What happens if i let my sr22 insurance lapse

What Is an SR22?

This document proves that you have met your financial responsibility for having the minimum liability insurance coverage. The SR22 is a standard form used throughout the auto insurance industry, and you can get an SR22 through your insurance company or agent.

You'll need to have an SR22 form from your insurance company if your license has been suspended or revoked and your privileges have been reinstated. If your insurance undergoes any significant changes or cancellations, your insurance carrier will notify the state.

You may need to keep an SR22 for a set period, such as three years. The length of time depends upon the laws in your state and the agency or court that determined your need for it. In most cases, you'll need to have an SR22 before you’re allowed to drive again after your license has been suspended or revoked.

Alternate names: FR44, SR22 bond, SR22 insurance, financial responsibility insurance certificate

How Does SR22 Insurance Work?

The SR22 is a document from your insurance provider that shows you meet the minimum requirements in your state. Your state will notify you that you need to carry the form after reinstating your driving privileges. You contact your insurance provider, and they should issue you the form once you have purchased the minimum amount of auto insurance.

You'll need to maintain the minimum amount of coverage and make sure you have a current SR22 form for the period set by the state you live in.

The reasons you might need an SR22 depend on where you live and what you might have been convicted of. These convictions could include, but are not limited to:

• Driving under the influence
• Drug offenses
• Lack of insurance
• An at-fault accident while uninsured
• Leaving the scene of an accident or conduct after an accident
• Failure to pay judgments or accident damages
• A minimum accumulation of points in the state point system
• Owning an uninsured car used in an accident
• Other convictions in which a motor vehicle was involved

How To Get SR22 Insurance

To get an SR22 certificate, call your insurance company or an independent agent to ask about the filing. Some companies don’t offer SR22s, so you may have to shop around for one who does.

The SR22 can cost about $25 in filing fees. Your insurance premium will increase as a result of the violation.

In general, a DUI-related SR22 may lead to an increase in insurance costs by between 20% and 30%. But an SR22 issued for uninsured driving is around $30 and can depend upon your credit.

Note

You will likely pay more for insurance if the SR22 is because of a driving conviction.

If you don’t own a car but have to file an SR22 due to a conviction, you’ll need to ask your agent about a non-owner policy. These policies cover your driving when you drive someone else’s vehicle or a rental and cost less than insuring a car.

If you switch insurance companies while you have an SR22, you'll need to file for a new SR22 before the first plan expires. If you let your insurance lapse while you have an SR22, you could face reinstatement fees or re-suspension of your driving privileges. You may even be charged with another offense, depending on your state.

Note

If your SR22 does expire or lapse, your driving privileges (even if you don’t have a car) and car registration could be revoked by the state.

Key Takeaways

• An SR22 is a form your auto insurance company sends to the state so you can comply with court- or state-ordered requirements.
• You might need to have an SR22 issued if you've been convicted of a DUI, not carried car insurance, had too many accidents, or had other serious auto incidents.
• You must keep an SR22 for a set length of time, such as one or three years, per the laws in your state.
• SR22s can be filed with both standard insurance coverage policies and non-owner insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Get SR22 Coverage Removed?

The court or DMV decides how long you must maintain an SR22, but the requirements tend to run for up to three years, although they vary by state. Once you no longer need the SR22, you can have it removed by filing another form called the SR26. This form tells the state about the change. Getting the filing removed might reduce your rates on your insurance.

How Do I Find Out if I Still Need SR22 Insurance?

You’ll need to contact the agency that issued the initial requirement to determine if the filing is still necessary. The agency will be either the state DMV or the court system. Your insurance company or agent won’t know when it expires. In some states, if you cancel your SR22 filing early, you might be required to restart the period over again, even if you were only a few days from the date it was set to expire.

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