Does an Uninspected Car Raise Insurance?

Car inspections are essential for ensuring your vehicle meets safety and regulatory standards. Many car owners wonder if driving an uninspected car affects their insurance rates. This article explores how uninspected cars impact insurance and the possible legal and financial consequences.

What is a Car Inspection?

A car inspection checks whether your vehicle complies with safety and environmental regulations. There are several types of inspections:

State inspections: These ensure your car is roadworthy, as required by law in many states.
Emissions tests: These reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
Safety checks: These assess key components like brakes, tires, lights, and steering to ensure safe driving.

Inspections help keep your vehicle safe. They also influence how insurance companies assess the risk of insuring your car.

For more details on how a failed inspection could affect your insurance rates, check out The Zebra’s guide on failed auto inspections and insurance.

The Connection Between Vehicle Inspections and Insurance Rates

Many people ask if driving an uninspected car will raise your insurance premiums. While an expired inspection sticker or failed inspection won’t automatically raise your rates, it can still have an impact.

Ticket for expired inspection: If you drive without a valid inspection sticker, authorities may issue a fine. This ticket won’t directly affect your premiums. However, it could increase your insurance rates if recorded as a violation.
Risk factors: Insurers assess your car’s condition when setting premiums. If your car is uninspected or failed, they may view it as a higher risk, leading to higher premiums.

For more on the effect of expired inspection stickers on insurance, check out WalletHub’s article on expired inspection stickers and insurance.

Does an Uninspected Car Affect Your Insurance?

Driving an uninspected car may not directly raise your insurance premiums. However, it can still lead to indirect consequences. If you neglect inspections, your insurance company may view you as a higher-risk driver, which can result in increased rates.

Failed inspections: If your car fails a safety or emissions inspection, your car is not in the best condition. Insurers often view such vehicles as higher-risk, leading to higher premiums.
Car accident with an expired inspection: If you have an accident with an expired inspection sticker, your insurer may refuse to cover the damages. If the accident ties to an issue that would have been caught during the inspection, the insurer may deny the claim.

An expired inspection sticker can affect more than your car’s legal status—it can influence your car insurance as well.

Legal and Financial Consequences of Driving an Uninspected Car

Driving an uninspected car carries legal and financial consequences that affect both your car’s registration and your insurance coverage.

Fines and penalties: Most states impose fines for driving without a valid inspection sticker. In some cases, they may even impound your vehicle.
Insurance rate increases: If you receive a violation for driving an uninspected car, your insurer may consider you a higher-risk driver. This can lead to higher premiums when you renew your insurance.
Claim denials: If you are involved in an accident while driving an uninspected car, your insurance company might refuse to cover the damages. This is especially likely if the failed inspection contributed to the accident.

Learn more about how vehicle maintenance affects your insurance premiums by reading Horan Insured’s blog on vehicle inspections and insurance.

What Happens If Your Car Fails an Inspection?

If your car fails an inspection, it means your vehicle has safety or environmental issues. Failing an inspection can affect your insurance in the following ways:

Increased insurance premiums: A failed inspection suggests that your car might break down or be involved in an accident. Insurers may raise your premiums due to the increased risk.
Refusal of coverage: Some insurance companies may refuse to cover a car that failed its inspection, especially if the failure points to a major safety issue.

How to Avoid Insurance Increases for an Uninspected Car

To avoid higher insurance premiums due to an uninspected car, consider the following tips:

Stay on top of inspections: Keep your vehicle’s inspections up to date. This will help you avoid fines and higher insurance premiums.
Fix failed inspections promptly: If your car fails an inspection, take quick action to resolve the issues. This will help you pass the inspection and avoid further complications with your insurance.
Regular maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on your vehicle to ensure it stays in good condition. This reduces your risk and makes your car more insurable.

FAQs About Uninspected Cars and Insurance

Does an expired inspection sticker raise insurance?

In most cases, an expired inspection sticker doesn’t directly raise your insurance premiums. However, receiving a ticket for an expired sticker or driving an unsafe vehicle may raise your rates.

Can I still drive with an expired inspection sticker without affecting my insurance?

You can technically drive with an expired inspection sticker, but you may face legal consequences like fines. Your insurance company might consider this a risk factor and raise your premiums.

How much can an uninspected car raise insurance?

The amount your insurance increases due to an uninspected car depends on factors like your vehicle’s condition and the state’s inspection rules. In extreme cases, your insurer might refuse coverage.

Can I make a claim on my insurance with an uninspected car?

Yes, you can file a claim with an uninspected car. However, if the accident is linked to the car’s failure to pass inspection, your insurer might deny the claim.

What happens if my car gets into an accident with an expired inspection?

If your car gets into an accident with an expired inspection, your insurer may refuse to cover the damages. This is especially likely if the failed inspection contributed to the accident.

Conclusion

In conclusion, driving an uninspected car doesn’t automatically increase your insurance premiums. However, it does carry risks. Neglecting inspections or driving a failed vehicle could result in penalties, a higher risk of accidents, and higher insurance rates. To avoid complications, keep your car in good condition, stay on top of inspections, and fix any issues promptly. This will help you maintain both your safety and your insurance premiums.