How Do I Save Money on SR-22 Insurance?
What if your car insurance could be cheaper, even after you file an SR-22 with the state?
It’s an open secret that it’s very difficult to find cheap SR-22 insurance. Most drivers resign themselves to paying way more for their coverage than they did previously. However, that doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel and accept these higher rates.
That’s because there are plenty of easy ways to save on an SR-22 policy. Don’t believe it? Keep reading to discover how to lower your rates today!
Understanding SR-22 and Its Purpose
A shocking number of drivers file an SR-22 in California without fully understanding what this paperwork represents. Just what is an SR-22? In short, it’s a document that certifies you have an auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum standards.
In most cases, drivers are forced to file such paperwork after being convicted of a DUI, DWI, or other serious moving violation. Carriers will usually use this filing to justify increasing your rates, often by large amounts. The increase generally lasts for the length of time you are required to carry SR-22 protection. However, understanding the exact factors behind the added cost can help you get the most affordable SR-22 insurance.
Key Factors Influencing SR-22 Costs
It’s difficult to get affordable insurance after a DUI primarily because insurers now have documented proof of your major moving violation. In practice, this isn’t very different from how coverage normally works: It only takes a single claim, speeding ticket, or other moving violation to increase your rates.
Other factors influence your premium, including your vehicle, your age, your location, and more. However, to best understand your exact SR-22 cost, it’s important to examine the impact of driving violations and the importance of state differences.
The Impact of Driving Violations on SR-22 Rates
All moving violations can potentially increase the cost of your car insurance. What you should know, though, is not all moving violations are created equally. A single ticket may increase your premium, but multiple violations will increase it more because you are a repeat offender. Similarly, a ticket for an improper lane change may drive up your rate, but getting busted for running a stop sign is likely to drive it up even higher.
Many drivers who once wondered, “How much is SR-22 insurance?” discover just how bad it really is after they file. That’s because the DUIs and DWIs that commonly lead to filing this document with the state are considered reckless driving offenses. And those types of offenses increase your rate much more than minor offenses.
How State Differences Affect SR-22 Insurance Prices
State differences can affect the cost of an SR-22 requirement because, simply put, the minimum level of coverage required varies between states. Therefore, someone who got an SR-22 in Florida two years ago and moved to California last year is going to pay different rates in their new state. On the bright side, this sometimes means that moving from one state to another can actually lower your rate.
Strategies to Save on SR-22 Insurance
A great way to get more affordable SR-22 insurance is to bundle multiple policies through the same carrier. You should also ask your carrier about any discounts that might be available. For example, you could potentially lower your premium by installing anti-theft devices in your car or taking a driver safety course.
Additionally, you can trade out a newer, more expensive car for an older model that is cheaper to insure (an SR-22 policy in California covers every car you drive). If you start driving less, you might be able to lower the cost of your coverage further.
Additional Ways to Lower SR-22 Insurance Costs
The strategies above are some of the most reliable ways to lower the cost of your SR-22 coverage. However, every little bit of savings can help, and there are still a couple of methods that can lower (sometimes quite dramatically) how much you pay for automobile coverage each month.
Maintaining a Clean Driving Record
It may sound obvious, but one of the best things you can do to lower your premium after filing an SR-22 is to maintain a clean driving record. In fact, simply going for a certain period (say, three years) without filing a claim or getting a ticket will help you start saving.
Remember those discounts mentioned earlier? Every carrier offers a safe driving discount. By keeping a clean driving record for as long as possible, you can qualify for a major reduction in your premium.
Opting for Higher Deductibles and Appropriate Coverage Levels
So far, all these money-saving tips have been assuming that you wish to maintain the same level of coverage. However, the final way to save after you file an SR-22 may be the easiest: adjusting your deductibles or coverage levels.
For example, raising your deductible will lower your premium and may not matter that much if you truly intend to drive safer for the foreseeable future. Adjusting your coverage levels downward can further reduce how much you pay. If you do all this after downsizing to an older, cheaper car, you may be surprised by how easy it is to get the most affordable car insurance.
Stop Searching and Find Affordable SR-22 Insurance
As you can tell, multiple factors affect the cost of your SR-22 insurance. Similarly, there are many different ways that you can save on your premium. This includes changing your driving behaviors and tweaking your policy. However, the best way to save remains by switching to a new carrier that can offer you more competitive rates.
Here at Cost-U-Less, we specialize in providing the lowest automobile coverage prices regardless of whether you’ve filed an SR-22. Ready to take control of your finances and finally stop paying so much on your premium? Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast SR-22 insurance quote online. You can also find a Cost-U-Less office near you.
