When a motorist has their license suspended or revoked due to high risk actions, such as driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to carry proper insurance, or automotive accidents, it almost certainly hinders their ability to purchase insurance. Even when a license suspended for these reasons is reinstated, the motorist will often be at a loss to acquire legally mandated auto coverage. Because insurance coverage is a requirement for all drivers, this would seem to leave offenders with only two options: do not drive at all anymore, or take the illegal and extremely dangerous risk of driving without insurance. Fortunately, there is a third, more sensible option available via an SR22 Insurance Form.
“SR22″ is not a specific insurance plan, but rather the name of the certificate used by the insurer to file the motorist’s policy with the state.
SR22 Requirements
Requirements vary from state to state. In general, it entails coverage that provides the minimum required amount of insurance for a motorist to drive in that state. It is important to remember that this insurance is required regardless of whether or not the motorist actually owns or operates a vehicle.
Depending on the specific details of each motorist’s situation, there are three different kinds of SR22 certificates that can be filed. The first of these forms is an operator’s certificate. An operator’s certificate pertains to insurance that covers a licensed motorist when operating a vehicle that they do not own. This certificate is a legal requirement for motorists who have had their license reinstated but do not own a vehicle. Second is an owner’s certificate, required for reinstated motorists who own an automobile. Lastly, reinstated motorists who both own a vehicle and operate vehicles owned by others require an operators-owners certificate.
SR22 Coverage
So what will an DUI certified insurance policy cover for a reinstated driver? Although there are differences between different states and policies, it would generally extend to liability and property damage in an accident involving the reinstated motorist. However, it is important to note that in many cases this coverage only applies to covering the costs of the other motorist who may be involved in an accident with the reinstated motorist. The policies most significant function is in offering peace of mind to other motorists in the event they are in a crash caused by or involving the SR22 motorist. However, if the reinstated motorist is not at fault in the accident, or if it is a no-fault accident, the reinstated motorist’s costs are likely to be covered by the policy.
SR22 Costs
DUI Insurance policies tend to be more expensive than non-DUI policies. It is a basic tenet of insurance that a higher risk motorist will be expected to pay a higher fee. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to land a good deal. Although it is costly, it is not too hard to shop around online or by phone to locate the most affordable SR22 plan required by the state. Moreover, because it is tied up in more legal mandates than traditional insurance, it’s always a good idea to contact a broker in order to search out the best possible deal.
What Does It All Mean
At the end of the day, SR22 Insurance amounts to a certification that is appended to an auto insurance policy for the purpose of informing the State Department of Motor Vehicles that a motorist who had been suspended is now correctly reinstated and in total compliance with the state’s minimum insurance requirements. Most cases stem from incidents where a motorist was suspended for failing to carry sufficient insurance, so it is only natural that these policies were put in place to deal with such a dangerous action.
However, as stated above, SR22 can also come into play due to any number of offenses, such as DUI, reckless driving, or any other vehicular activities that are potentially harmful to others.
In the case of a first DUI conviction (or refusal), the motorist is usually required to maintain an DUI policy for five years. That goes double for a second offense, and a third offense doubles the time again for a twenty-year policy. A fourth DUI offense means that the motorist will be required to carry SR22 Insurance for life.
The easiest course of action is to simply steer clear of the offenses that can get your license suspended. But if it’s too late for that, some comparison shopping and diligent research can help you find the most affordable SR22 Insurance possible.
Most states require an SR22 for major convictions such as a DUI or DWI, driving while license suspended or revoked and at fault accidents without insurance to name a few. Visit Southeast Insurance Agency for your next sr22 insurance quote today.