Two Things To Know About SR22 Insurance
If you have stood in front of a judge for a traffic-related violation and were told that you must carry SR22 insurance, you probably walked away a little confused about just what that meant. Contrary to what others may tell you, SR22 is actually not a form of insurance within itself. The 'S' stands for safety while the 'R' stands for responsibility. It's a document stating that you do have an insurance policy but is not the policy itself. The certificate is issued to you once you've gotten a high-risk insurance policy from an automobile insurer. Here are a couple of things you may want to know about life going forward with an SR22.
It Won't Last Forever
High-risk insurance can be quite risky. You must carry the SR22 because you were accused of operating a motor vehicle without insurance, driving under the influence (DUI,) reckless driving, or some other traffic-related violation. As a result, you fall into a category that often has to pay much more for auto insurance than other motorists. It's a hard pill to swallow but know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The length of time that you will need to carry the SR22 varies depending on your state. If you have an attorney, it's best to ask them how long you need the SR22 because you don't want to risk getting into even murkier legal waters by failing to keep the document for the required length of time.
What's important to know is that at some point you will no longer have to maintain the SR22. At that time, if you have managed to keep your driving record clear, you should be able to shop around and get a new insurance rate that is more in line with your budget.
You Will Need The SR22 Even If You Don't Own A Car
If you don't currently have your own vehicle you might think you are in the clear. However, you will need the SR22 even if you don't have a car. This occurs because you might borrow a friend's car and still need to be covered whether you own an automobile or not.
Ask the insurance company about a non-owner SR22. It's essentially the same document but is extended to people without vehicles.
Knowing what to expect makes your path that much clearer. Get your SR22 insurance document from an insurance company in your area and keep it with you every time you hit the road.
