After losing your driver’s license to suspension or revocation following a significant traffic violation, your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may require you to have SR-22 insurance. They can require this insurance coverage even if you don’t own a vehicle. Currently, 12 states do not require SR-22 insurance, so it’s more likely that your state requires it than not. SR-22 is not an additional type of insurance coverage, even though it sounds like it is. It’s proof that you carry your state’s minimum liability insurance for your automobile insurance policy.
SR stands for safety responsibility, and it’s also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility. Your state’s DMV can require SR-22 insurance to reinstate your driving privileges after having your driver’s license suspended or revoked.
What Is SR-22 Insurance?
SR-22 insurance is usually either a paper or digital certificate issued by the DMV in your state to verify that you have the minimum automobile insurance coverage required by your state. If you’re required to have SR-22 insurance, you must maintain coverage for the entire time you’re required. Any cancelation or lapse in coverage will be reported to the DMV by your insurance provider as required by law. This report will result in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license.
The amount of time you’re required to have SR-22 insurance varies by state and ranges from one to five years. The most common time frame for SR-22 insurance is three years. If you move from one state to another while required to have SR-22 insurance, you may need to apply in your new resident state as well. It’s your responsibility to check with your state DMV to determine whether you need to go through the process in the new state.
Who Is Considered an At-Risk Driver?
State DMVs typically define at-risk drivers as drivers who committed one or more significant traffic violations. After the conviction of any of the following, you may be required to have SR-22 insurance:
- Major traffic violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or a hit-and-run accident.
- Multiple minor traffic violations, including speeding or failure to yield.
- Driving without insurance on more than one occasion.
- Being at fault in an accident without adequate insurance coverage.
- Nonpayment of damages from a previous at-fault accident.
- Not paying a child support order.
- Evading tolls excessively.
- Failure to maintain a previous SR-22 requirement for the allotted time.
How Do You Get SR-22 Insurance?
Getting SR-22 insurance is similar to getting automobile insurance coverage. You’ll work with an insurance agent to apply for or add SR-22 to your current policy. You don’t have to use SR-22 through the same insurance company that carries your automobile policy. Not all insurance companies offer SR-22 insurance coverage as a service, so you may have to shop around to find a provider. Take the time to get several quotes from various insurance agents for SR-22 insurance, as it can be rather expensive. The process for getting SR-22 insurance includes four steps:
1. Apply for or Add SR-22 Insurance to Your Policy
You’ll work with an insurance provider to get SR-22 insurance. You can often add this coverage by selecting it either by phone, online, or in person. An insurance agent will complete the application process with you.
2. Pay Any Applicable Fees
Filing the SR-22 insurance application itself has a flat rate for each state. Your insurance provider may add on additional fees for filing this form on your behalf. Typically, the filing fees for SR-22 insurance fall between $15 and $50.
3. File SR-22 Insurance Application With the State
Your insurance provider must file your SR-22 insurance application with your state’s DMV. You cannot file this application on your own. The approval process may take up to 30 days.
4. Receive Confirmation
Once reviewed, your state’s DMV will inform you of the acceptance or denial of your SR-22 insurance. After you receive confirmation, you’re free to start driving again as long as you maintain your SR-22 insurance for the duration required.
How Much Is SR-22 Insurance?
As stated above, the filing fee for SR-22 insurance is minimal. You’ll find that the largest expense of SR-22 insurance is the hike in your insurance premiums. As an at-risk driver, you can expect to pay significantly higher premiums for the same coverage of automobile insurance. This increase varies by state and insurance company, and it can be anywhere from a 10% to 80% price increase, depending on the traffic violation.
What Is Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance?
If you don’t own a vehicle, your state may still require you to carry SR-22 insurance. This type of coverage is known as non-owner SR-22 insurance. Non-owner SR-22 insurance covers you if you borrow a vehicle from a neighbor or friend. This insurance covers the driver and not the vehicle itself. Each state has different regulations that apply to non-owner SR-22. Some states allow this insurance to cover rental cars, while others don’t.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance rarely covers a vehicle that belongs to a member of your household, such as a spouse or roommate. It also doesn’t cover commercial vehicles or vehicles used for work or business purposes. Check with your state to determine what non-owner SR-22 insurance does and doesn’t cover.
Even if you currently own a vehicle, you may find it cost-effective to sell that vehicle and get non-owner SR-22 instead of owner SR-22 insurance. On average, non-owner SR-22 insurance costs 3% more than a standard non-owner insurance rate, which averages out to a lower cost than a standard SR-22 insurance policy. Non-owner SR-22 insurance includes bodily and property liability coverage, protecting you from third-party expenses should you be at fault in an accident.
What Is the Minimum Automobile Insurance Coverage Required?
Every state has individual requirements for minimum automobile insurance coverage. Your state may only require bodily injury liability and property liability, or it may also require uninsured/underinsured, medical benefits, personal injury protection, medical payments, and survivors’ benefits. Be sure to check with your automobile insurance provider to determine the minimum required coverage for your state.
SR-22 insurance can be expensive, but it’s worth the cost if you want your state DMV to reinstate your driver’s license. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is a more affordable option if you don’t own a vehicle and need coverage when you borrow a vehicle from someone else. Talk to your insurance agent about SR-22 versus non-owner SR-22 insurance today.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
