SR-22 insurance policy is a certificate that proves financial responsibility in the state of Georgia. It is a unique insurance form that tells Georgian authorities that the driver of a car has fulfilled the state-mandated duration for maintaining car insurance and has been found financially responsible for plying Georgia roads.
Drivers can apply for SR-22 insurance with the Georgia DMV to satisfy all of the state's requirement to prove you are a safe driver. You and your auto insurer are expected to liaise together to file the form with the state every month.
If you have been mandated to purchase SR-22 insurance, you will be charged a premium for your car insurance compared to drivers who have a good driving history. Since you are allowed to shop around for the best SR-22 insurance rates, this gives you the privilege to find relatively cheap options for your needs.
The best way to purchase auto insurance in Georgia is by comparing rates from different car insurance companies.
Purchasing SR-22 insurance can be a tad expensive in Georgia. This is not a result of the filing fee itself but rather your auto insurer's way of covering for your high-risk status depending on the violation that required you to apply for SR-22 insurance in the first place.
The standard filing fee for SR-22 falls between $15 to $35.
Auto insurers bill high-risk drivers more than the average rate because of the risk attached. They expect you to request for a payout with any SR-22 so that is their way of covering all their bases. Your insurance rate will likely increase based on the nature and number of infractions you've incurred on your record.
Below is a chart showing the insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Georgia.
For Insured Drivers
Drivers that already own car insurance can apply and get SR-22 insurance in a quick time. Contact your insurer and ask them to file an SR-22 request with your local DMV. If your current auto insurer declines this request, it's time to shop for a new insurance company.
For Drivers Without Insurance
If you don't have current auto insurance on your portfolio, be prepared to pay a premium before your SR-22 request can be filed with the Georgia DMV. This premium will serve as coverage for your high-risk status. Some companies may decline your requests for other forms of coverage if you have an SR-22 certification on your portfolio. However, you can expect to find an insurer that will cater to your needs even if you just need short term car insurance.
For Drivers Who Are Not Vehicle Owners
The process of applying for SR-22 insurance can be tedious if you're not a registered car owner. You will need to present proof of insurance before you are awarded the certificate. To smoother this process, first, get non-owner car insurance before applying for SR-22 insurance.
Non-owner auto insurance won't provide you coverage if physical damage occurs to your vehicle, but it is more cost-efficient than standard auto insurance.
Drivers in Georgia who typically need SR-22 insurance are drivers found guilty of a DUI or DWI. Most times, the state mandates you to provide SR-22 insurance if you have been convicted of multiple violations such as driving uninsured or drag racing.
Such drivers will have their license suspended and cannot have it reinstated until they maintain SR-22 for the standard duration as appointed by the court. Georgia law states that all drivers must have an SR-22 insurance certificate on their person at all times when driving as proof of financial responsibility.
If you avoid paying for insurance during your SR-22 maintenance term, your license will be automatically suspended. The most common factor that affects SR-22 rates is a DUI conviction in Georgia.
SR-22 insurance forms in Georgia are categorized into three classes referred to as certificates.
If you own a car, you will need an SR-22 owner's certificate representing proof you are financially responsible for owning and driving a vehicle in Georgia. Owners certificate proves to the state that if an accident happens, you have minimum liability coverage set up. The majority of drivers in Georgia own this particular form.
The second certificate is non-owner SR-22 insurance used by drivers who don't own a vehicle. This policy proves financial responsibility to the state if you are ever involved in a collision with a vehicle that is not yours. This can be a friend or family member's vehicle.
If you don't have a non-owner certificate on your person and are involved in an accident, you will be personally held responsible for all the damage you caused.
Lastly, we have the operator-owner's certificate, which offers coverage to both the drivers and any vehicle they operate, even if they are not the owner. This is a hybrid policy that covers you, regardless of the vehicle you drive. It is particularly useful if you often borrow your partner's car or your parent's car.
Your auto insurance company usually does the process of filing for an SR-22 certificate once you've secured SR-22 coverage. After purchasing Georgia auto insurance coverage, contact your insurer and ask them to file your SR-22 form with your local DMV.
You will be charged a processing fee for the SR-22 form by your insurer, although it is often included in your total balance. This fee should not cost more than $30. Here's where it gets expensive.
You will be charged a monthly premium – although some insurance companies insist on paying the first-year total at the beginning. Different insurers have different rates, so it is important to choose wisely and compare quotes. That is the best way to find the quote that best suits you.
The cost of SR-22 insurance in Georgia depends on your driving record and the type of violation that required you to apply for this policy. High-risk drivers with a DUI conviction on their record typically pay an additional $184 on top of the average rate. While drivers with a clean record are charged an average rate of $322, high-risk drivers pay a premium of $506 or more. This does not include the cost of processing the form.
On average, SR-22 costs about $230 every month if you have a DUI conviction on your deicing record. This is based on a rate analysis by our insurance experts. Additionally, you have to pay a processing fee for filing the form.
Call your local DMV to ascertain if you are free to remove the SR-22 policy from your portfolio. After getting the approval, you can then amend your policy by calling your auto insurer and requesting the SR-22 be canceled.
The main difference between SR-22 and SR22A is that the former is a certificate required from repeat offenders who have been charged with severe violations. At the same time, the latter is requested by drivers who are not considered high-risk individuals.
Yes. You must own and maintain SR-22 insurance if you are a driver or own a vehicle in Georgia. The only state that does not require any form of car insurance in New Hampshire. In Georgia, an SR-22 insurance certificate is used to monitor drivers and confirm that they are financially responsible.
For specific information pertaining to another state in question, please refer to the respective that are more in-depth.
Georgia uses an SR-22 insurance certificate to limit repeat offenders who have violated the state's financial responsibility laws. Georgia employs SR-22 and SR22A (which imposes further restrictions on drivers). Suppose you have been found guilty of specific traffic violations or driving uninsured. In that case, you will be required to carry SR-22 as proof that you possess minimum liability coverage until you can have your license reinstated.
Yes, you need a special type of SR-22 form if you don't drive but own a car. Regardless of your driving status, you must purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy to prove you have fulfilled your financial responsibility requirements with the state.
You can confirm your SR-22 eligibility status with your local DMV to ascertain the stipulated duration you are expected to maintain SR-22 insurance in your state. The standard course is 36 months. At the end of your term, you have to reach out to your auto insurance to stop filing your SR-22 insurance with the state, or you will continue to be charged.
You can apply for SR-22 without owning a vehicle by purchasing a non-owner insurance policy. This is the best solution for drivers who seek standard auto insurance coverage.
You will need an Operator's certificate to drive a car you don't own even if you purchase SR-22. SR-22 policy is a state-mandated certificate if you have been found guilty of driving under the influence or driving uninsured.