way to get away with no insurance on a public street. Another drawback of having an insured car is that it risks your vehicle — parking on the street exposes it to other cars and risks.

Read on to learn what happens if you park your car on the road without insurance. Then, compare rates to find a policy that works for your storage needs.

Can you park on the road if you don’t have car insurance?

Unless you live in Virginia or New Hampshire, you’ll need car insurance before you can legally drive or register your car. Putting your car on a public road without insurance can get you into serious trouble, even if you’re parking your vehicle.

You must meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements if you want to park a car on a public road. The penalties for parking a car with no insurance on a public road can be steep, including:

• A ticket or citation
• Fines
• Increased insurance prices

Your car will also likely get towed, especially if you leave your vehicle for an extended time. If that happens, you’ll have to pay a fee and show proof of insurance before getting it back.

What happens if you own a car without insurance?

You can own a car without insurance if you don’t drive it or park on public roads. However, driving an uninsured vehicle can result in expensive fines alongside license and registration suspension. You’ll also probably need SR-22 insurance for three years.

You can keep a car uninsured if you don’t plan on driving it. However, you should consider buying a cheap policy if you plan to drive the car. Insurance companies look at gaps in your insurance history and charge more if you haven’t had continuous coverage.

Who needs car insurance?

Drivers in most states must buy enough coverage to meet the minimum insurance requirements. States with minimum coverage laws require liability insurance, while some include personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage.

For more information, read our articles to find out what liability insurance is, if you need personal injury protection, and how to find the best uninsured motorist protection companies.

Your lender will probably require full coverage if you have a car loan or lease. Full coverage refers to a suite of insurance products, including liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and either personal injury protection or medical payments insurance.

While you must meet your state’s minimum requirements before driving, you should consider full coverage even if you don’t have a loan or lease. For example, full coverage helps out if you own a relatively new car or can’t afford to replace it.

Drivers who plan to leave their car parked on their property — like their garage or driveway — don’t need insurance. However, most companies offer special discounts or policies for cars that sit in storage for lengthy periods.

What are state minimum auto insurance requirements?

Minimum car insurance is the least amount of coverage you can buy to drive legally. Most states require at least a small amount of insurance, while others have much heavier requirements.

Check below to see the minimum car insurance requirements by state.

Although the law only requires minimum insurance, purchasing more coverage is usually a good idea. If it fits your budget, full coverage insurance can save you a lot of money if anything happens to your car.

Drivers who want to keep a driver’s license or motor vehicle registration must continuously have a minimum amount of financial security.

How much does minimum insurance cost?

Minimum insurance is the cheapest option if you want to keep your car covered, even if you plan on leaving it parked. However, you should still compare prices to find the cheapest rates.

Insurance companies look at various factors to determine your rates. These factors include age, location, and driving history. Companies use different formulas to form rates, meaning some companies will be cheaper for you than others.

To get an idea of how much minimum insurance will cost you, check the average rates by company below.

As you can see, Geico auto insurance is the cheapest option, with State Farm auto insurance and Progressive auto insurance trailing behind. However, you might find other companies have cheaper rates for your specific situation.

Find Affordable Coverage so You can Park Anywhere

Most states require car insurance before driving or parking on a public street. You risk towing, fines, and a ticket if you park your car on a public street without insurance. However, you don’t need much insurance to park your car on the street — your state’s minimum requirements will suffice.

Finding affordable insurance so you can park anywhere you’d like doesn’t have to be a challenge. Compare rates with as many companies as possible to find the best price, and ask about a storage discount if you plan on leaving your car parked.