What is SR22 Filing?
Reader question:
What is SR22 filing?
Greg
Thank you for asking, Greg.
This is a pretty popular concern, thanks to the rise in convictions for drunk driving and speeding, which are the cases which most often require SR22 filing. SR22 filing is something that must be done after these convictions in order to keep your license.
Normally when you are convicted of drunk driving, or you collect too many traffic violation points on your record, your license will be suspended for a certain period of time. Once you reinstate the license, you will have to file proof of insurance with the department of motor vehicles with your state for three years. This only applies, though, if you actually reinstate your license right away. If you wait three years, then you don’t need to do SR22 filing at all.
SR22 filing allows the state to be aware that you have insurance at all times. If your SR22 filing for insurance is not renewed, or is cancelled, then an SR 26 form is submitted. Once this is received, your license will again be suspended.
The best way to make sure that your SR22 filing is not canceled is to renew it at least a month ahead of time, and to stay out of trouble. If your company already knows that you have a drunk driving conviction, then it is not likely that they will cancel your policy for this. However, if during the period of your SR22 filing you do something else which adds risk, such as buying a high performance car, then you could have your SR22 filing policy canceled. While you have SR22 insurance, it’s best to lay low.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.
