How to handle insurance after a DUI or insured wreck.
California motorists are some of the riskiest in the nation. If you’ve been involved in a car accident without insurance or after getting a DUI, you might be required to prove you have auto insurance with a form called an SR-22. This is your insurer’s guarantee that you have coverage. If you fail to obtain an SR-22 after a serious incident, you could lose your right to drive in California.
Who needs an SR-22 in California?
After a serious offense, California may require you to have an SR-22 to keep or reinstate your driving privileges. With an SR-22, your insurer confirms to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you’ve purchased at least the minimum required liability insurance in California.
Incidents that could lead to an SR-22 requirement in California include:
- A DUI arrest or conviction
- Driving after drinking when you’re younger than 21
- Having a wreck when you’re uninsured
- Failing to pay what a court says you owe if you’re sued after an accident
In some cases, you may need an SR-22 after a wreck even if you weren’t behind the wheel. If authorities can’t figure out who was driving, but you owned the vehicle and didn’t have insurance on it, your driver’s license could be suspended.
How do I get an SR-22?
California requires insurers to electronically report insurance information to the DMV. If you need an SR-22, then your insurer will need to file one on your behalf. Bear in mind that some insurance companies don’t file SR-22s. If this is the case, you will need to switch to an insurer who can file an SR-22 on your behalf. After the violation, insurance companies will likely see you as a high-risk driver. If you’re unable to obtain a policy elsewhere, you can turn to the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan, the state’s high-risk insurance pool.
Have more questions regarding your insurance? Contact the team at Lou Aggetta Insurance Services to get started on quality coverage from experts you can trust. We look forward to serving you.