{"id":315,"date":"2022-10-27T06:13:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T06:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/?page_id=315"},"modified":"2023-01-13T23:04:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T23:04:49","slug":"sr-22-in-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/car-insurance-quotes-online\/sr-22-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"SR-22 in California"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are you now required to file an\u00a0SR-22 with your state<\/a>? Most states require drivers to file an SR-22 once they are considered to be \u201chigh-risk\u201d drivers. Unfortunately, most drivers don\u2019t know what the SR-22 is or how it works.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t know enough about this subject, you may end up spending way too much money on car insurance. Keep reading to discover what the SR-22 is, why it is required, and what the different related terms actually mean.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

What Is the SR-22?<\/h2>\n
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Part of what makes the SR-22 so confusing is the terminology surrounding it. For example, you may hear drivers or even state officials refer to \u201cSR-22 insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, SR-22 is not a separate type of insurance. Instead, it is a governmental form you may be required to file with your state. The state may require such a form if they have determined you are a high-risk driver.<\/p>\n

This type of form sometimes goes by different names, including \u201cSR-22 form\u201d and \u201cSR-22 bond.\u201d In some cases, it is referred to as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility. That is because the form indicates to the state that you have obtained at least the minimum level of car insurance required by your state.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Why Would Someone Need an SR-22 in California?<\/h2>\n
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At this point, you may be asking why the state of California would require someone to get an SR-22. The short answer is that this is mandatory when your state has decided you are a high-risk driver.<\/p>\n

The most common reason why an SR-22 would be required is that you have had a\u00a0DUI or DWI conviction<\/a>. But it may also be necessary if you are caught driving without a license.<\/p>\n

It can also be ordered if you fail to maintain the\u00a0minimum insurance coverage<\/a>\u00a0required by your state. And in some cases, states can even require an SR-22 if you fail to make child support payments.<\/p>\n

Finally, you may be required to file an SR-22 if you receive multiple traffic offenses within a certain period of time. This may be enough for the state to determine you are a risky driver.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

How Long Do I Need to Have an SR-22 on File in California?<\/h2>\n
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If you are required to file an SR-22 with your state, you probably have a simple question: How long are you required to keep this on file?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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The exact answer will be determined in court. This means you may only be required to have it on file for a year or two. However, the SR-22 is most commonly required if a driver has been convicted\u00a0of a DUI<\/a>\u00a0or DWI. In those cases, drivers usually must have an SR-22 on file for a minimum of three years. To keep it on file for that length of time, you may need to renew the SR-22 within the timeframe set by your local DMV.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

The Importance of Regular Payments<\/h2>\n
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One important thing to know is that you must make continuous insurance payments the entire time you have an SR-22 on file. If you miss payments and have your coverage dropped, then your SR-22 will be nullified. And you\u2019ll be legally required to file the SR-22 once again, and you\u2019ll be starting over again.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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In addition to the hassle of the paperwork, the main reason you won\u2019t want to start this process over again is that it can get very expensive for you.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Understanding the Costs of an SR-22 in California<\/h2>\n
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One common question drivers have is whether the SR-22 is expensive or not. The answer is \u201cyes and no.\u201d<\/p>\n

The actual SR-22 paperwork is not expensive at all. In fact, filing it with your state will likely cost no more than $50. But the added cost comes from your\u00a0higher insurance premiums<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Remember, the SR-22 isn\u2019t required unless the state thinks you are a high-risk driver. Insurance companies get nervous about insuring riskier drivers. This means you will have to find an insurance carrier willing to offer insurance to high-risk drivers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Finding the Right Carrier<\/h2>\n
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Many carriers will simply not offer this kind of insurance. And the carriers who do are going to charge you a higher premium. In other words, you are going to pay a much higher insurance premium the entire time you have the form on file. And your insurance carrier may make you pay for an annual policy in advance instead of one month at a time.<\/p>\n

While we recommend that all drivers do this, those legally required to file an SR-22 should research multiple insurance carriers to see who can offer the most affordable price. Your premium will still be higher than it previously was, but taking the time to find the right carrier can make a major difference in how much you pay.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Can I Get an SR-22 Removed in California?<\/h2>\n
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Once you start paying those higher premiums, you\u2019ll probably be driven by a different question. Specifically, \u201cHow can I get an SR-22 removed?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Unfortunately, there is no way to get the SR-22 removed before your time is up. So if you are required to keep the form on file for three years, there is nothing you can do (including demonstrating safe driving behavior) to get the form removed early.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Advocating for Yourself<\/h2>\n
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And even when your time is up, keep in mind that the SR-22 is not going to go away on its own. You\u2019ll need to contact your insurance carrier at the right time. In turn, your carrier will\u00a0contact the DMV<\/a>\u00a0to have the form removed.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that your insurance premiums may still be a bit high even after you have the form removed. But these premiums should naturally lower on their own. Of course, you can accelerate this process by reaching out to multiple insurance carriers and getting different quotes until you find a\u00a0price and coverage level<\/a>\u00a0you are comfortable with.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

Does California Actually Require SR-22s?<\/h2>\n
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Previously, we touched on the fact that most states require SR-22s. However, that means that not every state requires these forms. How, then, can you know if the form is required by your own state?<\/p>\n

The following states do not require an SR-22:<\/p>\n