If you've recently been convicted of a DUI, or if your license was suspended due to driving without insurance, you're likely to face a requirement for an SR-22 form. This document is necessary in many states for drivers considered 'high-risk' and is often required to confirm you have DUI insurance coverage that meets your state's minimum liability requirements.
While often referred to as “SR-22 insurance,” it’s actually not an insurance policy but a certificate that your insurance provider files on your behalf to prove your insurance status.
What is SR-22?
An SR-22, also known as a "Statement of Responsibility," certifies that you carry the minimum liability insurance required by law. This form is typically required after certain violations, including:
- DUI/DWI/OWI convictions
- Driving without insurance
- Accumulating multiple traffic violations in a short period
- Involvement in an accident that caused serious injury or death
States like Florida and Virginia also use an FR-44 form, which is similar to the SR-22 but mandates higher liability coverage.
Who Needs an SR-22?
In most states, anyone who has had their license suspended or revoked due to violations like a DUI or driving without insurance will likely need an SR-22 form to reinstate their driving privileges. This requirement applies until the specified duration in your state’s laws is met, often around three years.
The Two Main Types of SR-22 Insurance Policies
Depending on your situation, there are two common types of qualifying insurance policies that can be SR-22 certified:
- Owner: Appropriate for drivers who own a car and need regular coverage for both themselves and their vehicle. It offers more comprehensive options, typically including liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. The liability component covers damages you cause to others, while collision and comprehensive coverages handle damage to your own vehicle.
- Operator (Non-Owner): For drivers who don’t own a vehicle but borrow or rent one. It typically provides liability coverage only (covering damage you cause to other people or property). This policy does not
.
Both policy types provide liability coverage, a key component of DUI insurance, ensuring you meet coverage requirements whether driving your own car or another vehicle.
How to Get an SR-22 Form – The SR-22 Filing Process
To file an SR-22, you will need to purchase DUI insurance potentially from a provider specializing in high-risk drivers. Not all insurers support SR-22 policies due to the high-risk nature of the drivers, which may necessitate shopping around to find one willing to work with you.
Once you successfully buy a policy, the insurance company will file the SR-22 on your behalf with the DMV, although processing could take up to 30 days. Until then, your license remains suspended. Some states allow electronic filing of SR-22 forms, making it easier to fulfill DUI insurance requirements quickly.
Who Should You Get Your SR-22 From?
After a DUI, finding affordable and reliable DUI insurance can be challenging for many high-risk drivers. Fortunately, some providers specialize in high-risk insurance and are more likely to offer competitive rates and dependable coverage to such high-risk drivers. These insurers understand the unique needs of drivers with a DUI on their record and often provide tailored policies that help keep costs manageable without sacrificing essential coverage.
Working with DUI insurance brokers who focus on the high-risk market can be especially beneficial, as they can instantly compare rates from available carriers to find low prices on SR-22 insurance.
Be aware that some carriers may decide not to renew a policy after a DUI shows up on a driver’s record, so it’s important to find one that’s accepting of drivers with driving records like yours.
Experienced SR-22 insurance brokers can also help with filing an SR-22 form, making your experience more hassle-free.
Maintaining Your SR-22 Coverage
DUI drivers are typically required to maintain an SR-22 for a defined period, usually three years but varying by state. You must keep your insurance policy active, as any lapse will prompt your insurer to inform the DMV, possibly leading to:
- License suspension
- Court fees and penalties
- Extended SR-22 requirements
- Additional fines or even jail time in certain states
SR-22 Costs
The SR-22 itself may have a minimal filing fee, but the high-risk insurance required is typically more expensive due to the violations on your record. High-risk SR-22 insurance rates can be double or triple those of standard insurance, depending on factors like your driving record and where you live.
Your rates will likely remain high until the DUI insurance and SR-22 coverage requirement expires and you no longer need the certification, but a DUI on your record can impact your insurance rates for up to seven years.
Whether you proactively seek high-risk insurance or notify your current provider about a DUI on your record, your driving history will reflect the DUI, and your rates are likely to increase. This rate adjustment usually occurs at the first renewal following a DUI.
When Does SR-22 Coverage End?
Although your SR-22 requirement may end, your insurance provider may keep your SR-22 certification active until you tell them to discontinue it. You can let your insurance provider know when your requirement will expire so they can end your certification.
Call DUI.org for Help Finding Affordable SR-22 Providers
If you need help finding SR-22 or FR-44 insurance to regain your driving privileges, contact DUI.org today. Our Insurance partner Breathe Easy specializes in connecting you to high-risk insurance providers who can answer your questions and help you get back on the road affordably.
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