What do i do about lapse in insurance and no registration and being pulled over in NYC?

I was sold a vehicle initially that broke down -- a real piece of junk. the truck sat in the shop for some repair and then in my car port; broken engine. my insurance stopped due to non payment because i switched debit card accounts for auto pay but figured since im not using the vehicle, it is not an issue now. well, i finally got rid of the car to someone who will fix it, used the money to buy another used car, threw the plates from the 1st car on the new car to drive it home and was pulled over. no insurance, no registration and wrong plates on wrong vehicle.

now, i am going to the DMV here in NYC today because i just got a notice after that, as if that wasnt fun enough, about suspension order on the plates. if i do not bring the plates back by 3/5, it states indefinite suspension etc. well, obviously i am bringing the plates with me today along with the form from the DMV as well as insurance that i just obtained for the new vehicle that i was pulled over in.

i have read that if the lapse is under 90 days, mine is only like 49, that you can pay a penalty and not have to suspend the registration. i went on the dmv website to take care of the payment, and it would not let me pay.

i am concerned that because of getting pulled over on my way home that i jeopardized the possibility of paying the fine and being able to maintain my registration/plates. i understand the severity of this issue and that is why right after, i contacted geico about my policy. but geico would not allow me to put insurance back on the 1st vehicle due to the issues with DMV, that is why i insured the new vehicle and also because that is the vehicle i own now.

do you think i will be in a big mess when i go to the DMV?

Helma B

Mike, There are lots of sites where you can get a free insurance quote. http://www.simpleautoquotes.com/Auto-Insurance.html It only takes 5 minutes to do.

ROGER W

I would like to suggest to try to get as much information as you could before making up your mind,here http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info/free-auto-insurance.htm is a very resourceful one.

Heather

I know your panic and frustrations all too well. The same thing happened to me last summer and it was a NIGHTMARE!! But I live in NC and they really enforce laws relating to insurance and traffic violations...even a small lapse will cost so much money you wonder how they can get away with it. Specifically, I was pulled over for an expired tag (it had only been a few days), which I was planning on getting once my car was inspected. I was written three tickets by the officer (1 for expired inspection sticker,another for expired registration and the last one: driving a motor vehicle without insurance). If that wasn't bad enough my tags were taken off my car by the police officer because "DMV records indicate a lapse in coverage", but I could get the tags back if I was able to provide "proof of insurance". I could not, so I had to call my fiance to come pick me up (surprisingly he was very understanding). Anyways, I called the DMV and they explained there was evidence of a lapse but I could get insurance immediately, and pay a fine of $50 or turn my tags in for 30 days. I had to get insurance ASAP but because I had a lapse it would cost $$ (deposit--2 months up front, fees, etc. @ $180). Then I had to pass inspection but it failed because of a "check engine" light that came on and low tread on my tires (geez...I was a so frustrated). So day two, new tires ($242.54) check engine light (free...fixed by fiance), inspection #2 ($6.25) plus a well overdue oil change ($23.75) and gas to get me to the DMV($5). On my way to the DMV I have a WRECK in the DMV parking lot!! The other car had hardly any damage, my car: fender on the ground with the front left side squashed into the front tire. So, the police come and examine the scene and confidently state, "this is up to the insurance companies", primarily because it is a parking lot issue (I don't really mind...I had three tickets already). Then, they ask about my tags. I explain. Luckily I was insured (although it had only been one day) but the other driver was going to get everything she could out of this, which was most obvious when when she slowly removed herself from her slightly scratched car then, later on, demanded she have her vehicle towed immediately (even when the officers insisted it was perfectly fine to drive). My car really did need towing which was delivered to a salvage yard...it sat there for two days ($85). Finally, my uncle who works on cars picked it up and assessed the damage, "estimating...about $1, 500 for replacment parts and body work". I explained I only had liability coverage and was responsible for the cost, so I wanted the dings hammered out and I would take whatever fender fit. He understood. I wasn't done yet though, I still needed my tags so I picked them up ($240.75) plus a fee for ins. lapse (50$). Two weeks later I pick up my patchwork car ($500), with the only instructions directly from my uncle, "don't tell anybody it was fixed at our shop",so, I was off...to the gas station because it was on empty ($5...all I had left). Therefore, YES you will go through the most terrible mess EVER!!

PS
I forgot about court. You must go unless you hire an attorney whenever a citation is issued. I decided to go on my own, and showed them my new registration card, current insurance receipt and my inspection information. They dropped all charges.

This was the most terrible thing EVER!! So, if you must drive make sure you are INSURED every single second...or they will get you too.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: