Am I Still Insured if My Driving License Has Expired?

Am I Insured if My Driver's License Has Expired?

Your insurance company generally can't cancel your coverage just because your license is expired. Once you've had an auto policy for more than 60 days, insurers can only cancel your coverage if you fail to pay the premiums, commit insurance fraud or have your license revoked or suspended. (If you've had car insurance for 60 days or fewer, it can be canceled for any reason.)

However, if you're involved in an accident while driving with an expired license, your insurance company might deny your claim. It's unlawful to drive without a valid license in every state, and many car insurance policies don't cover losses resulting from illegal activities. That may leave you responsible for damages, which could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if someone is injured.

Even if your insurance company doesn't ultimately deny the claim, they may dispute your settlement amount. This could delay your insurance payout or even require hiring an attorney to resolve the issue.

Tip: To determine what your car insurance does and doesn't cover, check your policy agreement sections for each type of coverage, such as liability, collision and comprehensive. Look for the exclusions, limitations or conditions, which can indicate situations that aren't covered. For instance, your policy may state that drivers without a valid license are excluded from liability coverage.

Learn more: Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

How Long Can You Drive With an Expired License?

Driving without a valid driver's license for any period of time is illegal in every state. Depending on the laws of your state, how long ago your license expired and whether it's a repeat offense, driving without a valid license may be treated as an infraction or a misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense and can lead to jail time. Even if it's considered an infraction, you'll typically be cited for a moving violation, which could cause your insurance company to raise your rates.

Tip: Some states have grace periods for expired driver's licenses. In Iowa, for instance, you generally won't be ticketed if your license expired within the past 60 days. However, even if your state has a grace period, it's best to renew your driver's license as soon as you realize it's expired.

Learn more: Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License?

What to Do if Your Driver's License Has Expired

If your driver's license has expired, start the process to renew it right away. You can usually renew your license online or in person at your state department of motor vehicles. Some states also let you renew your license by mail or over the phone.

Check with your department of motor vehicles for the specific steps, documentation and fees required to renew your driver's license. Your options for completing the process may vary depending on your age, driving record and other factors.

When you realize your license has expired, it's a good idea to contact your insurance company and explain the situation. Let them know that your driver's license has expired, but you're in the process of renewing it, and find out how your coverage may be affected in the meantime. Even if you aren't driving, your car could be stolen or damaged while it's parked in your driveway, so make sure your comprehensive coverage is still active until your license is renewed.

Learn more: Do You Need Car Insurance?

The Bottom Line

Driving with an expired driver's license is illegal, and you could get a ticket, which may hike your auto insurance premiums. Most states mail reminders well in advance to alert you when your license will expire; you may also have the option to sign up for email or text message reminders.

Following the rules of the road can help prevent accidents and traffic citations, potentially helping to keep your car insurance costs down. Shopping around for car insurance on a regular basis can also help ensure you're getting the lowest rates available. For a convenient way to compare costs, try Experian's car insurance comparison tool. It gathers personalized quotes from multiple insurance companies in one place so you can easily find the best coverage for your needs.