Car insurance is a must for any driver, even if you don't have a car or are a high-risk driver. Here's what you should know about non-owner SR-22 insurance.
Has a court recently ordered you to get an SR-22, but you don't own a vehicle? If so, you can obtain a non owner SR-22 insurance policy to ensure that you stay compliant with the state.
This insurance policy is very similar to a standard SR-22 insurance policy, but with a slight twist, it is not assigned to a specific vehicle. If you don't have a car but drive other vehicles to help you get to work and school, and you need an SR-22, you could benefit from a non owner SR-22 insurance policy.
Please continue reading below to learn more about this insurance policy and where to get an affordable non owner SR-22 insurance policy. We will cover all you need to know about this type of insurance policy and commonly asked questions about non owner SR-22 insurance.
What Is Sr-22 Insurance?
If you recently had your license revoked or suspended, you most likely were told by the state court that you needed to obtain an SR-22. An SR-22 is not an insurance policy but a form or a certificate you file in addition to purchasing an auto insurance policy.
Once you find an insurer who can sell you an SR-22, they will fill out the form on your behalf and send it to the state. This lets the government know that you have met the state minimum requirements for auto insurance.
What Is Non Owner Sr-22 Insurance?
Non owner SR-22 insurance is very similar to traditional SR-22 insurance, except the main difference is that non owner does not cover a specific vehicle. A traditional SR-22 policy is purchased and applied to one particular car, whereas a non owner SR-22 does not. A non owner SR-22 is excellent for those who don't have a vehicle or often rent vehicles to get where they need to go.
Vehicles at Your Residence
It is important to note that if you wish to purchase a non owner SR-22 and live with other people who have vehicles at the same residence, you may need to buy a traditional SR-22. As mentioned earlier, the non owner SR-22 is only for those who do not have a vehicle. In the eyes of auto insurance, if you live in a household with other cars parked and available for your use, you must be listed on that person's insurance company or have your own traditional policy.
I Dont Plan On Driving
Even if you don't plan on driving any vehicles, you still need to carry an active insurance policy. This ensures the state that you have auto insurance coverage in the event that you do randomly decide to drive a vehicle and get into an auto accident.
You also need to have an SR-22 insurance policy to reinstate your driver's license if it was revoked or suspended. Depending on your state, you may need to carry the SR-22 for about two to five years, even if you don't plan on driving a vehicle until your next court hearing.
Who Needs an SR-22?
If you are a safe driver with no auto accidents and a clean driving history, you most likely don't need an SR-22. These insurance policies are reserved for high-risk drivers who have severe traffic violations or have driven without carrying the proper insurance.
Other clients who may need an SR-22:
High number of violations
Too many at-fault accidents
Failure to pay child support ordered by the court
DUI or DWI convictions
Repeated traffic offenses in a short time frame
You will know if you need an SR-22 because, during your court hearing, your lawyer will inform you of the next steps you need to take to get your license back.
How To Get an SR-22
It is important to note that not all auto insurance companies offer SR-22 insurance policies. Even if an insurance company accepts SR-22 clients, they only take on so many of these drivers each year because they're such a high risk.
When looking for an SR-22 policy, you want to work with an insurance company specializing in these types of policies. They offer competitive rates, which are significantly lower than what you would pay if you went to work with a larger insurance company.
What Does a Non Owner Sr-22 Cover?
A non owner SR-22 insurance policy traditionally comes with liability insurance only. This means that if you were to drive someone else's vehicle and you caused an accident, your insurance policy would cover the damages if you are found to be at fault for the accident.
It is important to note that a non owner SR-22 policy is a secondary type of coverage. For example, if you get into an accident in a borrowed vehicle, the vehicle you're driving most likely already has its own auto insurance policy covering it. In the event that the coverage has an exclusion or there is no active policy for the vehicle you're driving, then your non owner SR-22 coverage will kick in and provide coverage for the loss.
Property Damage Liability
As mentioned earlier, an SR-22 insurance policy typically only carries liability coverage. An auto insurance policy has two types of liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage.
Property damage provides coverage for any vehicle damage or damage caused to private or public properties. There is no deductible for this coverage, so you won't have to pay anything out of pocket if your insurance company deems you liable for the accident. Instead, the insurance company will pay for the damages up to the policy's limit.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability protects you in the event that the other driver or person involved in an auto accident claims you caused their injuries. Suppose your insurance company finds you liable for the incident, and there are injuries involved.
In that case, the insurance company will pay for those injuries on your behalf up to the policy limits. In the event that the other party hires an attorney to handle their case, your policy also covers you for their attorney fees.
Collision
Collision coverage is a first-party coverage, which means it covers any collision-related damages done to your vehicle. For example, if you crash into another car or object, you can use collision coverage to pay for your repairs.
To use this coverage, your damages must exceed your deductible. Most clients choose between $500 to $1,000 for their deductible. If you have a $500 deductible and $1,500 worth of damages, you pay $500, and your insurance company pays for the $1,000.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive provides coverage for all other auto accidents unrelated to a collision. For example, if your vehicle catches fire or floods, you can use this coverage to handle the damages. Similar to collision, there is a deductible associated with comprehensive coverage.
Additional accidents covered through comprehensive:
Accidents with animals
Lightning
Vandalism
Theft
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against any "acts of God."
Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection is another first-party coverage that provides you with medical coverage. If you get into an accident and you sustain injuries, you can personal injury protection to pay for your medical expenses. You also have the opportunity to use this coverage to pay for any lost wages due to you having to miss work because of your accident-related injuries.
There is no deductible associated with personal injury protection. Most PIP policies carry a $2,500 limit for you to use, but each state has its own set amount of how much you can have on your policy.
What Doesn't an SR-22 Cover?
It is important to note that an SR-22 only guarantees the state that you carry the state minimum auto insurance requirements. SR-22 policies don't come standard with collision, comprehensive, or other types of first-party coverages. If you want those coverages, you must add them to your policy.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage typically covers a driver if they get into an accident with a driver without insurance. Suppose the other driver is at-fault for the accident, but their insurance policy is canceled, does not have enough coverage, or there is an exclusion barring the company from paying for damages.
In that case, you can use this coverage to pay for your repairs. If you wish to have this type of coverage, you will need to add it to your policy, and your insurer must be able to offer it to you.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury provides coverage any accident-related injuries caused by an uninsured driver. This coverage works similarly to uninsured motorist property damage. The only difference is this coverage provides payment for injuries instead of property damage.
How Long Do I Need an SR-22?
Once you have your SR-22, be sure to keep it active for as long as required. Depending on the state you live in, you may need to have it on file for about two to three years.
If you cancel your SR-22 policy, your insurance company is obligated to let the state know that you do not have an active policy. This could lead to you having your license suspended or revoked.
If you want to get your driver's license back, you will need to get another policy. Keep in mind that once your policy cancels, so does your SR-22 timeline. This means that if you were two years into your three-year period of needing the SR-22 and let your policy lapse or you cancel the policy, you will have to start the clock over.
Should I Get a Nonowner SR-22 Policy?
Most people assume that if they don't own a vehicle, they don't need to get a non owner SR-22. If you received a notice from the court or the state that you need an SR-22 policy, you would need to get a nonowner SR-22 policy.
You should have this policy if you plan on driving rental vehicles or borrowing vehicles from friends. It is important to note that the rental company may not let you rent the car with just an SR-22.
You may have to purchase additional insurance through the rental company before you get into one of their vehicles. This ensures that there is active coverage for the rental vehicle in the event that you get into an accident with another driver.
When Can I Remove My SR-22?
As mentioned earlier, it is best not to let your policy lapse or cancel so long as you are court-ordered to maintain an SR-22. Once you meet the end of your agreement with the court, you can then, at that point, switch over to a standard insurance policy.
It is crucial that you wait until you receive a notice from the state that you can switch to a standard policy. If you cancel before you get the green light, you may have to get another nonowner SR-22 policy and have it active for another two to three years.
What if I Have To Move?
If you move to another state, make sure you reach out to the department of motor vehicle in your new state and in the state where you had to carry the SR-22. You will need to purchase an SR22 in the new state you move into.
If you move to a state that does not require SR-22 coverage, it is best that you keep your current policy active. To ensure that you are not in violation, contact both state agencies.
Affordable Non Owner SR22 Insurance
If a court ordered you to get an SR22 insurance policy but don't have a vehicle, you can opt for a nonowner SR22 policy. This policy may cost less than a standard SR22 insurance policy, but of course, each insurance company has its own rates for SR22 policies.
If you need to purchase a non owner SR-22 insurance policy, contact us for a free no-obligation quote. Our team is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your new non owner SR-22 insurance policy.
This article is an excellent resource for understanding non-owner SR-22 insurance! It clearly explains who needs it, how it works, and why it’s essential for certain drivers. A must-read for anyone looking to ensure they stay compliant with legal requirements without owning a vehicle.
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This type of insurance is essential for maintaining compliance with state laws, particularly after incidents like DUIs. I find it similar to hiring an aggressive family law attorney during a tough divorce; both require careful consideration and an understanding of the complexities involved. It’s vital to choose a provider who can guide you through the process and ensure you meet all necessary requirements. Educating yourself about the coverage and its implications can save you from potential pitfalls down the road.