You cannot get an SR-22 without having the required minimum liability insurance coverage. An SR-22 is a certificate that your insurance company files with your state to prove you meet the state’s minimum auto liability insurance requirements. It is not an insurance policy itself, but rather a document that verifies you have the necessary insurance in place. If you don’t own a car, you can still be required to have an SR-22, in which case you would need a non-owner SR-22 policy. To obtain an SR-22, you must purchase and maintain the minimum insurance coverage, or you won’t be able to fulfill the SR-22 requirement. For more details on how this works and the implications, continuing to explore the specifics can provide further insight.
What Is an SR-22?
To obtain an SR-22, you must have a current car insurance policy with minimum liability coverage, which includes bodily injury and property damage liability. Additionally, the minimum liability coverage required by Texas law for SR-22 insurance includes $30,000 for bodily injury per person and $25,000 for property damage. Your insurance company will handle the filing with your state’s DMV. It’s essential to maintain continuous insurance coverage during the required period to avoid consequences such as license suspension or revocation. This requirement is typically mandated for high-risk drivers who have encountered certain legal issues related to driving.
Who Needs an SR-22?
If you’ve been involved in certain serious driving offenses or have a history of multiple traffic violations, you’ll likely need an SR-22. This includes convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), as well as serious traffic offenses like reckless driving or hit-and-run incidents.
You may also need an SR-22 if you have multiple or repeat traffic violations, such as several speeding tickets in a short period, or if you’ve been in car accidents without proper insurance coverage.
Additionally, if your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, you’ll typically need an SR-22 to reinstate it or to obtain a hardship or temporary driver’s license.
Other circumstances that might require an SR-22 include driving with a suspended or revoked license, failing to comply with court orders related to driving, or owing outstanding court-ordered child support payments.
An SR-22 is often mandated by a court or your state’s DMV as a condition to guarantee you meet the minimum auto liability insurance requirements. Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance is specifically designed for individuals without a car who need to reinstate their licenses.
Non-Owner SR-22 Policies
How can you guarantee you meet state-mandated auto insurance requirements if you don’t own a vehicle but need an SR-22? Non-owner SR-22 insurance is the solution. This type of insurance is designed for drivers who don’t own a car but need to meet state requirements, often due to serious infractions like a DUI or driving without insurance.
To get a non-owner SR-22 policy, you need to find an insurance company that offers non-owner car insurance. This policy must meet your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements, typically including bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Inform your insurance agent that you need a non-owner SR-22, and they’ll file the form with the state DMV after you pay the filing fee, usually around $25. This policy covers you, not a specific vehicle, ensuring you meet state requirements and can reinstate your driver’s license. Additionally, having a non-owner SR-22 can help you avoid the consequences of a DUI conviction, which may include higher insurance premiums and other legal penalties.
Cost and Fees Associated
When you need to obtain an SR-22 without owning a vehicle, understanding the associated costs and fees is essential. The filing fee for an SR-22 typically ranges between $15 and $50, depending on the state and the severity of the violation, with a standard fee often around $25.
Here are key points to evaluate:
- Filing Fee: This is usually a one-time payment, unless your insurance policy lapses, in which case you’ll need to pay the fee again.
- Impact on Insurance Rates: The SR-22 itself doesn’t increase your rates; the underlying violation, such as a DUI, does. For example, rates can increase by 187% in California and 50% in Oklahoma.
- State and Company Variations: Filing fees and requirements differ by state, and some companies may waive the fee entirely, like Dairyland.
Maintaining Compliance
Maintaining compliance with an SR-22 requirement, especially when moving to a new state, is crucial to avoid any legal and financial repercussions. You must keep your initial SR-22 filing current and guarantee continuous coverage to prevent license suspension.
When you move, find an insurance provider licensed in both your old and new states, as they must handle cross-state SR-22 filings. The original and new SR-22 forms need to overlap for four to five days before you can cancel the initial filing.
Inform your new insurance agent about the SR-22 requirement, and coordinate with them to guarantee a seamless changeover.
Failure to maintain compliance can result in license suspension, additional fines, and penalties, including complications with vehicle registration in your new state. Confirm your new policy meets the state’s minimum liability requirements before revoking the initial SR-22.
Conclusion
You can’t get an SR-22 without insurance; it’s a certificate proving you have the required coverage. If you’re a high-risk driver, you’ll need to secure a policy, even if you don’t own a car. Non-owner SR-22 policies provide the necessary liability coverage. The cost is relatively low, with a filing fee around $25. Maintaining this coverage is essential to keep your license valid and to guarantee you’re driving legally. Compliance is key; ignore it, and you risk losing your driving privileges. Act now, and drive safely.
