What is DUI SR22 insurance?

Nancy

Kansas City, MO

DUI – SR22 insurance is certainly one of the worst possible auto insurance policies a driver must get. Drivers must purchase SR22 insurance, not voluntarily, but because he or she made the judgment of driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. A DUI – driving under the influence – is one of those crimes that may not seem so serious in the beginning but later on when the consequences arrive can ruin your finances.

At worst, being charged with a DUI offense can lead to imprisonment. In most cases, it leads to the loss of one’s driving privileges, a temporary suspension of your driver’s license and car registration, or your car can get impounded. The only way of clearing up your condition and getting back your privileges is to file an SR22 certificate with your insurance company. This certificate, or bond, is a way of proving to your state that your auto insurance company is aware of your DUI conviction and is willing to take on the added risk to insure you. If the certificate is canceled for any reason, you might find yourself in bigger trouble if caught driving without it. The certificate must be held for a specific time period assigned by the state.

Most car insurance companies respond to DUI charges by increasing insurance rates or canceling the policy altogether for the offender. An SR22 insurance policy is in the high risk category and many auto insurance providers do not want to work with high risk drivers. Paying for a high risk auto insurance policy can strain your budget but the DUI offender has fewer and fewer choices. Getting a DUI offense and having SR22 insurance is not something you would want on your record.

My son had a DUI a year ago here in Indiana and had to get SR22. What is it? Will it affect his insurance premiums? And will it affect his chance of getting an approval for a car loan?

Thomas

Anderson, IN

The SR22 is a form filed by the insurance company to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle affirms that an individual has a certain car insurance coverage. This form is usually required when coverage is provided to an individual who was involved in an accident or was convicted for a traffic violation and was not able to show any proof of financial responsibility at the time of the incident.

Driving under the influence falls under the offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Indiana. In your son’s case, he needed to show proof that he was insured at the time he received the OWI infraction but was not able to provide the police officer with it. This is why he was forced by the state to file for SR22 to show that he now has proof of future financial responsibility if ever he causes an accident due to drunk driving again.

If a motorist has OWI offense, he will be required by the Indiana government to carry high-risk insurance for three consecutive years. If he decides to cancel this coverage, then his license will be cancelled. High-risk insurance coverage also costs more than the average policy. Some insurers may also refuse to renew your son’s policy because of this violation. Other insurers cancel the coverage of their customers cited for OWI altogether.

Regarding his plan to buy a new car, his SR22 requirement should not have a direct effect on the possibility of getting car financing. Since he is planning to apply for a car loan and is worried that his SR22 requirement will directly affect a favorable decision from a lender, then he can always do some more shopping around.

Super cheap rates on DUI insurance

I received a DUI but the insurance policy is not under my name do the insurance rates go up for the policy holder in  Connecticut?  I was told that I now need a high risk auto insurance policy to get my license back?

Leila

Bridgeport, CT

Yes, your DUI could 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 premiums the same as the insurance carrier’s decision to insure the car. Certain violations may cause an insurance company to turn you or the policyholder down for insurance coverage or to pay high-risk insurance.

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

If the your insurance rates go up because of your DUI, you may want to comparison shop for car insurance to check if they can find a better rate. You can get an insurance quote in Bridgeport, Connecticut here for FREE.

I got cheap DUI insurance so can you!