As the nationwide crackdown on drunk driving continues, most states have taken steps to ensure that drivers with DUI convictions carry liability insurance. One of the most common actions that many states have taken in this regard is to require high-risk drivers to maintain adequate insurance coverage through the SR22 insurance process.
What is an SR22?
SR22, which is sometimes referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility, allows states to monitor the insurance coverage of drivers with DUI convictions, who are considered to be at a greater risk for accidents. A DUI SR22 essentially is a certificate of insurance issued by some insurance companies that warrants to a state that the driver is currently carrying a minimum amount of liability insurance. The amount of liability insurance required for the purposes of a DUI SR22, the types of situations that require a DUI SR22, and the length of time during which a driver must maintain a DUI SR22 differs from state to state, and a few states’ laws do not provide for SR22 insurance at all.
When Do I Need an SR22?
While the situations in which an SR22 is required differs from state to state, it is common for drivers who are ticketed for driving without insurance, as well as drivers who have violated DUI laws, committed repeated insurance violations, or have been caught driving without a valid drivers license, to be subject to SR22 insurance laws. When you become subject to your state’s SR22 laws for one or more of these reasons, you will be required to obtain an SR22 for a certain period of time, which usually ranges from three to five years, depending on the laws of your state.
How Do I Get an SR22?
You will need to contact an automobile insurance company that provides SR22s, or certificates of financial responsibility. Not all insurance companies offer this type of liability coverage, so it is possible that if you are convicted of DUI, for example, your insurance company may no longer provide you with coverage. In this case, you will need to undertake a new insurance policy with a new insurance company that meets the minimum requirements for an SR22 as set forth by your state’s laws. Your insurance company will then issue an SR22 to the appropriate government entity (usually, your state’s department or bureau of motor vehicles) that satisfies the requirements of the law. If you allow your insurance policy to lapse for any reason during the time period in which you are required to maintain an SR22, the insurance company will notify your state’s department or bureau of motor vehicles, and you are likely to face repercussions, such as suspension of your driver’s license.
