Is an SR-22 bad?

You need an SR-22 if you were convicted of a serious moving violation, such as reckless driving, DUI or driving without insurance. An SR-22 allows you to keep or reinstate your license after serious driving offenses and proves to the state that you have at least the minimum amount of car insurance required by law. It’s also referred to as a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility.”… read full answer

Why You Would Need an SR-22

• You are convicted of DUI, DWI, hit and run, reckless driving, or other serious offenses
• You accumulate too many moving violations in a short period of time (four speeding tickets in 12 months, for example)
• You are caught driving without the required amount of insurance
• You need to get a suspended license reinstated

Drivers who need their insurance company to file an SR-22 with the state on their behalf are considered high-risk and often pay above-average rates. The amount of time you’re required to have an SR-22 on your insurance varies by state but is generally around three years. If you practice safe driving, you will begin to see your insurance premiums decrease after that.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to SR-22 insurance.

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.

Yes, SR-22 insurance covers any car you drive, as long as you have an owner-operator SR-22 certificate. An owner-operator certificate, which is available in most states, is a type of SR-22 form that covers you when you drive any vehicle, regardless of who owns it.

There are two other SR-22 options that cover you in fewer situations. An owner certificate only covers cars that you own, and a non-owner certificate covers you when you’re required to file an SR-22 but you don’t own a car.… read full answer

Non-owner SR-22 insurance is the cheapest option since you’re less likely to file a claim, but it’s important to note that you’ll have to change your policy if you purchase a car later on. Your insurance company will help you decide which certificate is best for you before they file the SR-22 with the state on your behalf.