AD| When it comes to driving a vehicle, most countries of the world have well-defined norms regarding eligibility. You have to be of a certain age, undertake a test, have a clean and safe driving record, as well as carry insurance in the event you meet with an accident.
However, there are certain qualifications that are put into effect for individuals who have had a prior run-in with the law. You need to understand that driving a vehicle on public roads is an act of responsibility. If you are not careful, others using the same public roads can get injured.
This is why understanding what an SR-22 form and insurance is critically important. In this resource article, we are going to cover the following important questions on sr22 insurance–
- What is an SR 22 Form and who is it issues for?
- How much do you need to pay for SR 22 Insurance?
- Things to keep in mind when selecting insurance providers for SR 22
SR 22 Form: Meaning and Definition
The first thing that you need to know about the SR 22 Form is that it is a legally mandated ‘Certificate Of Responsibility’ that is issued by many states. Please do not make the mistake of thinking of an SR 22 Form or Certificate as an Insurance Policy. Once you get the SR 22 Form, you then need to take insurance by showing the form to your insurance provider.
An SR 22 Form is issued for High-Risk Drivers that have been involved in a prior legal violation on the road. The following are some legal violations for which you will be required to file and carry an SR 22 Form with you at all times while driving post the conviction-
- You have been involved in a DUI or DWI legal offence by the enforcement agencies
- If you have been in a car accident that has led to someone getting injured
- Have received a penalty and fine for driving your vehicle without an insurance
- Accumulated too many traffic violations points on your driving license
- The authorities had suspended or revoked your driving license in the past
When individuals that have been guilty of any one of the offences mentioned above, want to get back on the road and resume driving, they will need an SR 22 Form as well as the Insurance that supports the same.
SR 22 Insurance: What you should know?
The first thing that you should know about SR 22 Insurance is that it is not cheap when compared to regular insurance. Insurance companies are always sensitive when it comes to extending insurance plans and policies to high-risk drivers. They believe that such drivers are far more likely to claim insurance pay-outs than normal and safe drivers.
If you have been involved in a serious violation (as has been mentioned in the last section), you will be asked to file an SR 22 Form through your existing insurance provider. In many ways, the state makes your insurance provider responsible for following up with you. You will be required to carry the SR 22 Form and Insurance for a period between two to ten years.
When it comes to SR 22 Insurance, most companies do not offer them. Some of them which do, ask for an exorbitant rate of premium payments. This can be anywhere between $400 to $1000 dollars more than normal car insurance. Individuals that are looking for SR 22 Insurance need to evaluate all their options, compare insurance quotes and then choose an affordable option.
How to Reduce SR 22 Insurance Premium Rates?
There are three major ways that can help you reduce a slight figure on your premium payments. Let us look at them in this section-
- In some states, you can opt for a defensive driving program. This willingness to be a part of such a program can help shave off 5% to 10% of the total premium payment.
- You can also cut off some unnecessary add-ons on your insurance policy like road side assistance and breakdowns. Bear in mind that these can leave you stranded as well.
- Lastly, if you are able to maintain a clean and spotless driving record for a longer duration, you can appeal for the sentence to be shortened between three to five years.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, as car drivers, we do not think about what can go wrong on the road. Every one of us has been guilty of being irresponsible at some stage or another, as far as driving is concerned. If you have any questions or doubts on SR 22 Form or Insurance that you would like us to address, please do not hesitate to reach out to us