As the economy continues to falter and more and more Americans are faced with staggering gas prices at the pump, we are all looking to save money wherever and whenever we can. Sometimes, this results in cutting corners where we shouldn't, like driving without automobile insurance. The scary thing about driving without automobile insurance is how difficult it will become to get insured in the future. There are very few automobile insurance providers that will even offer a rate quote to an uninsured driver. And don't think that you can simply not disclose the fact that your car insurance coverage has lapsed. When you are applying for a new policy, your potential automobile insurance provider will definitely look at your driving record, your credit score, and your insurance history. They can also see how many claims you have made in the past with other automobile insurance policies. All of these factors (and more) will influence how high your premium is, but having a lapse in your coverage is especially bad, since it immediately makes you look like a risky investment. This extends to drivers with an excellent driving record and decent credit history. Since it is illegal in all fifty states to drive while your car insurance is lapsed, you will likely face fines and fees imposed by your state government, and even higher fines and fees if you are involved in an accident or police stop while driving without automobile insurance. For this reason, it's vital that you get your automobile insurance reinstated as soon as possible, even if you have to find a new provider. Be wary of automobile insurance providers offering coverage to high risk drivers, since they can sometimes charge astronomical premiums to drivers with few other options.