What Happens if You Have No Insurance?

Insurance is available to cover just about anything. Major types of insurance include medical insurance, auto insurance and homeowner's insurance, though companies insure everything from dogs and cats to jewelry, musical equipment and business properties. The risks of going without insurance differ, depending on the insurance type and the situation. Some consequences -- from overwhelming financial burden to arrest -- are serious.

Medical Insurance

• Hefty consequences await those without medical insurance in the United States -- namely, an extreme financial burden or a partial or total lack of access to medical care. If you don't have medical insurance when you need it, you must pay for all medical care with your own money. The government provides medical insurance to disabled, retired or impoverished Americans through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The state of Massachusetts does the same for all citizens through the Mass Health program. Low-cost or sliding scale clinics for low-income individuals without insurance exist in some parts of the country.

  The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, created a new program that provides health insurance for those ineligible for other forms of insurance due to preexisting conditions. The Act also provides for the creation of new community health centers serving uninsured or low-income residents and provides additional funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). ACA provides new, reduced price options for uninsured Americans ineligible for Medicare, Medicaid or similar programs.

Auto Insurance

• Driving without auto insurance, or with an insufficient amount of coverage, is a crime. Laws and punishments for those caught driving without insurance differ from state to state. In New York state, for instance, those caught driving without insurance face a 1-year license suspension, a fine of $1,500 and an additional DMV fee of $750 for the reinstatement of a license, as of 2011. In cases of insurance that has lapsed for 90 days or less, individuals may contact the DMV and pay a fee rather than receive license suspension. Fees are $8 per day for a period of 30 days or less, $10 per day for periods of 30 to 60 days and $12 per day for periods of 60 to 90 days.

Homeowner's Insurance

• Homeowner's insurance covers many things, from damage to a home from natural elements, such as storms, mudslides and earthquakes, to protection against the theft of personal property inside the home. Companies personalize homeowner's insurance policies for each individual. Some go so far as to include protection for the car when it's in the garage or driveway. No legal repercussions exist for those without homeowner's insurance, though people whose homes experience damage or theft tacitly accept the financial burden of making repairs or recouping losses.

Other Insurance Types

• Pet health insurance, as provided by companies such as the ASPCA, Pet's Best and VPI, provides relief from the costs of animal healthcare to those paying a monthly premium. Pet health insurance companies reimburse policyholders, rather than pay fees upfront, as do companies providing medical insurance for humans. Those without pet health insurance must pay the full cost of veterinarian fees, generally upon rendering, rather than through a payment plan.

  Business insurance protects businesses against losses, lawsuits from employees, the destruction of property and many other exigencies. Personal possession insurance protects from loss in the event that a valuable item, such as an engagement ring or vintage guitar, is stolen or lost. Life insurance provides money to the family of the policyholder in the event of untimely death. Those without such insurance bear the financial burden of any such disaster without support from an insurance company.