What Is an SR22 Insurance Certificate?
An SR22 is a specific type of insurance certificate required in most states to be provided from an insurance carrier to the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to prove financial responsibility. An SR22 insurance certificate is different than standard proof of insurance you are required to carry in your car. Learn why you might need to provide the government with an SR22, and how to go about obtaining one.
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What Is an SR22?
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An SR22 certificate is proof of financial responsibility submitted directly from your insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent in your state. An SR22 insurance certificate is not required for all drivers. You may be asked to obtain an SR22 certificate if you have been involved in either a traffic accident or moving violation, and you were unable to provide proof of car insurance or other financial responsibility at the time of contact with law enforcement.
Why Has the DMV Asked Me to Obtain an SR22?
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In most cases, the DMV has asked you to obtain an SR22 from your insurance company because you were involved in a traffic incident where you could not prove financial responsibility. As the driver of a motor vehicle in any of the 50 states, you are required to carry proof of insurance in your car at all times. Most likely you had an expired policy or no policy at the time you were involved in the incident. Alternatively, you could need an SR22 even if you had current car insurance, but were unable to provide the peace officer with your insurance card or other proof of financial responsibility.
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How Do I Obtain an SR22?
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You need to contact your insurance agent, if you have one, or obtain a new insurance policy. In either case, mention in your car insurance interview that you need to provide the DMV with an SR22 certificate. Generally, an insurance policy for drivers falling under SR22 laws will be significantly more expensive than other policies, so be ready for added expense. Your insurance carrier may charge you to submit the form. You do not need to turn in any SR22 paperwork to the DMV directly, though in some cases you may need to show a copy of your SR22 to the judge in traffic court.
Misconceptions
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Not every driver is required to provide the DMV with SR22 forms. If you have not been specifically asked to do so in communications with the DMV, then you don't need one. An SR22 is not the same as standard proof of insurance. Also, filing an SR22 form does not exempt you from needing to pay the fine for driving a car without proof of insurance.
Other Situations Where You Might Need an SR22 Certificate
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There are a handful of other situations, which vary from state to state, under which you might need to provide the DMV with an SR22 certificate. One of the more common is if you were convicted of a DUI. Even if you had insurance at the time of arrest, you might need to obtain an SR22 to continue to drive. Some states also offer temporary vehicle operating permits for people facing financial hardship or other special circumstances so that they can drive to and from work.
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