Merrill Burchell, Car Insurance Writer
@merrill_burchell
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.
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.
People also ask
Did we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.
@sue_hopkins_66: Insurers typically look back just 3-5 years on your driving record when determining your insurance premium, so the DUI from 2004 may not play a factor in determining your rate. However, you may still need an SR-22 to get your license back, and SR-22 insurance generally costs more than a standard insurance policy since it’s coverage for high-risk drivers that are required by law to prove they are carrying their state’s minimum amount of car insurance. Plus, car insurance coverage generally costs more now than it did in 2004. SR-22 requirements vary by state, and if you are looking to get your license reinstated, you will need to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see how long you need an SR-22 and what else you need to do to get and keep your license. It’s important to note that if you cancel your car insurance policy before your required SR-22 time frame ends, your license may be suspended or revoked, and you may have to start the SR-22 timeline again.
What if your DUI was in 2004 & you want to get your license now. Will the SR 22 be higher or lower ??