Reader question:

Is CA SR22 insurance the only way to show proof of insurance after a drunk driving conviction?

Miriam

Thanks for asking, Miriam.

Drunk driving has a huge stigma in society, and with good reason, so someone who is required to file CA SR22 insurance might be a little nervous about stating so for this reason. Another big put off is that CA SR22 insurance is often extremely expensive, which just adds an extra burden to SR22 drivers in California, where rates are already very high. However, if you have a drinking driving conviction in CA SR22 insurance is necessary if you intend to keep driving.

There are several other forms of verifying that you have insurance, and many people often wonder if, since the point of CA SR22 insurance is proof of insurance, if they can simply use one of these other forms. Forms that are suggested include your car insurance card, or simple contact with your insurance office to verify that your coverage continues.

However, this is not possible. There is only way that you can legitimately show proof of insurance to the department of motor vehicles after a drunk driving conviction, and that is by filing a CA SR22 insurance form. While you may use things such as your car insurance verification card to show to a police officer if you are pulled over, or to prove in court that you possessed insurance at a certain time, the automatic monthly filing of the CA SR22 insurance form by your CA SR22 insurance company is necessary for you to keep your license from being cancelled.

Other methods might seem reasonable, but to be honest it would put too much of a burden on the department of motor vehicles if the onus was on the driver to prove insurance each month. So long as the CA SR22 insurance filing is in the hands of the car insurance company, then once you cancel their insurance they can file an SR-26 so that the DMV can suspend your license again.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.