SR-22 Form

Though commonly referred to as a type of insurance, SR-22 is actually an abbreviation for "state responsibility form number 22," a form your insurance carrier sends to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to show that your are currently adequately insured. It is meant to act as a bond of financial responsibility in which your insurance carrier vouches that you have at least the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by state law.

This form is usually required by the state for any driver who is deemed to be high risk by the DMV. A high risk designation is typically made after some type of infraction, be it an auto accident when not insured, a DWI or DUI, license suspension or revocation, or multiple at-fault accidents or infractions in a short period.

Once you are required to get an SR-22 by the DMV, all you need to do is call your insurance carrier to have them file the form on your behalf. You will be responsible for maintaining the SR-22 for as long as your state law requires, but normally you are only obligated to 2-3 years.

If you have any lapse in coverage while the SR-22 requirement is still in force, your insurance carrier is required to notify the DMV, which will likely lead to your license being suspended.

There is usually a small fee (less than $50) for your insurance to file the SR-22. Outside of the filing fee, there is normally no other effect on your insurance premium prices solely because of an SR-22 filing, however the infractions leading to the SR-22 obligation will be included in the rating factors that determine your premiums.