In Michigan, an SR-22 filing is usually necessary to reinstate a driver’s license after suspension after its suspension for whatever reason. It is a proof of future financial responsibility filed by an insurance provider with the Michigan state DMV to show the relevant authorities that an offending driver currently carries a car insurance policy in line with state requirements and would continue to do so for a court-mandated period of time.
Some of the reasons that could require the filing of the form in Michigan are:
Every driver in the state of Michigan is required to have car insurance in order to drive within the state. For example getting a PLPD insurance Michigan policy is common. This is partly because, when it comes to accidents and insurance in Michigan, the state is designated a choice no-fault state. What this means is that regardless of who is at fault for an accident, motorists must file claims with their own insurance providers rather than filing a liability claim against another driver. Thus, the no-fault designation ensures that insurance liability payments can be made immediately. However, in the event that you are at fault in an accident that causes extensive injuries and damage to property, the choice can be exercised to sue and probably would be.
In addition to the requirement of an insurance policy for all drivers, the state also demands that the insurance policies meet certain requirements. These requirements are:
It is important to note that the requirements made by the state for an insurance policy to be valid are liability requirements that do not cover any personal damage to your vehicle or injuries to you or any occupants of your vehicle during an accident. To acquire insurance on this level, additional coverage could have to be purchased from your policy provider.
There are three types of SR-22 insurance forms that are suitable for drivers, depending on their situations. These forms are:
If you have committed an offence in Michigan that requires the filing of an SR-22 form with the state, you are required to file the form and purchase an adequate insurance policy whether or not you own a car. The same applies for divers who are in the process of reinstating a suspended or revoked license. A failure to file the form would mean that for such an individual, diving within Michigan would be unlawful.
In Michigan, an SR-22 insurance form can only be filed with the state by a licensed insurance provider. If your current insurance provider doesn’t issue the form, it is necessary to get a new provider.
For the filing of the form, insurance providers within Michigan typically charge a processing fee ranging from $20 to $50 in price. However, before the form can be filed, a driver must also possess an insurance policy that meets the minimum liability insurance requirements of Michigan. The requirements are:
Drivers moving out of Michigan with a suspended or revoked license will be put on a Michigan driver’s license hold pending an application for a Michigan license clearance and a compulsory appearance in court. This license hold means that a driver would be unable to obtain a drivers license within or outside the state with or without SR-22 insurance.
If the above requirement has been met, a driver would still have to maintain the Michigan SR-22 form in the new state. It should, however, be noted that the insurance policy carried by such a driver should meet the liability requirements of both states; the old state (Michigan) for the maintenance of the form and the new state, for the maintenance of driving privileges there.
Upon the filing of an SR-22 in Michigan, the form must be maintained for a court-determined period of time (usually three years) and during this time the driver must carry continuous insurance coverage. In the event of a lapse in coverage, an insurance provider is obligated by state law to report the lapse.
What to do if the SR-22 lapses
If the SR-22 insurance coverage should ever lapse during the period of filing, the insurance provider is required to report the lapse and the state would subsequently suspend the driver’s license again. For the license to be reinstated, the driver would need to file for a new SR-22, renew the policy and pay whatever reinstatement fees are required. Ask about getting temporary car insurance Michigan coverage if this is only a short term need.
In some cases, a lapse in coverage might also hit a reset button on the period of maintenance of the filing.
How to go about cancelling my filing when I no longer need SR-22 coverage
When the mandate with the state of Michigan has been completed, the safest way to get rid of an SR-22 is to first verify with the DMV if the mandate is indeed complete. Once this is confirmed, the insurance provider can then be directed to cancel the filing. The cancellation of the filing should result in a favorable adjustment of your insurance rates.
Yes. Drivers that have been found guilty of certain offences by the state are required to file for an SR-22 and purchase a valid insurance policy.
Although the filing fee is only a one-time fee, the financial impact of an SR-22 is long term. The filing of the form could result in an increase in insurance rates by an average of252%. Specifically, the average insurance rate for a driver with an SR-22 in Michigan is $8,324 per annum or $694 per month.
For specific information pertaining to another state in question, please refer to the respective that are more in-depth.
In Michigan, you can get rid of your SR-22 once the coverage period has expired. When the mandate has been completed, the safest way to get rid of an SR-22 is to first verify with the DMV if the mandate is indeed complete. Once this is confirmed, the insurance provider can then be directed to cancel the filing. The cancellation of the filing should result in a favorable adjustment of your insurance rates.
If you have filed an SR-22 in Michigan but do not have a car, you can operate someone else’s car. This would continue to be possible as long as your SR-22 filing and insurance coverage are maintained.
If the period of maintenance of an SR-22 has been completed, you should be contacted by the state and informed of this but if this isn’t the case, you can always call the state to inquire.
When the mandate with the state of Michigan has been completed, the safest way to get rid of an SR-22 is to first verify with the DMV if the mandate is indeed complete. Once this is confirmed, the insurance provider can then be directed to cancel the filing. The cancellation of the filing should result in a favorable adjustment of your insurance rates.
Provided you have committed a violation or offence worthy of an SR-22 filing, you need to file the form or your license would never be reinstated and by extension, you would never be permitted to drive in Michigan.
If the state of Michigan requires an SR-22 filing of you, a failure to do so would make it illegal for you to drive within the state.
If you are required by the state of Michigan to file the form, whether or not you possess an insurance policy, you must file the form or your driving privileges would be revoked and driving would, thus, be considered unlawful.
An SR-22 filed in Michigan is to be maintained for three years, during which time there must be no lapse in coverage.