Reader question:
Ummm…I live in Wisconsin and I just got a DUI, so now I’m supposed to get Wisconsin SR22 insurance. What is this and how much insurance do I have to get? Where do I get it?
Alec
Thank you for asking, Alec.
I understand your confusion. After all, Wisconsin is one of the states where insurance is not required, so there are many people who have never stepped inside a Wisconsin SR22 insurance office in their entire lives. While most people choose to purchase auto insurance in Wisconsin, many, especially those who are high risk and young, opt out and simply try to play it safe on the road. This can end up costing them more in the long run, and when they are required all of the sudden to purchase Wisconsin SR22 insurance, it can be hard to get used to.
There is no base requirement to go off to with Wisconsin SR22 insurance. This type of insurance is required after you get a DUI and in most cases in which you have your license suspended. You are required to have Wisconsin SR22 insurance for a period of three years after you restore your license, so long as you choose to get your license back at all. If you don’t get your license, then you can just get it back three years later and never have to file Wisconsin SR22 insurance at all. You are required to have the following coverage on your Wisconsin SR22 insurance policy:
- $25,000 personal injury liability
- $50,000 death liability
- $10,000 for property damage liability
You have three options for Wisconsin SR22 insurance coverage. You can
- Purchase your Wisconsin SR22 insurance policy from a licensed car insurance company.
- Get a surety bond for Wisconsin SR22 insurance from an insurance company.
- Make a cash deposit of $60,000 with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
For most people, the second two options are out of reach, so they choose to purchase their Wisconsin SR22 insurance from a licensed car insurance company. The cost of this might be higher than a regular insurance policy, and it might be difficult to find a Wisconsin SR22 insurance company, but there is somebody out there who will offer you coverage. Once you have your Wisconsin SR22 insurance policy, your car insurance company will file the SR22 form with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. If your insurance is ever cancelled or isn’t renewed, an SR26 is filed and if you don’t get more coverage soon enough, you could lose your license.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.