There are many different types of insurance out there, and keeping track of them all and which ones you need can be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming. Those feelings can increase exponentially when told that you’re required to have a special type of insurance after a driving violation. You’re already experiencing an incredibly stressful situation, now you have to try to figure out what SR-22 insurance is and how to get it. Glover Family Independent Insurance is here to help, so keep reading to learn about what SR-22 really is, why it’s required and how you can get back on the road with confidence as well as compliance.
What Is SR-22 Insurance?
The first thing we need to clear up is that SR-22 is not actually a type of insurance. That surely hasn’t helped reduce your confusion, but it’s true. In truth, it’s a certificate that your insurance company files with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS). The certificate provides proof that you carry the minimum required auto liability coverage. It’s essentially a promise from your insurer to the state of Oklahoma that you’re financially responsible behind the wheel. It’s a way for the state to monitor high-risk drivers after a serious driving violation, to ensure that they maintain continuous coverage.
When Is SR-22 Required in Oklahoma?
You’re only required to have SR-22 if the state has mandated it. It’s not something for you to consider adding or picking up on its own, it’s something that you’ll be asked to file with your insurer after a major driving violation. Here are a few examples of situations that might result in you needing to file SR-22:
- Conviction after DUI or DWI
- Driving without insurance
- Multiple traffic violations in short period
- License suspension, revocation
- Serious at-fault accidents without insurance
Whether the court or DPS itself requires you to file an SR-22, you’ll need to maintain it for a specific period of time — which typically ends up being three years. During that time, you’ll also have to maintain your insurance policy, making sure that it remains active without any lapses whatsoever. If your coverage expires or gets canceled for any reason, your insurer is required to notify the state, which could in turn result in further penalties or license suspension.
What Does SR-22 Cover?
As we explained, SR-22 doesn’t actually provide or change any kind of coverage on its own. It’s simply a document that verifies you meet the minimum liability requirements that Oklahoma has set. You might have more coverage than that, but you certainly don’t have less, which is exactly what SR-22 proves. To put in perspective, however, here are the state’s minimum requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
How Much Does SR-22 Cost?
Although SR-22 is not a separate or additional insurance plan, it does still typically come with a filing fee. Depending on your insurer, you’ll usually pay in the neighborhood of $15 to $25 to file SR-22. But that’s not the real cost of SR-22, as that comes in the form of being labeled a high-risk driver, which is an inherent side effect of filing. This might mean your premiums will increase significantly, sometimes even by up to 50% or more, but it is ultimately dependent on your driving history and the nature of the violation.
How Do You Get SR-22 in Oklahoma?
After being told to acquire SR-22 here in Oklahoma, your first step will be to contact your insurance provider. Unfortunately, not all providers offer SR-22 filings, so you may end up needing to find new coverage altogether. If you do have to find new insurance for any reason, make sure to purchase a qualifying policy that meets the minimum requirements we discussed earlier.
Once you have a qualifying policy from a willing provider, request the SR-22 filing from your insurer and they will submit the form electronically to the Oklahoma DPS. Then you’ll just have to wait for confirmation and take care of any other steps that the court or DPS asked of you. If you need help navigating this situation, do not hesitate to get in touch with us right here at Glover Family Independent Insurance so we can help.
