Insurance is all about being prepared and protected for the unexpected. So, if you’re told you need to get an SR22, SR 22 insurance, or an SR-22 form, would you know what to do?
We’re here to help.
Most people don't know exactly what an SR22 is until they need one. Is it car insurance? How does a driver get an SR22? We have your coverage answers below. And if you happen to need SR 22 car insurance, contact us for a fast and free Dairyland® auto insurance quote.
We can issue a driver an SR-22 certificate immediately and file it with your state the same day, often electronically. And while we might offer cheap car insurance, you’ll find we also deliver quality coverage with friendly, top-notch customer service.
An SR-22 is a certificate of insurance that proves you carry car insurance. Some people refer to it as SR 22 car insurance, or a certificate of financial responsibility (CFR) filing. The SR22 simply states you’re meeting your state’s car insurance coverage requirements for driving over a specified amount of time.
Yes, no matter how you reference SR22, all the above examples refer to SR-22 car insurance for drivers. Insurance companies may have a preference in how they use the term SR22 in print and online, but it’s all referring to the CFR filing you need to do to meet your state’s insurance requirements.
You may need SR22 coverage if you have one of the following driving violations (your state might also require them for reasons not listed below):
You might also need an SR-22 if you have a bunch of small incidents pile up over time. Again, it’s different for every state. Good drivers who don’t have any traffic violations don’t have to get an SR22 to be legal on the road.
An SR 22 means you’re meeting your state’s car insurance minimum requirements for driving and is NOT considered car insurance itself. We, as your policy provider, inform the state that we’re covering your driving for certain car insurance-related circumstances.
At Dairyland®, most often we file your SR22 for free as part of your policy. Some companies and agencies might charge you additional fees or surcharges.
The additional information varies by state, but in general, simply indicating you’re a driver in need of an SR 22 filing when purchasing your auto insurance policy is enough. Your insurance carrier can take it from there. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license number or other identification number for us to file with your state.
Yes. We can issue you one immediately. In most states, we’re able to electronically send your SR-22 to the state the same day.
Yes, Dairyland offers policies with an SR22 that can be purchased online. We also offer many other coverage options that can be added to your policy, depending on your needs and budget.
Most states require drivers to have SR22 coverage along with an insurance policy for about three years. This may vary by state or by circumstances, so be sure to check your state’s requirements and ask your insurance carrier for specifics.
If your SR-22 lapses, your insurance company is required to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This could result in loss of your driver’s license or, depending on your state of residence, other consequences. Making payments on time will help keep a policy from canceling and prevent an SR26 from being sent to the state. An SR26 cancels the SR22 with the state.
In turn, if an SR22 is no longer needed, an SR-26 form is also filed to remove the SR22 requirement.
With many companies, yes—but not Dairyland. Generally, just having an SR-22 filing on your policy will not impact your car insurance premium at Dairyland.
There are three types of SR22 insurance:
Yes. You can get SR22 insurance if you don’t own a vehicle with our non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner car insurance protects you in the event you’re found to be at fault in an accident while driving a vehicle not owned by you. It’s a secondary coverage that pays for damages above and beyond what might be covered through the car’s primary insurance.
Each state has its own SR-22 coverage requirements for drivers, which are subject to change. If you’re not sure of these requirements, we recommend contacting your state’s Department of Insurance.
In Florida and Virginia, in some cases an FR 44 may be required instead of an SR-22, based on your driving record. Here are Florida’s car insurance requirements. And here are Virginia’s car insurance requirements.
Similar to an SR 22, the FR-44 is a document of financial responsibility proving that you carry car insurance. However, an FR 44 may require your liability coverage limits to be significantly higher than the state minimum.
While the duration might vary, an FR44 is also usually required for three years. By law, an FR 44 policy can’t be canceled.
A certificate of financial responsibility is another term for SR22 insurance, showing that you’re meeting your state’s minimum car insurance requirements for a specified amount of time.
If you have questions about SR-22 coverage, we can help. Give us a call at 888-290-5754 and a licensed agent will be happy to assist you and walk you through the process.
Once you purchase a policy from an insurance company that offers SR22s, they’ll file it with the state. This is often done electronically and on the same day as your purchase.
Not all auto insurance companies offer SR22s. If you work through an agent, they’ll provide options for you. If you’re looking on your own, do your research and contact insurance companies directly to find out their coverage options.
If you have a clean driving record, you likely won’t. Reasons for an SR22 vary by state. However, the most common reasons for an SR22 are reckless driving, being convicted of a DUI, driving on a suspended license, and being caught driving without insurance coverage.
If you miss a payment on your SR22 policy, it could result in a lapse of coverage—and a violation of your state’s requirements. If you have billing concerns, contact your insurance agent or company as soon as you can.
The average time is three years, but it varies based on where you live and your circumstances. If you cancel or allow your coverage to lapse before the determined time frame, your insurance company is required to notify the state the SR22 is filed in, which could differ from the state you reside in. This often results in further penalties. Make sure you understand all the details of your SR22 policy.