Do I need auto insurance driving to work occasionally?

Yes. To drive on a public road even one foot without insurance is illegal. In the UK all insurance details are held centrally and so a police spot check can throw up an offender on their scanners within a second of reading your number plate. In the US, Canada and Austraila/NZ, the offences and services are very similar. Punishment can range from a heavy fine through to disqualification from driving.