If you’re in the market for cheap SR-22 insurance in Utah, learning some facts about this type of insurance will help you to make a wise and informed decision. Once you understand more about SR-22 insurance, you’ll be ready to find the best deal. After you sign on the dotted line, you’ll be able to enjoy greater peace of mind on the road. This comprehensive guide will empower you as a consumer, by providing you with instant access to a host of interesting and practical details about affordable SR-22 insurance in the Beehive State.
What Is Cheap SR=22 Insurance in Utah?
Cheap SR-22 insurance in Utah is something that drivers who fit the high-risk category need to purchase along with their standard auto insurance policies. While it’s often called SR-22 insurance, it’s actually an SR-22 certificate. If you are in the high-risk category due to a serious driving infraction, your insurance company will need to file the SR-22 form on your behalf. Once you have the certificate, it will prove that you meet Utah’s minimum car insurance requirements. Here are some serious driving offenses that may put Utah drivers in the high-risk category:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Driving recklessly
- Driving with no insurance
- Having multiple traffic violations
- Being responsible for accidents that lead to a fatality or fatalities
- Being responsible for accidents that cause an injury or injuries
- Refusing to take a Breathalyzer test
Why SR-22 Insurance Is Important
If you need an SR-22 certificate but don’t have one, you may experience negative consequences, up to and including losing your driver’s license. This is why it’s vital to keep your form valid for the stipulated time period, which can vary from person to person. Some drivers only need to keep their SR-22 insurance certificates in force for three years, while others need to keep them valid permanently. The severity of driving offenses will determine how long these certificates need to be valid.
If your SR-22 form lapses, officials may suspend your driver’s license. If this happens, you will need to get your driver’s license reactivated. Reinstating it will typically mean paying processing fees and court expenses.
How Much SR-22 Insurance Costs
The filing fees for SR-22 insurance are generally quite affordable, ranging from $15 to $35. These filing fees are not the same as the cost of maintaining enough insurance coverage to qualify for an SR-22 certificate. Insurance that makes it possible to get an SR-22 certificate must provide $100,000 in bodily injury liability expenses per individual and $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident. It must also provide $100,000 in property damage expenses.
To access enough auto insurance coverage to get an SR-22 certificate, you may need to pay up to $1,044 per year. Rates will vary based on the insurance provider, as well as the driving offenses that led to the need for an SR-22 certificate. Here are the average annual rates for several providers of SR-22 insurance in Utah:
- USAA: $338
- Farm Bureau: $672
- State Farm: $815
- Progressive: $906
- Geico: $878
- Allstate: $839
- Nationwide: $906
How To Get SR-22 Insurance
If you’re ready to get the SR-22 insurance certificate that you need, you should know that there are some steps that you can follow to make it happen. When you follow these steps, the process of getting the certificate should be quite simple and straightforward. Here are the three steps to follow:
1. Make Sure You Have the Minimum Level of Coverage
Before you begin the process of trying to get an SR-22 certificate, you should ensure that you have enough vehicle insurance coverage to qualify for this form. We mentioned the amounts of mandatory coverage for bodily injury liability, property damage expenses, and coverage per accident earlier on in this article. If you do have sufficient coverage (bear in mind that state requirements may vary from time to time), you can move on to step two, which is finding an insurance company.
2. Choose an Insurance Company
You’ll need to find an auto insurance company and let that firm’s representatives know that you are now required to have an SR-22 certificate. Insurance companies are required to file SR-22 forms for their customers. If your chosen company doesn’t provide SR-22 coverage and related services, keep shopping around for an appropriate insurance provider. Then, you can get the coverage and/or certificate that you need. Several insurance companies offer these services to their valued clientele.
3. Pay for the SR-22 Certificate Filing
You will need to pay a fee to get the certificate filed by your insurance company, but that fee shouldn’t exceed $35, and it may cost even less. The amount that you need to pay may vary based on the insurance company. Usually, insurance firms file these forms digitally for their clients.
Now that you know more about what cheap SR-22 insurance is, why it’s so important, how much it costs, and how to get it, you’ve gained a deeper understanding of this important document and its significance. If you’re ready to shop for an SR-22 certificate (or SR-22 insurance), be sure to gather quotes from a few different insurance providers before making a final decision. When you do so, you will be able to make sure that you’re getting the very best price for what you need to buy.
After you have your insurance and certificate, you’ll be following Utah state rules. This is always the smartest thing to do. The key to feeling secure on the road, and avoiding unforeseen expenses and legal problems, is getting adequate insurance coverage and, if needed, an SR-22 certificate. While some drivers don’t need SR-22 insurance and certificates, others definitely do, and they should always make sure that their policies and certificates are in good standing. Before deciding to cease paying for SR-22 insurance and a related certificate, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and your insurance provider.
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.
