Myth-Busting SR-22 Insurance in California
What if you could make one of the scariest events in your life a lot less frightening?
For many drivers, having to file an SR-22 is daunting because they are worried about all the ways it may affect their automobile insurance. As a result, drivers throughout California have created several myths about SR-22 insurance that make the truth that much harder to discover.
Don’t worry — we’re here to cut through the stories and deliver the facts about SR-22 insurance. Keep reading to discover the most persistent myths and the truth behind them!
What is SR-22 Insurance and Why Do I Need It?
Technically, the term “SR-22 insurance” is something of a myth itself. However, California drivers use the term so much that it often leads to uncomfortable questions, such as “do I need an SR-22 and regular insurance?”
The truth is that an SR-22 is not a separate type of insurance — it is paperwork filed with the state to certify that you will keep the minimum required automobile insurance for a certain number of years. Because this paperwork can increase your premium, though, some refer to your coverage during this time as “SR-22 insurance” or even “DUI insurance.”
Myth #1: Only California Drivers with DUIs Need SR-22 Insurance
Those who are convicted of a DUI almost certainly will have to file an SR-22 with the state for at least three years. Over time, this has led to the misconception that only people with DUIs need to worry about SR-22 insurance.
In reality, a lot of other scenarios can trigger the SR-22 requirement, including getting a DUI conviction, driving without enough insurance, or accumulating too many violations and repeat offenses. In some cases, if you’re a California driver who fails to pay child support on time, you may need to file an SR-22.
Myth #2: SR-22 Insurance is Separate from Regular Insurance
Another persistent myth: “SR-22 insurance” is separate from your regular coverage. This isn’t true. SR-22 is the name of the form you file with the state of California. You still need to maintain a minimum amount of regular automobile insurance, but you may now have to pay more on your premium than you did before.
Because filing an SR-22 with the state essentially verifies in most cases that you are a riskier driver than the average California resident, there may be some carriers that refuse to offer you coverage. Other carriers may advertise “SR-22 insurance” as a way to reassure consumers that they will still be able to purchase insurance from them.
Myth #3: I Can Drive in California Without SR-22 Insurance After My License is Suspended
If your license was suspended, you may have heard that you won’t need to file an SR-22 in order to reinstate it. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true in the great state of California.
Should the DMV suspend or otherwise revoke your license, then you will need to file an SR-22 before you can restore your license. Furthermore, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device that essentially forces you to pass a breathalyzer test before you can drive your car.
Myth #4: SR-22 Insurance Will Completely Protect Me in Case of an Accident
One of the stranger myths about SR-22 insurance is that it offers enhanced protection in the event of an accident. In some cases, California drivers may think they are completely protected. However, this is almost the exact opposite of the truth.
On the most basic level, the SR-22 is an agreement you make with the state to get the bare minimum coverage required. In California, minimum coverage means $15,000 for injury or death to a single person, $30,000 for injury or death to multiple people, and $5,000 for damage to property.
Whether or not you have an SR-22 on file, having only liability insurance means your car won’t be protected if you are at fault. Furthermore, if you cause more damage than your coverage limit, you could be left with some major bills that are much worse than whatever you might have saved by only getting minimum coverage.
Get the Most Affordable SR-22 Insurance in California Today!
Now you know the truth behind all those SR-22 insurance myths. But do you know where you can find the coverage you need at a price that will pleasantly surprise you?
Cost-U-Less provides California drivers like yourself with the insurance they need. Sick of other carriers trying to charge you too much thanks to the SR-22? Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast and free SR-22 insurance quote online. You can also find a nearby office and visit us in person.
