How do I get car insurance if I’ve lost my license?
In order to get car insurance, you’ll need a valid driver’s license. If it’s been lost you can get a new copy, but if it’s been suspended you’ll need to take a different approach.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: May 5, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 5, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you simply lose your license, you can pay a fee and get a duplicate copy at your local DMV
- If your driving privileges have been suspended, you may just have to wait until your penalty is over
- In some states, you will have to show proof of insurance to get your license reinstated
When you’re in the market for car insurance, you’re going to have to meet a few requirements first, with one of them being the ownership of a valid driver’s license. Getting car insurance is simple if you have only lost or misplaced a physical copy of your driver’s license.
However, if you have had your license suspended or revoked, you will need to do quite a bit of work before you will be able to secure personal car insurance.
There are a few services you can take advantage of in the event that something has happened to your license. Going to your local DMV and paying for a duplicate copy of your driver’s license will solve the problem for drivers that lost their license.
Motorists that have had their driving privileges rescinded because of criminal convictions or serious driving violations may need to file an SR-22 form with the DMV before they can get a new car insurance policy.
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Who can purchase car insurance?
Virtually anyone can purchase a car insurance policy if they are at least 16 years of age. This is because car insurance providers must follow state laws and can only cover motorists that are legally permitted to drive.
However, the first thing that an auto insurance company is going to review when they issue a new policy is your driving abstract. So you’re wondering, “How do you get car insurance with no license?“
Even if your driver’s license has been revoked, your car insurance company will be able to look at your driving record and see the reason why you lost your driving privileges.
In many cases, car insurance companies refuse to insure anyone that does not have a valid driver’s license because of the financial risk as well as the legal factors. On your hunt for an insurance company, you’ll want to ask them what their policy is for a lost license, to make sure they will be able to work with you fairly.
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How can I get my driving privileges restored?
Can you get insurance with a revoked license? Every state has a different set of rules when it comes to issuing new driver’s licenses to motorists that have lost their driving privileges.
In some cases, the only factor that will assist you in getting a driver’s license is time, especially when a judge has made an order during criminal proceedings.
However, if you have lost your license due to unpaid speeding tickets or because of unpaid child support, you can get your driver’s license back rather quickly.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission outlines some of the possible reasons that a state resident may have lost their license, as well as the actions needed to have a license restored.
In the state of Washington, motorists with suspended licenses are sometimes able to appeal their cases. Sometimes drivers can have their driver’s licenses suspended due to internal errors at the DMV.
If you have had your driving privileges revoked, you should determine exactly why this has occurred and see if there is anything that you can do to have them restored as soon as possible.
Do I need car insurance to get my license back?
In some states, drivers with suspended licenses need to have proof of insurance before they can get their licenses back. In other states, drivers simply need to take a class, pay a fine, or let a certain period of time go by before their drivers’ licenses are re-issued.
If you have found that you need to get valid proof of insurance before your driver’s license will be restored, you will probably need to fill out what is called an SR-22 form.
This form can only be obtained from your personal car insurance provider after you have purchased a policy, and it must be submitted to the DMV
Drivers that have had their licenses rescinded in the state of Colorado have to fill out an SR-22 form prior to getting their driver’s license back. Sometimes when you’re looking into SR-22 insurance, there is a reinstatement fee attached, which is fairly common when it comes to getting your license back to valid status. You can always look into comparing your current insurance carrier against others, if you feel you’re being overcharged.
Car insurance for unlicensed drivers is expensive; however, they too can receive lower rates if they make smart driving decisions in the future.
Read more: Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Insure Unlicensed Drivers
Can I get car insurance if I don’t know where my license is?
While getting car insurance after physically losing your license is pretty easy, there are still a few issues that you may encounter. Requesting a duplicate copy of your driver’s license at the local DMV should only take a few minutes and a small amount of money.
However, if your license has expired or if there has been a recent change in procedures, you might have to supply the DMV with a few key pieces of information:
- Copy of your birth certificate
- Utility bill in your name
- Another form of photo I.D.
You might also need to take a new picture and update your vital statistics if your appearance has significantly changed since the last time that you had a driver’s license issued.
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Case Studies: Securing Car Insurance Without a Valid Driver’s License
Case Study 1: Lost License, Easy Solution
John misplaced his driver’s license and needed a new copy to secure car insurance. He visited his local DMV, paid a small fee, and received a duplicate copy of his license. With the new copy in hand, he was able to easily obtain car insurance from a provider of his choice.
John’s situation was straightforward. Losing his license was an inconvenience, but obtaining a duplicate copy was a relatively simple process.
Once he had the replacement license, he faced no major obstacles in securing car insurance. His insurance provider recognized the validity of his newly issued license and provided coverage accordingly.
Case Study 2: Suspended License, SR-22 Requirement
Sarah had her driver’s license suspended due to a serious driving violation. To regain her driving privileges and secure car insurance, she needed to file an SR-22 form with the DMV. After meeting this requirement, she was able to obtain a new car insurance policy.
Sarah’s case presented a more complex scenario. Her license suspension was a result of a serious driving violation, which required her to fulfill additional obligations to reinstate her license and obtain car insurance.
The SR-22 form, which serves as proof of insurance, was necessary for her to demonstrate financial responsibility to the DMV. By complying with this requirement, Sarah was able to meet the necessary conditions for securing car insurance despite her suspended license.
Case Study 3: Revoked License, License Restoration Process
Mark had his license revoked due to criminal convictions. In his state, he needed to go through a license restoration process to regain his driving privileges.
As part of this process, he had to fulfill specific requirements set by the state’s motor vehicle department. Once Mark successfully restored his license, he was able to obtain car insurance. Mark’s case involved a more challenging situation, as his license had been revoked due to criminal convictions.
Restoring a revoked license typically involves a more extensive process, which may include completing a designated period of suspension, attending driver’s education programs, or satisfying other requirements imposed by the motor vehicle department.
After successfully going through the license restoration process, Mark was able to obtain car insurance, indicating that some insurance providers are willing to work with individuals who have had their licenses revoked but have since regained their driving privileges.
Case Study 4: Insurance Requirement for License Restoration
Jennifer discovered that she needed proof of insurance before her license could be restored. She was required to fill out an SR-22 form, which could only be obtained from a car insurance provider after purchasing a policy. Jennifer obtained the necessary proof of insurance, submitted the form to the DMV, and successfully had her license restored.
Jennifer’s case highlights the interdependence of car insurance and license restoration. In some cases, individuals are required to obtain car insurance before their licenses can be restored. Jennifer had to obtain an SR-22 form, which demonstrates financial responsibility, from her car insurance provider.
This form played a crucial role in satisfying the DMV’s requirements for license restoration. By securing the necessary proof of insurance, Jennifer was able to navigate the process successfully and have her license restored.
Case Study 5: Expired License, License Renewal Process
Michael realized his driver’s license had expired, and he needed to renew it to obtain car insurance. He visited the local DMV, provided the required documentation, and had a new picture taken. After completing the license renewal process, Michael was able to proceed with securing car insurance.
Michael’s case dealt with an expired license, which required him to undergo a license renewal process. Renewing an expired license typically involves providing updated information and fulfilling any specific requirements set by the DMV.
Read more: Can you get car insurance with an expired license?
Once Michael successfully renewed his license, he faced no significant obstacles in obtaining car insurance. His insurance provider recognized the validity of his renewed license and provided coverage accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get non-owner car insurance if I’ve lost my license?
You may still be eligible for non-owner car insurance if your license is lost or suspended. Discuss your situation with insurance providers to determine eligibility and coverage options.
Will getting car insurance help me get my license back?
No, car insurance alone won’t help you regain a lost license. License restoration typically involves fulfilling specific requirements set by your state’s motor vehicle department.
Can I add someone with a lost license to my car insurance policy?
It depends on the insurance company’s policies. Some may allow adding a driver with a lost license, while others may have restrictions or additional requirements. Check with your insurance provider for their guidelines.
Will my insurance company cancel my policy if I lose my license?
Losing your license doesn’t automatically lead to policy cancellation, but it’s important to notify your insurance provider of any changes in license status to ensure compliance with their terms and conditions.
Can I get car insurance if my license is temporarily suspended?
Yes, you can usually get car insurance even with a temporary license suspension. However, inform your insurance company about the suspension as it may affect your coverage or eligibility for certain policies.
Will my car insurance rates be affected if I lose my driver’s license?
Yes, losing your driver’s license due to suspension or revocation is likely to impact your car insurance rates as it is considered high-risk behavior by insurance companies.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.