Obtaining cheap SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania can be a daunting process. It can become even more confusing if you move from a state that requires SR22 insurance to one of the few states that don’t require cheap SR22 insurance.
Pennsylvania is one of a few states where drivers don’t need to carry SR22 insurance after being convicted of a major traffic violation. Some of these other states are:
- Minnesota.
- Kentucky.
- New Mexico.
- Oklahoma.
- Delaware.
- New York.
- North Carolina.
If you keep living in the state where your traffic violation occurred, obtaining SR-22 insurance is a relatively straightforward process. But what happens if you then move to a state that doesn’t require SR22 insurance?
If, for example, you’re ordered to carry SR22 insurance in California (where an SR22 is mandatory after some driving offenses) and then move to Pennsylvania, you’ll have to take a few extra steps before you’re able to sign up with a new car insurance company in the state.
These are exactly the types of issues we’ll address in this article. We will go through everything you need to know about SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania, including how to obtain it and where to find the best deals from car insurance companies.
What Is SR22 Insurance?
SR22 insurance is often called “financial responsibility insurance”, but it isn’t actually a type of insurance policy.
Instead, it’s a document you’ll need to carry to prove financial responsibility if you’re charged with a major traffic violation.
Financial responsibility is a state-based legal requirement that means drivers need to provide proof that they are able to pay for accident-related damages in the event of an at-fault car accident.
Some states allow you to prove financial responsibility with a minimum amount of savings, but for most people, it’s more realistic to have minimum auto liability coverage.
What is Minimum Auto Liability Insurance Coverage?
Auto liability coverage insurance helps to cover any damages that you may cause while driving, including property damage, and medical bills or lost wages to a third party who has been injured in the car accident.
Each state has unique minimum requirements, but three aspects are always covered:
- Bodily injury coverage per person.
- Bodily injury coverage per accident.
- Property damage coverage per accident.
All Pennsylvania drivers need to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements and carry liability insurance, even if they have a clean driving record.
Pennsylvania’s minimum auto liability insurance requirements are:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person.
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident.
- $5,000 personal injury protection (PIP).
Although Pennsylvania doesn’t require drivers with a poor driving record to have SR22 insurance, there is a scenario where you will need it: If you carry SR22 insurance from another state, then move to Pennsylvania.
Generally, you will need to have SR22 insurance for three years. If you were charged with a serious traffic violation, you may need to carry an SR-22 for a longer period.
Some of the violations that can lead to an SR22, include:
- Speeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Being at-fault in a major accident.
- Fleeing the scene of an at-fault accident.
- A DUI conviction.
- Driving without car insurance.
- Getting an excessive number of points on your driving record.
- Having outstanding unpaid child support payments.
- You have a revoked or suspended license and want to reinstate it.
If you’re charged with a serious traffic violation in Pennsylvania, you won’t be required to carry SR22 insurance. But, just because you won’t need an SR22, it doesn’t mean you won’t face other legal penalties.
Pennsylvania DUI laws are some of the harshest in the country. If you’re charged with a DUI, some of the penalties you’re likely to face for a first offense, include:
- A misdemeanor criminal charge.
- Up to six months probation.
- A $300 fine.
- Alcohol dependency treatment.
- Alcohol highway safety school.
If you’re charged with a DUI for a second or subsequent time, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device.
This is a breathalyzer for your vehicle that prevents you from turning on your car ignition if it senses alcohol in your system.
If you’re charged with a DUI or another serious traffic violation in Pennsylvania, your auto insurance rates are also likely to increase.
Key Point: Auto Insurance Rates
When you sign up for car insurance, you and the car insurance company will agree on a monthly rate you need to pay in exchange for insurance coverage. Your auto insurance rate is influenced by a number of factors, including:
- Age.
- Driving record.
- Marital status.
- Location.
- Credit score.
- Value of your car.
If you move to Pennsylvania with SR22 insurance and need to find car insurance in the state, it might be difficult to find an insurance company that will offer you coverage. This is because you’ll be considered a high-risk driver.
Car insurance companies classify drivers as “high-risk” for a number of reasons, including nondriving-related reasons. These can include:
- Young drivers under 25 years old.
- Living in an area with high crime.
- Been found at-fault in an accident.
- Too many points on your driving record.
- Car insurance canceled.
- Unpaid child support payments.
- Low credit score.
The Different Types of SR22 Insurance
Just because Pennsylvania state law doesn’t require SR22 insurance after an infringement, some car insurance companies do still offer SR22 insurance for drivers who have been mandated to have it by another state.
Here are the three different types of SR22 insurance you may need to carry:
Owner SR22 Insurance
You may need Owner SR22 insurance if:
- You’ve moved from a state where SR-22 insurance is required.
- You own a car or plan to buy a car.
- You live in the same household as someone who owns a car.
Non-Owner SR22 Insurance
If you carry SR22 insurance in another state and have since moved to Pennsylvania and don’t own a car anymore, you may think you no longer need to carry SR22 insurance. However, this isn’t accurate.
Some car insurance companies offer Non-owner SR22 insurance for drivers who:
- Do not own a car and don’t plan to buy one.
- May drive from time to time (e.g. renting a car).
- Live in the same house as someone who does own a car.
Owner/Operator SR22 Insurance
If you own multiple vehicles or are required to drive vehicles for work, you will need to carry Owner/operator SR22 insurance.
Does Pennsylvania Have an Equivalent for SR22 Insurance?
Although Pennsylvania doesn’t have an equivalent for SR22 insurance, there are still serious consequences for committing a traffic violation. Depending on the severity of the offense, this can include:
- A driver’s license suspension.
- Fines.
- Jail time.
- Community service.
- Points on your driving record.
- Increased car insurance rates.
How to Get Pennsylvania Cheap SR22 Insurance
If you move from another state to Pennsylvania, you will need to get new car insurance once you’re in the state.
Federal law requires drivers to be insured in the same state they live in, so if you don’t obtain new insurance you may be found guilty of committing insurance fraud.
Luckily, most car insurers give you a 90-day grace period to obtain new insurance.
Finding Pennsylvania cheap SR22 insurance isn’t difficult but it can be time consuming. To find the best deal, you’ll need to do one of the following:
- Get quotes from various insurance companies: While this is a great way of collecting quotes, you’ll need to answer the same questions multiple times. This isn’t too time consuming if you only call two or three insurance companies, but if you want to collect more than five quotes you’re likely to spend a few hours on the phone.
- Go through a licensed insurance agent: A licensed insurance agent will collect quotes on your behalf, but they may charge a fee or commission over and above your auto insurance rates.
What Happens If You Drive without SR22 Insurance?
If you allow your SR22 car insurance policy to lapse, the insurance carrier that issued your SR22 documents will file an SR-26 form with the Pennsylvania DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
This form notifies the DMV that you are no longer upholding your SR22 insurance.
In this event, the state will suspend your driving privileges and notify all other states so once you move to Pennsylvania, you won’t be able to get a new driver’s license, register your vehicle, or obtain car insurance.
If you’re caught driving without SR22 insurance at a regular traffic stop, you may:
- Have your registration suspended.
- Have your driver’s license suspended or revoked.
- Be issued a $500 fine.
- Be sentenced to serve jail time.
FAQs about Pennsylvania SR22
Does Pennsylvania have SR22?
No, Pennsylvania does not require a SR22. However, if you need to carry SR22 insurance from another state, you will have to inform your insurer in Pennsylvania.
If you allow your SR22 insurance to lapse, the insurance carrier that issued your SR22 documents will file an SR-26 form with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
In this event, the state will suspend your driving privileges and notify all other states so once you move to Pennsylvania, you won’t be able to get a new driver’s license, register your vehicle, or obtain car insurance.
Who in Pennsylvania needs SR22 insurance?
If you have committed one of the below traffic violations in a state that does require SR22 insurance, you will need to obtain SR22 insurance in Pennsylvania:
- Speeding.
- Reckless driving.
- Being at-fault in a major accident.
- Fleeing the scene of an at-fault accident.
- A DUI conviction.
- Driving without car insurance.
- Getting an excessive number of points on your driving record.
- Having outstanding unpaid child support payments.
- You have a revoked or suspended license and want to reinstate it
How long is the requirement to carry SR22 insurance?
Usually, drivers will be required to have SR22 insurance for three years.
If your SR22 insurance lapses during this period and you need to renew it, you may have to start those three years all over again.
In some cases, depending on the severity of the traffic violation, you may need to carry an SR22 for a longer period.
