Broken down cars with tags but no insurance

by Guest » Fri Nov 07, 2008 04:02 pm
Guest

I have a car that broke down in May 2008. It has been sitting in a friends backyard since it broke down and hasn't moved an inch in that time. I took the insurance off of it in June 2008 but forgot to turn in the tags. Now the DMV wants to suspend my license and says that if i can't prove insurance for the time period their asking for, then I have a fine and an SR-22 for three years. Can't I just show them proof that the car was non-funtional, turn in my tags now and avoid all this crap?

Total Comments: 10

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 04:59 pm Post Subject:

Perhaps... have you called them?

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:46 pm Post Subject:

Sounds alot like How PA handles these things. We had a letter sent to us when we took off the insurance and they reminded us that the plate had to be surrendered since there was no insurance on the vehicle. We only was pulling it for the winter. In the end we called them and explained we were only temp. removing the insurance since the vehicle was not used in the winter. They gave us a chance to choose between two options. Reinsuring the car or sending the plates. Most of the time they will work with you. Its the ones who don't call and avoids the situation that sometimes do not make out as well. Quick call could do the trick. Good luck.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 09:59 am Post Subject:

Yeah, I agree with the other posters in the board. You need to speak directly to the DMV office and explain your situation. I guess you wud be required to prove that the car wasn't on road since the policy was cancelled.

Some of the states required the insurance companies to report the vehicles that have dropped and/or lapsed policies on them. This method is adopted to keep a track of the uninsured vehicles on road.

However, if the policy is resumed the DMV may drop the case against the registrant. However, IMO you mustn't waste time in calling up the DMV.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:30 am Post Subject:

Tags aren't really important re: insurance...what this means is if the vehicle is uninsured this state required the tags be surrendered, you cannot drive a vehicle on a public road way without tags...

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 01:14 pm Post Subject:

I actually think this is a pretty good method. Just think if every state adopted the rule of surrendering your plate if you drop your insurance just how many uninsured drivers would be off the road. If you don't have insurance you could really mess up someone elses life and that includes the driver without insurance and his family.

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 04:52 pm Post Subject:

Thanks for everyone's posts

I've spoken with the DMV and the tellers/managers don't want to give me the time of day (I live in Richmond, VA if that tells you anything) but I requested a hearing with the DMV officials that handle these sort of things.
I plan on bringing affidavits from the people that pushed my car to its current location to show that it no longer runs and also emails (with time stamps) I sent out to family to let them know that the car is kaput. Hopefully they will see that I'm not one of those people that drive without insurance....I'm just forgetful:)

Thanks again

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 07:42 pm Post Subject:

frscgrl, that darn procrastination gets to all of us...good luck on your hearing...please do let us know the outcome, it might help another...also what are your plans re: this car? If you are planning to donate it or junk it, it would probably show really good faith if you had that done prior to the hearing....just an opinion...let us know please

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 02:26 am Post Subject:

Plus if you donate it you can use it on this years taxes and if you sell it to a junk yard they are paying pretty good for the scrap these days. Could get you a couple extra dollars and save you from losing your license. Hope it all works out, good luck.

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 05:20 pm Post Subject: car junked

junked the car this morning and I only got 85.00 for it. They must have known that I was desperate. No word yet on when my hearing will be but I'll keep you posted.

Oh and I donated a car in the past for the tax credit but since the car was worth like 100.00 at the time (a 1990 chevy lumina) I couldn't get the credit for it. The tax guru told me that unless you itemize your taxes, donating a car isn't going to help unless you end up with an amount that would be more than your standard deduction. So basically unless you itemize anyway like from a business or if you're nazi about your deductions, or if you donate a bentley, then you're better off junking it and getting at least a little bit of money.

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