Although one may not be aware, there are a few reasons that a person who is unlicensed may need to purchase automobile coverage. One reason is that in many states a vehicle must be insured in order to obtain and keep registration and it may not seem necessary if the owner is not currently driving it, but in certain states leaving an automobile unregistered can lead to penalties and late fees; the longer the vehicle is left unregistered the more it may cost when the owner is ready to get it registered. Also, according to the Wisconsin Consumer Guide to auto insurance, if the car is lent out, most policies will cover an accident.

Another major reason that a driver without a license will need to obtain coverage is due to the fact that they may need it to get their driving privileges reinstated. In many cases if a person has lost their licensing because of such things as being convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol they may need to purchase an SR-22 insurance policy to get their license back.

These policies will usually need to be maintained for a certain amount of time before they can get a traditional policy and the length depends on the offense and the state. For example, in Alaska, following a first DWI a person must maintain an SR 22 for five years, but after a fourth offense an SR22 must be carried for life. Individuals may not realize why coverage should be purchased while unlicensed, but sometimes it can be beneficial and in some cases necessary.