Do you always stay prepared for any unfortunate car accidents? If not, it’s time to rethink the matter! Because there are some serious penalties for driving without auto insurance in Medicine Hat.
Despite being a small city, a massive number of citizen owns a car in Medicine Hat. But 2 percent of the drivers do not possess auto insurance. As a result, they suffer from the driving penalties in Canada.
To reduce the penalties after car accidents, here is our basic guide on penalties for driving without auto insurance in Medicine Hat. Let’s jump into the article for more details!
Penalties for Driving without Auto Insurance in Medicine Hat
The Importance of Driving with Auto Insurance
It is true that driving without insurance is always risky and illegal. A report says that there are 2000 accidents in Canada that occurred from uninsured drivers.
Later, the victim and driver both suffer from medical bills. Auto insurance is a must to get rid of that financial hassle. In addition, a driver without insurance loses a bunch of benefits after having an accident.
Whereas, the driver with car insurance can protect his property, family member, and the victim in a row.
The Penalties for Driving without Auto Insurance
Medicine Hat is a city in Southeast Alberta. According to Alberta Traffic Safety Act, all drivers must carry insurance. Otherwise, they can be fined a huge amount of money.
Please look at the list below to find out more details about the penalties.
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Hard Punishment
Uninsured drivers are subject to a huge fine, which could be a minimum fine of $2,500 for a first offense. If they cannot pay the money, they have to stay not less than 45 days in jail.
Moreover, the police have full authority to impound the vehicle. We can guarantee you that retrieving the vehicle will be more costly than your imagination.
Furthermore, if any driver commits the same mistake a second time, the penalty will go higher. There will be a minimum fine of $5,000. There will be no less than 60 days in prison after failing to pay.
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Losing Medical Benefits
No matter who is responsible for the accident, there will be a section “B” benefits the insured driver can claim. But, drivers without insurance cannot avail of those. Here are some of the benefits in short.
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- Medical Treatments: There is insurance up to $50,000 for medical bills.
- Disability Insurance: There is a disability insurance of $600 per week in case you cannot walk.
- Funeral expenses: If you lose your beloved one, there is insurance to cover the funeral and counseling.
Now, when the drivers do not have insurance, they cannot access these benefits. Plus, they have to pay for those even if they are not the responsible party for the incident.
(Note: Passengers in the accidents are also subject to the benefits)
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Risking Everything
Driving Penalties in Canada can cover you up to policy limits for personal injury and property damage that other parties might claim against you.
On the other hand, you will be on the hook for any personal or property damage when the fault is yours. Your own passenger can file complaints against you.
Remember that a minor accident can be the reason for the liability of thousands of dollars if you do not have auto insurance. So avoid the driving penalties in Medicine Hat by having auto insurance.
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Legal Expenses
Auto insurance is also comprised of the legal costs one might need for. Insured drivers can get money from their insurance company to fight against the case.
Do you know that the legal cost of hiring a lawyer may exceed the insurance cost? So, it is better to have insurance for any possible problems.
The Law for Driving without Insurance in Medicine Hat, Alberta
You must have valid auto insurance in any city in Alberta. We have cut a piece of information from the publishing of The Alberta Traffic Safety Act. The act defines the law for insurance requirements.
54(1) Except as otherwise permitted under this Act, a person shall not do any of the following
“(a) drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless the motor vehicle is an insured motor vehicle;
(b) have a motor vehicle on a highway unless the motor vehicle is an insured motor vehicle;
(c) where a person is the registered owner of a motor vehicle, permits another person
- (i) to drive the motor vehicle on a highway, or
- (ii) to have the motor vehicle on a highway, unless the motor vehicle is an insured motor vehicle”
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Medicine Hat?
One can avoid the driving penalties of Medicine Hat by subscribing to an insurance company service. Insurance rates vary depending on the conditions.
Often the insurance company looks for a range of factors including the profile of a car driver. Here are the factors.
- How often the person drives the car.
- How far the person goes for a drive.
- The experience level of the drivers.
- The insurance history of the applicant.
Wrap Up
Uninsured driving can take away a huge amount of money once an accident occurs. The penalties for driving without auto insurance in Medicine Hat can go beyond affordability.
But drivers can avoid it by simply having car insurance. Medicine Hat lawyers can provide more creative solutions for auto insurance lawsuits.
FAQ
How long does driving without insurance stay on your record in Alberta?
Alberta has pretty strong laws and regulations against car insurance. When drivers are caught driving a car without insurance, it will stay on their driving abstract.
Not only that but also the incident will affect their future insurance premiums for 3 years. The infraction stays on the driver’s record for a long.
Can I drive a car I just bought without insurance in Alberta?
You can purchase a fresh new car in Alberta without auto insurance. There are no restrictions on purchasing cars. But you cannot drive the new car until getting an updated auto-insurance policy.
The policy must comply with provincial requirements. Regarding the requirements, no province in Canada allows anyone to drive a car without insurance.
What is the fine for driving without insurance in BC?
There is a motor vehicle act session found in the Insurance Corporation in British Colombia (ICBC). It is found in Act 24(3)(b) that the fine for driving without insurance is $598.