{"id":892,"date":"2022-10-20T18:45:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T18:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sr22adviser.com\/guidance-and-tips\/?p=892"},"modified":"2022-10-20T18:45:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T18:45:26","slug":"5-reasons-you-may-need-sr-22-insurance-besides-dui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sr22adviser.com\/guidance-and-tips\/insurance-facts\/5-reasons-you-may-need-sr-22-insurance-besides-dui\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons You May Need SR-22 Insurance Besides DUI\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
SR-22 insurance is commonly known as DUI insurance, and it\u2019s true that getting charged with a DUI will likely mean that you\u2019ll have to have SR-22 insurance for the next several years.<\/p>\n
But did you know that there are other reasons you may need SR-22 insurance<\/a>? They have nothing to do with drunk driving, and some reasons have nothing to do with driving at all.<\/p>\n An SR-22, known as an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility, is a document that you and your car insurance company file with your state DMV to prove that you have the state-required minimum car insurance coverage. A car insurance policy that includes an SR-22 certificate<\/a> is commonly known as SR-22 insurance.<\/p>\n Most people don\u2019t need SR-22 insurance. If you do, you\u2019ll receive a letter from your state DMV explaining why, as well as how long you need to file your SR-22. It’s usually three years, but always contact your state DMV to know exactly when your SR-22 expires<\/a>.<\/p>\n The most common reason for filing an SR-22 is a DUI conviction. That\u2019s not the only thing that DMVs consider. In fact, you can be required to get SR-22 insurance for reasons that have nothing to do with driving.<\/p>\n Here are five reasons you may need SR-22 insurance besides getting charged with a DUI.<\/p>\n Almost every state requires some form of minimum auto liability insurance, but keeping track of every registered vehicle is unrealistic for state DMVs. This was one of the big drivers behind the start of SR-22 insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, while you may need to show proof of insurance to renew your vehicle, there\u2019s no way to tell who\u2019s keeping enough insurance and who\u2019s driving uninsured \u2014 that is, until you get pulled over.<\/p>\n Getting caught driving without insurance won\u2019t just mean a ticket and fines. In many states, you\u2019ll also be required to carry SR-22 insurance for the next few years. Keep in mind that SR-22 insurance coverage<\/a> is the same as the usual state-required minimum, it just costs a lot more. The difference is that filing an SR-22 is a way for your state DMV to keep close track of those drivers who\u2019ve shown that they\u2019re not following the system of carrying liability insurance.<\/p>\n Almost everyone has gotten pulled over for one thing or another \u2014 perhaps you were in hurry and weren\u2019t paying attention to your speed, or you tried to make that illegal U-turn when you thought no one was looking.<\/p>\n But did you know that all these little violations add up on your driving record? Most state DMVs<\/a> use a point system to track driver behavior, and too many moving violations can actually cost you your license and require you to get SR-22 insurance.<\/p>\n Examples of common moving violations include:<\/p>\n When you get ticketed for a moving violation, most state DMVs will record the violation and assign points to your driving record. Minor violations like speeding will earn you fewer points than major violations like causing a hit-and-run accident.<\/p>\n If you accumulate a certain number of points within a designated time period, then the DMV will automatically suspend your license. In order to get your license back, you may need to file an SR-22, as well as pay any outstanding fines and administrative fees related to your license suspension.<\/p>\n It might seem harsh to suspend a license for minor violations like speeding, but it\u2019s an effective way to help people be safer drivers<\/a> once their SR-22 is removed.<\/p>\n Just like with moving violations, causing accidents can get you points on your license even if you\u2019re sober. While fender-benders and minor accidents earn fewer points, a major accident can earn you a lot more, especially if someone dies or is seriously injured.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that an at-fault accident can lead to multiple tickets \u2014 and multiple points \u2014 on your driving record. For example, if you caused a minor accident on the highway because you were tailgating and weaving between lanes, then in addition to getting points for causing an accident, you\u2019ll likely get points for speeding, reckless driving, and following too closely. In other words, a single accident can lead to a domino effect of negative consequences.<\/p>\nWhat is SR-22 Insurance?<\/h2>\n
1. If You\u2019re Caught Driving Without Insurance, You May Need an SR-22<\/h2>\n
2. Too Many Traffic Tickets May Result in the Need for an SR-22<\/h2>\n
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3. Too Many At-Fault Accidents Can Mean You Need to File an SR-22<\/h2>\n