What to Expect with SR-22 Insurance

Many people take their driver’s license for granted until they actually lose it. Without a driver’s license, it seems as if you lose a bit of your freedom since you can’t go places the same way you once did. Fortunately, if you’ve only been ordered to maintain SR-22 insurance, then you should cherish the ability to go anywhere you want, when you want.

Although you still have the ability to drive, being ordered to have SR-22 coverage is a close call. In fact, it’s so close, you should make every effort to understand the requirements of maintaining SR-22 coverage to avoid any violations that could lead to your license being suspended.

You Can’t Drive Until You Have SR-22 Insurance

After realizing you will still have the ability to drive, your next stop—after leaving the courthouse—should be to your insurance agent. Your agent issues and submits your SR-22 certificate to the courts or the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on your behalf.

Although some car insurance companies are able to provide you with an SR-22 certificate on the spot, others aren’t. You may have to wait up to 30 days to get your SR-22, so you should request the certificate as soon as possible. Driving without your certificate could result in the courts revoking your ability to drive legally.

Keep Your SR-22 Certificate with You at All Times

When you drive, you have to have your license, registration and proof of insurance with you. When you are ordered to have SR-22 insurance, you have to have that certificate with you at all times too. Since your SR-22 insurance is associated with your liability insurance, not having it handy when a police officer pulls you over could result in a ticket. To be safe, always have your SR-22 certificate ready for any official who demands to see it.

Maintain Continuous Car Insurance Coverage

In order to exercise your ability to drive freely after being ordered to maintain SR-22 insurance, you have to have continuous coverage. In actuality, if you own a car, you have to maintain continuous insurance coverage anyway, so complying with this requirement should be simple enough.

Your life doesn’t end when you are ordered to have SR-22 insurance. With a little due diligence and patience, it’s possible for the courts or the DMV to remove the requirement once you’ve fulfilled your obligation.