Some violations lead to a suspension or revocation of driving privileges. If you fall into that group, you’ll also most likely need an SR-22 before your state will reinstate your license. (That’s why SR-22 certificates are commonly referred to as SR22 insurance).
Here are some tips to help you navigate what an SR-22 filing is, how much SR22 insurance could cost and the most important steps to take once you need SR-22 coverage.
What Is an SR-22 Certificate?
An SR-22 form is a certificate your insurance company sends to your state’s licensing authority to verify you have an active auto insurance policy with your state’s minimum liability insurance coverage. Drivers who get SR-22 filings on their records are considered to be higher risk for several reasons, including:
- Driving without insurance
- Serious moving violations
- License revocations or suspensions
- Too many moving violations within a given amount of time
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to comply with other court orders related to driving
You might also first have to complete other requirements before your driving privileges will be restored, including paying license reinstatement fees, taking driver improvement classes or waiting for an existing suspension to end.
Why It Usually Raises Insurance Costs
The fee your insurer charges to file an SR-22 form isn’t usually a big expense. Your auto insurance premiums will likely go up because you already have a serious violation on your record. Insurers charge more for premiums because drivers who violate the law, let their coverage lapse or commit multiple infractions are more likely to file claims.
How much SR-22 insurance costs will depend on several factors:
- Your driving record
- The car(s) you insure
- Coverage amounts
- Other claims history
- Gaps in auto insurance coverage
Look at more than SR-22 fees when shopping for auto insurance. Factor in all the costs and benefits associated with an auto insurance policy, including:
- Price
- Liability limits and deductibles
- Types of coverages
- Optional coverages
- Payment plans
- Penalties for canceling
Keeping the Filing Active Matters
If your insurance lapses or if you let it expire without renewing, your insurance company is usually required to let your licensing authority know. That could lead to your driver’s license suspension again and more penalties. It could also postpone your ability to have full driving privileges again.
Take these steps to avoid a lapse:
- Set up autopay if your insurer offers it.
- Mark your renewal date and start preparing for it in advance.
- Contact your insurance company right away if you change cars or if your address changes.
- Make sure you have the right insurance coverage at all times to meet your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements.
- Ask what will happen with your SR-22 certificate if you switch auto insurance companies. Make sure there’s no gap between insurance companies.
- Don’t choose a short-term insurance policy without a plan to get long-term coverage in place before your temporary insurance policy expires. Your SR-22 filing needs to stay in effect, so be sure your new insurance company will file one before canceling your current policy.
If you don’t have a car but still want to get your license back, ask if a non-owner policy will work for your SR-22 filing. A non-owner policy typically covers liability if you’re driving a rented or borrowed vehicle; however, it won’t cover any car you own or use regularly.
Before You Get Back on the Road
An SR-22 filing requires liability insurance coverage to pay for damage or injuries you cause to others. But it doesn’t necessarily require collision or comprehensive insurance, which pays to repair or replace your damaged vehicle. Here are a few factors to consider to help you decide whether full coverage insurance is worth the cost:
- Older cars with little value may not need comprehensive and collision coverage.
- If you don’t have a loan or lease on your car and can afford to replace it if it’s totaled, you can consider dropping comprehensive and collision.
- You may need comprehensive and collision coverage on a leased or financed car.
- Losing your car may significantly impact your budget or lifestyle.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure your SR-22 requirement expires before canceling that coverage or ask your insurer to remove it.
- Auto insurance (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_insurance) companies look at driving records for several years, so your premiums are unlikely to be where they were before the violation that landed you an SR-22 requirement right away. If you keep the SR-22 insurance policy in place without late payments and keep driving violation-free, your insurance premiums may go down over time.
- When shopping for SR22 insurance, plan to pay more than just the initial payment. Budget for auto insurance payments before you shop for policies. Ask insurers about how they’ll let you know when your SR-22 has been filed, what happens when it’s canceled, and what you should do when you renew your policy.
