What is SR-22 Insurance, and Do I Need it to Drive in Georgia?
While Georgia motorists are required to have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, some are also required to have an SR-22 certification. Here’s the run-down on the SR-22 requirements in Georgia.
What is “SR-22 Insurance?”
An SR-22 isn’t really insurance. It’s actually a certification that verifies you’re carrying the required insurance coverage. This certificate is usually required after a serious driving violation, like a conviction for DUI/DWI, driving without insurance, or even nonpayment of child support.
The SR-22 requirement can be ordered by a court judge or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).
If an SR-22 is required, there’s no alternative to obtaining the certificate. To keep your license and to keep driving, you must have your insurance company send an SR-22 to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. And if you don’t have car insurance, you must find an insurer that’s willing to insure drivers with an SR-22.
What is an S-22A?
SR-22As are required after a driver has been caught driving without insurance multiple times or after an unsatisfied judgment. An SR-22A may also be required if you are cited for any of the following:
- Speeding;
- Driving with expired license tags or a suspended registration.
- Fleeing or attempting to elude;
- Racing;
- You have an at-fault accident;
- You’re involved in a hit and run; or
- You’re found guilty of homicide by vehicle.
Drivers with an SR-22A are required to pay for insurance six months in advance and must do this for three years. Similar to a regular SR-22, an SR-22A doesn’t have any work-arounds or alternatives if the DDS or a court orders you to have one. And if you continue to have driving offenses, a judge may order the SR-22 time period to be reset. As a result, you’ll need to begin the three-year cycle over again.
How Do I get an SR-22?
To get an SR-22, you must ask for an SR-22 filing from your insurer. Although your existing insurance provider might offer this service, SR-22 filings aren’t a universal offering due to the high-risk nature associated with them. Even so, many auto insurance companies will accommodate drivers who need an SR-22 if they satisfy the company’s underwriting criteria.
An SR-22 is proof that you’re insured with Georgia’s mandatory minimum coverage levels. Those levels are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person;
- $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident; and
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Do I Need an SR-22 if I Don’t Own a Vehicle?
If the State of Georgia designates you as a high-risk driver but you don’t own a vehicle, you can still file an SR-22 by obtaining non-owner insurance. Many insurance carriers offer non-owner auto insurance. Again, be sure that the insurance company files an SR-22 for you with the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Non-owner insurance may be an option for someone if they frequently rent vehicles or use another person’s vehicle as an extra layer of liability insurance. It may also be necessary if you want to keep your license but have no plans of driving in the near future after a severe traffic violation conviction, like a DUI.
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Note that in addition to the cost of state fees, your auto insurance rates may go up. And if your SR-22 insurance is canceled, the Georgia DDS will cancel your driver’s license if you can’t find another provider willing to insure you.
If you have questions about insurance coverage after an accident, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney Atlanta residents trust.
To have the best chance of a successful outcome, you should consult with a reputable Atlanta personal injury attorney. Our attorneys have worked with car accident victims all over Georgia and offer free consultations to all prospective clients. Contact an Atlanta personal injury attorney at Tobin Injury Law 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 404-JUSTICE (404-587-8423) or by using our online contact form.