In 2016 alone, over 1 million people were arrested for driving under the influence. With these arrests come some legal consequences, some of which you might be familiar with if you’ve had to go through a DUI before.
For example, you’ll be asked to get SR22 insurance.
What is this exactly? How much is SR22 insurance? Do you even really need it?
Read on to find out!
What Is SR22 Insurance?
SR22 insurance isn’t actually insurance. Instead, it’s a legal certificate of financial responsibility.
It’s used in most states, but do note that in a select few states (like Virginia and Florida), it’s called a FR44 instead of SR22.
The purpose of SR22 insurance is to prove to the DMV (or any other state transportation agency) that you’ve met the insurance requirements for auto liability coverage. In the case of the FR44, you might need more liability insurance than the minimum.
In general, you’ll need to have SR22 for around 3 years (the exact time depends on the state you’re in). If you don’t pay your premium on time and renew your insurance policy on time, then the company is required by law to let the state know. As a result, it might take even longer for your license to get reinstated, so make sure you stay on top of these things!
Do You Need SR22 Insurance?
Not every person needs SR22 insurance. But as you might’ve guessed from the introduction, those who have had DUIs (and other traffic offenses) will need to get SR22 insurance.
Those aren’t the only people who will need an SR22 either. While laws will differ in each state, here are some scenarios where you’ll need to get SR22 insurance:
- Reckless driving
- Multiple traffic offenses committed in a short period of time
- Driving with a suspended license
- No insurance in an at-fault accident
For the last scenario, there’s such thing as a non owner SR22.
How Much Is SR22 Insurance?
Because SR22 insurance isn’t actually insurance, there is no SR22 insurance cost. Instead, there will be non-direct fees and costs.
For example, your insurance company might charge you a one-time filing fee. Typically, they’ll charge around $25, but if you’re lucky, they’ll file your SR22 insurance for free.
Also, it’s very likely that your auto insurance premium will increase. However, this isn’t always the case, so make sure you shop around to get the best possible prices.
Make Sure You’re Following the Law
Now you know the answers to the questions, “what is SR22 insurance”, “do you need SR22 insurance” and “how much is SR22 insurance”.
As you can see, if you’ve had a DUI or multiple traffic violations in a short period of time, the court may ask you to get SR22 insurance. While it’s not a real form of insurance, it still comes with some financial burdens and consequences.
For more articles on legal matters, make sure you check out our blog page.