How long after a DUI do I need an SR-22?

SR-22 insurance covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability up to the minimum limits required by state law. If the court or state tells you that you need SR-22 insurance certification, your minimum coverage requirements are still the same as for any other resident.

SR-22 is actually the name of the form the court or state requires from drivers convicted of certain violations, such as … read full answerDUI/DWIs, reckless driving, and driving without a license or insurance. The SR-22 must be filled in by your insurance company and certifies that you have the legally required coverage.

What SR-22 Insurance Covers Depending on State

Many states only require liability insurance. In these states, SR-22 insurance covers the costs of the other driver’s injuries or property damage if you’re at fault in an accident. Some states, like Florida and Michigan, also require Personal Injury Protection, which pays medical expenses for you and your passengers. States such as New Jersey and New York mandate uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, as well. This kind of insurance pays for your losses if another driver is at fault and either has no/low liability insurance or is a hit-and-run driver.

SR-22 Insurance Limits

Like all insurance, SR-22 insurance policies are written with limits. These limits are the maximum amounts the insurance company will pay out for losses. The coverage limits for your SR-22 insurance policy will follow the requirements of the state in which you were convicted or now live, whichever are higher.

Even though it’s minimal, SR-22 coverage can be expensive. The violation you committed will put you into the insurance company’s high-risk pool of drivers. This can raise your insurance costs 25% or more.

To find out if you still need an SR-22, contact your local DMV office and ask if your SR-22 form has been filed for the required period of time. If it has, you can then contact your car insurance company and request that they remove your SR-22 filing with the state. Each state has its own requirements, but you usually only need an SR-22 for about … read full answerthree years.

You should never cancel your SR-22 filing if the DMV says you still need it. Doing so would result in penalties such as driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and hefty fees. In addition, you would likely need to start the SR-22 filing period all over again.

Most insurance companies check your driving record for DUIs from the past 3 to 5 years. This is the company’s “look-back period.” In many states, this is also as long as a DUI conviction will remain on your record. In others, like California and New York, a DUI stays on your record for 10 years. Florida keeps your DUI on your driving record for 75 years. During this time period, your DUI will show up on background checks by potential employers, landlords, etc. However, your DUI will only affect your insurance rates until the end of your insurance company’s … read full answerlook-back period.

If your insurance company looks back five years, for example, a DUI you were convicted of in 2014 will no longer be considered in setting your rates after 2019. Your insurance rates may decrease the next time you renew your policy.