What to Do When Your SR-22 is Rejected

Need SR-22 insurance assistance? CALL our licensed Agents (Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm PST)  for personalized guidance (833) 568-8076

Even when you think you’ve done everything correctly, SR-22 filings can sometimes be rejected by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Understanding why rejections happen and how to resolve them quickly is crucial to avoid extended license suspension periods and additional complications.

Common Reasons for SR-22 Rejection

Incomplete or Incorrect Information

Policy Details Mismatch

• Your name on the SR-22 doesn’t exactly match your driver’s license
• Policy effective date is incorrect or doesn’t meet court-ordered timeline
• Coverage limits don’t meet Texas minimum requirements (30/60/25)

Example: John Michael Smith’s driver’s license shows his full name, but his insurance policy was issued under “John Smith,” causing the SR-22 to be rejected for name discrepancy.

Missing Required Information

• Driver’s license number incorrect or missing
• Date of birth doesn’t match DPS records
• Court case number missing when required by specific court order

Insurance Company Filing Errors

Technical Filing Problems

• Insurance company filed wrong form type (SR-22 vs. SR-22A)
• Electronic submission contained formatting errors
• Filing submitted to wrong state agency or department

Example: An insurance agent accidentally filed an SR-22A form instead of a standard SR-22, resulting in rejection because the driver wasn’t classified as a habitual offender.

Timing Issues

• SR-22 filed before policy effective date
• Filing submitted after court-ordered deadline
• Previous SR-22 not properly cancelled before new filing

Coverage Gaps or Lapses

Policy Status Problems

• Insurance policy was cancelled between purchase and SR-22 filing
• Coverage lapse occurred during processing period
• Non-sufficient funds caused policy cancellation after filing

Immediate Steps When Your SR-22 is Rejected

1. Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately

What to Do:

• Call your insurance agent or company’s SR-22 department directly
• Request specific rejection reason from Texas DPS
• Ask for immediate re-filing with corrected information
• Get confirmation number and expected processing timeframe

Important Questions to Ask:

• What specific information caused the rejection?
• Can the error be corrected and re-filed the same day?
• Will there be additional filing fees for resubmission?
• How long will the corrected filing take to process?

2. Verify Your Personal Information

Double-Check These Details:

• Full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license
• Current address matches DPS records
• Driver’s license number is accurate and current
• Date of birth matches all official records

If Information is Incorrect:

• Update your driver’s license information with Texas DPS first
• Ensure insurance policy reflects updated information
• Re-file SR-22 with corrected details

3. Review Court Requirements

For Court-Ordered SR-22s:

• Review original court documents for specific requirements
• Verify if SR-22A is required instead of standard SR-22
• Check if specific coverage amounts above minimums are required
• Confirm filing deadline hasn’t passed

Example: Maria received a DUI and was ordered to file an SR-22, but the court documents specified she needed $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 coverage instead of state minimums, causing her initial filing to be rejected.

Specific Rejection Scenarios and Solutions

Scenario 1: Name Discrepancy Rejection

Problem: Your SR-22 shows “Mike Johnson” but your license shows “Michael Robert Johnson”

Solution:

1. Contact insurance company to update policy with full legal name
2. Request new SR-22 filing with exact name match
3. Consider updating insurance records permanently to avoid future issues

Scenario 2: Coverage Amount Rejection

Problem: Court ordered higher coverage limits than Texas minimums

Solution:

1. Review court documents for specific coverage requirements
2. Increase policy limits to meet court specifications
3. Request new SR-22 filing reflecting increased coverage
4. Keep court documents with you for future reference

Scenario 3: Multiple State Confusion

Problem: You moved from another state and SR-22 was filed in wrong state

Solution:

1. Determine which state requires the SR-22 filing
2. Cancel incorrect filing if possible
3. Purchase Texas insurance policy meeting state requirements
4. File new SR-22 with Texas DPS through Texas-licensed insurer

Scenario 4: Timing Rejection

Problem: SR-22 was filed before policy effective date

Solution:

1. Ensure policy is active and premiums are current
2. Request new SR-22 filing with correct policy effective date
3. Verify policy won’t lapse during processing period
4. Set up automatic payments to prevent future lapses

Preventing Future Rejections

Work with Experienced Agents

• Choose insurance companies with proven SR-22 filing experience
• Verify agent understands Texas-specific requirements
• Ask for confirmation of successful filing

Maintain Accurate Records

• Keep copies of all SR-22 filings and confirmations
• Update insurance company immediately if personal information changes
• Monitor Texas DPS website for filing status updates

Set Up Safeguards

• Arrange automatic premium payments to prevent lapses
• Set calendar reminders for policy renewal dates
• Maintain higher coverage limits than minimums when possible

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider Legal Consultation If:

• Multiple rejections occur despite correct information
• Court requirements are unclear or conflicting
• You face potential license revocation for missed deadlines
• Previous violations complicate your SR-22 requirements

Consider Insurance Broker If:

• Current insurance company repeatedly files incorrectly
• You need specialized high-risk coverage
• Multiple rejections have created time pressure
• You require non-standard coverage arrangements

Emergency Situations

If Your Deadline is Approaching

1. Same-Day Filing Options: Some insurers offer expedited electronic filing
2. Court Notification: Contact court clerk to explain filing delays
3. Legal Representation: Consider emergency legal consultation
4. Documentation: Keep all rejection notices and correspondence

If Your License Gets Suspended Due to Rejection

1. Do Not Drive: Driving with suspended license creates additional violations
2. Immediate Re-filing: Work with insurance company for emergency filing
3. Reinstatement Process: Pay new reinstatement fees after successful filing
4. Legal Consultation: Consider attorney consultation for complex cases

IMPORTANT REMINDER: SR-22 rejections can reset your compliance timeline and result in additional license suspension periods. Always verify successful filing through the Texas DPS website and maintain copies of all documentation throughout the process.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Individual circumstances vary, and complex rejection issues may require consultation with licensed insurance professionals or attorneys specializing in Texas traffic law.

Need SR-22 insurance assistance? CALL our licensed Agents (Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm PST)  for personalized guidance (833) 568-8076