What could be the reason why my brother is being required to have SR22 insurance in Washington and how can he get that?

Aila

Everett, WA

Your brother must have received an alarming letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) asking a certificate of financial responsibility. He need not have to be so nervous because he can definitely get SR22 insurance in Washington.

SR22 insurance in Washington is a certificate filed by an insurance company that will guarantee the DMV that your brother has the minimum liability requirements for his car insurance. SR22 insurance in Washington is being asked for drivers who are considered high risk by insurance companies. There are a lot of reasons a driver is asked for SR22 insurance in Washington, including:

–DUI or Driving Under the Influence conviction
–causing a traffic accident and was not able to show car insurance coverage
–causing a traffic accident that resulted to death
–having numerous traffic tickets or accidents in a short period of time
–reckless speeding tickets

The state does not mandate car insurance companies to offer SR22 insurance in Washington. Still, your brother does not have to worry because there are a lot of car insurance companies that offer SR22 insurance in Washington, but for an additional cost. He can check with his current car insurance provider if they offer SR22 insurance in Washington, if not, he would have to shop around for his car insurance.

Tags: driving without insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, SR22 insurance

My brother was charged just recently for DUI here in Washington. At this early stage of his DUI, what are the things that he should know about?

Camila

Federal Way, WA

Your brother should know a lot of things about his DUI case in Federal Way, Washington especially now that the DUI laws are getting tougher. First of all, a DUI often results in a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, even if the DUI results in an acquittal and before conviction. At the end of the suspension period, he would be eligible to reinstate his license and there is a fee involved, but if his license is revoked, he would have to go through the whole process of getting a new license.

He would also have to be prepared for a hefty fine and he can ask the court if he can have time to pay or pay over time. Most courts would actually prefer that he be able to pay his fines and buy shoes for the baby. It would be much preferable to having to throw him in jail at the taxpayers’ expense. He also has to be ready for a substantial increase on his car insurance. So if he’s in search for a cheap but reliable car insurance, he might want to check out the free quotes available from this website.

My cousin was arrested for a DUI in Ohio a few days ago but we live in Washington. How will this affect his drivers license in WA?

Daniel

Vancouver, WA

Both Washington State and Ohio are members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) so if you are convicted of the driving under the influence you received in Ohio then their courts will notify the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) about this driving under the influence conviction.

The report back to the driver’s home state will clearly describe the infraction, specifying the section of the statute, ordinance or code violated; indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered ; identify what action was taken; or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of a security.

The Washington DOL site states that, they keep a record of moving infractions, convictions for automobile violations and notices for failure to respond or appear to traffic citation on every motorist in the state. This information that goes on your driving history is received by clerk of the courts and licensing agencies so it would seem that the out of state information reported to the DOL would also be put on your driving record in Vancouver, Washington.

The state of WA would take actions against you just as if you received the driving under the influence charge in state instead of out of state. In WA your license may be suspended from ninety days up to four years, based on prior violations and your blood alcohol level for DUI offenses. The Washington DOL could inform your friend more about what could happen if he is convicted of the Ohio driving under the influence.

How many years do I have to carry SR22 non owners insurance in Washington State for a first time DUI violation?

Harry

Renton, WA

In Washington State the usual time that a motorist is required to carry an SR-22 non owners policy is for three years. The reason why you are required to obtain the SR-22 non owners insurance in Renton WA may change the amount of time you are required to carry it though.

You can be mandated by this Washington State to obtain an SR22 non owners insurance for different reasons from a driver’s license suspension reinstatement due to a DUI or DWI, accident without automobile insurance or a second or subsequent violation of leaving a child unattended in a running car, etc.

In Washington, typically when you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must file future proof of financial responsibility, which is an SR-22, for three years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your license for that accident so likely this is what you will be required with your 1st offense conviction of a DUI.