If you’re someone who has recently been convicted of traffic violations, including a DUI, reckless driving, or driving uninsured, it’s likely you’re going to require an SR22. This begs the question, what exactly is SR22 insurance, and what is it used for?
An SR22 is an incredibly vital document for those who have a history of driving-related violations. If you get charged with a serious traffic violation, you may be required to have an SR22 from your auto insurer. This is often the requirement in order to access state roads and other driving privileges to be reestablished with authorities. It can often be acquired along with the auto insurance coverage you choose.
Unfortunately, you will face a number of drawbacks when filing an SR22. This means you’ll be paying higher insurance premiums for your car than someone without any accidents or violations on their record, and it will limit your choice in insurers as well. Most people will need to do some shopping around for cheap rates before finding the insurance provider that will work best for them.
There are many questions drivers end up having about SR22s, as well as a number of other details they should be aware of if they happen to require one. Learn further as we discuss what you should know about how these filings work, why you might need one, how to find affordable SR22s and more in our article below.
What is an SR22?
First, it’s important to note that, while many refer to it as SR-22 insurance, it’s not actually a type of insurance but a legally binding document allowing you to get back on the road. An SR22 is filed by the insurance providers to the state if you’re convicted of driving-related charges. This can be required, for example, after a DUI charge and convictions for reckless driving.
Some states require an SR22 certificate of financial responsibility in order to reinstate a suspended driver’s license. If you’re looking to be trusted again by an insurer and get back on the road, having an SR22 gives insurance companies peace of mind knowing that they will be compensated for any car accidents caused by someone with your name on their policy.
Oftentimes, SR22s are court-mandated for drivers because they are considered “high-risk.” If your driving privileges have been revoked, an SR22 is likely to be the only way for you to get your license reinstated—some worry about how an SR22 will affect the cost of their car insurance. In truth, SR22s don’t raise the price of your insurance. The rise in your insurance rates in these situations is generally because of your conviction, not the SR22.
Why is an SR22 Not a Type of Car Insurance?
You will sometimes hear an SR22 referred to as SR22 insurance, which confuses many people into thinking it’s a specific type of insurance. It’s true that the certificate has to do with your insurance coverage, but it is different. The SR22 is simply a document proving that your insurer guarantees you are carrying the proper coverage legally mandated by the court to a state’s DMV. You will have the required car insurance on top of the SR22.
The state has to be incredibly diligent when it comes to regulating which drivers should not be allowed back out on the road, especially with violations such as driving under the influence, without insurance, or recklessly to the point of endangerment. Auto insurance is coverage to help you afford any payments you may need to make in the event of an accident, while an SR22 is the certificate that proves you have it.
Why You Would Need an SR22
While states such as Minnesota, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and North Carolina don’t require SR22s, all others will require you to have an SR22 form to certify that you are financially responsible for your own auto insurance. Even if your state is one without SR22s, it will have an equivalent document.
Failing to carry liability auto insurance on your car is one reason you would be required to carry an SR22 since it proves you are insured to be out on the road. A DUI conviction is another cause, as we mentioned previously. Getting into a motor vehicle accident while uninsured is also a common cause for an SR22. If you are in an accident and you have no coverage, you will not be able to properly cover any damages or injuries to the other driver and their vehicle.
If you have accumulated too many points on your license, you will likely face a license suspension. These points are added to your driver’s license after each serious violation you’ve had. The DMV and your car insurance company will keep track of how many offenses you have and if you’ve become a liability on the road. So, if you are termed as a constant traffic offender, you may also need the SR22 to get your license reinstated.
You will always need an SR22 if you are applying for a probationary hardship permit on a suspended license or are trying to get your license reinstated after a suspension. While SR22s will get you back on the road faster, you should remember it will be costly.
How You Can Get an SR22
You can get your SR22 from an insurance company, but you’ll have to buy the auto coverage first. The purpose of the form is to show that you’ve obtained and will maintain certain insurance coverage. This might not seem like the best situation, but without one, there’s no way for someone else like your car manufacturer or state regulator to know if they should trust what their records tell them about how much liability protection you’re carrying.
The SR-22 filing would be an important step to your license back if your driving privileges were revoked. To file the form, first, take it to your auto insurance company and have them complete their portion of the paperwork. Once they’ve done so, purchase at least the required amount of liability coverage for the certain amount of time mandated by the state department, which is generally a three-year period.
It’s important to file the certificate of financial responsibility with your state for verification. This will show that you have insurance coverage and limits mandated by law. You will receive your own copy you can use as proof of verification. If needed, most states store this electronically in their records so it can be looked up quickly when necessary by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Are There Different Types of SR22 Forms?
You may be wondering about the different types of SR-22 certificates. The three main ones are owner, operator, and non-owner certificates. An owner’s certificate shows that you have enough coverage for your own vehicle.
What is SR22 Non-owner Car Insurance?
When you have an owner-operator certificate, any driver operating the vehicle is covered. The non-owner certificate will cover you if you need an SR222 but don’t own a vehicle. This is handy for young drivers who can’t afford their own vehicle and may still be using their parents or family member’s vehicle.
What is The Cost of SR22 Insurance?
An SR22 can cost drivers a lot in terms of insurance rates, but have you ever wondered how much it would actually take to cover a year’s worth? The average cost for an SR22 filing is about $2,760 annually. This is around $230 a month. Essentially, much like insurance, SR22s aren’t cheap. While the best price is usually around $15, you could be paying as much as $50 for the one-time fee for filing, depending on what company files it and how many charges are included in the coverage you’re looking at.
The cost of SR22 filings varies and will generally be much more expensive than a policy without one, according to CarInsurance.com. The average increase in your rates is 89%, but it could range from 31% all the way to 375%. The state you live in and other factors such as prior DUI offenses determine the exact percentage rate hike for an SR-22 filing with a drunk driving offense on record.
The SR22 insurance policy doesn’t have a set price. Rather, it’s determined by standard rating factors. Some examples include your driving record, geographical location, and the type of vehicle you own. If you’re a risky driver due to a major offense like DUI or other high-risk factors for accidents such as speeding tickets and reckless driving citations, your rates will increase significantly. As you can tell, the best option is to try to be a state and responsible driver.
SR22 Insurance Costs in Different States
While you can get a rough estimate of what SR22s cost, it will be determined by the state you live in. This is why it’s helpful to have an idea of what they cost from state to state. For example, in Illinois, you have an average insurance coverage cost of $1,176, which goes up to $2,217. This is an 89% increase of $1,041. If you’re in a state such as Wisconsin, you’ll see a 56% increase of $1,784 from $1,147, only a $647 difference. You can go online to all states and their costs when an SR22 is added.
Will my Insurance Rates Decrease When I No Longer Have to Carry SR22 Insurance?
It is not guaranteed that your rates will go down after you are no longer required to carry an SR-22, but it may take a while for them to return. This also varies among different states. For DUI convictions, your rate might never go back down again and could get worse depending on other traffic violations in the meantime.
How Long am I Required to Have an SR22?
You would be required to maintain an SR-22 in most states for three years, with the period varying from one to five years. In rare cases where an offense is more severe than others and requires longer periods of time, it can vary from state to state as well.
You should also be aware that the start date and how long you need to carry an SR-22 varies by state, so it helps to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your specific state to find out when it starts from.
If you cancel your SR22 insurance before the filing period is up, you’ll be facing penalties from the state. It’s recommended that people file their SR26 if they want to remove or cancel their liability coverage. You don’t want the state to revoke your driver’s license or your vehicle’s registration, which is the exact way they’ll penalize you for this.
What Happens If I Don’t Have SR22 Coverage?
The state Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified by your insurance company if you don’t have the proper insurance coverage needed for an SR22. The state department then has the right to suspend your license along with your rights to drive. In addition, you may have to pay fines and penalties depending on the state law. Always make sure you’re up-to-date on your insurance payments, so if you made a mistake and failed to pay the renewal fee for your policy in time, you’ll need to contact the provider of your car insurance as soon as possible to get this taken care of.
How Can I Find Affordable SR22 Insurance Quotes?
To find a low-cost SR22 insurance quote, search around just as you would find a more affordable auto insurance policy. You should get quotes from a variety of insurance companies and compare them. Keep in mind too that you may have to look at many car insurance companies before you find what’s suitable for you. The more car insurance companies you check, the more likely you’ll find the best rates for you.
Why is it Best to Shop Around Different Insurance Companies For an SR22?
If you are in the market for a new car insurance policy, be sure to ask about their SR-22 forms. Doing this before getting quotes means you may have to pay more upfront, but it’s worth it because this will save you from having coverage attached with an expensive rate tag. One of the most effective ways people can get cheaper rates is by shopping around and comparing different brands’ offers on their websites or through phone calls. Check their rate charts for how much an SR22 with something like a DUI charge costs.
What If I Need SR22 Insurance But Move or Visit Another State?
As mentioned before, there are eight states that don’t use SR22 certificates to reinstate licenses. Each of those eight states, however, has its own unique equivalent of the document. You will never see a state without an SR22 or something similar. If you have an SR-22 in one state and plan to move, it is important that you contact a nationwide auto insurance carrier for compliance.
Moving from one state to another could result in requiring the same level of responsibility as if your traffic offense had been committed there. The way this works can differ depending on what type of violation was committed, but typically national coverage will be required for out-of-state filings.
