SR22 Auto Insurance is a subject “Junior Boomer” said I might want to research. OMG … I think he is trying to tell me something. I have to admit, I love my beer, but I hope I never need to file a SR-22 form because basically it is usually associated with a DUI conviction. SR-22 is not insurance, it is a form you have to file after you are convicted of one or more DUI convictions in order to get your driving privileges back. Once you file a SR-22 auto insurance form your insurance company will either cancel you, or double, or maybe even triple your rates! Without the insurance you can’t get your driving privileges back.
Here is how SR 22 Auto Insurance works:
A Sr-22 insurance policy is a certificate that shows proof of insurance for the future as required by law. An Sr-22 insurance form is normally required after a drivers privileges have been suspended or revoked. If you are convicted of drunk driving, in most states your auto insurance rates will likely go up for at least three years and you will probably be learning about something called SR-22.
No matter what your state calls it, if you are convicted of driving while under the influence your insurance rates are going to go way up!
Laws Vary By State
While it varies from state to state, if you are convicted of driving under the influence you will have your driver’s license suspended or revoked for at least 30 days. In most states in order to get your license back, you will have to provide to the licensing agency a form SR-22. This is a form that simply proves to the licensing agency that you have motor vehicle liability insurance. Under Sr-22 laws, the insurance company is required to notify the licensing agency, usually the department of motor vehicles, if the policy is canceled, terminated or lapses.
Sr-22 Insurance means Premiums are gonna get bad
When you go to your insurance agency to get a SR-22 form to prove to the department of motor vehicles you have the necessary insurance required to get your license back they will automatically consider you a “High Risk” driver and Increase your insurance rates. This is especially true if you were previously in a preferred class or received safe driver discounts. Sorry no more safe driver discounts! Usually your rates will at least double and maybe even triple. At this point you may want to shop around for an insurance company who specializes in high risk policies.
A few things to check out – SR-22 Insurance
- Not all insurance companies even offer Sr-22 policies. In this case, you will have to find another company.
- Some states prohibit insurance companies from canceling policies before the term expires, even if you are convicted of a drunk driving charge.
- In most states a drunk driving conviction will affect your insurance status for at least three years for a first offense and even longer for subsequent offenses.
- Many states have enhanced penalties for special circumstances, such as if someone were injured, a child was in the car, your blood alcohol level was elevated above a certain point, or you are under the legal drinking age.
- A blood alcohol level of .08 is considered legally intoxicated in all states. However, in 40 states, penalties for a DUI conviction are doubled if the driver registers a “high ” BAC level (usually over .15 or .20).
How to avoid the penalties and higher rates
The best way to avoid increased insurance rates is soooo… simple. Don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Use a designated driver. Call a taxi. or… get a room!!!!
Increased rates for auto insurance only come into play if you want to restore your driving privileges. You can avoid the extra costs by walking or taking public transportation. Riding a bike works too but doesn’t stop you from getting another citation for DUI.
Even if you do not personally own a vehicle, but wish to have your driving privileges restored after a DUI, you still have to provide a SR-22 insurance form by buying a non owner policy. Yep, you have to buy insurance for a car you don’t even own. That really sucks too.
Final Advice on SR-22 Insurance
Don’t put yourself in the position of needing it. It is all a penalty for being irresponsible. It could happen any time to most of us, including myself. Best thing to do is don’t let it happen to you!
I for one am going to “rethink before I drink” or … better yet, maybe I will just make my wife drive. Wait … She likes beer too … almost as much as me! Oh Sh?t, Papa B!!!!!!!!!!!!