What insurance you need — and what happens if you don’t get it Table of Contents
There are more than 2 million licensed drivers in Arkansas. It’s time for you to learn about your car insurance. In this state, you only need to have 25/5/25 liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage in order to drive. However, we suggest that you buy more coverage with higher limits. If you’re involved in an accident that’s your fault, you’ll thank us later.
Getting pulled over and ticketed for not having proof of insurance can be an expensive lesson But how much does a no insurance ticket actually cost in Arkansas? As it turns out, the penalties depend on your situation
The Main Scenarios
There are a few main scenarios that can lead to no insurance tickets in Arkansas
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No proof of valid insurance when pulled over. If you have insurance but can’t prove it, this is considered an “administrative violation”. The ticket might be dismissed if you provide proof of insurance within 30 days.
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Lapse in coverage. If your insurance policy lapsed, you’ll face fines of $50-$250 for a first offense, plus a suspended registration and SR-22 requirement.
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Never having coverage. Driving without insurance can bring fines of $250-$1000, jail time up to 1 year, suspended registration, and an SR-22.
So let’s break down the potential fines and penalties in more detail,
Fines for No Proof of Insurance
If you have active car insurance but simply can’t show proof when pulled over, you’ll receive a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance. Here’s what to expect:
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This is not a criminal violation, just an administrative one.
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The ticket can be dismissed if you provide proof of insurance to the court within 30 days.
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If you don’t provide proof, you’ll face fines around $50-$250. Your license won’t be suspended.
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Your car insurance rates may still increase due to the citation.
Clearly, the smart move is to contest the ticket and provide proof of coverage. Just make sure to always keep current insurance cards in your glove box.
Penalties for Lapsed Coverage
Many drivers don’t realize their policy has lapsed until they get pulled over. Maybe a payment didn’t go through or a notification letter got lost. Either way, driving uninsured due to a coverage lapse can be costly in Arkansas:
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First offense: Up to $250 in fines, registration suspension, and SR-22 requirement for 3 years.
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Second offense: Up to $500 in fines, registration suspension, SR-22 requirement for 3 years.
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Third offense: Up to $1000 in fines, registration suspension, SR-22 for 3 years, possible jail time up to 1 year.
In addition, your car insurance rates will likely skyrocket after a lapse in coverage. The SR-22 requirement also means you’ll pay higher rates for several years.
Consequences for Never Having Insurance
Some motorists try to skip buying coverage entirely. This is illegal and very risky. If caught driving uninsured in Arkansas, first-time offenders will face:
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Fines from $250 to $1000
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Possible jail sentence up to 1 year
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Suspended vehicle registration
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SR-22 requirement for 3 years
On top of the legal penalties, driving uninsured essentially means agreeing to pay all accident-related costs out of pocket. The damage to both vehicles, medical bills, and other expenses can easily exceed $10,000-$20,000.
Without insurance, you’d have no liability coverage to pay the other driver’s costs if the accident was your fault. And you’d get no compensation for your own vehicle repairs or medical bills if the other driver caused the crash but had minimal or no insurance.
Additional Consequences
Beyond direct fines and legal penalties, a no insurance ticket can hurt your finances in other ways:
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Higher insurance rates. Expect your car insurance premiums to increase significantly, often 50% or more.
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License suspension. If you can’t pay traffic fines, your license could get suspended. Then you’ll pay fees to reinstate it.
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Higher interest rates. Your credit score will likely drop, making it harder to qualify for low auto loan rates and other credit products.
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Employment issues. Some jobs require a valid driver’s license and insurance. A suspension could cost you your job.
How to Avoid No Insurance Tickets
The easiest way to avoid no insurance tickets is to always have active car insurance and keep your insurance cards in your vehicle. Also:
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Pay premiums on time to prevent lapsed coverage. Sign up for autopay if it helps.
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Review policy documents to ensure you have required minimum liability limits.
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Inform your insurer if you change vehicles. Transfers aren’t automatic.
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Compare rates regularly. Switch insurers if you find a much lower price.
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Ask about discounts for AAA membership, good student grades, low mileage, and more. Every bit helps.
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Increase deductibles to lower premium costs, but only if you have savings to cover the deductible if needed.
The Bottom Line
The specific fines for no insurance tickets range from around $50 up to $1000 in Arkansas. But additional penalties, fees, and increased insurance rates can make the ultimate cost much higher.
Don’t take the risk. Maintain continuous auto insurance, even just minimum liability coverage, to avoid fines and protect your finances. Shop around if needed to find the most affordable policy. Driving legally will save you money in the long run.
Factors That Affect Rates
In Arkansas, there’s no law preventing insurance companies from determining your premiums based on the following factors:
- Credit score
- Sex
- Marital status
- ZIP code
- Driving history
- Vehicle
People with bad credit, poor driving histories, men and unmarried people will have the highest rates.
How Much Car Insurance Costs in Arkansas
Arkansas car insurance costs $879 a year on average, which is 16% less than the national average. The most recent data on this topic came out in 2020. But if you only get liability insurance, which is the bare minimum the state requires, that price drops to $468 a year. So, we suggest that you add collision and comprehensive coverage. In Arkansas, these would cost an extra $366 and $245 a year, respectively. 5.
How to Get Your No Insurance Ticket Dismissed with No Court Costs in the Tulsa City Court
FAQ
How much does a no insurance ticket cost in Arkansas?
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Type of penalty
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First offense
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Second offense
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Fine
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$50 to $250, unless proof of insurance is presented within 30 days
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Mandatory $250–$500
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Imprisonment
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N/A
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N/A
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Driving privileges
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Registration suspension; possible vehicle impoundment
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What happens if someone hits you and you don’t have insurance in Arkansas?
How many uninsured drivers are in Arkansas?
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Lowest
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Uninsured
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Rank (2)
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Arkansas
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15.1
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47
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California
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17.0
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30
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Colorado
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17.5
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2
|
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Connecticut
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10.4
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32
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How much is a ticket for failure to register a vehicle in Arkansas?
What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in Arkansas?
First offense If you are caught driving without coverage for the first time, you can be charged with a fine of between $50 and $250. Your registration will also be suspended. To restore your driving privileges, you will need to provide the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) with proof of a new Arkansas auto insurancepolicy.
What are the penalties for driving uninsured in Arkansas?
Valid proof of insurance is required to own and operate a car in Arkansas. Not complying can result in serious penalties, including fines of $1,000 or more and possible jail time. Penalties for driving uninsured in Arkansas Caught uninsured on the road Verified uninsured on the database Reapplying for auto insurance in Arkansas Type of penalty
What happens if you get a traffic ticket in Arkansas?
Fine amounts and points for moving violations in Arkansas. Why Trust Us? In Arkansas, a traffic ticket (assuming you don’t successfully fight the ticket in court) usually leads to a fine and demerit points being assessed to the motorist’s driving record. Accumulating too many points within a certain period of time can lead to license suspension.
How can Arkansas tackle the problem of uninsured vehicles?
Arkansas has new tools to tackle the problem of an estimated 400,000 uninsured vehicles: an instant insurance verification system and automatic $100 fines. Previously, owners of uninsured vehicles could sneak by without penalty unless the vehicles were involved in a wreck or pulled over for traffic violations.