Cheap SR-22 Insurance For California

If you’ve been ordered by the court or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to carry an SR22, figuring out how to get it done can be overwhelming.

Drivers who have been convicted of driving-related infringements or have had their driver’s license revoked or suspended, will need to show the state that they have minimum liability insurance coverage under California law.

Additionally, the certificate that proves that they have undertaken this financial responsibility is called an SR22.

There are several ways a driver can prove their financial responsibility to the DMV:

• An auto minimum liability insurance policy.
• Cash deposit of $35,000 with the DMV.
• DMV-issued self-insurance certificate.
• Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California.

Because the vast majority of people don’t have $35,000 in cash or enough savings to self-insure, most drivers will need to get an auto liability insurance policy.

In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about getting a California SR22 certificate, as well as help you get better prepared for this journey.

What Is SR22 Insurance?

SR22 insurance is frequently referred to as a type of insurance, but it isn’t actually an auto insurance policy.

Rather, it’s a certificate of responsibility that proves you have met California’s minimum requirements for liability auto insurance.

This coverage protects you financially in the event of being found at-fault in a car accident that causes property damage, injury, or death to another person.

Therefore, without it, you may be held liable for expenses that can include medical costs, property restoration, and lawyers’ fees.

Additionally, the state knows that most people don’t have a few thousand dollars lying around to cover these costs, so auto liability coverage is a legal requirement that protects both you, the policyholder, and third parties, or other drivers and their passengers.

While all drivers in California will need to meet the state’s minimum requirements, only those who have been asked to carry an SR22 will need to have a form that proves they have met the insurance coverage requirements.

Your SR22 form will include the following information:

• Policy liability limits.
• Driver information.
• Vehicle registration number.
• Confirmation of payment.
• Policy expiration date.

Who Needs California SR22 Car Insurance?

California SR22 car insurance is sometimes called ‘DUI insurance’. This is because drivers will usually need to file an SR22 in order to reinstate their driver’s license after a DUI or reckless driving conviction in California.

However, getting a DUI or reckless driving conviction isn’t the only reason the state may require you to carry SR22 insurance.

Some other incidents that may lead to this include:

• Getting too many points on your driving record in a short timeframe.
• A history of reckless driving convictions.
• Being at fault in a major collision.
• Driving without car insurance.
• Driving without minimum liability coverage.
• Not carrying your car insurance documents.
• Not reporting an accident that causes over $1,000 in bodily injury.
• Driving with a suspended license.

If you’re found guilty of one of the above incidents at a California DMV hearing or in court, consequently, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.

If you want the DMV to reinstate your driver’s license, you will first need to file an SR22 form with your car insurance carrier.

Evidently, the type of SR22 insurance you will need depends on your personal circumstances.

No SR22 insurance

If you will not be driving at all and don’t want to reinstate your driver’s license, you do not need to file.

In this instance, if you are found to be driving it will be considered a criminal offense.

Non-owner SR22 insurance

If you do not plan to own a car but may drive one, you will need to file for non-owner insurance. Comparatively, non-owner SR22 insurance is for drivers who:

• Do not own a car.
• Do not live in the same house as someone who owns a car.
• May drive a car on occasion (for example, a rental or borrowing a friend’s car).

Owner SR22 insurance

Owner SR22 insurance is for people who:

• Own a car.
• Live in the same house as someone who owns a car.
• Have had their driver’s license revoked or suspended and want to reinstate it.

Owner/operator SR22 insurance

If you own multiple cars or are required to drive vehicles for work, you will need to carry owner/operator SR-22 insurance.

How to Get a California SR22 

If you need to get a California SR22, you’ll need to contact your auto insurance carrier and request that they file one with the California DMV.

You won’t be able to obtain an SR22 directly from the DMV, the Certificate of Responsibility must be issued by  your auto insurer.

Unfortunately, the DMV or court request will alert your auto insurance carrier to the fact that there has been an incident and they will request further information from the California DMV.

With this information, there are three possible choices that your auto insurer may make:

1. Cancel your insurance coverage. In the event of a major traffic violation, they may decide that you’re too high of a risk to insure. If this happens, you will have to get auto insurance from another company (usually at significantly higher auto insurance rates) before you can get an SR-22.
2. Auto insurance company won’t cancel your policy, but won’t grant you SR-22 insurance. If this happens, you’ll need to find another auto insurance company that will grant you SR-22 insurance.
3. Auto insurance company will issue your SR22 certificate and will likely increase your auto insurance rate.

How Much Does It Cost to Get California Cheap SR22 Insurance?

The rates associated with getting California cheap SR22 insurance will vary from driver to driver. In general, here are some of the costs you can expect:

• Monthly SR22 liability coverage premium.
• An increased auto insurance premium.
• If your auto insurer offered a safe driver discount, you may lose it.
• A filing fee that’s usually between $25 and $50.
• Having to pay any related fines and fees, which are generally over $300.
• $125 reissuing fee to the DMV to reinstate your driver’s license.

Not only will the cost depend on where you live in California, but it also will depend on various additional factors, including:

• Age.
• The severity and frequency of your traffic violations, or speeding tickets.
• Insured value of your vehicle.

How Does a California SR22 Impact Auto Insurance Rates?

Unfortunately, auto insurance companies will see you as a high-risk driver once you have required to have an SR22, this will increase auto insurance rates.

The amount you will pay depends on how serious the traffic violation. If you had to get SR22 insurance because of a DUI, your vehicle insurance will be raised significantly.

However, if your offense was less serious, insurance rates will still increase, but by a less significant amount.

If you’re required to carry a California SR22, your car insurance company can cancel your policy.

This is because they may deem you as too high risk to insure, and you might struggle to find coverage from another car insurance company.

However, if you’re unable to find auto insurance that will allow you to obtain an SR22, California offers a program that matches drivers to auto insurance companies that will insure them.

If you are able to keep a clean driving record for the duration that you’re required to carry SR22 insurance, it will be revoked at the end of the term and you may be able to get cheap car insurance quotes.

How Does California SR22 Insurance Compare to Other States?

California SR22 insurance is similar to all states in America, except for six States, which require an SR22 after a serious traffic violation. The six States that don’t require it are:

• Delaware.
• Kentucky.
• New Mexico.
• New York.
• North Carolina.
• Oklahoma.

FAQs about California SR22 Insurance

How long do you have to have California SR22 insurance?

Typically, drivers in California will be required to have SR22 insurance for three years. In some circumstances, you will need to carry it for longer. You can check your SR22 certificate to see how long it will be in effect for.

How much is California SR22 Insurance?

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $165 to $634 per month in premiums for SR22 insurance. Remember, that the SR22 certificate isn’t the most expensive part, it’s the high risk driver classification that really increases your premium. But along with that, you will need to pay some additional costs, including:

• A filing fee that’s usually between $25-$50.
• Paying any related fines and fees, which are generally over $300.
• A $125 reissuing fee to the DMV to reinstate your driver’s license.

How do I get my license reinstated after a California DUI?

In order to reinstate your driver’s license after a DUI conviction in California, you will need to serve your restrictions, suspensions, or imprisonment, complete a DUI program, and obtain SR22 insurance.

How do I check my California SR22?

If you aren’t sure whether your registration has been suspended, you can visit the DMV website to find out.