Cheap SR-22 Insurance

If you’ve been court-ordered to file an SR-22 proof of insurance form with your state DMV, you probably have questions. What does it mean and how will it affect your car insurance rates? You may have heard rumors it will increase your rates and that it can be hard to find. At Acceptance Insurance, our friendly agents have plenty of experience helping drivers find SR-22 coverage they can afford.

Often referred to as SR-22 car insurance or DUI car insurance, it’s not actually insurance, but rather a certification of financial responsibility submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles on the policyholder’s behalf. It states that the policyholder has the mandated coverage limits set forth by a court order after a violation. In most cases, this is at least the state-required minimum where you live. In some situations, a court order may specify guidelines such as paying six months of premiums in advance or other rules specific to the policyholder.

Having an SR-22 requirement can have a serious impact on your rates. On average, rates with a DUI conviction may double or even triple, depending on where you live and the seriousness of the offense. If you are trying to purchase car insurance in Texas, for example, an SR-22 requirement may increase your rates to $88 monthly for minimum liability, about 70% more than the average. Car insurance in Tennessee with this mandate can be as much as $145 monthly for the minimum liability, quote a bump up from the normal average of $40.

The reason rates jump with this designation is because it labels you a high-risk driver. As with all car coverage, your rates will be dependent on factors specific to you, including age and gender.

There are a variety of reasons why a person might need this type of car coverage, but it’s mainly for those who have major driving infractions on their records. The following list includes the most common reasons a driver may receive this type of court order.

• DUI: One of the most common reasons is due to a driving under the influence conviction. This applies to those convicted of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs that limit the driver’s capacity.

• Negligent driving: Someone who is convicted of a major traffic violation such as driving negligently or recklessly, usually in excess of 20 mph over the speed limit, may be required to have an SR-22.
• Multiple offenses in a short time period: Those who rack up points against their license for things like speeding tickets or other minor traffic violations in a short time period may be court-ordered to carry this insurance.
• Driving without insurance: If a driver is in an accident and doesn’t have coverage, the court may require them to have specialized coverage after the accident.
• Reinstating license after revocation or suspension: Drivers seeking reinstatement after having a revoked or suspended license will often be required to file an SR-22 before they’re granted permission to drive again.

If this has happened to you, one of our friendly and knowledgeable Acceptance agents will help you get back on track with a policy that complies with a court order and doesn’t break the bank.

One of the most common reasons for an SR-22 requirement is a DUI conviction. Drivers who make a choice to get behind the wheel when they are over the limit with alcohol, or drugs are considered a high risk to insure. Many insurers won’t even offer coverage in these situations. However, at Acceptance Insurance, our agents are here to help you get back on your feet. We are not here to judge. We understand that finding cheap DUI insurance is one way you can start rebuilding.

A certificate remains on file with your state DMV for the required period, usually 3-5 years. During that time, you must have continuous car coverage. An insurer must file your certificate for you; you cannot file it yourself. If you policy lapses during that time period, even for one day, your insurer is required to report it to the state. This will cause your requirement to start over. Here are the steps involved in the process.

1. The policyholder is convicted of a major traffic violation or other qualifying offense that requires SR-22 auto coverage. These violations may include reckless or negligent driving, too many infractions or at-fault accidents in a short time, driving without a policy, having a revoked or suspended license, history of DUI or DWI, or failure to pay court-ordered child support.
2. The policyholder can either request the SR-22 from his/her current insurer or shop around for an SR-22 quote if they do not have coverage. Those who already have coverage will not need to get a new policy unless the provider drops them.
3. Once the SR-22 is filed with the state, the policyholder does not have to do anything except maintain the coverage. It is up to the policyholder to monitor the required time period. When it is over, notify your insurance company.
4. If the policyholder fails to maintain the appropriate coverage, the carrier must notify the state DMV and they may suspend the driver’s license until the driver is in compliance. This may also result in the required SR-22 time period to begin over.

It can be difficult to find an insurer handling SR-22 drivers, but you can start with your current provider. In this case, the policyholder just has to request the agency submit a copy of their policy to the DMV. Not every company offers coverage for high-risk drivers.

Shopping around for affordable coverage is always a good idea — and maybe now more than ever. That’s one reason it is recommended to use an independent agent, since they have the ability to shop around for you and find a variety of budget-friendly options.

Obtaining SR-22 Car Insurance

Obtaining SR-22 car insurance is a simple process. Once you select a company for your coverage, it can submit the filing the same day you request it. Many states have digital filing so that policy changes take effect immediately. Those that require a paper filing can take a few days to complete. There may be a nominal filing fee of about $45.

While the filing fee is low or no-cost, it’s likely that your rates are going to increase with the mandate. This happens because insurance companies consider drivers who are required to have an SR-22 high-risk.

Typical high-risk auto insurance rates increase between 14 and 40%, but some could increase as much as 89%, depending on the infraction. Some companies may decide that the policyholder is too much of a risk and drop them altogether.