You know that safety on the road is your responsibility. However, while you may consider yourself a safe driver, keeping your vehicle in good condition, avoiding speeding, and never giving in to road rage, it does not always mean that you’re doing a good job of protecting your driving record.
Safety on the road is not something open to interpretation. It is defined by the law. For instance, the law may consider you an irresponsible driver if you do the following things:
- You like to drink at a party and then drive home believing that you’re still able and alert. Even if you do think you’re driving well, you might get stopped by the police and end up with a DUI.
- You drive without insurance and get in an accident. Even if you think it’s not your fault, you may be viewed as the at-fault driver by the police based on witness testimonies.
- You get too many tickets–from careless things like running red lights because there are no other cars around or frequently forgetting to use your turn signals– within a short period of time. Even if you think these are minor incidents that don’t make you a dangerous driver, the law may still come down hard on you.
If you do any of these things, you might end up having to ask your insurance agent for auto insurance SR22.
What is an SR-22?
This is a certification of financial responsibility. It is required by the state if you drive without liability insurance, get a DUI, or get too many traffic tickets. Although it is often colloquially referred to as insurance, this is a misnomer. This is not insurance as such; it is proof that you have insurance.
When do you need SR-22?
Each state has different requirements when it comes to when someone should get an SR-22. However, here are some answers to six frequently asked questions:
- Can safe drivers get an SR-22?
People who are safe drivers can get it because they don’t bother to renew their driver’s auto insurance. They may fail to renew because it slips their mind or they don’t have the money to pay for it when it’s time to renew. In this case, the insurance company will inform the state before they cancel your insurance coverage for non-payment. They file an SR-26 with the state to say that your insurance policy with them is no longer effective.
- How does the state know that your insurance company has canceled your insurance for not paying the fees?
If your insurance has lapsed and your insurance company has canceled your insurance they then have to inform the state about your cancelled policy.
- What if I decide to renew my auto-insurance after I have been reported for letting it lapse?
If you now decide to get auto-insurance again, you must file an SR-22 to be eligible to renew your insurance again, even if you decide to go with a different provider.
- How long will my SR-22 remain valid?
Again, there is no fixed answer as each state has its own rules. Generally speaking, your SR-22 will remain valid if you continue to keep your policy active and pay your premiums when they are due. Your SR-22 will stay in effect until the state is satisfied that you have met the requirements.
- What happens if the policy is cancelled while I have been carrying SR-22 insurance?
If you are in a situation where you again can’t renew your auto insurance when it is due, either because you forgot to do it or you didn’t have the money, then the insurance company will again notify the state. This time, however, you will not be able to regain your right to drive by getting another SR-22. Instead, all your driving privileges may be suspended.
7. Is an SR-22 very expensive?
In most states, the fee is not highly punitive. It is more of an initial warning when you first file for your SR-22 that you have to keep your auto insurance active regardless of your current financial situation.
- What if a motorist decides to move to another state?
If you move to another state which has different driving regulations, you must still pay for the SR-22 from the state you first got it in. So, you can’t simply move to another state and start all over.
Protect Your Driving Record
The idea of a safe driver has to conform to what the law deems as safe or unsafe. Your own interpretation might be simply driving carefully, but the law considers things like ignoring your traffic fees or not paying your auto-insurance as violations of your right to use the road. You must protect your driving record at all times if you want to be able to keep your rights to drive on the roads when you desire.