QuestionQUESTION: What is the best scenario in the situation whereby I am insured, but my driver license have expired.
It was a somewhat serious accident, with his front bumper severely damaged. It still drives, albeit with some leakage in the front. It is a toyota SUV RAV4.
If I am at fault for the accident, what is the best scenario in this case? I do not care about the damage to my car, but I need the other party's car to be fixed in the most cost efficient and trouble free way possible.
ANSWER: Steve,
Whether or not your driver license is expired has no bearing on whether you are insured or whether or not you are at fault. They are separate issues. If you are at fault, and you have insurance, you should simply advise your insurance company of same. Again, it does not matter if your license is expired or not, your insurance should pay for your liability.
The best way to handle the situation is to give your insurance company all the facts and let them handle it. That is why you have insurance. Not having a valid driver license may get you a ticket, but it won't cause your insurance coverage to be voided and it is not evidence that you are at fault for an accident.
I hope this helps!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Justin, this is enormously helpful. I have been driving for a few years, and this is my first accident. I have just been so swamped with work that i forgot to renew my license.
I wonder whether the insurance company will inform DMV that I was in an accident. In that case, I wonder if:
1) DMV will put a black mark on my driving record
2) Whether they will inform the insurance company that my license has been expired
3) What are the rest of the possible legal and DMV related consequences?
AnswerSorry for the delayed answer, it is a holiday weekend, you know how it goes.
As for the insurance informing the DMV, they will not. They are not part of the DMV, but the fact that you got a ticket will be on record at the DMV. The DMV will assign points to your license and if you gather enough points, you will be in a little trouble, one infraction such as this won't cause you much trouble.
The insurance company will run a MVR, moving violation report, and this likely will be on there even thought it is technically not a moving violation. Again, one issue will not cause you much issue.
The consequences are paying a ticket, and then maintaining the active status of your license. If you continually (habitually) violate the statute regarding driver licenses, then you could lose the privilege to drive, and it could negatively impact your ability to choose your insurance carrier and get the best deal. All in all, no big deal, but don't do it again!
