It is compulsory to have valid insurance for your vehicle. But what if you decide to do without it?
According to Road safety, more than 700,000 motorists circulate without insurance, which is neither more nor less than a crime, severely punished by the law. Because indeed, the Highway Code stipulates that it is compulsory to insure one’s vehicle (s) before driving on board. L’article L324-2 is then very clear: “ The fact, including through negligence, of putting or keeping in circulation a land motor vehicle as well as its trailers or semi-trailers without being covered by insurance guaranteeing its civil liability in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 211-1 of the Insurance Code is punished with a fine of 3,750 euros “. But these are not the only penalties incurred …
Criminal and civil sanctions
Indeed, if you drive without insurance, you will incur a whole series of criminal penalties, such as a day-fine or general interest work, a suspension or cancellation of the driving license for three years, a ban on driving certain motor vehicles or the confiscation of the offending vehicle. The Highway Code specifies that ” under the conditions provided for in Articles 495-17 et seq. of the Code of Criminal Procedure, public proceedings may be terminated by the payment of a fixed fine in the amount of € 500. The amount of the reduced flat-rate fine is € 400 and the amount of the flat-rate fine increased by € 1,000 ».
But you also have other financial risks. Indeed, if you cause an accident without being insured, you will then have to compensate the FGAO (Compulsory Insurance Guarantee Fund), which is responsible for paying the victims’ costs. Depending on the seriousness of the injuries, the amount to be paid may reach several thousand euros, forcing the respondent to pay sometimes throughout his life.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Driving without a license: what are the risks?
Comprehensive insurance: what advantages compared to third parties?
Insurance certificate: what is it? How do I get it?
