If you’ve had your driver’s license suspended or revoked, the process of getting it reinstated with cheap SR22 insurance in Louisiana can feel overwhelming.
Unfortunately, you can’t simply apply to have your driver’s license reinstated. There are a few steps you’ll need to follow first, including filing an SR22 form, which is required in Louisiana for high-risk drivers.
Fortunately, it isn’t a complicated process, as long as you know the steps to take.
To start the process of getting your driver’s license reinstated, the first steps you’ll need to take will be to:
- Pay any related fines or penalties.
- Complete community service.
- Participate in a court-ordered program.
- Serve jail time (if necessary).
Each person’s process will vary depending on the judgment issued by the court or the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Once you’ve done that, the next step to getting your driving privileges reinstated is to secure SR22 insurance. Obtaining car insurance with an SR22 is a relatively straightforward process, it can be costly. This is because insurers will classify you as a high-risk driver, which can result in a significant increase in auto insurance rates.
Key Point: What Is a High-Risk Driver?
A ‘high-risk driver’ is a term used to describe a driver who has a high risk of needing to claim from their auto insurance provider.
Car insurance companies make most of their money from policyholders who don’t claim, so they increase the cost of coverage for high-risk drivers.
One of the reasons you may be considered high risk is needing an SR22 certificate, but other non-driving-related factors such as having unpaid child support payments can also get you classified as a high-risk.
In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about SR22, along with how to find the cheapest Louisiana SR22 insurance.
What Is SR22?
Although it’s often called ‘financial responsibility insurance,’ SR22 isn’t really an auto insurance coverage policy.
Rather, it’s an add-on to your car insurance that proves you’re meeting the Louisiana minimum auto liability coverage requirements.
What Is Minimum Auto Liability Coverage?
Auto liability coverage is a type of insurance policy that pays for damage you may cause while driving your car to a third party’s property or the injury/death of another person. While every U.S. state has unique minimum liability coverage requirements, three important aspects are always included:
- Bodily injury coverage per person.
- Bodily injury coverage per accident.
- Property damage coverage per accident. The minimum auto liability requirements in Louisiana are:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability costs per person.
- $30,000 for injuries per accident.
- $25,000 in property damage coverage.
All drivers in Louisiana need to meet the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements above. If you need to carry SR22 insurance, all it means is that you will need to carry the form that proves you meet these financial responsibility requirements.
Who Needs SR22 Insurance?
Remember, if the court or the Louisiana DPS has suspended or revoked your driver’s license after a major traffic violation, you will need to get SR22 insurance to prove you’re meeting the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements before your driving privileges can be reinstated.
Some of the driving violations that could lead to your license being revoked or suspended include:
- Being charged with multiple traffic violations.
- An at-fault accident.
- Driving after your car insurance policy has lapsed.
- Driving without liability coverage.
- Speeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Fleeing the scene after an accident.
- A DUI or DWI.
- Getting a high number of points on your driving record.
- Driving with expired license plates.
- Failing to pay a judgment order.
- Evading highway tolls.
- Failing to pay child support.
Additionally, fines of between $2,500 and $25,000, and one to three years of jail time.
Even in the case of a DUI or DWI, the process of getting SR22 insurance is identical to that of any other major traffic offense.
Louisiana mandates that you will need to carry SR22 insurance for three years. If your traffic violations were severe, or you’ve committed multiple traffic violations, you may have to carry SR-22 insurance for a longer period.
Types of SR22 Insurance in Louisiana
Not all types of SR22 are the same. The amount that SR22 insurance costs will depend on the type of auto insurance policy you need. Here are the three types of SR22 insurance in Louisiana:
SR22 insurance (Non-Owner)
You may think that because you don’t own a car, you don’t need to carry SR22 insurance. However, if you plan to drive a car you don’t own, you will still need SR22 insurance.
Non-owner SR22 is for Louisiana drivers who:
- Do not plan to own a car.
- Do not share the same household as someone who owns a car.
- May want to drive on occasion (e.g. rent a car or use a friend’s car).
Non-owner SR22 insurance is usually the cheapest type of SR22 insurance.
Owner SR22 insurance
If you already own a car or want to purchase one, you will need to carry SR22 insurance.
Owner SR22 insurance is for people who:
- Own a car or want to buy a car.
- Share a house with someone who does own a car.
- Want to reinstate a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
Owner/operator SR22 insurance
If you own multiple cars or frequently drive cars that you do not own (e.g. for work), you will have to file for owner/operator SR22 insurance.
How to Get an Louisiana SR22 Insurance
The first step to having your driver’s license reinstated is getting Louisiana SR22 auto insurance. While this isn’t a complicated process, it can be quite challenging.
This is because some car insurance companies may not provide coverage for SR22 drivers because they are considered too high risk.
When you do find a car insurance company that offers SR22 coverage, prepare for it to be significantly more expensive than your previous car insurance policy, because you are considered a high-risk driver.
When will I be eligible for cheaper auto insurance?
If you maintain a good driving record for the duration you need to carry SR22 insurance, you can look for Louisiana cheap auto insurance once you’ve fulfilled the requirements of your SR-22.If you are able to find a car insurance company that offers SR22 insurance at affordable rates, they will file the SR22 certificate with the Louisiana Secretary of State on your behalf.
It can take up to 30 days for your SR-22 insurance to be filed, and you cannot reinstate your driver’s license or drive a car until you have received your SR-22 documentation.
After receiving your SR-22, you will need to keep it with you any time you’re driving a car. If you are caught driving without SR-22 insurance, you may be subject to the following:
- A driver’s license suspension for up to three months.
- A mandatory fine of between $500 to $1,000.
- Court costs.
- $100 fee to reinstate your driver’s license.
If you are found to be driving without SR-22 insurance while your driver’s license is still suspended, your driver’s license will be suspended for an additional six months.
If you’re in a car accident without SR-22 insurance, you won’t be able to claim medical expenses or costs for damage repair from the other driver.
If you were at-fault in the accident, you will be personally liable for paying the other driver’s medical and damage costs.
How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost in Louisiana?
While SR-22 insurance is more expensive than standard car insurance, there are unfortunately some additional costs beyond simply the SR-22 certificate. These include:
- A significantly higher car insurance premium.
- Cancelation of any good driver discounts you were eligible for.
- An admin fee to your insurer of between $25 and $50.
- Paying all related fines and fees for the traffic violation.
- A $250 fee to the Louisiana Secretary of State for your driver’s license reinstatement.
It’s not actually the SR-22 insurance that will make your auto insurance rates more expensive. Rather, it’s the traffic offense that led to needing the SR-22 in the first place.
Once you notify an insurer that you need an SR-22, they will be able to access your file with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Here, they will be able to see what driving violation you committed (e.g. speeding, DUI, reckless driving, etc.).
The severity of the infringement is what determines how expensive your SR-22 insurance will be.
What Is An Auto Insurance Rate?
Your auto insurance rate is the amount you pay each month to your car insurance company for coverage.
The cost of your auto insurance is influenced by the following factors:
If you already have car insurance, you should ask the insurance agent at your current car insurance provider for a quote for SR-22 insurance.
While it may feel like the simplest way to continue your coverage, auto insurance rates differ significantly from insurer to insurer.
To make sure you’re getting the best rate on your SR-22 insurance and to save money, you should compare quotes from multiple insurers.
FAQs about Louisiana SR22
How long is an SR22 in Louisiana?
You will have to keep your SR22 insurance for three years. Depending on your personal circumstances, the Louisiana Secretary of State may require you to carry an SR-22 for a longer period.
If your SR22 lapses or you violate the terms, you will need to reinstate your SR-22 insurance and carry it for another three years.
How do I get SR22 in Louisiana?
You won’t be able to file for SR-22 yourself in Louisiana. In order to get it, you will first need to pay any fines and penalties that result from your traffic violation.
Then, you will need to find a car insurer that offers SR22 insurance, and they will file SR-22 documentation on your behalf.
Can I drive someone else’s car in Louisiana?
You can only drive someone else’s car if you have one of the three types of SR22 insurance:
- Non-owner SR22 insurance.
- Owner SR22 insurance.
- Owner/operator SR22 insurance.
If you don’t have SR22 insurance, you may not drive someone else’s car.
