No insurance ticket (storage, bills, yard)

[hellaslover]

i was recently pulled over and ticketed for not having paid registration and no insurance. I had not paid my insurance for about a month and a half and i wasn't sure if i was covered or not. The officer told me as long as i show proof that i had insurance the date i was pulled over i would be ok (and pay a small fee). Turns out i did not have insurance this month and i received a fine for close to $1000..there is no way i can pay that much right now and i'm looking for alternative ways to either avoid paying it or paying less. If i go back to my insurance and pay for the month that i wasn't covered would they give me proof that i had insurance that month/date? is that legal? is it possible? if i do get insurance now and take it to court would i still have to pay that ammount? if i absolutely have to pay it, would they allow me to make small payments?

[ferretkona]

Sounds like you found a lazy cop.
He was supposed to impound your car for 30 days by CA law.

[NewToCA]

You are really lucky, hellaslover, as ferretkona stated they should have impounded your vehicle. Getting it back is pretty expensive.

No, you cannot retroactively activate your insurance for the period it had lapsed. You either have it or you don't, and you didn't.

The court sometimes allows for installment payments, but I wouldn't count on it.

Driving without insurance or registration, pretty irresponsible.

[mr bolo]

maybe you should go to court and talk to the judge, he might give you a break, explain that you forgot to make payment for insurance by mistake.

[Cacumen667]

Originally Posted by mr bolo

maybe you should go to court and talk to the judge, he might give you a break, explain that you forgot to make payment for insurance by mistake.

agreed.
Challenge the ticket and argue your case to the judge, ADA, or whoever it happens to be. It probably wont be totally dismissed, but if you can make a good or sympathetic case, the fine may be reduced.
Good luck.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Cacumen667

agreed.
Challenge the ticket and argue your case to the judge, ADA, or whoever it happens to be. It probably wont be totally dismissed, but if you can make a good or sympathetic case, the fine may be reduced.
Good luck.

However, I would also bring proof that I'd been paying the insurance monthly/quarterly, etc. responsibly and consistently for at least half a year, if not more. You might be asked and it could be argued. Then you can claim an uncharacteristic lapse in responsibility or, if you're my age, you can claim a senior moment!

Be aware, being unregistered as well will not be your friend!

Good luck!

[drewcrewof2]

For whatever it may be worth, I heard they stopped the impounding thing recently. I manage a storage yard, part of which is a police impound. Business is way down - FYI.

[my2ndhometown]

Some companies can reinstate your insurance on the day it lapsed if you pay the earned premium. Usually they can do this if your policy has been cancelled for no more than 15- 30 days. The company I work for does that. I would call your insurance company, it doesnt hurt to ask.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by hellaslover

i was recently pulled over and ticketed for not having paid registration and no insurance. I had not paid my insurance for about a month and a half and i wasn't sure if i was covered or not. The officer told me as long as i show proof that i had insurance the date i was pulled over i would be ok (and pay a small fee). Turns out i did not have insurance this month and i received a fine for close to $1000..there is no way i can pay that much right now and i'm looking for alternative ways to either avoid paying it or paying less. If i go back to my insurance and pay for the month that i wasn't covered would they give me proof that i had insurance that month/date? is that legal? is it possible? if i do get insurance now and take it to court would i still have to pay that ammount? if i absolutely have to pay it, would they allow me to make small payments?

Very fortunate in that the car was not impounded...

In my city either lapsed registration or no insurance equals a 30 day impound at something like $1200 to $1500

[nmnita]

I would have to disagree with the person who says your insurance company may re-instate you from the day your policy expired. If it had been 30 days or less maybe, but you are talking, 6 weeks at least or so you have said. I think the best you can hope for is to play on the sympathy of the judge with proof you were paid up until 6 weeks ago and you have re-activated it. I don't think this will work as the judge knows insurance companies always send new bills weeks before the due date, but it is worth a try.

Nita