Sr-22 And Auto Insurance After A Dui/dwi/owi Arrest
What is SR-22?
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that is mandated by the state and provided by your auto insurance carrier, which states that your required auto insurance policy is in effect.
An SR-22 certificate may be required after a DUI arrest and/or conviction as a requirement to reinstate any driving privileges.
What does SR 22 stand for?
Some non-government websites claim SR stands for “Safety Responsibility”, or even “State Report” or “State Requirement”. The 22 is just like any other government Form number — bureaucratic randomness.
An SR-22 bond is also referred to as a Financial Responsibility Filing, a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR), and SR-22 insurance.
What is SR-22A?
An SR-22A is a certificate of financial responsibility used in Georgia, Texas and Missouri. It is generally required when someone repeatedly violated the requirements of the SR-22 policy, such as letting the SR-22 expire and not renewing it in a timely manner.
In Georgia and Texas, auto policies with an SR-22A certificate must be paid a full six months in advance. In Missouri, the SR-22A certificate is similar to what other states refer to as the SR-22 certificate.
What is FR-44?
An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22 in that it is a financial responsibility certificate you must file with the state. An FR-44 certificate is only used in the states of Virginia and Florida and is required for certain offenses, such as a DUI with an injury. FR-44 requires double the state minimum coverage requirements.
I heard that SR-22 is expensive. Is that true?
The actual filing of an SR-22 costs around $25 in most states. Your auto insurance premium may also increase significantly. The need for an SR-22 certificate tells the insurer that you are considered a high-risk driver and high-risk drivers often need non-standard insurance policies. The non-standard insurance policy cost is generally two to four times what other drivers pay, and the cost is commonly higher for several years until the driver has had a clean driving record.
How long am I going to need the SR-22 certificate?
Your Department of Motor Vehicles may mandate an SR-22 from three years to the life of the driver, depending on the offense for which the certificate was originally required. If a driver is convicted of driving without a license and/or insurance, the SR-22 certificate may be required for three years. A DUI arrest and/or conviction can mandate SR-22 certificates up to the life of the driver, depending on the number of past DUI convictions.
I do not own a vehicle. Do I still need an SR-22 certificate?
State laws may require drivers who do not own vehicles to obtain and maintain a non-owner SR-22 certificate to be eligible for driving privileges.
Do all states require SR-22 certificates?
Not all states require SR 22 certificates. To find out more information about your state, check our state-by-state information pages or your state licensing agency website for specifics.
Contact your auto insurance provider for more information on certificates of financial responsibility.
An SR-22 can often be required along with an ignition interlock device to legally restore your driving privileges. LifeSafer offers the best ignition interlock services to help you you with everything you need to get back on the road!