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February 17, 2020

One of the many consequences of a DUI is that you may need to obtain an SR22 certificate of insurance to prove that you have car insurance that meets your state’s car insurance requirements. Obtaining an SR22 certificate from your insurance carrier may be required if you want your driving privileges restored after a DUI. An SR22 is a financial responsibility certificate issued by a car insurance company that proves you have the insurance required by your state. You will probably be required to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle before the insurance company will issue you an SR22 certificate. Read on if you are searching for answers to “What is SR22?”

What Is SR22?

If you are required to obtain an SR22 certificate issued by an insurance company, this likely means that your annual premium has increased. After a DUI, a person is typically considered to be a high-risk driver, and that costs more if the provider insures you. Most insurance carriers charge a $25 to $50 filing fee to apply for the SR22 DUI insurance that will be based on your driving record. Insurance for high-risk drivers may cost 80 percent more on average than a driver that is not deemed to be high-risk.

You are considered a risk to other drivers and pedestrians, yourself, and other vehicles with a DUI on your record. Each state has different rules regarding DUI insurance and SR22 requirements, but you may need it in effect for a few years or even longer, depending on your DUI conviction(s) and overall driving record. A DUI arrest and conviction may result in the suspension of your driver’s license.

This insurance increase may eventually go down as long as you have a safe driving record for several years after your DUI. Many states require the SR22 for at least three years after a first DUI conviction. The length of time you are required to have an SR22 certificate in effect will depend on your driving record and your state’s requirements

Additional Rules

Some states, including Georgia, Texas, and Missouri, require an SR22A if you allow the original SR22 certificate to expire without a timely renewal. The SR22A often requires prepayment of required car insurance six months to a year in advance. DUI consequences can be very costly.

Some states, such as Virginia and Florida, require an FR44 insurance certificate for Financial Responsibility. This is required when a DUI resulted in an injury to another person. It automatically doubles the cost of basic insurance coverage if you want your license reinstated.

While the SR22 requirement generally applies to people who drive their own vehicle, a person may still be required to carry special insurance under a state’s requirements if a person is arrested for a DUI while driving another owner’s vehicle. The driver arrested for the DUI must be insured, not the vehicle.

State Regulations

Usually, you will need an SR22 DUI certificate of insurance proving required coverage is met along with an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle, to have your driver’s license reinstated in most states. Many states now require an interlock device with your first drunk driving conviction, along with other DUI consequences. If the SR22 is required, you may be referred to an insurance company that works with high-risk drivers if your regular insurance carrier does not cover you. Many insurance companies can cancel driver’s insurance coverage upon getting a DUI. These insurers often deem the premium is not worth the cost to cover such a high-risk driver.

Check out state regulations for ignition interlock devices and the SR22 requirements. All states expect drivers to carry car insurance. The SR22 may also be required if you’re stopped for another non-DUI moving violation, and you do not have insurance.

After a DUI, you may be required to obtain and an SR22 insurance certificate and an ignition interlock device. Contact us at RoadGuard Interlock to schedule your ignition interlock installation appointment. We can help you get back on the road as quickly and easily as possible which meets your requirements.

*Links to any third-party websites herein are provided for your reference and convenience only. RoadGuard Interlock did not create nor develop and does not own any such third-party websites. RoadGuard Interlock does not endorse nor support the content of, nor any opinions stated in any such third-party website links. RoadGuard Interlock is not responsible for the content of any third-party website or its accuracy or reliability. Nothing contained in this article or in any such third-party website shall be considered legal advice or be deemed to constitute legal advice. For any legal advice concerning a DUI arrest, charge, conviction, or consequences thereof, you should contact an attorney of your choice.