Question: What is SR22 Insurance?
Are you working on getting your driver's license back? It is very probable you keep coming across the term SR22 filing when looking through the steps required to get licensed. SR22 is a state filing required of drivers who have gotten into some trouble along the way. Knowing what SR22 insurance is and how to get it is the beginning of getting your driving privileges reinstated.
Answer:SR22 insurance is when your insurance carrier files paperwork with the state notifying them of your coverage. The insurance company will also keep the state update on your car insurance policy renewals and cancellations. The state usually requires this filing for a few years to verify you are keeping your insurance in good standing at all times.
Who needs SR22 insurance?
The state requires SR22 filings when you have not followed the rules of the road. Several different types of violations can force you into SR22 filings. If you never break the traffic laws, you will never have to worry about SR22 insurance. The following violations can add up to forced SR22 insurance if you want to continue to be a licensed driver.
Where can you get SR22 insurance?
Most insurance agencies are capable of selling SR22 insurance. However, some prefer not to and could turn you away or just not respond to your requests. You are better off looking into insurance agencies which specialize in high risk car insurance companies. An insurance agent who handles the filings on a day to day basis is more likely to have more options for you and get the job done efficiently.
How do you get SR22 insurance?
Purchasing a car insurance policy with an SR22 filing should not be complicated. You tell the insurance agent or make the selection online if you are buying direct. The insurance carrier should take care of the rest. Dealing directly with an agent you should be able to get an accurate price a little faster. Meanwhile, purchasing car insurance online can delay an accurate rating because the SR22 fees vary per state. You may not find out exactly what the fee is until after the policy is purchased.
How much does SR22 insurance cost?
Purchasing a car insurance policy with an SR22 filing can be very expensive. The high cost is more likely due to your violation than the actual state filing fee. A DUI, multiple traffic violations, or an accident with current insurance all lead to high risk insurance rates. Add in an additional fee such as an SR22 filing and you are certainly paying more than an average driver. State filing fees vary per state. Expect to pay at least $25 on top of cost of your insurance coverage. Normally you only pay the fee at the time you setup your policy. Switching insurance carriers or lapsing in coverage will require another processing fee.
To reduce the overall cost of high risk insurance, it is recommended high risk drivers insure a used vehicle which does not require physical damage coverage. Keeping your car insurance coverage to a minimal amount will save you lots of money up until you get out of the high risk tier. It is not uncommon for someone with a recent DUI or multiple traffic violations to sell their car and downgrade in order to make driving somewhat affordable. Get through the rough patch and begin again once the violations have dropped off your driving record.
