Recent media attention on illegal immigrants has been so intense that the insurance industry has decided to weigh in as well.
Here goes.
Twelve of the fifty US states allow illegal immigrants to drive, out of which the other forty-nine do not. The other states don’t issue licenses to undocumented immigrants, so they can’t drive. You can bet your bottom dollar that there is no auto insurance to cover an accident if you don’t have a license. It’s likely that there won’t be any out-of-pocket money to speak of for compensation if a licensed driver causes an accident but is not at fault because there won’t be any insurance to cover the other party’s damages.
I suppose this is a good justification for purchasing uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.!
In any case, due to the risks associated with illegal immigrant driving, the few states that do provide some sort of driving license to the undocumented have actually increased the eligibility. The undocumented immigrant who passes the written and driving tests is given the opportunity to apply for a driving license in CA, CO, DE, DC, HI, MD, NV, NM, UT, WA, and VT. This increases their chances of being a safe driver and allows them to purchase car insurance protection.
This naturally means that in the event of a car accident, an illegal immigrant who resides and drives in a region where the privilege is available to him or her can have the supplemental insurance to cover losses.
However, the illegal immigrant who successfully completes the driving test necessary to obtain a valid driver’s license has other more inclusive options that, like any US citizen, can protect him or her more thoroughly.
These include the options of:
Collision Insurance Coverage – this compensates for the cost of damage incurred to the at-fault driver as well
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage – this provides payment for other losses incurred as a result of a stolen automobile, car vandals, or the damage from a natural disaster
Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist Insurance Coverage – this provides coverage for damages resulting from an accident with a driver that does not have adequate auto insurance
Regardless of your residency or citizenship status, if you are a licensed driver, it is advisable to get advice and guidance on the insurance coverage options that are appropriate for your particular set of circumstances from a qualified insurance professional.
