can you own a car and not insure it

[Presley]

In nearly all of the United States, you cannot legally drive a car you own without insurance. Mandatory insurance laws require a minimum level of liability coverage to protect others in an accident you cause. The financial and legal consequences of driving uninsured are severe, including fines, license suspension, and personal liability for all damages.

While you technically own the vehicle, the legal requirement to have insurance is tied to operating it on public roads. If you plan to store the car indefinitely and not drive it, you might be able to surrender your license plates and register it as "non-operational" with your state's DMV. However, even in storage, carrying comprehensive coverage (for threats like theft or fire) is a wise financial decision if the car has significant value.

The penalties for being caught driving without insurance vary by state but are consistently harsh. For example:

State	Minimum Liability Coverage	First Offense Fine (Approx.)	Other Potential Penalties
California	15/30/5	$100 - $200+	License suspension, vehicle impoundment
Texas	30/60/25	$175 - $350	SR-22 requirement, surcharges
New York	25/50/10	$150 - $1,500	Revoked registration and license for a year
Florida	10/20/10 (PDL)	$150 - $500	License and plate suspension for up to 3 years
Ohio	25/50/25	License suspension, $75 reinstatement fee	Requires proof of future insurance (SR-22)

Ultimately, driving without insurance is an enormous gamble. You are betting that you will never cause an accident. If you lose that bet, you are personally responsible for all medical bills and property damage, which can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars and lead to financial ruin. The cost of insurance is minimal compared to the risk.

[LaJuniper]

Nope, not if you want to drive it. I learned the hard way after a fender bender years ago. The ticket for no insurance was bad enough, but the other driver's repair bill came straight out of my pocket. It wiped out my savings. Now, I see insurance as a non-negotiable part of car ownership, like gas or oil changes. It's just not a risk worth taking.

[SiennaAnn]

From a legal standpoint, vehicle insurance is a contractual requirement for operating a motor vehicle on public thoroughfares. Ownership and operation are distinct. You can possess title to a vehicle without insuring it if it is stored on private property and not driven. However, the moment you enter a public road, you must be able to demonstrate financial responsibility, which is almost universally satisfied by an active insurance policy.

[AlexanderRose]

Think of it like this: you own a house, but you still have to pay property taxes. Owning a car is similar; you have to insure it to legally drive it. The state needs to know that if you accidentally hit someone, there's money to cover their hospital bills. Skipping insurance isn't just breaking a rule; it's risking your financial future over a relatively small monthly payment.