{"id":1287,"date":"2024-09-09T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sr22adviser.com\/guidance-and-tips\/?p=1287"},"modified":"2025-01-27T16:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T16:10:59","slug":"sr22-vs-regular-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sr22adviser.com\/guidance-and-tips\/sr-22-rate-savings-tips\/sr22-vs-regular-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need SR-22 Insurance and Regular Insurance? A Comprehensive Guide\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
So you\u2019ve been asked by the court to file an SR-22 form to prove you have car insurance \u2014 what now? If you\u2019ve never had to file a certificate of financial responsibility before, you may be confused about how it works with your regular policy. If you\u2019re wondering, \u201cDo I need SR-22 insurance and regular insurance?\u201d, it\u2019s important to learn the basics of signing up for insurance with an SR-22. By comparing standard insurance plans to policy options for SR-22s, you can find the right option for you and start looking for\u00a0affordable SR-22 insurance quotes<\/a>.<\/p>\n An SR-22 is not insurance; instead, it\u2019s a certificate of financial responsibility, a form you file to verify you have at least the minimum liability insurance required by law in your state. If the state determines that you\u2019re a high-risk driver based on your driving history or legal issues, they may require you to submit this document for a certain length of time in order to keep your driving privileges.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s not actually a specific type of policy, people often use the term \u201cSR-22 insurance<\/a>\u201d to refer to plans that comply with your state\u2019s minimum liability requirements, allowing you to file the certificate of financial responsibility with your state and retain your license. Once you sign up for your policy and inform your insurer that you need to file an SR-22 form, they\u2019ll confirm your policy with the court or Department of Motor Vehicles.<\/p>\n SR-22s<\/a>\u00a0mainly apply to people who have been convicted of driving-related charges, such as DUIs or reckless driving. In most states, the court will require you to prove you have active coverage in order to get your license back after your charge. Other reasons you might need to submit proof of coverage to the courts include:<\/p>\n Even if you aren\u2019t in legal trouble, you still need to have regular car coverage in most states. You simply have fewer restrictions than drivers with SR-22s.<\/p>\n Regular auto insurance policies give you coverage for your vehicle in different situations depending on the type of coverage you purchase. The most basic level is liability coverage, which only pays for damages you cause to other people or vehicles if you cause an accident. The highest level is typically full coverage, which will also reimburse you for your own damages, even if you were at fault. You can also get add-ons like comprehensive coverage, which will help you pay for damage that isn\u2019t related to a collision, like dents from hail.<\/p>\n Most U.S. states legally require you to have a certain amount of liability insurance to cover medical expenses and property damage. The policy minimums can vary by state, so you might need to get more coverage if you move. There are only two states that don\u2019t require any form of car insurance for the average driver \u2014 New Hampshire and Virginia.<\/p>\n So, what\u2019s the difference between standard auto plans and SR-22 coverage? Ultimately, SR-22 coverage gives you the same protection as a regular auto plan. But even though the actual policies are virtually the same, you will notice some differences.<\/p>\n Regular auto plans give you a bit more freedom as a driver. It\u2019s designed to protect you financially, and you won\u2019t get your license taken away if your coverage lapses as long as you stay off the road until you restart your policy.<\/p>\n In most cases, any policy meeting your state\u2019s minimum legal requirements can count as an SR-22 policy. Many drivers who have to file a certificate of financial responsibility choose the lowest minimum liability plan because it\u2019s more affordable, but you can also file an SR-22 if you have full coverage. Check\u00a0SR-22 requirements by state<\/a>\u00a0to find the minimum policy limits in your area.<\/p>\n If you have to file a certificate of responsibility because of a DUI or other charge, you\u2019re considered a high-risk driver. That means your policy is probably going to cost much more during your SR-22 requirement period. You\u2019ll also have to deal with the fees and fines associated with your conviction.<\/p>\n Some insurers choose not to insure drivers who need SR-22 coverage. It\u2019s important to look for carriers that work with high-risk drivers to find a plan. If you were convicted of a DUI, you may also need to install an ignition interlock device to start driving again.<\/p>\n On average, getting a DUI and being required to file a certificate of financial responsibility will cause your insurance rates to increase to double or even triple what you were paying before. In most cases, your\u00a0rates may decrease after you finish your SR-22 period<\/a>, which usually lasts a few years. However, they might not go down to the same level they were before your DUI.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve been required to file a certificate of financial responsibility, what should you do about your coverage?<\/p>\n Because an SR-22 is just a form you file, it doesn\u2019t replace your regular plan. Just reach out to your insurer to ensure your plan complies with minimum requirements and confirm that they can file the form on your behalf. Some insurers do not handle drivers with SR-22 requirements, so you may need to find one that does.<\/p>\n A certificate of financial responsibility is just a form, so it doesn\u2019t replace your regular policy. However, you may see some changes in your rates after getting a DUI or another driving-related charge. If the court has required you to file the certificate, you\u2019ll need to communicate with your insurer to determine if your current policy will work with your SR-22 and explore eligible options.<\/p>\nWhat Is SR-22 Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Typical Reasons for Requiring an SR-22<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What It Is and Why You Need Regular Auto Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Definition of Regular Auto Insurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Legal Requirements for Auto Insurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Difference Between Regular Auto Insurance and SR-22 Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Purpose of Regular Auto Policies vs. SR-22 Certificate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Coverage Differences Between Regular Auto Policies and SR-22<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Policy Costs: Regular Insurance Premiums Versus SR-22 Fees<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Restrictions and Limitations: SR-22 Holders Versus Regular Policyholders<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Impact on Rates and Coverage<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Navigating Insurance Policies With an SR-22<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Do You Need Both SR-22 and Standard Car Policies?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Get Your SR-22 Insurance Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n