SR-22 Insurance in Missouri

Traffic violations are serious, mainly if they result in your driver’s license being suspended. A driver’s license suspension can come after several traffic violations, like driving without the proper insurance.

You may be required to carry SR22 insurance to reinstate your license in Missouri. An SR-22 serves as proof of insurance, showing Missouri’s state that you comply with their car insurance laws. Carrying SR-22 insurance is not uncommon in the insurance world, but it should still be taken seriously.

Have your auto insurance company file an SR-22 promptly to avoid any further penalties.

What is SR-22 Insurance in Missouri?

If your driver’s license is suspended, Missouri will require you to carry SR-22 insurance to reinstate your driving privileges. Your driver’s license can be suspended for several reasons, like a DWI conviction or driving without insurance.

While SR-22 insurance sounds like a type of insurance, it is just a certificate of financial responsibility that proves to the state of Missouri that you carry the mandatory minimum amount of car insurance.

This proof of insurance is filed with your car insurance company at your request. Your insurance provider is responsible for informing the state of your SR-22 insurance filing. To keep your Missouri SR-22 insurance active, you only need to stay on top of your regular car insurance payments.

Who Needs SR-22 Insurance in Missouri?

You can be required to carry SR-22 insurance in several instances. An SR-22 is typically mandated for drivers after they commit a major traffic violation that has resulted in their driver’s license being suspended.

An SR-22 can be required after committing one or more of these violations in the state of Missouri:

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI)

• Driving without insurance

• Accumulating multiple minor violations

• Found to be at fault for an accident

• Reckless driving

• Failing to pay ticket fines

Missouri Car Insurance Requirements

The purpose of an SR-22 is to prove you have the mandatory minimum amount of car insurance to be a legal driver in Missouri.

Missouri is different from other states in terms of insurance laws. Most states only require their drivers to carry liability auto insurance. However, Missouri requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage instead of liability coverage.

The minimum liability limits required for all Missouri drivers is outlined below.

Missouri Minimum Coverage Limits:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

Missouri Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident

While Missouri does require more insurance than other states, the coverage limits are exceptionally low. To protect yourself and your assets, it is highly recommended that you increase your coverage limits when shopping for a cheap car insurance policy.

You should also consider utilizing auto insurance policy add-ons if your car is severely damaged and you sustain serious injuries. You can strengthen your insurance policy by adding collision coverage and personal injury protection (PIP).

You must carry the proper coverage to avoid being on the line for damages and injuries out of pocket. One accident is enough to put you in financial ruin if you do not have the right insurance policy.

How Long Do You Need an SR-22 in Missouri?

Thankfully, as with every other state, a Missouri SR-22 comes with an expiration date. The period you are given depends on the traffic offense you are charged with. If you are caught driving without insurance in Missouri, you must maintain your SR-22 certificate for three years.

However, suppose you receive a DUI conviction, a moving violation, or a car accident judgment against you. In that case, you will need an SR-22 for two years. Your SR-22 insurance requirement begins the day of your license’s suspension. Your SR-22 requirement can be mandated to be longer. However, it all depends on the severity of your conviction.

When you are notified about your insurance requirements, you will also be informed of when they expire. On your expiration date, you must let your insurance company know you no longer require an SR-22 certificate. They will then cancel your financial responsibility certificate and inform the state.

Failure to maintain an SR-22 will harm your driving record and insurance history. Infringing on your proof of insurance requirement can occur if you stop paying your car insurance premiums and, as a result, let your coverage lapse.

If you let your insurance policy expire, your coverage provider will inform the state of Missouri that you no longer have insurance. Following this, your insurance company will likely drop you as a customer.

However, this is only one thing that happens when you let your coverage lapse. Upon hearing that your insurance coverage has ended, Missouri may suspend your license again and require you to restart your SR22 filing period. It is also possible that you will have to repay the accompanying reinstatement fees.

To refile your SR-22 form, you must purchase a new car insurance policy. Shopping for insurance after a lapse in coverage can be tricky. You will be considered a high-risk driver, and only some insurance providers want to take the risk of offering you coverage.

It is best to stay on top of your car insurance premiums to avoid this. It would also be best to remember when your SR-22 requirement expires. You never want to cancel it early, as that will get you in trouble with the state.

How Much Does Missouri SR-22 Insurance Cost?

When you notify your insurance company about your SR-22 requirement, your insurer will charge you a $30-$50 filing fee to process the SR-22 form. However, there are other insurance costs after your SR22 mandate.

Being convicted of a major driving violation and needing to carry an SR-22 will increase insurance premiums significantly. However, just how much your insurance rates will rise depends on several factors, including the severity of your offense and the insurance company you are with.

A DWI conviction is one of the most common reasons a driver will need SR-22 insurance in Missouri. On average, drivers with a DWI conviction in Missouri pay around $2,300 per year for insurance.

Another common offense may be speeding. In Missouri, drivers caught going 25+ mph over the speed limit pay around $2,100 annually for insurance. A driver in Missouri who has no traffic citations pays, on average, around $1,700 per year for coverage.

As can be seen, one conviction can make your car insurance premiums skyrocket. On a brighter note, you won’t need to provide proof of insurance forever. Once you cancel your SR-22, your insurance rates may decrease slightly.

Suppose you are looking to lower your car insurance premiums in Missouri. In that case, Insurance Navy compares rates from the top Missouri auto insurance companies to find our customers the best coverage at the lowest rates. Give one of our knowledgeable insurance agents a call to see how they can get you the cheapest SR-22 insurance policy.

Don’t buy an insurance policy just because the rates are low. You want to ensure you get good coverage that is worth your money. If you believe you have the lowest insurance rates possible in Missouri, given your driving history, ask your insurance agent about auto policy discounts. Auto policy discounts are the easiest and fastest way to save money on your insurance premiums.

Missouri Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance

Even if you do not own a car, you can still be required to carry a non-owner SR-22 insurance certificate. You can receive an SR22 requirement after committing a traffic violation in a vehicle you borrow or rent.

Not owning a car does not mean you can skip out on carrying car insurance. To fulfill your SR-22 requirement, you will need to purchase a non-owner car insurance policy. Non-owner insurance provides drivers who do not own a car with the required insurance.

Subsequently, purchasing such a Non-owner SR-22 insurance policy fulfills your SR-22 requirement. This type of insurance is regarded as one of the cheapest ways to get coverage. This is because it has some specific qualifications.

Non-owner insurance is unavailable if you own a car or have regular access to one. This policy is only recommended for people who frequently rent or borrow cars.

Be sure to start shopping for coverage before you are required to carry SR-22 insurance. Driving without insurance is incredibly dangerous and leaves you and your assets vulnerable. Every driver in Missouri needs insurance.

Missouri DWI Penalties

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be one of the reasons you will be required to file an SR-22 with your insurance company. However, your SR22 insurance and increased insurance premiums are not the only things you must worry about after being convicted of a DWI.

There are some severe legal penalties you will have to deal with after driving drunk. In Missouri, your license can be suspended for 90 days following a DWI conviction.

However, you may be eligible to receive a Restricted Driving Privilege (RDP). With these privileges, you can drive when installing an ignition interlock device (IID).

An IID is a breath analyzer that prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. Your vehicle will also not start if you refuse to complete the breath test. However, remember that these privileges may not be accurate if you don’t file an SR-22 with your insurance company.

SR-22 Insurance Quotes in Missouri

Insurance Navy is here to help drivers get an SR-22 certificate and the auto insurance coverage they need.

We understand that things can happen to good people, so having the appropriate team to assist you in correcting driving mistakes is critical.

The most straightforward approach to address a Missouri SR-22 Insurance requirement is to contact us as soon as possible for a quote. A driver should always have coverage on their car to avoid any additional obstacles.

More about SR-22 Insurance from the Missouri Department of Revenue