SR-22 in South Carolina

If your driver's license is suspended due to a serious infraction, such as a DUI, you may need to obtain an SR-22 in South Carolina. Although you may hear people in South Carolina refer to "SR-22 insurance," an SR-22 is not a type of insurance, but rather a certificate that proves you have the minimum amount of required car insurance in the state. An SR-22 remains on your record for several years, increasing the cost of your auto insurance.

What is “SR-22 insurance?”

If your South Carolina driver's license is suspended, you will almost certainly have to pay to have an SR-22 filed on your behalf. An SR-22 is a type of proof of insurance, not insurance in and of itself. It certifies that you have the bare minimum of car insurance required in South Carolina, which is denoted as 25/50/25. This includes the personal liability coverages listed below:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident

A South Carolina SR-22, on the other hand, is only required for high-risk drivers. Drivers who have their license suspended, receive a serious traffic violation, are caught driving without car insurance, are convicted of DUI, or cause an accident that results in fatalities or injuries may be included.

Although obtaining an SR-22 is a simple process, not all car insurance companies provide it. If your current auto insurance company does not provide SR-22 filing, look for a company that specializes in non-standard insurance. You will be required to complete some paperwork and pay a filing fee. Finally, the insurance company will forward the document to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

SR-22 South Carolina alternatives

South Carolina only requires drivers to carry an SR-22 after being involved in a serious accident or committing a violation that results in a license suspension. Other states, on the other hand, use SR-22 alternatives to verify drivers' proof of insurance coverage. The type of certificate required can vary depending on the type of violation, the required financial responsibility, and the number of offenses.

Here are some common SR-22 substitutes found in other states:

• SR-19: SR-19 forms are used in both California and Texas. If a driver is hit by an uninsured driver and wishes to file a claim with their insurance company, they must first file an SR-19.
• SR-21: In Florida, Georgia, and Indiana, SR-21 forms are used. The SR-21 form is used to verify a driver's insurance coverage at the time of a serious accident or a traffic violation.
• SR-22A: Georgia, Texas, and Missouri use SR-22A forms, which are essentially identical to standard SR-22 forms. The SR-22A form is required for a driver to regain their driving privileges following a serious violation.
• FR-44: The only states that use FR-44 forms are Florida and Virginia. The FR-44 is similar to an SR-22, but an FR-44 requires drivers to carry more liability coverage than the state minimum.
• SR-50: SR-50 forms are only used in Indiana. If a driver is involved in an accident or receives a traffic violation that is reported to the Indiana BMV, the SR-50 form is used to verify their car insurance coverage. This form is not always associated with license suspension.

Non-owner SR-22

If you are borrowing someone else's vehicle at the time of the violation, you may be required to purchase a non-owner SR-22 certificate. This form, as the name implies, is only required if you lose your license and do not own a car. Non-owner SR-22 insurance has the same insurance requirements as standard SR-22s.

SR-22 South Carolina insurance costs

In South Carolina, filing an SR-22 certificate usually costs less than $50. The exact cost varies depending on the insurance company. If your license has been suspended, you must also pay a $100 reinstatement fee.

Drivers with an SR-22 on their record will also pay higher-than-average car insurance rates, particularly if they have been convicted of a drug- or alcohol-related offense. Drivers in South Carolina who are caught driving without insurance usually pay a high premium when they go to purchase a policy, even with liability-only coverage.

Fortunately, an SR-22 does not remain on your driving record indefinitely. Depending on the offense, you could be required to maintain an SR-22 for three to five years. Once the SR-22 is removed from your record, you will no longer be required to pay for the certificate to be filed, and your car insurance rate should return to normal.