How long do you need an SR-22 in South Carolina?

You need an SR-22 if a judge or your state department of motor vehicles has informed you that you do. An SR-22 form, also called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, may be required if you are trying to reinstate or maintain your license after being convicted of certain driving violations. These include DUI/DWIs, reckless driving, driving without a license or insurance, or repeat offenses. You can only get an SR-22 form from your car insurance company. It confirms that you have an active policy with at least the minimum insurance coverage legally required in your state.... read full answer

In most cases, you’ll have to file an annual SR-22, certifying your insurance coverage, for 3 years. However, the time period can range from 2 to 5 years depending on the state and the reason for the SR-22. Also, depending on the state, this time period can start on your offense date, conviction date, license suspension date or reinstatement date. Make sure you know how long you have to maintain your SR-22. If you cancel your insurance before the time is up, your license or registration can be suspended or revoked.

Most states use the SR-22 form. Eight states don’t: Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Two states—Florida and Virginia—use the SR-22 but have a different form for DUI/DWI convictions, the FR-44. If you move from one state to another, you will need to maintain your SR-22 certification with your original state through an out-of-state filing, even if your new state doesn’t require SR-22s.

SR-22 insurance covers the cost of other people’s injuries and property damage after accidents that you cause, and it does not cover damage to your own vehicle. 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.... read full answer

SR-22 is actually the name of the form the court or state requires from drivers convicted of certain violations, such as DUI/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.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance costs at least $15 - $25, due to the fee insurers charge for filing an SR-22 form with the DMV. Non-owner SR-22 insurance also costs roughly 3% more than a standard non-owner car insurance policy, on average, given the high-risk surcharge that insurers apply to the premiums of drivers who need an SR-22.... read full answer

The exact cost of a non-owner SR-22 policy depends on where the driver lives and how much car insurance they’re required to have. But because non-owner SR-22 insurance applies only to drivers, and not their cars too, it generally costs less than regular SR-22 coverage.

How Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance Works

Non-owner SR-22 insurance is coverage for drivers who do not own a car but are required by their state to file an SR-22 as verification of insurance. Most states require drivers to file an SR-22 after they are convicted of a major moving violation, such as DUI or reckless driving. This applies even if you don’t own a car, which is where non-owner SR-22 insurance comes in handy.

You will not be eligible for non-owner SR-22 insurance if anyone in your household owns a car. If you purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy, you will only need it for 3-5 years, depending on your state. Those who do not plan on driving in the future can drop their coverage once they are no longer required to have an SR-22 on file.