Will insurance cover an accident if the driver's license has been expired for several months?
2 Answers
If a driver's license has been expired for several months and a vehicle accident occurs, the insurance company may refuse to compensate. According to relevant laws and regulations, the validity period of a motor vehicle driver's license is 6 years, 10 years, or long-term. Within 90 days before the expiration of the driver's license, the holder should apply for a renewal at the vehicle management office where the license was originally issued. If a motor vehicle driver fails to renew the license within one year after its expiration, the license will be automatically revoked by the system. There are three scenarios for failing to renew a driver's license on time: 1. Expired for less than 1 year: The license can be renewed normally, but driving is prohibited before renewal. Required documents ("Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form," the driver's ID card, original driver's license, medical examination report, and three recent one-inch white-background color photos) must be submitted to the vehicle management office. 2. Expired for 1 to 3 years: The license is in a "revocable but recoverable" status, and driving privileges can be restored after passing the subject one exam. 3. Expired for more than 3 years: The driver must retake all exams to obtain a new license.
If you get into an accident with a driver's license that has been expired for several months, the insurance company will most likely refuse to pay, as an invalid license is considered equivalent to driving without a license, which violates traffic regulations. Insurance contracts generally require the driver to hold a valid license; otherwise, it constitutes a breach of contract. Last time I researched this, I came across cases where accident claims were denied, and the driver might even face legal action from the insurance company. Additional consequences include fines and heightened legal liability, so never take it lightly—regularly check your license expiration date and set phone reminders to avoid such risks. Also, the details in your vehicle insurance policy are crucial. It’s advisable to take some time to read the driver eligibility section of your policy to ensure everything is compliant and to prevent unexpected issues.
