If you have been suspended from driving due to excessive traffic tickets or a DUI, the process of getting your license reinstated and back on the road can be more complex and will require an SR22.
Drivers who are under suspension will need to go through an application for reinstatement before they can get their driver’s licenses activated again and get back on the road.
The majority of states require by law that you obtain an auto insurance policy with an SR-22 certification before your driver’s license is reinstated.
An SR22 is required by the DMV in 42 out of 50 states for license reinstatement and is often the next step for drivers with a DUI, multiple traffic violations, or lack of basic auto coverage. The drivers who purchase an SR-22 and basic coverage from an insurance company, which will then be filed with the state’s DMV. Drivers who don’t own a car themselves are required to have a Non Owner SR-22 filed if their license is suspended or in the event of a DUI.
What is a Non-Owner Driver?
Every driver is required to carry basic auto insurance, but there’s no mandate about owning a car. Not every driver on the road has their name on the vehicle’s title or finances them themselves. That’s where non-owner car insurance comes into play. Those drivers have the basic liability that is often required. Non-owners have financial responsibility for their monthly rates and can drive in any approved vehicle. This is usually a family member’s, friend’s, or a company car. Since they carry insurance of their own, if their license is suspended, they will need to have SR22 Insurance filed with their state’s DMV and insurance company.
When Would you Need a Non-Owner SR-22?
A Non-owner SR-22 is needed whenever a major traffic violation occurs on the part of a driver resulting in a license suspension. These can come in the form of a DUI, driving with no insurance, or too many traffic tickets over a short period of time. Your license is suspended by the DMV, and your auto insurance provider may cancel your policy or, at the very least, raise your premiums exponentially. But that may be the least of your concerns as you’re no longer permitted to drive legally. This situation isn’t unique to non-owners; it’s constant for those who own cars as well.
How Much Does a Non-Owner SR-22 Cost?
A Non-owner SR22 is obtained through an insurance company along with an auto policy with coverage limits equal to or greater than what the state requires. If you’re a non-owner, then you’ll once again be buying a non-owners policy. Insurance companies charge a filing fee anywhere between $15 to $25.
An Non-owner SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy itself but a necessary certification that you, as a high-risk driver, carry liability coverage. The price for an SR22 is constant across the board for owners and non-owners, but you’ll find that non-owner policies go for less than owner policies. As non-owners, you may not get priority over vehicle use, so you’ll be expected to drive less than the driver whose name is on the title. Still, your monthly premiums will be higher than average due to your risk and driving history.
What is Covered by Non-Owner SR-22?
With a Non-owner SR-22 after a license suspension, you will once again be covered within the limits of your new policy. Remember, non-owner SR-22 car insurance doesn’t cover cars with your name on the title or ones that you come to own. You’ll have to update to a standard liability policy should that happen. A Non-owner SR-22 can stay active and must be filed by your insurance providers annually for anywhere from three to five years. The lifespan of a Non-owner SR-22 depends on the state. You’ll always have to carry your insurance, but if you strive to be a safer driver, a Non-owner SR22 will become unnecessary.
