How do you file for SR-22 insurance?

If your driver’s license has been suspended, your state’s Motor Vehicle Division may have informed you that you need to obtain an SR-22 in order to restore your driving privileges.

Because SR-22 filings are foreign to most people until they need one, the process of obtaining this filing can seem confusing.

Fortunately, getting a quote for an SR-22 is not much more difficult than getting a quote for traditional car insurance. You’ll have to understand the SR-22 requirements, and keep in mind that you’ll need it for the entire specified period of time.

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What is an SR-22?

The concept behind the SR-22 is simple. If you incur a driver’s license suspension, your state’s Motor Vehicle Division may want proof that you carry auto insurance coverage before reinstating your license.

This is because states view suspended drivers as high-risk and want to protect other drivers and passengers from financial losses caused by high-risk drivers.

Typically, when you register your vehicle or renew your driver’s license, showing the registrar a copy of your auto insurance declarations page provides sufficient evidence that you maintain car insurance coverage.

After a suspension, the Motor Vehicle Division may want your insurance company to provide proof in the form of an SR-22 filing.

The SR-22 is simply a form provided by your insurance company that shows the coverage you carry, and the limits of each coverage.

As long as the coverage and limits meet your state’s financial responsibility requirements, the SR-22 form is an option that allows you to reinstate your license.

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Will any insurance company file an SR-22?

Not every insurance company will file an SR-22 for you.

Preferred risk companies insure only customers with excellent driving histories. Because you have had a license suspension, these companies might not be willing to offer you a policy that meets your state’s insurance laws. It’s fairly common for insurance companies to have limits on what sort of high-risk drivers they insure.

Without an insurance policy, you cannot obtain an SR-22 filing.

Fortunately, there are a variety of companies that can meet your needs.

By shopping online, you can find insurance companies licensed in your state that will insure you, even with a license suspension, traffic violations, and accidents. These companies will typically take care of your SR-22 filing after you purchase a policy.

The rates you pay for coverage might be higher than those available to customers with clean driving histories. The premiums you will pay depend on several factors, including:

• The number of violations and accidents you have had in the past three years
• Whether you live in an urban or rural area
• Your age
• Your gender
• The type of vehicle you drive

Do you need to disclose your need for an SR-22?

When you fill in your information to obtain an insurance quote online, be sure to disclose that you require an SR-22.

Insurance companies do not automatically contact the Motor Vehicle Division in your state to find out if you need an SR-22 filing.

If you purchase a policy without an SR-22, you typically will not be able to reinstate your driving privileges.

You will then have to contact the company to have an SR-22 form filed on your behalf, which can significantly delay the process of getting your license back.

When you shop for car insurance quotes, be prepared to pay an extra fee for the SR-22 filing.

Insurance companies typically charge fees for this service because of the administrative cost of the filing. Depending on the company you choose, this fee can be between $10 and $30.

As long as you maintain continuous auto insurance coverage, though, you will only have to pay this fee one time.

Make Sure Your Information is Accurate

Before you obtain quotes for SR-22 auto insurance, review your driving history and vehicle information to make sure that it is accurate.

If the insurance company finds accidents or violations on your driving history that you did not disclose, the company can increase the rate for your policy. This means that you might end up paying more than you expected for auto insurance coverage.

Providing accurate information is also essential because the insurance company may cancel or void your policy if the underwriter believes you intentionally misrepresented or omitted information.

Because an SR-22 is only valid if you maintain auto insurance coverage, a rescission or cancellation will invalidate your SR-22 filing. The SR-22 is specifically acting as a proof of insurance in this case, so without any sort of policy active, it becomes null. Your insurance company must inform the Motor Vehicle Division of any cancellation, rescission, or lapse in coverage.

If there is any interruption in auto insurance coverage while an SR-22 is on file, your driving privileges will be suspended, and you may have to pay additional fines and reinstatement fees in addition to obtaining a new SR-22.

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Get Multiple Quotes Before Purchasing a Policy

If you need an SR-22, you might be in a hurry to obtain coverage so you can get your driver’s license back.

However, buying a policy from the first company that accepts you can result in paying more than you need for coverage.

Take the time to obtain quotes from several insurance companies before you make a decision.

Finding an insurance provider that doesn’t require a perfect, clean driving record but won’t charge you an arm and a leg may take some time. Once you have found a policy that is a good fit, the insurance company will handle the rest of the work for you.

Be sure to utilize the FREE comparison quote below to find the best insurance policies for you.

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