Friday, February 19, 2010

My Trip To Jail Story

A few years ago, my husband and I were not in very good financial condition.  We had both been through divorces that had left each of us penniless.  We just happened to be nice people who got suckered because we truly didn't believe that people we had been married to for years would turn around and do every underhanded thing, both legal and illegal, to leave us in such a horrible position.  We have since recovered and have moved on with our lives, but at the time it was so hard, not only financially, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually as well.  I found that because of the additional stress that had been piled on us, our lives were even more taxed and we didn't always make the best decisions that might help us more speedily recover from our financial woes.

I left my husband in charge of our auto insurance and basically all of our car needs.  We drove my old Toyota Camry and his Ford Explorer.  Well, one day I found that the insurance had lapsed.  I told myself that he would soon pay it and that things would be fine.  I kept driving.  One day I was driving, my mind elsewhere, and I ended up speeding in a school zone.  The cop pulled me over and ticketed me for speeding and for no insurance. Yikes!  I had no choice but to pay it. I was a little late with my payments because I had no extra money for tickets.  I told my husband that the insurance needed to be paid. ASAP!


I had the typical Mom responsibilities for my son, who was with us. He was doing after school activities like football, scouts, etc. etc. and I was the chauffeur!  One day, I was going back home after dropping my son off at football practice.  I stopped at a red light.  The light changed to green.  The car in front of me pulled ahead and I, again my mind elsewhere, started out at a brisk pace!  Well, the driver of the car in front of me was a new driver learning to drive a stick shift!  His car totally stalled out without warning and I plowed into his back bumper!  Our big Explorer was totally fine. But I can't say the same for their car.  Someone called a cop, and I called my dear husband.  I told him what had happened and he proceeded to tell me that there was still no insurance on the car!  I just remember telling him that he might want to check the county jail if he didn't hear from me soon.


The ride to the jail was surreal.  My hands were handcuffed behind me and I was looking at the back of the police officer through a barred metal barrier.  This is not how I see myself.  A convict being hauled to jail? Now I personally know how it feels and it ain't fun!  Luckily, I was soon bailed out and several years later, there is no sign at all of this traumatic experience on my driving record, just on my psyche.


So what have I learned from all of this?  It is this: You may have never ever been stopped or ticketed in this life. But the day you go without insurance is the day all hell will break loose!  So to avoid that, I've got one great suggestion!  Always have insurance, if only for liabilities!  


The first and most important aspect of finding auto insurance is to become educated in the different kinds of auto insurance one can purchase.  Do you know the differences between liability, collision, comprehensive, theft policies, or no fault? Make sure that you are insured with at least liability insurance.  That is all.

Photo Credit

5 comments:

The Prudent Patron said...

Thanks for stopping by, following you back.

Joe. said...

I have no idea about the different types of insurance, so I probably should check that out!
I'm also a fellow Utahn! so pleased to meet you :D
Joe

Valerie said...

lol Funny I just went and paid our insurance premium! lol Stopping by from FF following you now! Thanks for stopping by earlier!!

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

This was funny! Thanks for sharing it!! I think your blog is just beautiful, I'm so glad I stopped by!

Thanks so much for dropping by and following my blog. I'm your newest follower now, too! Cheers!!

Mehnaz Kapadia said...

Aww! Thats sad.. I can imagine what you guys went through! I always prefer to be educated about everything rather than being ignorant! Its good for us.. Who knows when its gonna help us!