What is SR22 Coverage
SR22 is a form of insurance cover that is required in most American states after a vehicle owner has committed a serious traffic offense such as a DUI, vehicular assault, or other serious traffic violations involving negligence or severe endangerment of other drivers or pedestrians. When you commit such offenses, your driver’s license is usually suspended or revoked. In the process of getting it back, you will require SR22 insurance.
A lot of people mistake an SR22 as a standalone type of insurance. However, an SR22 filing is simply a certificate to show an auto insurance company’s guarantee to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that the vehicle owner has obtained and will maintain the legally required insurance coverage. As such, an SR22 is a plan under which the insurance company is able and willing to file paperwork to notify the state that you are adequately insured.
The insurance company is also required to keep the state updated on your auto insurance policy cancellations and renewals. The state normally requires the filing for a few years following the problematic incident in order to verify that you are maintaining your auto insurance in good standing.
Who Needs SR22 Insurance
According to requirements in most states, SR22 filings are made when the driver has failed to follow the rule of the roads. There are various types of violations that can force you to file for SR22, including drunk driving, driving without insurance cover, reckless driving, causing bodily harm to people in an at-fault accident, or even being involved in many small incidents that cause too much damage to your driving record. If you want to be allowed to drive after such violations, getting SR22 insurance is often the requirement. If you are a good driver who never breaks traffic laws, you will never have to worry about getting SR22 insurance.
Where to get SR22 Insurance
Most insurance companies do sell SR22 insurance to their customers. However, when shopping for SR22 insurance, you will find many companies which may not respond to your request while others turn you away. It is best to look into insurance companies that specialize in high-risk auto insurance. Look for a good insurance agent who handles such SR22 filings on a regular basis; they may have a lot more options for you and are likely to be more efficient.
How to Get SR22 Insurance
Buying a vehicle insurance policy with SR22 filing should not be a complicated procedure. You only need to tell your insurance agent to do it or even purchase it directly online if you find a provider you are satisfied with. The insurance company will take care of the rest.
It is important to shop around in order to compare different companies’ prices, offers, discounts and terms. However, dealing directly with an insurance agent is quicker and you are able to get accurate prices easier and faster. Since SR22 fees vary by state, purchasing SR22 insurance online may delay a precise rating. In such a case, you may not know what the exact fee is until after making the purchase.
Since the insurance company views you as a risky driver, you can expect SR22 insurance to be more expensive than normal insurance.