DUIs and DWIs are the biggest violations that cause drivers to become high-risk. If you receive a DUI, you’ll most likely be required to carry an SR-22. The time period you must carry the SR-22 varies per state, but you’ll generally need to carry it for three years after your DUI.
Do I Still Need an SR-22 if My License is Suspended?
After a DUI, the court or state typically suspends your license. If you can’t drive, then do you still need an SR-22? The short answer is yes. Whether or not you have a valid license or a car, you need to carry an SR-22 if dictated by the state or court. This is called non-owner SR-22 insurance. Keep in mind that an SR-22 is not insurance despite its occasional name “SR-22 insurance.” An SR-22 simply proves that you carry a car insurance policy for the minimum amount of coverage required by the state. The same applies for if you’re driving someone else’s car. You still must carry non-owner SR-22 insurance.
How Expensive is Car Insurance After a DUI?
Car insurance rates increase by about 80% after a DUI. On average, you may pay around $217.5 a month for car insurance with a DUI. Some insurance companies offer cheaper rates to high-risk drivers, so it’s important to shop around before signing onto an insurance policy. Despite popular belief, it’s not the SR-22 that makes your insurance go up but rather the incident that caused the need for an SR-22. So, filing an SR-22 won’t raise your insurance rates, but your DUI will.
How Much Does an SR-22 Cost Per Month?
Although your car insurance will be expensive, an SR-22 is relatively cheap. The filing fee for an SR-22 can be around $15-$25 depending on the amount of risk you pose and your state. Drivers with DUIs may pay a higher SR-22 filing fee than those with other violations such as multiple traffic tickets.
Insurance companies may drop you after a DUI or they may simply charge you higher premiums, no matter how long you have been insured at the company. Be sure to shop among insurance companies that regularly insure high-risk drivers. Any violation or pause in your SR-22 can result in an insurance company dropping you as well as repercussions from the state that ordered the SR-22.