What is SR-22 Insurance?

Auto insurance is a requirement for every state in the US. However, that protection comes in many different forms. Chances are good you are familiar with concepts like liability coverage, and comprehensive coverage. However, what about SR-22 car insurance? If you don’t immediately recognize the term, you’re not alone. Most people do not know it, and they may never encounter it unless they run afoul of their state’s traffic and/or insurance laws. 

At Freedom National, we have years of experience working with customers in Georgia, Arizona, and Utah, all states where an SR-22 is used as proof of financial responsibility. If you have been informed that you need to file this form, we can help. If you’re an existing customer, just get in touch with us at 888-542-4222 between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. If you'd prefer to send your request by email, drop us a line at CSR@FreedomNational.com. If you’re not yet a customer, the process begins by getting a free quote, which takes just a few minutes.

Whether you need an SR-22 because you got into an accident when you were uninsured, you got a DUI, you were pulled over and had no insurance, or are in a different situation, Freedom National can help.

Let’s start off with the basics. Is there such a thing as SR-22 car insurance? Not exactly, but you can definitely purchase a policy that provides you with an SR-22. The SR-22 is actually a form that must be filed to show proof of financial responsibility to the DMV, not a type of insurance like liability coverage, collision coverage, or comprehensive coverage.

An SR-22 is a form that your state Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent) will require you to file in specific situations. The form essentially proves that you are carrying at least the state’s required minimum amount of insurance, and is technically a certificate of financial responsibility (or CFR) document.

Some situations involving this form revolve around the suspension or revocation of your driver license, and your subsequent attempts to have it restored or reinstated. This form will need to be filed by your insurer before your driving privileges can be reinstated. If you fail to maintain an SR-22 and the coverage that it certifies, you can find yourself right back with a suspended license, so you must make sure that you keep your coverage active for the entire time required.

When might you need an SR-22 for car insurance? Actually, there are many different instances when this could be the case, although they all involve driving-related violations. Some of the possible reasons you might need to file an SR-22 include:

• Convicted of driving without insurance (with or without an accident)
• DUI/DWI conviction
• Serious moving violations (reckless driving or negligent driving, for instance)
• Repeated traffic offenses in a short period of time
• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving with a revoked license

There will be no doubt if you need to file an SR-22. You will be informed usually by a judge, but your state’s DMV may notify you of this requirement instead. However, you cannot file the form on your own. Your insurance company must complete the form and then file it for you.

Not all insurance companies will provide this service, so if your current insurer will not, you will need to find a new company before you can move forward. At Freedom National, we’re proud to offer SR-22 car insurance form filing as part of our services for high-risk drivers.

The filing fee for the SR-22 form varies from state to state and from insurer to insurer, but it usually averages $25 or so. However, the fee you pay may be higher. In some cases, you’ll need to pay the fee as soon as the insurance company files the form, but other insurers allow you to roll it into your bill for the sake of convenience.

However, you should also understand that the need for an SR-22 car insurance form will affect your insurance premiums. There are quite a few things that go into determining how much you will pay, but it's likely that your insurance company will raise your premiums due to the reason that you need the form in the first place (DUI, moving violations, etc.).

At Freedom National, we understand that everyone is human, and we all make mistakes. We don’t believe that you should be forced to pay exorbitant rates for high-risk car insurance for a single error in judgement, which is why we offer reasonably priced insurance for high-risk drivers and drivers who need an SR-22.

Get a quote now to learn how much we can help you save.

The duration you are required to carry and SR-22 varies from state to state, and usually runs from one year to five years. The average is three years. The good news is that you do not need to pay the filing fee each year when your policy renews. As long as you stay with the same insurer and keep your policy current, you usually won't need to do anything else related to the SR-22 form.

If you cancel your insurance policy, the insurer is required by law to notify the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles that you no longer carry qualifying insurance. If the time limit on your SR-22 has lapsed, this may not affect you, other than meaning that you cannot legally drive until you get a new insurance policy.

However, if you cancel your insurance policy before the specified amount of time has elapsed, you will face penalties. The DMV could decide to restart the clock on your SR-22 requirements. In some instances, you will be required to file form FR-44 and purchase more expensive insurance. In other cases, you could face revocation or suspension of your license.

Let us help with your situation. Get a quote now to learn how much you can save on your car insurance.

Each SR-22 form covers just one driver, so your insurance company will likely charge a separate fee for each driver who needs one. However, only drivers who have been ordered to maintain an SR-22 are required to have one; the rest of the drivers on your policy will not need one just because you do.

At Freedom National, we understand how confusing it can be to deal with SR-22 car insurance requirements in the various states that require them. This is particularly true if you have never been in this position before. We can help. The process begins by getting a free, instant quote from our web form, and then you just need to notify us that you need an SR-22 filed.

We have years of experience and are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations each and every time. We invite you to learn why so many customers choose Freedom National and stay with us for years.