SR-22 Insurance

If your license was suspended, you may need to purchase an SR-22 form in order to have it reinstated. This is a document that certifies you have the bare minimum of insurance required by your state. SR-22s are required in some states for high-risk drivers, specifically those charged with a DUI/DWI.

Having to use an SR-22 is not usually associated with a happy life. It usually indicates that the driver has a serious conviction on their record or a history of being at fault in accidents. However, not all automobile insurance companies provide SR-22 forms. Drivers who require one should be aware of what an SR-22 form is and how to obtain and file one in order to have their license reinstated.

What is SR-22 insurance?

Despite its name, SR-22 insurance is not a type of car insurance policy. An SR-22 is an endorsement to your car insurance policy that states that you have the minimum amount of car insurance required by your state. It is also known as a financial responsibility certificate.

If you commit a serious traffic offence, the DMV in your state may notify you that you must file an SR-22 with the DMV. Only your auto insurance company can file an SR-22 on your behalf. Depending on your state of residence and the specific offence, the SR-22 requirement may be lifted after a few years or may remain in place for an extended period of time. In some states, the name of the form and the amount of insurance required vary depending on the offence. If convicted of DUI/DWI, Florida, for example, requires a FR-44 with significantly higher liability limits than the state minimum.

Why would you need an SR-22?

Adding an SR-22 component to your existing insurance is not something you do on your own. Instead, the state may require this documentation after a serious driving incident or conviction to prove that your insurance did not lapse during the course of events.

In the following situations, drivers may be required to have an SR-22:

  • The driver was arrested and charged with DUI or DWI.
  • The driver was charged with careless or reckless driving.
  • The driver was charged with multiple traffic violations in a short period of time.
  • The driver was discovered to be driving without insurance.
  • While driving without insurance, the driver was involved in an accident.
  • The driver was stopped because he did not have car insurance in the registered vehicle.
  • It is sometimes required to reinstate your license after it has been suspended.

If you are required to have an SR-22, the good news is that it will not last forever. Most states require you to carry it for one to five years, as long as adequate insurance is maintained at all times. If there are gaps in coverage, the clock may restart on the requirement, or your license may be revoked.

How do you get an SR-22?

Once you've enacted a policy with the necessary levels of coverage, obtaining an SR-22 is usually a fairly simple process. Filing an SR-22 form necessitates the involvement of your insurance provider. If your company offers an SR-22, it may be as simple as calling your insurance agent to notify them of the change, or going online to add it directly to your existing policy. Your car insurance company will then contact the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Despite the fact that you will be charged for the additional service, your provider is responsible for filing the necessary paperwork with the state.

If your company does not allow you to file an SR-22 form — or the corresponding form required in your state — you may need to look for a new policy in order to obtain a form and coverage through a high risk provider.

Keep in mind that even if you do not currently own a car, you may still be required to meet the SR-22 requirements. In that case, you should obtain a non-owner policy. It will protect you against liability claims if you get behind the wheel on occasion, and it will keep you up to date on your SR-22 insurance requirements.

Companies that will file an SR-22

Obtaining a policy to meet SR-22 requirements may be more difficult than purchasing regular car insurance. Insurance companies are hesitant to insure drivers who have a history of serious traffic violations. As a result, not every insurance company provides SR-22s. Here are a few companies that cater to high-risk drivers:

  • State Farm Insurance
  • Progressive
  • Farmers
  • Nationwide
  • Esurance
  • Dairyland

How much does an SR-22 cost?

Having an SR-22 form filed on your behalf will not be expensive in and of itself. Adding this component to your insurance policy with most car insurance companies is as simple as paying a small fee. The exact fee varies by state or provider, but you can generally expect to pay around $25 to fulfil this requirement.

Will an SR-22 increase your rates?

If you are required to obtain an SR-22, your insurance premium will most likely be affected. However, it is your infraction — the event that caused you to require SR-22 insurance in the first place — that will almost certainly raise your premium. DUI convictions, for example, can cause your rate to skyrocket. However, the fine may be lower for a different offence, such as driving without insurance.

The best thing you can do to find a low-cost rate is to shop around and compare quotes. Even high-risk insurers will offer different rates based on your specific situation. You will find the best rate by gathering several quotes and comparing them.

What are the different state laws around SR-22s?

While most states use an SR-22 filing to ensure that you are covered, not all of them do. Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania are among the eight states that do not. However, the majority of states still require all drivers to have specific minimum liability coverage amounts in place with an active policy. Some states, such as Minnesota, still require proof of insurance to be filed with the state.

Depending on the severity of the infraction, you may be required to obtain a FR-44 form from the state instead of an SR-22 form in Florida or Virginia. This form functions similarly to the SR-22 in most ways, except that it requires you to carry more than the standard insurance minimums in those states.

It is important to note that if you move out-of-state while subject to this restriction, you will still be subject to the SR-22 requirements of the state in which your driving incident occurred. Even if your new state does not require SR-22 coverage, you must keep it on file for as long as it is required. In this case, working with a national insurance carrier that offers out-of-state SR-22 options may be the best option.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an SR-22 cost?

An SR-22 costs around $25 on average. The actual cost, however, varies depending on the state and the insurance company providing your SR-22.

How long will I need an SR-22?

If you are required to obtain an SR-22, it will not remain on your record indefinitely. Typically, you will be required to carry it for three years, assuming that your insurance coverage is not lapsed.

Is SR-22 insurance required in my state?

There are currently only eight states that do not use the SR-22 system. Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania are among those states. Also, high-risk drivers in Florida and Virginia may be required to carry FR-44 insurance, which is similar to an SR-22. The SR-22 requirement is limited to non-DUI high-risk offences in these states.