If you’re in a situation where you found yourself convicted of a serious driving offense, The court, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or Texas DPS (Department of Public Safety) may order you to start carrying Texas cheap SR22 insurance.
When the state revokes or suspends your driver’s license, getting Texas cheap SR22 insurance is a necessary step before you can get your driving privileges reinstated.
You will also need to pay any fines or penalties, and possibly complete a court-ordered program or sentence.
While this can feel overwhelming at first, getting Texas SR22 insurance isn’t difficult, it just requires some preparation and knowledge.
We can help you find cheap SR22 insurance.
In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know about Texas SR22 insurance, including who needs it, how to get it, and how much it costs.
Unfortunately, SR22 insurance usually means your insurer will raise your car insurance rates because you’re seen as a high-risk driver.
What Is an SR22?
SR22 isn’t really a type of insurance, although people often refer to it as such. Instead, it is a certificate of financial responsibility.
The certificate shows that you meet the minimum motor vehicle liability insurance coverage that Texas law requires after being found at-fault for high-risk violations while driving.
The minimum auto liability requirements in Texas are:
- $30,000 in liability coverage for each person injured.
- Up to $60,000 per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
These liability requirements protect both the policyholder and third parties in the event of injury, death, or property damage.
Although every driver in Texas needs to meet the minimum auto liability requirements, only drivers with an SR22 filing need to prove they meet these requirements.
If you have a clean driving record and do not have a revoked or suspended license, you will not need to carry SR22 documents.
Many people believe that an SR22 certificate is applicable to people who have been convicted of a DUI or DWI. While this is true, there are several other instances where a person may need an SR22.
Some other instances where a driver may need to carry SR22 insurance include:
- Driving with a suspended license.
- Driving without a license.
- Multiple traffic convictions in a short period.
- Unpaid child support.
- Driving without insurance.
How to Get Texas Cheap SR22 Insurance
You’ll know if you need Texas cheap SR22 insurance when you are ordered by the court or the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Generally, this will happen after being found at-fault after a car crash that has caused bodily injury, receiving a DUI conviction, or committing other major traffic offenses.
Once you know you need to get SR22 insurance, here are the steps you need to take to receive your certificate:
- If you’ve been found guilty of a DUI or DWI, you may need to complete a court ordered program before you can apply for your SR22.
- Get in touch with your auto insurance carrier and find out whether they provide cheap SR22 insurance in Texas. They will file an SR22 on your behalf if they do. Your insurer will also likely increase the price of your premium for your car insurance policy, because you will be considered a high-risk driver.
- Not all insurance companies provide SR22 insurance. If yours does not, you will need to contact other insurance providers, find one that does provide SR22 insurance in Texas, and get auto insurance.
- All fines and fees need to be paid, including an admin fee of between $15 and $50, and a driver’s license reinstatement fee of $100.
- The car insurance company will file an SR22 with the Texas DPS on your behalf, or you can request the documents and file it yourself.
- Once your insurer processes your documents, they will automatically notify you or you can check the Texas DPS website to see your status.
How Does a Texas SR22 Impact Cheap Car Insurance?
While SR22 insurance won’t automatically increase the rates of cheap car insurance, you have to disclose to your insurer that you need an SR22.
Once you’ve notified your insurer, they will be alerted to the fact that an incident has taken place. The severity of the incident dictates how much your auto insurance rates will increase.
When insurance providers are aware that you’ve committed a traffic violation, it may be difficult to find insurance companies that will provide cheap car insurance in Texas.
Don’t assume that your current insurance company will offer you the cheapest auto insurance. Rather, compare car insurance quotes from various companies to try and find the cheapest auto insurance quote.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Texas Inexpensive SR22 Insurance?
When you need to get Texas inexpensive SR22 insurance, you’ll have to cover several additional costs along with your SR22. These include:
- Paying higher liability coverage premiums.
- Higher car insurance rates.
- Losing your safe driver eligibility status and associated insurance discount.
- You’ll need to pay a one-time fee to your insurance provider for filing with the DPS.
- Pay any related fines.
- A fee to the Texas DMV to reinstate your driver’s license.
The cost of car insurance with an SR22 will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Where you live.
- Age.
- The severity and frequency of your traffic violations.
- Insured value of your vehicle.
How Does Texas Cheap SR22 insurance Compare to the Other States?
There are only six states in America that don’t require cheap SR22 insurance after a high-risk traffic violation. They are:
- Delaware.
- Kentucky.
- New Mexico.
- New York.
- North Carolina.
- Oklahoma.
Although New York doesn’t mandate that high-risk drivers need to have SR22 insurance, New York car insurance companies do offer it. This is done for people who have moved from another state that does require it.
For example, if you are required to carry an SR22 due to an incident in Texas, then move from Texas to New York, you will still be required to get New York SR22 insurance.
While most states require that high-risk drivers maintain SR22 car insurance for three years, in most instances Texas will only require that you maintain it for two years.
Once you’ve fulfilled the requirement, you may be able to shop around for cheap car insurance quotes.
Types of Affordable SR22 for Texas Drivers
Auto insurance with affordable SR22 is sometimes referred to as ‘high-risk insurance’ because the driver is considered a high risk for insurance companies to insure due to their traffic violations.
There are three different types of Texas SR22 insurance:
SR22 non-owner’s certificate
Non-owner SR22 insurance is for drivers who:
- Do not own a car.
- Don’t 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).
Even if you don’t own a car, Texas law states that the driver must meet the minimum auto liability insurance requirements. This means you’re obligated to follow the law anytime that you get behind the wheel of a car (although it may not be your car).
SR22 owner’s certificate
Sometimes called ‘regular 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.
If your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, you will first need to get SR22 car insurance before you can get your license reinstated.
Operator’s certificate with SR22
Operator SR22 insurance provides coverage for drivers who operate motor vehicles they do not own but have permission to operate. For example, if you’re required to drive as part of your job.
FAQs about Texas SR22 Insurance
Is there Texas SR22 insurance?
Yes. You may have to carry SR22 insurance after being found guilty of one of the following traffic violations:
- Driving with a suspended license.
- Driving without a license.
- Multiple traffic convictions in a short period, including speeding tickets.
- Unpaid child support.
- Driving without meeting the minimum insurance requirements in Texas.
How long is an Texas SR22 required?
Generally, SR22 insurance is required for two years in Texas. Depending on the severity of your driving infringement, this may be longer.
If you allow your SR22 to lapse before the end date, you’ll be required to reinstate your SR22 filing and the period will start again from day one.
Why do I need a Texas SR22?
You will need to carry SR22 auto insurance to prove that you’re meeting Texas’ minimum liability car insurance requirements if you are considered a high-risk driver,
How do I get my SR22?
If you are ordered by the court, Texas DMV, or Texas DPS to get SR22 insurance, you will need to find affordable car insurance that offers it.
The vehicle insurance company will send the documentation to the Texas PDS, then your insurer will issue you a certificate.
How do you get your license suspended in Texas?
Your driver’s license can be suspended in Texas for the following violations:
- DUI/DWI.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving without car insurance coverage.
- Driving without liability insurance coverage.
- Failure to pay traffic tickets.
Your license can also be suspended for reasons unrelated to driving, such as:
- Vandalism.
- Drug offenses.
- Stealing gasoline.
- Public intoxication.
If your driver’s license is suspended, you will need to obtain SR22 auto insurance before you can reinstate your license.
Can I drive someone else’s car in Texas?
Texas law requires that all drivers meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements.
Even if you don’t own a car, you will need non-owner SR22 or operator SR22 if you intend to drive another person’s car.
If you don’t have insurance for SR22, you cannot legally drive someone else’s car.
What Are Auto Insurance Rates?
Your auto insurance policy is a contract agreed to by you and your insurer. It protects you against financial loss in the event of an accident or damage.
Your auto insurance rate is the amount you’ll pay monthly for the coverage, and it is influenced by factors such as:
- Age.
- Driving record.
- Your location.
- Your credit score.
- The value of your car.
What Is Minimum Auto Liability Insurance?
Almost all U.S. states require a minimum amount of auto liability insurance. This coverage helps to pay for any damage you may cause to property or injury/death of a third party while driving.
There are three key components to auto insurance liability:
- Bodily injury coverage per person.
- Bodily injury coverage per accident.
- Property damage coverage per accident.
