Driving Without Automobile Insurance Massachusetts MA
Reader’s Question:
I am a college student in Massachusetts who has just been involved in a car collision which resulted in, luckily, only minor damage to my car. At the time of the accident, I didn’t have the car insurance policy inside the car. The police officer who was there told me I am really screwed. What do you think will be my legal problems?
Vince
Boston, MA
I hate to state the obvious, but you really are screwed. According to Massachusetts law, you are required to bring the insurance or certificate from the car insurance company at all times with you (it should be easily accessible), or else it will be prima facie evidence that you have not maintained your car insurance as required by law.
I advise you to jot down all the details and circumstances about the accident. Get the contact numbers of the driver (or drivers) involved in the car collision. It would be wise also to get the contact number and information from any witnesses on the scene. (Wait. The accident has already happened, so if you didn’t get the contact info of the important people, then you are really really screwed.) In any case, call your car insurance agent and give the details of your vehicular accident. Not having your proof of car insurance may be used as presumption of not possessing car insurance, but of course this may be rebutted. In a worst case scenario, get a good lawyer.
If you are a nonresident of Boston, I hope you had filed a nonresident driver statement (this is required for nonresident students) with the law enforcement agency in your school’s vicinity. Not doing so will earn you a fine of $200 and above. The school or college you are attending is also obliged by Massachusetts law to inform you of this requirement. In fact they will be fined for not complying with this law.
Good luck, Vince!
Tags: auto insurance policy, car insurance, car insurance law, driving without insurance