I had recently been convicted of DUI and my insurer here in Washington canceled my current policy and they said I should get a DUI SR22 Insurance. I felt very bad about this for I have been insured with them for several years already and now that I had a problem they suddenly canceled my policy. Are they right in doing this to me and what is DUI SR22 Insurance and how does this work?

Bryan

Tacoma, WA

Once a driver is convicted of DUI in Washington, most car insurers will either cancel your current policy or they will never renew it even if you have been having business with them for many years. A DUI SR22 Insurance is a policy that is designed for those who have been convicted of driving under influences’ offense. There are car insurance companies that can give you DUI SR22 Insurance but since you are labelled as a high risk driver it could create more problems in time that’s why you should get a DUI SR22 Insurance.

When a driver is convicted of DUI, they usually want you to present a proof that you have car insurance with DUI for around three to five years with Washington’s Department of Motor Vehicle. Your insurers will file an SR22 form to DMV in order for your driver’s license suspension to be lifted. The car insurance company will charge you the rate depends on your policy and state rules. Every states has a different length of time on how long your DUI conviction remain on the record and as long as the record remains then that is also how long your premium is affected. If you have a DUI SR22 Insurance and had another conviction, the process would be easier and faster and this is something you should get as a responsible driver for we don’t know when accident strikes.

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

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.

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

I have a serious charge of DUI here in Washington and one of my biggest concerns is the problem I would have with my auto insurance. What consequence shall I face with regard to my auto insurance after being charged for DUI?

Bruce

Bellingham, WA

The consequence that you would have to face with regard to your auto insurance after your DUI charge in Bellingham, Washington is that you should file an SR22 auto insurance. This is a form for an auto insurance policy that you would have to obtain from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order get your driver’s license reinstated and legally drive again.

The SR22 auto insurance would essentially become a written agreement between your insurance company and the DMV. The agreement would oblige your insurance company to provide accurate coverage for your specific needs and let the DMV know if your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you for whatever reason. Generally, the DMV would suspend your driver’s license again after they have received the notice that your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you. You have to find an auto insurance company that will give you coverage for the SR22 insurance if your current insurance company is not providing this for you. Good news is, an online rate quote for SR22 auto insurance is readily available from this website.

A friend of mine asked me to help her find SR22 auto insurance here in Washington because she was convicted for DUI. What exactly is SR22 auto insurance and how can she find one?

Collette

Bellevue, WA

Your friend might have received the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) letter requesting a certificate of financial responsibility because of her DUI conviction in Bellevue, Washington. SR22 auto insurance is really just a form that proves to the DMV that your friend has the minimum liability limits for her vehicle. Because of her DUI conviction, the DMV requires SR22 for drivers they deem “high risk.”

Washington State does not require auto insurance companies to offer this type of insurance but many insurance companies are willing to offer SR22 insurance, but for a higher price.

If your friend is currently insured with a company, you can ask her to check with them first. Ask if they are able to file an SR22 for her and what the filing fee is. Remember that this could raise her rates, depending on the reason the form is needed. If the price doesn’t suit her, you can help her shop around to out which insurance companies offer SR22 and better yet, which one offers the best price.