Needing an SR-22 form is a serious matter, but it doesn’t prevent you from driving and living your life. And neither does not owning a vehicle. But if you need an SR-22 form to be able to drive and you don’t own a car, it can feel a little like the chicken and egg puzzle: which comes first?
We’ve got you covered. Keep reading for everything you need to know about getting SR22 insurance without a car, plus a breakdown on SR-22 forms and when you might need one.
Let’s get started.
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Let’s clear up the facts. Many people mistakenly believe that an SR-22 is a type of insurance, when in fact, it’s just a form. An SR-22 form is used to show the state that you have the minimum amount of car insurance in place. This might be required if you have committed a serious driving offense, like driving under the influence (DUI) or a hit and run.
An SR-22 is a form showing financial responsibility that your insurance provider sends to the state confirming that you have the minimum amount of car insurance coverage in place. You can read more about it here.
If you’re required to have an SR-22, you will know it. A court will issue an order and you will need to prove you have the minimum amount of insurance via an SR-22 before you can drive (and sometimes get your license reinstated).
States require SR-22 forms from drivers that have demonstrated risky driving behavior and need closer monitoring. This might include:
You can even be required to have an SR-22 form if you have unpaid child support due, depending on the state.
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You don’t need to own a car to need SR-22 insurance. In fact, it’s entirely possible to have an SR-22 without having access to a car. This is because if you have a driver’s license, you can technically drive at any time, by borrowing a friend or family member’s vehicle, purchasing or renting a car, etc.
Even if you don’t actively have a car, if you’ve been ordered to get an SR-22, you’ll still need to fulfill that requirement. But how does it work? We’ll dive into that next.
Surprisingly, getting an SR-22 without a car works almost the same as with a car. The only difference is the type of insurance policy you will get. If you don’t have a car, you will need to get non-owner car insurance. This protects you if you get behind the wheel of a friend or family member’s car.
Non-owner car insurance is usually more affordable than traditional car insurance, but not if you need an SR-22. Requiring an SR-22 is an immediate red flag to an insurance provider and shows that you are a higher risk to them. This means they will likely charge more in premiums to help cover that risk.
Not all car insurance providers are willing to insure someone that needs an SR-22, even if they don’t have a vehicle. But if you can find one, here are the steps you would follow for how to get an SR-22 without a car:
If you already had insurance before being required to have an SR-22 form, you may be able to add it onto your current policy but you will need to check that your insurance provider is still willing to insure you and provide an SR-22. Keep in mind that your rates will likely increase after this, although there are steps you can take to reduce them (find those here).
Keep in mind that an SR-22 isn’t a form of insurance, but rather proof that you have the minimum amount of insurance in place. The minimum amount of car insurance you have will depend on your state. It usually includes liability insurance, meaning that if you cause an accident, your insurance covers the costs of damage to the other driver’s property, their medical costs, and your legal liability.
It can also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have car insurance or doesn’t have enough to pay for the damages.
Some states also require you to have personal injury protection (PIP), which helps to cover the medical costs of you and your passengers after an accident.
The minimum amount of coverage you have to have to drive will vary by state (find out more here). If you need an SR-22 form, you will need to first purchase the minimum amount of coverage set out by your state, but you can certainly opt for more coverage, which is always recommended.
After all, more coverage means more financial protection, more peace of mind, and fewer out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident. It just makes good sense.
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We have some bad news: you’re going to have trouble finding cheap SR-22 insurance. This is because an SR-22 shows an insurance provider that you are a high risk driver and it means you will likely cost them more compared to other drivers.
You might save some money on car insurance because you’re purchasing non-owner car insurance, which is usually more affordable because the insurer doesn’t have to worry about your vehicle being stolen or damaged.
Keep in mind that eventually, the driving infraction that required you to get an SR-22 form will drop off your record. It might take three years or it might take ten years, depending on the infraction, but eventually it will be cleared from your record and you will no longer be required to have an SR-22.
When that happens, your car insurance rates will drop back down and stay that way, as long as you keep a clean record. But until then, here are some ways to find cheap SR-22 insurance without a car:
Having an SR-22 on your insurance might cost you more, but it doesn’t mean you have to get gouged on car insurance. These tips can help you put more money back in your pocket, in both the short and long term.
Now that you’re an expert in all things SR-22 insurance, it’s time to get a quote (or quotes, rather!). Your first step is gathering multiple quotes to help save yourself money, being transparent with the provider that you will need an SR-22 form.
Once you’ve landed on a policy, have your information handy to get coverage started. This includes:
Once you pay your first premium and your state receives the SR-22 form from your new insurance provider, you’re good to get behind the wheel. Remember, keeping your record clean will help you ditch the SR-22 sooner and save you money.
Let’s get started on the first step. Get access to free quotes fast by clicking here, and you’ll be on the road to affordable coverage.
We’ve got you covered.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
