SR-22: What You Need To Know
Need an SR-22 but unsure what to do? We're here to help. Progressive offers to handle SR-22 filings for our customers, so if the court has ordered you to carry an SR-22, we can file it for you. Just a quick call to 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and we'll get you started.
What Is It?
Simply stated, an SR-22 is a document that shows proof of financial responsibility. You'll need an SR-22 if the police caught you driving without insurance, and you'll be required to carry the SR-22 for a specified amount of time (usually three years). Once you properly fulfill that time period, your SR-22 status expires.
SR-22s also are associated with the following:
- DUI or DWI or any serious moving violation
- At-fault accidents while driving without insurance
- Repeat traffic offenses or getting too many tickets in a short time period
- License suspension or revoked license
How Long Do I Need an SR-22?
Expect a long relationship with your SR-22 — most likely three years — similar to a probationary period after a criminal offense. You must carry continuous insurance during the specified period of time before SR-22 status is removed. If your policy lapses or is canceled, your auto insurance company is required to notify the state immediately and your license will be suspended again.
If you are a Progressive customer, we'll cancel or terminate an SR-22 by filing a separate form with the state (an SR-26 in many states), generally 10 days before the SR-22's expiration.
Details and Specifics
We'll file the actual SR-22 form with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to show proof of insurance for you. Once we file your SR-22, your license suspension will be lifted and you can drive again legally.
SR-22s are state specific — what's required in one state may not apply in another state.
Requirement:
If you currently carry an SR-22 in one state but move to another state, you must fulfill the SR-22 filing period for your former state, even though you no longer reside there. Also, your insurance policy for your new state must have liability limits which meet the minimums required by law in your former (SR-22) state.
Example:
If you have an Alaska SR-22, where minimum liability limits are 50/100/25, and you move to Indiana, a state with 25/50/10 liability limits, you'll need to carry Alaska's minimum limits of 50/100/25 on your Indiana policy and continue your SR-22 filing with Alaska until the filing period ends.
Requirement:
Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania don't require SR-22s, but if you have an SR-22 and then move to one of these states, you must continue to meet the requirements of the SR-22 state where the offense was committed.
Example 1:
If you have an SR-22 in Texas and then move to Delaware, you'll need to continue filing an SR-22 with Texas until you've met the three-year probationary period for Texas. Even though you've got a Delaware policy, you'll be able to file an SR-22 for Texas until the probationary period expires.
Example 2:
If you live in Delaware and move to Texas, you won't need to file an SR-22 (barring any special circumstances) with Texas, as the state of Texas will not require you to carry an SR-22 filing based on your driving record in Delaware.
Requirement:
New York and North Carolina don't require SR-22 filings, and Progressive does not offer out-of-state SR-22 filings for policies in these states.
Example:
If you have an SR-22 in Texas and move to New York, the state of New York will not require you to carry an SR-22 filing based upon your Texas driving record. If the state of Texas requires you to continue carrying an SR-22 when you move to New York, Progressive will not file one for you, but another company may — you'll need to check which insurance companies will do this for you and check with the state's DMV for specific requirements.
Also of interest:
In some states, you must pay a fee to file SR-22s.
The overall message:
Though the SR-22 concept is similar from state to state, you always should check with your insurance company or agent to verify SR-22 specifics for your state. Please note that Progressive can handle SR-22s for you via the telephone only.
If you need an SR-22, please call us at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE.
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