I was in a car accident recently, and I showed the police officer an insurance card for a canceled policy. I knew the policy was defunct, but I didn’t want the officer to know I didn’t have car insurance. Could I go to jail for this?

Answer

The answer to this question depends on the laws of your state. With most states that require minimum levels of car insurance, you will typically only face fines for failing to provide proof of valid insurance. In some states, police officers have access to a database that allows them to instantly verify the validity of your policy. If your policy is canceled, your car could be impounded, your license could be revoked, or the title to your car might be suspended. The consequences for showing an invalid insurance card are primarily monetary, however. If you are on probation or parole and are caught driving without insurance, you could possibly face jail time, depending on your state.

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