If you’ve been ordered to get SR-22 insurance – also known as a certificate of Financial Responsibility Insurance – you may be wondering how it works and why you need to get it. You want to make sure you’re safely driving on the road and have all the necessary documentation. Atlantic Insurance is available to help you navigate the SR-22 insurance process and answer all your questions.
What is SR-22 Insurance?
SR-22 insurance is usually court- or state-ordered or required by the DMV. While not ideal, it’s meant for drivers who have been deemed as high risk drivers. It’s not obtained instead of regular auto insurance, but in addition to. You may be deemed a risky driver for reasons including being convicted of a DUI, being in too many car accidents, driving on a suspended license, causing a car accident when you don’t have insurance, or even not paying child support.
When you have SR-22 insurance, it will be monitored by the secretary of state to ensure it doesn’t expire, isn’t canceled, and isn’t violated.
How Do You Get SR-22 Insurance?
Before you can get SR-22 insurance, you’ll need to make sure you have car insurance coverage. An SR-22 certificate is not a type of insurance itself, but rather proof of financial responsibility and that you do have auto insurance.
If you have car insurance already, you simply need to file for an SR-22 document through an insurance company. If you don’t already have insurance, you will have to get regular insurance as well as file for an SR-22. It’s important to make sure your insurance company accepts SR-22 filings, such as Atlantic, as not all companies are willing to.
The insurance company will submit a request for an SR-22 certificate for you. If approved, the certificate will then be sent to the Secretary of State’s office for processing, and it may take up to a month.
SR-22 Insurance Costs
While there is a very low fee to have an SR-22 filed, there are no other fees associated with the insurance itself. However, if you are deemed a risky driver, there is a possibility that your insurance rates will go up for the time being.
While you have an SR-22 filing, it’s best to be as safe of a driver as possible and follow all rules of the road. Staying out of trouble and danger, especially when driving, will allow you to reduce the amount of time that you need the SR-22 for. Being charged with more offenses or tickets will likely extend your time with the filing.
How Long SR-22 Requirements Last
While SR-22 requirements vary from state to state, in Illinois, you must have it for a minimum of three years. If you don’t carry it when you are mandated to along with valid and acceptable insurance, you may have your driver’s license suspended or revoked. After the three year period is over, you may contact your DMV office to request that the SR-22 requirement be taken off. If that request is approved, then you can have your insurance company remove the certificate, and you will be left with just the necessary auto insurance.
If you have your insurance company remove your SR-22 filing before the DMV approves it, you may lose your license or receive large financial penalties.
Contact Us Today
Not all insurance companies are willing to accommodate and file for SR-22 insurance, but Atlantic Insurance is. Unlike other insurers, we will never turn away clients. Regardless of your past driving record, criminal history, or any other factors about your record, we will be more than glad to get you connected with an insurance plan and SR-22 certificate so you feel safe and confident on the road. For SR-22 insurance in Chicago and surrounding Illinois suburbs, contact us today.
