What is SR-22 Insurance?The best way to describe SR-22 insurance is that it is not an actual insurance policy.
SR-22 insurance is actually a certificate or documentation submitted to your state DMV by your auto insurance company. SR-22 verifications are mostly required in special cases where a driver has been deemed reckless or unsafe following a single or series of motor vehicle violations.
The policies verify for the state that you have auto insurance. The documentation is kept on file with your state's DMV for a period of time determined by state law.
In layman's terms, SR-22 insurance is an insurance company's way of vouching for you in front of your state DMV.
Back to TopDoes Everyone Need SR-22 Insurance?No, a driver must get SR-22 insurance when the law requires them to carry these certificates to verify that they have insurance.
Some states do not require drivers to carry SR-22 insurance, so it is always best to check the laws of your state of residence for specific SR-22 rules.
Back to TopWhich Drivers Need to Carry an SR-22?You are generally required to get SR-22 insurance after an incident or succession of incidents make you a high risk for further driving incidents.
Most drivers are notified by a court or other law enforcement facility that they need to carry SR-22 insurance.
Back to TopDoes SR-22 Insurance Replace your other Auto Insurance Policy?No. SR-22 insurance does not replace your auto insurance policy.
SR-22 is meant to be a verification that you have auto insurance. If you have auto insurance, your insurance carrier provides your state's DMV with an SR-22 certificate as proof that you hold coverage.
Back to TopWhat are Some of the Incidents That Would Require Me to Carry SR-22 Insurance?The circumstances that require an individual to carry SR-22 insurance vary from state to state. Some examples include causing accidents, driving without a valid license or without insurance, multiple reckless driving charges and DWI/DUI charges.
An SR-22 may also be required to regain your driving privileges after you have had your license suspended, or to keep a driver's license.
Back to TopHow Do You Obtain and Maintain SR-22 Insurance?In most cases, after being notified that they must hold SR-22 insurance, a driver must contact his or her insurance company to add the certificate to your auto insurance policy.
Some states require that SR-22 holders must meet certain coverage levels in addition to holding the SR-22. Even if a driver already has insurance, it is always best to check with the insurance company to see that you have enough coverage to meet the requirements of the SR-22.
Back to TopHow Long Does it Take to Get SR-22 Coverage?In most cases an insurance company can process SR-22 requests within one business day, though the timeline could vary.
Back to TopWhat is the Cost of SR-22 Insurance?Usually, insurance companies charge a nominal processing fee to add SR-22 insurance to your existing auto insurance policy. These fees vary from insurance company to company and from state to state.
If a state requires a driver to meet minimum coverage liabilities once the driver requires SR-22 coverage, then the driver is almost always responsible for upgrading the policy to meet these qualifications.
Some states also require drivers to pay their deductibles in full when an insurance policy requires an SR-22, so always remember to factor this cost into your budget if your state requires it.
Back to TopHow Long Does an SR-22 Last?The length of time that a driver is required to carry SR-22 insurance varies from state to state, though most coverage runs from three to five years. The period of coverage often depends on the transgression.
Because most charges on driving records can be cleared after a certain number of years, SR-22 coverage often follows a similar timeline, and can be removed from your insurance policy after your driving record is cleared.
In some states, there are conditions that must be met for a driver to come off of SR-22 coverage.
Back to TopWhat if I Move States?Some states do not require drivers to have SR-22 coverage. However, if you are moving from a state that requires SR-22 to a state that does not, you might be required by your old state to file an SR-22. There are appeals processes, but they vary from state to state. Always check your local SR-22 laws and the SR-22 laws of the state where you will be moving before updating your insurance policy.
Back to TopHow Will an SR-22 Affect my Auto Insurance Rate?Auto insurance rates will likely increase because a driver carries SR-22 coverage. Because your driving transgressions have merited SR-22 coverage, your risk as a driver goes up, which usually leads to higher insurance rates.
Back to TopWhat Are the Consequences of Not Having SR-22 Insurance?It is important to remember that SR-22 insurance verifies your existing auto insurance. Therefore, to keep your SR-22 coverage active, you must maintain continuous auto insurance coverage.
Your insurance company is required to notify the state DMV if your insurance policy — and therefore your SR-22 — ever lapses. Penalties for lapses in coverage can be high, including license suspension.
Back to TopWhat About State-Specific SR-22 Requirements?Different states have different SR-22 requirements. Here's more information on SR-22 Insurance in:
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