SR22 insurance for Tennessee drivers is also called an SR-22 certificate of responsibility. The certificate serves the purpose of ensuring that drivers who are considered risky behave more responsibly while they are on the road. If a driver who is required to carry SR-22 insurance doesn’t have this certificate, they may face serious consequences. In some instances, the driver may even have to forfeit their driving privileges.
A driver who has violated certain driving mandates will be required to carry SR-22 insurance.
Some of these violations can include:
A driver will find out if they need to get SR-22 insurance after a notice is sent out from the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles. Once the driver has obtained this document it certifies that you have met the state insurance requirements for liability car insurance. Drivers in Tennessee who have been designated as high-risk drivers will usually be required to get SR-22 insurance. If the driver’s license has been previously suspended, the driver will need to show evidence of having purchased SR-22 insurance to have their license reinstated. Learning about the costs of this type of insurance can help you know what to expect if you are required to get it.
When learning about SR-22 costs in Tennessee, there are a few things you should be aware of. The most important thing to note is that SR-22 costs are generally higher than other types of auto insurance. This is because the driver is seen as “risky” to insurance companies so any type of insurance offered to a driver with this profile will be higher than standard types of insurance.
Research shows that the average cost of auto insurance in Tennessee is about $289 for 6 months of liability auto insurance which equates to about $577 every year. According to statistics, SR-22 insurance raises the cost of auto insurance for Tennessee drivers by $830 per year compared to standard rates.
To get the most affordable SR-22 insurance in Tennessee, it is best to compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies. This will allow you to see which quotes are the most competitive for your situation. Although your rates will still be higher than standard insurance rates, you can find some companies that will charge less than others for SR-22 insurance coverage.
If you need to get SR-22 insurance in the state of Tennessee, the form will cost between $15 and $50. It is usually more affordable to pay for your SR-22 costs upfront so this is the most recommended method instead of making monthly payments. Also, you may also be able to save more by checking to see if the insurance company offers discounts.
Only an insurance company that is fully licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance can file the SR-22 form. The cost of filing will vary depending on which insurance company you use.
There are different types of auto insurance in Tennessee which you will need to get based on your particular situation. The three types of SR-22 insurance include:
Operator - Operator SR-22 insurance refers to financial responsibility for a driver who operates a vehicle but does not own it. Non-owner SR-22 insurance policies cost less and carry significantly lower premiums and still meet compliance for all SR-22 mandates.
Owner - Owner’s SR-22 insurance is for drivers who both own and operate a vehicle.
Operator-Owner - Operator-Owner SR-22 insurance covers vehicles that are owned or that are not owned by a driver.
How To Maintain SR-22 Insurance Coverage in Tennessee
A driver who is required to get SR-22 insurance will need to make sure that they fill out the form within 30 days of receiving notice. Each time the policy renews during the SR-22 mandate, the driver will need to make sure that the form is filed again. The SR-22 duration is typically 36 months long. If a driver does not maintain the SR-22 certificate during the entire period of the SR-22 requirement, then they may face license suspension.
Drivers who are wondering when they can finally remove SR-22 insurance should know that it takes up to five years after your license has been suspended. However, after 36 months, you can request to have your SR-22 requirement to be removed. Your insurance rates may go down after the SR-22 insurance is lifted, however, you will need to compare quotes again to find the cheapest option.
While waiting for the SR-22 insurance period to finish, make sure not to let your SR-22 coverage lapse. If your policy lapses or is canceled, then you will risk having your driver's license suspended and you will need to start the process again from the beginning.
If you are required to have SR-22 insurance, you must maintain the state’s minimum liability coverage. For Tennessee drivers, the minimum liability coverage is as follows:
It is recommended to get an auto insurance policy that has these basic coverage requirements to ensure that you are fully covered in the event of an accident. It may be wise for at-risk drivers to carry more than the minimum amount of coverage. It may be helpful to know that Tennessee does not require that drivers purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance protects drivers if they are in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured. It is still a smart move to obtain this type of coverage as it can help to pay for accident-related medical expenses.
The cost of SR-22 insurance in Tennessee can vary for each driver. A higher risk driver will face higher rates than a driver with standard insurance rates. It is important to be aware of the variations in prices for drivers who need SR-22 insurance as the rates will generally be higher with the average yearly cost at $830 more than standard rates.
Drivers who are required to have SR-22 insurance can get it removed between 36 months and 72 months from the initial start date.
For specific information pertaining to another state in question, please refer to the respective that are more in-depth.
You can get rid of your SR-22 insurance once the insurance company notifies the court that you have maintained your SR-22 insurance for three years. However, in some instances, it can take up to 5 years. Drivers will need to maintain the minimum amount of car insurance during that time.
The cost of the SR-22 insurance policy will vary depending on what traffic violations the driver was charged with. A policy that has an SR-22 filing because of a DUI will be charged at about $230 a month. The cost can range between $300 to $800 and can vary due to factors such as age and driving history.
There is a one-time fee to file the SR-22 form however the added cost of paying for the SR-22 insurance occurs monthly. Once the SR-22 sanctions have been satisfied, the extra auto insurance costs won’t need to be paid any longer,
If you are not operating a motor vehicle in Tennessee or any other state, then you will not need to obtain an SR-22 certificate.
To get SR-22 off of your insurance, you will need to confirm the removal with the necessary court documents. Once you have these court documents, then you will need to contact your insurance company and inform them that you no longer need SR-22 insurance and they will remove it for you.
You can drive a car that you do not own with SR-22 insurance coverage. However, you will need to get non-owner SR-22 insurance to remain compliant with the rules of SR-22 insurance coverage.
If you are required to get SR-22 insurance and you don’t get this coverage, your auto insurance company will be required to inform the department of motor vehicles. The DMV may require you to reinstate your license and registration. Reinstating your license and registration can be very costly and also, you may be charged extra fees to get your insurance policy started again.
You will need to contact the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission if you would like to find out when your SR-22 is over. For the majority of drivers, that will be three years. Once it is over, you will need to contact your insurer to let them know that you will no longer need SR-22 coverage.