Will an SR-22 automatically Come Off the Policy When I Don’t Need it Anymore?

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that is filed with a state’s transportation agency to prove that an individual has the minimum required insurance coverage. It is usually required after a driver’s license has been suspended or revoked and is needed for license reinstatement. The form is issued by an auto insurance company and is often referred to as an SR-22 insurance policy, which is actually not a type of vehicle insurance, but a certificate that your auto insurance company will file with your state. It serves as proof that you have the state’s minimum insurance coverage and that your automobile insurance provider will notify the state of any changes, such as renewals and cancellations. SR-22 insurance is higher in cost due to the high-risk nature of the driver.

What Factors Determine if You Need to Get an SR-22?

1. The type of insurance policy you have

The type of insurance policy you need for an SR-22 depends on the type of coverage you need and the situation. There are three types of SR-22 forms: Owners, Owner-Operator, and Non-Owners. The Owner form covers you when driving a car you own, Owner-Operator covers you when driving your own car as well as cars owned by others, and the Non-Owner form covers you when you don’t own a car but drive cars owned by others. Non-owner policies have no deductible, meaning you don’t have to pay anything before coverage kicks in, but they must have higher liability limits than the cars you are driving in order to come into play. Consider your circumstances when determining what type of SR-22 insurance policy is best for you.

2. Whether you have had previous insurance claims

Having previous insurance claims can have a significant impact on whether a driver needs to get an SR-22. Insurance companies look at a driver’s past claims to assess risk and adjust rates accordingly. If a driver has had multiple claims, the likelihood of needing to get an SR-22 increases because they are seen as a high-risk driver. An SR-22 is a form of financial responsibility required by the state and it must be maintained for a certain period of time in order to remain compliant. Drivers that fail to maintain it could face license suspension, fines, or other penalties.

3. The amount of the insurance claim

The amount of the insurance claim can determine if you need to get an SR-22, which is proof you have a way to pay for any damages you may cause while driving. The amount of insurance coverage you need depends on the laws of the state you live in and the amount of risk you are willing to take on. In California, drivers must have a minimum level of liability insurance, which pays out if you cause a wreck and hurt someone else or damage their property, up to specified limits. In Nevada, the state requires minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident; $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident; and $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident. Filing an SR-22 may also involve added costs, such as a filing fee and an increase in your insurance costs. In addition, if the insurance company denies your coverage, you may be subject to fines and other penalties. Ultimately, the amount of the insurance claim will determine whether you need to get an SR-22 and how much coverage you need to purchase.

4. The type of offense that was committed

The type of offense that determines if you need to get an SR-22 can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the state in which it was committed. Examples of offenses that may require an SR-22 include: convictions of, or forfeiting bail for, certain offenses; failing to pay judgments; driving or owning a vehicle involved in an accident; failing to comply with a traffic ticket; insurance cancellation no proof of insurance; support payment violation; underage 21 point accumulation; administrative license revocation due to alcohol violation or DUI; court-ordered revocation; and revoked license for points on license.

On the other hand, some offenses may not require an SR-22. Examples include drivers who accumulate too many moving violations in a short period of time, drivers caught driving without the required amount of insurance, and drivers who need to get a suspended license reinstated. It is important to understand the laws in your state before determining if an SR-22 is necessary.

5. The state where the insurance policy is located

Moving states can significantly affect whether you need an SR-22 form. Different states have different requirements for proof of insurance, and some states don’t use the SR-22 form at all. If you move to a state that uses the SR-22 form, you must file it with the DMV to prove you have the minimum level of liability insurance coverage required by law. On the other hand, if you move to a state that does not require an SR-22, you will not need to file one. It is important to check the requirements of the state in which you are moving to ensure you have the necessary coverage. Additionally, if you need to purchase auto insurance, you will need to provide some basic personal information, your driver’s license number and a method of payment, such as a credit card.

6. Whether the offender is a driver or non-driver

The status of the offender can have a significant impact on whether you need an SR-22. Drivers who have accumulated too many moving violations in a short period of time, been convicted of DUI, DWI, reckless driving or other serious offenses, been caught driving without the required amount of insurance, or need to get a suspended license reinstated will generally need an SR-22 form.

In contrast to those scenarios, anyone who has been convicted of, or forfeited bail for, certain offenses, failed to pay judgments, been involved in an accident, or drives a non-domiciled vehicle may also need an SR-22 form. Non-owners can even meet SR-22 requirements without owning a car, by purchasing a non-owner car insurance policy. Finally, those who receive DUI convictions may be eligible for a restricted license if it is their first offense in at least 10 years, and in this case, they will need an SR-1P form.

Overall, the status of the offender is a key determinant in whether or not an SR-22 form is required.

7. Whether the offender is required to have an SR-22 by the court

Yes, an SR-22 may be required for all offenders if they have been convicted of a DUI or DWI, have a history of repeated traffic offenses, are in an at-fault accident without insurance, or have had their driver’s license revoked. Depending on the state, the SR-22 can be required for anywhere from 2 to 5 years and may also be required for drivers who need to reinstate or maintain their license after being convicted of certain driving violations.

8. The insurer’s policy

The insurer’s policy regarding an SR-22 is determined by whether or not the policyholder has a lapse in coverage and the type of coverage they need. If the policyholder has had a lapse in coverage, they will typically be required to provide an SR-22, which is a form that certifies they have the required liability insurance coverage. If the policyholder needs liability coverage, they may opt to purchase a non-owner auto insurance policy, which would provide coverage for bodily injury and property damage when they are driving a vehicle they do not own. Additionally, a non-owner policy may also provide medical payments or personal injury protection coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist liability insurance, and rental car liability coverage.

9. Whether premiums are increasing due to an SR-22

The cost of an SR-22 can vary greatly depending on the insurance company and the offense that led to the SR-22 requirement. An SR-22 requirement can raise a driver’s premium by up to 18%, with an average increase of 70%, whereas full coverage SR-22 insurance would be especially pricey. However, after 3-5 years, you will no longer need the SR-22 and your rates can go back down. Insurance companies may deny you coverage due to the violation on your record, and filing an SR-22 comes with both filing fees and increased costs of insurance. While SR-22 insurance isn’t a type of car insurance itself, it is a certificate of financial responsibility and your policy remains the same in terms of coverage unless the state requires you to increase your limits.

10. Other drivers on the policy

Drivers who are required to obtain an SR-22 may include those with numerous moving violations in a short period of time, or those convicted of DUI, DWI, reckless driving or other serious offenses. Drivers caught driving without the required amount of insurance, or those who need to get a suspended license reinstated, may also be required to have an SR-22. Additionally, drivers may be required to file an SR-1P for vehicles with fewer than four wheels, such as a motorcycle, after violations such as being caught without insurance after an accident or repeat traffic offenses.

How Long do You Need to Have an SR-22 on Your Policy For?

How long do you need to have an SR-22 on your policy for? [Explanation] The length of time you need to have an SR-22 on your policy can vary from state to state, but typically it’s for a minimum of three years. During this time, it’s essential to make sure you maintain your coverage and renew your policy on time as any lapse in coverage can result in your license being suspended. After three years, you can submit your SR-22 form to your state transportation agency to get your license reinstated, if it was revoked. Additionally, you must meet a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage per person and accident, which will vary by state.