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Can You Get a Ticket in Florida for Having No Proof of Insurance, even When Driving another Person’s Car?

Written by Michele Wilmonen. Posted in Ask An Insurance Question Last Updated: 03/20/2012

In Florida, you have to carry your insurance card whenever you drive.

Yes, you can get a ticket in the state of Florida for not having proof of insurance on you when driving another person’s vehicle.

“The Financial Responsibility Law requires owners and operators of motor vehicles to be financially responsible for damages and/or injuries they may cause to others when a motor vehicle crash happens.” (Florida Driver’s Handbook)

Please note that it says “owners and operators”, not just owners. This means that if you are driving a vehicle that is not yours, you still have to have your own insurance coverage.

If a driver in Florida is caught driving without proof of insurance, per state law s. 316.646(1) you can be ticketed. The officer is allowed to give you a ticket, even if you actually have insurance, but just don’t have your insurance card on you.

You can have the ticket dismissed when you provide proof of valid insurance along with $10.00 to pay the fee to the Clerk of the Court within 30 days of receiving the ticket. You are only able to have the ticket dismissed if your insurance was valid at the time you received the ticket.

 

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Michele Wilmonen

Michele's first introduction to insurance was working for a major insurance company as a file clerk and a mailroom supervisor in a regional office. She learned insurance directly from underwriters and claims adjusters from questions and also watching them do their job. Since then, she's earned a number of insurance certifications from the Insurance Institute of America and also a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho. She blogs at Car Insurance Guidebook.

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    Can You Get a Ticket in Florida for Having No Proof of Insurance, even When Driving another Person’s Car?

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    • Michele Wilmonen

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      That is a great question and also a tricky one. With insurance you are insuring the vehicle and not the driver, so the owner of the vehicle is the one responsible for carrying insurance on the vehicle. If you are driving a friend or family member’s car, it is not up to you to purchase the insurance on the car.

      However, it is your responsibility as a driver not to drive a vehicle that has no insurance on it. So in some states and counties, yes, you can get a ticket as a driver if you are driving another person’s car and it has no insurance. Your local police department will be able to tell you the insurance law for your specific area.

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