What is SR22 Car Insurance in New York?

Reader’s Question:

I was convicted of DUI and the court told me that to reinstate my license after suspension, I need to get a New York SR22. What is an auto insurance SR22?

James

New York, NY

Since you have had your license suspended, you have to face a more severe penalty than a simple few weeks suspension. For you to be able to comply with the SR22 law, you will have to purchase New York SR22 insurance for a total of 3 years before you are able to keep your license without it.

New York SR22 is a proof of insurance form. Your auto insurance provider will file the SR22 with the DMV in your area every month. If the form is not filed during the 3 year period you are required to have SR22 insurance, then your insurance will be canceled and your license again will be suspended.

It’s sometimes not easy to find New York SR22, so you’ll have to look a little harder. Since you are now part of a high risk group of motorist, it’s also very likely that you will have to pay a lot more in order to keep yourself insured. If you don’t want to have to file SR22 insurance, then you can avoid it by simply allowing your license to remain suspended for 3 years–but then you won’t be able to operate a vehicle.

DUI Effect on Auto Insurance Rate

Reader’s Question:

If I receive a DUI but the insurance policy is not under my name, do the insurance rates go up for the policy holder?

Anne

Buffalo, NY

 

Yes, your DUI may affect the insurance rates for the policyholder if you are a motorist listed under their insurance policy. The driving record of any licensed motorist on an insurance policy or in a household can have an impact on the insurance rate as well as the insurance provider’s decision to insure the car. Some violations may cause an insurance company to turn you or the policyholder down for insurance coverage or to pay high-risk rates.

An individual with a bad driving record is more of a risk for an insurance carrier than an individual with a clean driving record and thus their rates are normally higher. The whole insurance policy thus can be affected by one motorist’s DUI or serious driving violation.

If the policyholder’s car insurance rates go up due to your DUI, they may want to comparison shop for car insurance to see if they can find a better rate. It may be more cost effective for you and the policy holder to maintain separate coverage since you may lose the cost benefits of the multi-driver policy.

How Long Does DUI Affect Car Insurance Rates

Reader’s Question:

I got a DUI three years ago. How long does my DUI affect car insurance rates? My insurance rate is still high!

Ben

Brooklyn, NY

 

The amount of time your DUI will affect your insurance rates depends on both your insurance company guidelines and your state’s regulations. States differ on how long a DUI or DWI stay on your driving record. It may stay on your MVR for as little as a few years or remain there permanently depending on the state and the situations regarding your DUI. As long as the infraction is on your DMV record, it is likely to affect your car insurance rates.

Each insurance provider has its own method of rating and evaluating people. To find out how long your DUI will remain on your record, contact the DMV in your state. To find out how long your insurance company is going to charge a higher rate, contact your insurance broker. Even after the offense is dropped from your record, your current insurance provider will have it on their records and may still charge your accordingly. It may be advisable to shop around for quotes from other insurance providers after your record is cleared.

Teen DUI Auto Insurance

Reader’s Question:

My cousin got a DUI, and he’s only 17. When he turns 18 will it go off his driving record? How will this affect his insurance rate?

June

Fresno, CA

 

In most states a DUI or DWI will stay on a driving record for a number of years, regardless if the person was a minor when they made the violation or not. For instance, in California it is typically 7 years.

The state in which your cousin lives might have different laws than the state you are in so check with the department of motor vehicles to see how many years it will stay on your cousin’s record and to see if they have different rules for this if the DWI was received as a minor.

If the DUI continues to be on his driving record, then it will likely affect his auto insurance rates by putting him in a higher risk category.