California SR-22 Insurance

Get Cheap SR-22 Insurance in California

Drivers who are convicted of a major traffic offense in California are most likely going to have to file an SR-22(Certificate of Financial Responsibility) with their auto insurance company.

If this is your first offense, handling the legal consequences and your insurance carrier may be overwhelming, which is understandable. You want to ensure everything is sorted out correctly to avoid further fines and penalties.

Insurance Navy can help you get California SR-22 insurance and fulfill your legal requirements and restore your driving privileges in California.

What is an SR-22 in California?

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, but serves as proof of financial responsibility. An SR-22 is also known as a California Proof of Insurance Certificate. A California SR-22 proves that you carry at least the mandatory minimum amount of insurance to the state.

The SR-22 form is filed through your insurance company and sent electronically to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is a necessary proof of financial responsibility certificate if you want to reinstate your driving privileges.

An SR-22 can be filed in three ways: through a motorcycle policy, an auto insurance policy, or non-owners car insurance policy.

Who Needs SR-22 Insurance in California?

Only high-risk drivers need to file an SR-22 in California. SR22 insurance must be obtained anytime you wish to reinstate your license following a DMV suspension or revocation.

You will be notified by the state of California when you have an SR-22 filing requirement. An SR-22 is typically required in California after committing one or more of the following serious driving offenses:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Three or more minor driving violations
• Driving without insurance
• Having multiple traffic violations or at-fault accidents (too many points on your driving record)
• Reckless driving conviction

How do you get Car Insurance with an SR-22 in California?

To get SR-22 insurance, you must have your car insurance company file the SR-22 certificate after you have been convicted of a serious traffic offense.

Not all insurance companies provide coverage to individuals with an SR-22 filing on their driving record. You will be classified as a high risk driver and become ineligible for coverage with certain insurers. If your current insurance provider decides not to renew your policy, you can still find companies specializing in high-risk auto insurance. These providers will file the SR-22 on your behalf, ensuring compliance with California SR-22 insurance requirements.

Typically, these insurers require the full premium to be paid upfront. Failure to maintain payments may result in the policy being canceled. Insurers are legally obligated to report any lapse in coverage to the state which can result in a suspended license.

What are the SR-22 Insurance California Requirements?

An SR-22 works to prove to the state of California that you meet the minimum amount of car insurance coverage required for all drivers.

When purchasing car insurance, you can (and should) increase your coverage limits, but the SR-22 insurance certificate is meant to prove you at least meet the mandatory minimum amount of insurance.

In California, all drivers must have the following minimum liability limits per state law:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability

Your insurance company also offers you uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. However, you can decline purchasing these insurance coverages if you do so in writing.

At the very least, you need to meet the liability insurance requirements in California. Everything else is optional, but it is highly recommended that you purchase full coverage for yourself and your vehicle.

Liability insurance only covers the other party in a collision. It’s also important to increase your coverage limits as anything not paid for by your insurance carrier will have to come out of your pocket.

How Long Will I Need SR-22 Insurance in California?

The amount of time you will need to maintain your SR-22 insurance in California varies based on the traffic violation you were convicted of.

On average, most violations in California require you to maintain an SR-22 for three years. However, more serious violations such as a DUI or reckless driving can result in you being required to maintain an SR-22 for as long as 10 years.

A court will outline the specifics of your requirement. It should also be noted that when your license is revoked or suspended for a period of time, the SR-22 insurance requirement begins after that. An SR-22 can help you in obtaining a restricted license after your DUI conviction.

Your SR-22 is valid as long as your car insurance is active, and if your insurance lapses, you could lose your driving privileges. You need to maintain continuous coverage and not let your policy lapse during your SR-22 requirement period. If you do so, your insurance company will have to notify the California DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).

If you do not maintain continuous coverage for the SR-22, the DMV will reflect a lapse in insurance, which could result in a new driver’s license suspension or suspension of your vehicle registration.

How Much Does a SR-22 Insurance Cost in California?

In California, the average annual cost of auto insurance with an SR-22 is around $1,600 per year. But auto insurance rates can depend a lot on the type of conviction. Being convicted of a DUI can raise your rates drastically, with some policies being nearly triple what the average costs of SR-22 insurance annually. Drivers labeled as high-risk due to needing an SR-22 often lose their good driver discount.

An SR-22 also comes with filing fees that you will have to pay. Most insurance companies charge a fee of about $25 to file an SR-22. This is a one-time fee, but there will also be fees and fines associated with the California DMV.

California laws can influence your car insurance premiums as well. In California, insurance companies cannot increase your insurance rates or cancel your auto insurance in the middle of its term. However, once your policy has expired, it’s up to them to decide whether they will allow renewal of the policy.

This also happens when you see your car insurance premiums increase after a traffic violation, assuming your insurance company chooses to renew your policy. If your insurance company cancels your policy, you will need to get new insurance immediately. A lapse in coverage is never ideal, especially if you already have a major traffic violation on your record. Auto insurance companies may be less willing to offer you car insurance, given your questionable history.

California car insurance laws also prohibit insurance companies from offering good driver discounts to anyone with a DUI for 10 years following the conviction. However, there are other car insurance discounts you can still get in California if you have a DUI, like multi-policy or bundling discounts.

Reaching out to your insurance agent for help to get car insurance and save money can be incredibly useful if you no longer have a clean driving record.

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in California

Filing an SR-22 is needed in order to get your driver’s license reinstated after a period of suspension or revocation regardless if you own a car. You can purchase non-owner SR-22 insurance if you need an SR-22 but don’t have a car. Anyone with a valid license in California who drives a car has to get auto insurance.

A non-owner policy can provide you with the liability coverage required in California and will ensure you are protected should you end up in another traffic incident. It is also a cheaper kind of auto insurance when you compare it to traditional car insurance.

Don’t consider this type of insurance just because it is the cheapest type of SR22. You can only get a non-owner policy if you do not own a vehicle, nor do you have regular access to one. Non-owner SR-22 insurance provides liability coverage when you drive a vehicle that you don’t own. You will be covered with non-owner SR-22 insurance in the event of an accident while driving another’s vehicle.

If you do not regularly drive, a non-owner SR-22 allows you to maintain your license. Purchasing non-owners insurance will count as coverage to successfully fulfill your SR-22 requirement in California. A non-owner SR-22 policy is typically less expensive than standard auto insurance since it only provides liability coverage.

DUI Convictions in California

A DUI conviction is one of the most serious traffic offenses. Even if it is your first offense, you will have increased car insurance rates along with fulfilling an SR-22 insurance requirement to reinstate your license after a DUI.

After a DUI conviction, standard drivers pay an average of 166% more for car coverage for SR-22 insurance. Finding car insurance is not the only area you have to worry about following a DUI conviction. There are some serious legal penalties you are sure to be hit with. Including what is outlined in the chart below, you will also have to pay a $125 registration fee and a $15 license reinstatement fee after a DUI, in addition to DUI School.

Get an Instant SR-22 insurance Quote for California Today!

Electronic SR-22 Form Filings and Instant Proof of Insurance

No matter your driving history or driving offenses you’ve been convicted of, Insurance Navy can provide you affordable rates with great coverage options. Get a Free Quote today either online, by phone, or visiting one of our offices.

Also, you can get free car insurance quotes for SR-22 insurance coverage online and begin getting Insurance Navy coverage.

Read more about SR-22 from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)