What is SR22 Coverage?
In most states, there is no getting off easy when you commit a serious traffic offense such as vehicular assault, DUI, DWI, or other traffic violations that lead to severe endangerment of passengers, other drivers or pedestrians. After committing such a serious traffic offense, the driver's license is usually suspended or revoked for some time. Such an offender usually has to jump through a lot of hoops just to get permission to drive again. One of those hoops is getting SR-22 Insurance coverage.
SR-22 is a type of insurance filing that serious traffic offenders are required to make to be allowed to drive a car in most states. A lot of people mistakenly believe an SR-22 is a type of auto insurance cover. However, an SR-22 filing is just an insurance company's way of guaranteeing the Department of Motor Vehicles that the vehicle owner has acquired the legally required insurance coverage in order to be allowed to drive. It is an arrangement where the insurance company files the required paperwork to notify the state that the driver is adequately insured.
In most cases, the state requires the driver to maintain the SR-22 coverage for a number of years following the incident to give them enough time to verify that the driver maintains their auto insurance in good standing.
Who needs SR-22 coverage?
Traffic rules were invented to keep the roads safe and free from accidents that lead to injuries, monetary losses and loss of life. If we all followed traffic rules, there would never be road accidents.
SR-22 insurance is a form of punishment for people who don't follow traffic rules. In most states, serious traffic offenders are required to file for SR-22 insurance after committing traffic offenses such as:
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving without insurance
- Causing accidents that lead to injuries to your passengers, pedestrians or third parties
- Being involved in too many minor traffic offenses within a short period of time
After such violations, your license may be revoked by the state after which you will be forced to file for SR-22 insurance to be able to drive again. Note that SR-22 insurance is only for bad drivers. If you drive carefully and follow all traffic rules to the letter, you'll never require SR-22 insurance.
Where to get SR-22 insurance
Only a small fraction of auto insurance companies are willing to make an SR-22 filing. Most major insurance companies see SR-22 coverage as too risky and will turn you away if you ask about it. However, there are plenty of companies who offer SR-22 coverage particularly those which specialize in high-risk insurance. A great way to find such companies is by finding an insurance agent who handles matters related to SR-22 coverage regularly. They usually have a lot of viable options.
How to get SR-22 insurance
Getting SR-22 insurance is not as complicated as it may sound. You just need to find a good agent who deals with SR-22 and instruct them to find a reliable insurance company that is willing to make the filing. Make sure you compare different companies' prices, terms, and discounts to pick the right one. Keep in mind that SR-22 coverage is more expensive than normal coverage as it is riskier for the insurance company.