0 What is an SR22 Insurance Policy?

If you have been in an accident and did not have car insurance, you probably have been asked to provide an SR22 to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles in order to keep your drivers license.  An SR22 is a form provided by an insurance company that tells the state that you have purchased auto insurance.  This is also known as a financial responsibility filing, or in some states as a FR-44.

Most states require the SR22 filing because of circumstances that may have happened while operating a vehicle.  It may be required to have a driver's license reinstated after a DUI, an at-fault accident while driving without insurance, getting too many tickets in a short period of time, or any other instance where a person's driver's license has been suspended or revoked. 

The SR22 insurance policy is simply a policy that complies with the state's minimum requirement for liability limits.  An SR22 insurance policy will offer liability coverage in order to compensate others in the event of a judgment.  This limit can also vary state by state, so be sure to check your state's regulations when purchasing an SR22 insurance policy.

Fortunately getting an SR22 insurance policy can be easy, although expect to pay more than you would without the financial responsibility requirement.  Go to one of the online quote sites to look for a policy.  These sites can make it easy to find a reasonable policy that meets the SR22 requirements. Most of the insurance companies that offer SR22 insurance can also provide an electronic document sent straight to the state showing you have purchased the policy, although it is always a good idea to get one in writing.

Once you get an SR22 insurance policy, make sure you keep it in force.  If the policy is cancelled for any reason, the insurance company is required to notify the state, and your driver's license may be suspended or revoked again. If required, the SR22 will be necessary to carry for 3 -5 years, depending on the laws of the state. It would be unwise to start the period of time over again because you forgot to pay for the policy.  If you do not own a car, ask your insurance company about a non-owner SR-22 policy.

Having to provide an SR22 to the state in order to keep your driver's license can be embarrassing, but can be done with a little work.  Find a good company to provide you with an SR22 insurance policy, be careful driving, and after the requirement is over, shop your car insurance around to get a better premium.