Got Farfenugened

[CaminoRacer]

Most states require you carry either traditional insurance or an alternate insurance vehicle (like proof of financial responsibility, which is a sort of bond).  There's only a couple that require nothing.  And all of those that require it require proof of insurance to register a vehicle.  That said, I think most of those without it had it when they got their plates and then either let it lapse or cancelled it.  I know that here, if you let your insurance lapse, the DMV suspends your registration and if you don't either turn in your plates or show proof of new insurance (and pay a fine for the lapsed period) within a certain period of time, they suspend your license.  That said, lots of folks are willing to risk it.  Unless cops are randomly running plates, you're unlikely to get caught just for uninsured operation or driving with a suspended registration.  It's only when they get pulled over for some other infraction, or in an accident, that it gets caught.  For folks too broke to afford insurance, I guess they feel that don't have much to lose if they do cause an accident because you can't get much out of suing somebody who's already broke.

And that's why uninsured insurance is the most important coverage

[RomanChariot]

I imagine uninsured motorist coverage functions well now but I know a guy who years ago got hit by an uninsured driver and his insurance company refused to pay for damages because he couldn't prove that the uninsured driver did not pay him out of pocket. It is incredible the games some insurance companies will play to get out of paying for damage.

[SVT_Power]

How do people drive without insurance? Here you can't register a car and get a licence plate without proof of insurance.

At least in Ontario, when you go to register a car/get plates, they don't run your insurance policy number on the spot. They put it into their system (you need to provide a policy #, I don't think you actually need to even show your pink slip) and take your word for it. Now I assume the policy number does get validated at some point, but I don't think it happens on the spot.

It does seem like the government does run the policy numbers towards the beginning of a calendar year and send out letters to individuals under some circumstances - I don't remember what those reasons were but it was clear the government knew when the policy expired which they could've only known from running the policy number.

[CaminoRacer]

My registration always says "insurance verified by Avis"

[AutobahnSHO]

Utah pays some third party to verify liability coverage.. Serious hassle back when I was registering with them.

[12,000 RPM]

Interesting that DMVs can communicate accidents and traffic violations to insurers but insurers can't communicate insurance status back

[MX793]

Interesting that DMVs can communicate accidents and traffic violations to insurers but insurers can't communicate insurance status back

NY tracks it.  There was an error in the paperwork when transferring my insurance from my Nissan to my Mazda and about 30 days after I bought the Mazda, I got a letter informing me I'd been without insurance and needed to provide proof of new insurance or have my insurance company send an electronic verification of insurance and pay a fine or they'd suspend my registration and then my license.

[Char]

Lol, VW gonna VW.

[MrH]

[12,000 RPM]

Fuck, that was actually pretty funny

[12,000 RPM]

Got the Rabbit back. Not as bad as I thought. Looks like the guy just kissed the side of it and the wheel took the brunt of the impact. *Hopefully* all I have to replace is the rear bumper cover, driver side tail light and the driver side lateral suspension link. The driver's side rear quarter panel is dented as well but it's fine. If we sell to the in laws they will know exactly what the deal is.

[2o6]

Got the Rabbit back. Not as bad as I thought. Looks like the guy just kissed the side of it and the wheel took the brunt of the impact. *Hopefully* all I have to replace is the rear bumper cover, driver side tail light and the driver side lateral suspension link. The driver's side rear quarter panel is dented as well but it's fine. If we sell to the in laws they will know exactly what the deal is.

Did you take it to a body shop? Usually any quarter panel damage = totaled.

[MX793]

Did you take it to a body shop? Usually any quarter panel damage = totaled.

Quarter panels are not that expensive to replace.  Unless the car is only worth a couple grand, it shouldn't total it.  Depending on where it is on the panel and how bad, it may be possible to pull the dent without replacing the panel (maybe a little body filler and fresh paint).

[2o6]

Quarter panels are not that expensive to replace.  Unless the car is only worth a couple grand, it shouldn't total it.  Depending on where it is on the panel and how bad, it may be possible to pull the dent without replacing the panel (maybe a little body filler and fresh paint).

Isn't it like a 2006? A car this old, it might get totaled

[MX793]

Isn't it like a 2006? A car this old, it might get totaled

Depending on mileage and options, it may still be worth 6-7 grand.  And depending on the dent, it may be cosmetically repairable (pulled and filled) for much less than a replacement.

[12,000 RPM]

Depending on mileage and options, it may still be worth 6-7 grand.  And depending on the dent, it may be cosmetically repairable (pulled and filled) for much less than a replacement.

It's worth more like $3-4K in immaculate condition. It looks like it can be pulled and filled, just not sure it's worth it at this point. My hope and dream is that I will just be able to replace the trailing arm and tail light and have it at least be functional. The cosmetic stuff is whatever. Then if we can get the in laws to buy it we'll be golden. Def gonna force that issue.

[12,000 RPM]

Interesting stuff... instead of sending an agent out, they did the estimate by photos I send in. Hope I don't get Farfegnugened again when they say "actually we didn't see this frame damage.... totalled kthbye"

[12,000 RPM]

Rabbit = totalled. Not going to bother fixing it.... just take the check and keep moving. Fucking sucks, we literally paid it off maybe a month prior

[2o6]

Rabbit = totalled. Not going to bother fixing it.... just take the check and keep moving. Fucking sucks, we literally paid it off maybe a month prior

told you 

[12,000 RPM]

Thank God we had insurance. Pro tip, a high deductible makes sense on a more expensive car, but on cheap shit it can make a huge difference. O well. By next Tuesday wifey will be riding high.

[Xer0]

Thank God we had insurance. Pro tip, a high deductible makes sense on a more expensive car, but on cheap shit it can make a huge difference. O well. By next Tuesday wifey will be riding high.

One thing I noticed on Le Sigh is going from a $500 deductible to $250 was only like $50 every six months.  Pretty easy choice imo.

[MrH]

One thing I noticed on Le Sigh is going from a $500 deductible to $250 was only like $50 every six months.  Pretty easy choice imo.

Wait, which choice did you make?  The $500 deductible makes more sense to me.

[Tave]

Thank God we had insurance. Pro tip, a high deductible makes sense on a more expensive car, but on cheap shit it can make a huge difference. O well. By next Tuesday wifey will be riding high.

You can't register a car in NC without insurance.

[2o6]

You can't register a car in NC without insurance.

How do they prove it?

[giant_mtb]

How do they prove it?

You have to bring your valid insurance slip in with you when you register it at the DMV.

[Tave]

How do they prove it?

Seriously? Haven't you worked for a dealer?

[Soup DeVille]

You can't register a car in NC without insurance.

Yes, but you can cancel it afterwards and there's general no check on that.

[Tave]

Yes, but you can cancel it afterwards and there's general no check on that.

Not in NC. Your insurance company will notify DMV of any lapse and it's an automatic $50 penalty, and you have to provide proof of re-insurance or DMV revokes your registration.

[12,000 RPM]

You can't register a car in NC without insurance.

All they need is a policy number. CarMax didn't actually check that the MKX was on it- I just remembered to actually add it last night....

[Tave]

All they need is a policy number. CarMax didn't actually check that the MKX was on it- I just remembered to actually add it last night....

You'll probably be OK as they give you a little leeway when you transfer the policy to a new car, but try to remember to notify your insurance company ahead of time on your next purchase, and don't be surprised if you get a lapse notice in the mail.