Understanding Insurance Policies
What To Do When You Need SR-22 Insurance
Samantha Reynolds
If you have recently been convicted of a serious driving-related charge — such as if you were convicted of a DWI, driving without insurance, or driving without a license — there is a chance that you are required to have SR-22 insurance. If this is the case, you might not be sure of what you can or should do next. These are the main things that you will need to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Understand What It Is
If you have never been legally required to have an SR-22 filing before, then you might not really understand what this means. Many people assume that it means that you need a special type of insurance policy, but this is not the case. Basically, an SR-22 requirement means that your insurance company is required to submit documentation on a regular basis to prove that you have continuous insurance coverage.
Understand How Long You'll Have This Requirement
If you were recently convicted of a driving violation that triggered the need for an SR-22 filing, then there is a good chance that you need an SR-22 filing for a certain period of time, such as one or three years. This period of time varies based on the state that you live in, the driving-related charge that you were convicted of, and more. Consult your attorney for more information about how long you will be required to have your SR-22 filing.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you already have car insurance, then you should contact your insurance company right away to let them know about this requirement. Then, they will know about the additional steps to take to help you stay compliant with this requirement, and they can let you know about additional steps that you need to take or additional costs that you will be required to pay.
Consider Looking for New Car Insurance
Although your current car insurance company might offer coverage for customers who need an SR-22 filing, you might see an increase in premiums if you continue your coverage with the same company. Now might be a good time to start shopping around for coverage from a company that specializes in providing coverage for those with SR-22 filing requirements, since they might offer lower premiums and take steps to make the process easier.
Finding out that you need SR-22 insurance because of a driving conviction or another issue can be upsetting and a bit frightening. However, if you follow the simple steps above, you should be able to handle the situation in the best way possible so that you can stay on the road while abiding by this legal requirement.
For more information, contact a company like Illinois Insurance Center Inc.
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After I moved out of my parent's home, I started learning more and more about insurance policies. I was involved in a bad car accident, and I ended up working with my car insurance company as well as my medical and dental insurance companies. I paid my premiums and enjoyed coverage, but I didn't really understand how the entire insurance claim process worked. I wanted to make this blog to help other people like me to learn more about insurance coverage. Check out this blog for more details on insurance coverage, how to file a claim, and what you should expect throughout the shopping process.