Do I have to have an SR22 if I don’t drive or own a car?

If you’ve lost your driver’s license to a court of law due to a traffic infraction or criminal activity, you’ll be required to carry an SR22 for a period to prove that you’re carrying the proper insurance upon having your driver’s license reinstated.

What is an SR-22?

An SR22 is a certificate of insurance that is mandated by the state that proves you have the required liability insurance limits in your state. It’s not an insurance policy, but rather, an endorsement in an insurance coverage, and it’s filed with the state.

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Do I need to have an SR-22 even if I don’t have a car?

This is a relatively common question. The short answer to this question is “yes”. However, the reason is that you’ve likely had your driver’s license suspended for any of the following reasons, A DUI or a DWI, a Reckless driving charge or some other serious infraction of the law.

Even if you don’t own a car or intend to drive a car, you have previously had a car or driven. The filing shows the state that you’re taking responsibility and will serve to allow you to have your license reinstated, and if you were ever in an emergent situation and did drive, you’ve got the required endorsement to do so.

Non-owner SR-22 Requirement

Typically called an SR22, this certificate shows that you have financial responsibility. Even if you don’t own a car, intend to drive or have a current license (due to having it suspended) they will require that you have this filing. This shows the state that you’re financially responsible.

What’s Non-owner Insurance?

If you’re driving someone else’s car, you’re the “non-owner.” These insurance policies don’t provide coverage to you but rather, to the person who owns the car should you get into a wreck. This is a comprehensive collision or referred to as a direct liability coverage for the car that you’re driving.

An SR22 is a form of secondary insurance that follows you, the driver, not the vehicle.

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What is not covered under a non-owner insurance policy?

A non-owner policy doesn’t offer physical damage coverages of collision or comprehensive, so any car that you do drive isn’t covered in any way by your non-owner policy if you damage it.

Each state is different, but as a general rule, a non-owner car insurance policy won’t cover you for a vehicle registered to you, one in your household, or a vehicle provided for your regular and frequent use. So, don’t purchase a non-owner policy if any of these scenarios apply.

How to cancel non-owner SR 22?

Suppose at any time during your policy period, you purchase a car. In that case, you’ll need to alert your car insurance carrier immediately so that you can cancel your non-owners auto insurance policy and get a standard auto insurance policy.

If you fail to inform your auto insurer of the change, and you’re in an accident, coverages under the non-owner policy may be denied.

Is SR22 Insurance expensive?

The SR22 form itself is relatively cheap. Depending on your insurer and where you live, you may pay between $20 and $30 once for an SR22 through your insurance provider. Car insurance while you have an SR22, however, can be very expensive. This is not because of the SR22 itself, but because of the violation that caused the SR22 requirement. Certain traffic violations can raise your rates by a significant amount. A DUI, for example, can skyrocket your car insurance rates by 80% or more. These violations also last on your driving record for an extended amount of time. In some states, DUIs may remain on your driving record for up to ten years.

It can be difficult to find affordable car insurance after an SR22 requirement, but it is not impossible. Save money in other ways through eligible discounts and search for insurers who have policies specifically geared toward drivers who require SR22s or are considered high-risk drivers. Be careful with these insurers, however, as some may try to sneak in hidden fees to make up for the risk of insuring yo

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Where can I get an SR22?

There are only a few auto insurance companies that provide SR22s. You’ll have to call around in your local area and find a company that provides them in order to file for one. For now, you can click here to see the list of companies that are offering this privilege in your area and get free quotes from them.

You’ll have to show proof of insurance as well as your personal information. If you don’t own a car, but will be driving, you’ll have to have this to get your driver’s license reinstated. It’s a simple process to acquire.

Even if you don’t anticipate driving, you may, at some point in time, borrow a friends’ car for some purpose, and you must have this endorsement in order to do so. Even if your friend has car insurance, you must have this endorsement if you’re going to drive.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI or other serious traffic violation and an insurance company has required you to file an SR-22 form, they may require you to provide proof that you can pay future car accident claims up to the specified limits.

If a court of law has ordered you to get an SR22 to have your driver’s license reinstated, it’s vital that you do so and comply. Each state will have a particular time frame that you must have the SR22 in place. Usually, the standard fee for an SR22 form is $25, but could vary on the state you are living.

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