Driving Without Insurance in Indiana

If you get on the road without insurance, you could face severe consequences if you’re caught by law enforcement. Indiana requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance.

If a law enforcement officer catches you driving without proof of insurance, you may face a license suspension for up to 90 days and a $250 reinstatement fee. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will also require you to have an SR-22 for a minimum of 180 days.

You may also be required to show proof of insurance in these situations:

• Getting into a car accident
• Having a moving traffic violation within one year of receiving two other moving traffic violations
• Getting convicted of a misdemeanor or felony traffic violation
• Having a moving traffic violation if you were previously suspended for failing to provide proof of financial responsibility

In these cases, the BMV may request a Certificate of Compliance from your provider, which they can fulfill electronically. If you do receive a request, have your provider verify your coverage as soon as possible to avoid higher fees and more serious consequences.¹

When you purchase auto insurance coverage in Indiana, your provider will report your coverage information to the BMV automatically. You’ll also need proof of coverage when you register your vehicle.

Paper or Electronic?

In Indiana, you can use paper or electronic forms of your insurance ID as proof of insurance. Always keep a physical copy in your vehicle in case you can’t access your phone if law enforcement asks to see it.

If you’re caught driving without coverage in the Hoosier State, you’ll need an SR-22 for at least 180 days for the first offense and longer for subsequent offenses. The BMV can suspend your driving privileges until you file an SR-22 in Indiana, so it’s best to do it as soon as possible if the state requires it.² If you’re struggling to find a provider for SR-22 insurance, learn more about the best high-risk auto insurance.

Getting insurance after a lapse in coverage may be difficult since you’ll be considered a high-risk driver. As a first step, contact your previous provider to reinstate your policy if you had a brief lapse in coverage. Then, shop around for quotes from at least three providers to find the lowest rates. If standard providers reject you or quote you exorbitantly high rates, get quotes from providers that specialize in high-risk drivers.

Consider High-Risk Insurance Providers

If you have multiple violations on your driving record or more than one coverage lapse, consider getting quotes from providers who specialize in high-risk insurance. Even though premiums are generally higher than those for drivers with clean records, you can still shop around and choose the provider with the lowest rate. Plus, many high-risk providers offer discounts that don’t require a good driving record, including those for bundling, automatic payment and vehicle safety equipment.

Get the Indiana Automobile Insurance Plan (INAIP)

As a last resort, the state offers the Indiana Automobile Insurance Plan and guarantees coverage for all drivers. The plan was created to serve high-risk drivers who need help finding coverage through standard providers. To qualify for INAIP, you must provide proof of rejections from three insurance providers in Indiana within 60 days.

You can contact INAIP at 877-463-3800 and get connected to a licensed agent who will assign you a provider. To find out more about INAIP, you can also email inaip@aipso.com.³

If you were given a citation for not carrying proof of insurance but had valid coverage at the time, you can appeal your violation in court. In Indiana, you can appeal a traffic ticket by filling out the “not guilty” box on the ticket and sending it to the provided address. You must do this within 60 days of the citation date to be eligible for appeal.⁴ If you receive a court hearing, make sure to bring proof of your insurance coverage. You may need to pay additional court fees.

Minimum Coverage

Drivers in Indiana must carry at least the following limits:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability

Registration

If you’re registering a newly purchased vehicle in Indiana, you must do so within 45 days of the purchase. New Indiana residents must also register their cars within 60 days of residency.

To register your car, you’ll need these documents:

• Driver’s license or ID
• Car title
• Odometer disclosure statement
• Proof of insurance
• Completed registration form
• Emissions test results
• Proof of residency in Indiana

Whether registering a car for the first time or renewing, you can do so at myBMV.com, a BMV branch or a Connect Kiosk. First-time registrations cost $21.50 and a title fee of $15. Indiana requires drivers to renew their registration yearly and have their vehicles inspected every two years.⁵

In the long run, a minimum liability policy is the cheapest way to drive legally in Indiana. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you’ll need to get an SR-22, significantly raising your premiums. Keep in mind that minimum coverage doesn’t cover damages to your own vehicle and may leave you with high out-of-pocket costs if you cause an accident.

If you have multiple coverage lapses and have trouble finding a provider, the state offers the Indiana Automobile Insurance Plan as a last resort. The plan helps high-risk drivers get insurance policies with assistance from local agents.