What is SR-22?
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you will need a SR-22 auto insurance certificate. SR-22 is proof of a liability auto insurance policy and is required for reinstatement of your driver license after it has been suspended or revoked. The SR-22 requires your insurance company to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state if your auto insurance policy lapses or is cancelled or terminated. This type of notification is called an SR-26 filing.
Policyholders carrying SR-22 auto insurance documentation will have to carry the SR-22 policy for up to three consecutive years before their driver license is reinstated. If the SR-22 policy is cancelled for any reason, the policyholder will have to start the three-year period over again.
While three years is the typical duration of the SR-22, some states can require less time depending on the severity of the driving infraction. In some states SR-22 auto insurance:
- May be used only in DUI cases.
- May be required to prevent suspension.
- May be required to prevent license revocation.
Standard auto insurance policies require the policyholder to pay a premium only, whereas the SR-22 requires a filing fee in addition to the insurance rate. The filing fee for SR-22 auto insurance certification is typically anywhere from $15-$30.
If you need a SR-22 policy, contact any auto insurance company and ask if they work with high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers are drivers who:
- Have a poor driving record (DUIs, moving violations, an excessive amount of traffic tickets).
- Have bad credit.
- Have lapses in coverage (pays his/her premium late).
- Live in an unsafe area.
- Own a high-performance vehicle (e.g., BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lamborghini).
If the insurance company works with high-risk drivers they will assist you through the SR-22 application process and filing.