What You Need To Know When You Are Required To Get An SR22 Certificate
When your license has been suspended, you may need to secure an SR22 certificate if you want to drive again. This certificate is issued by your car insurance company to prove that you have adequate car insurance coverage. Here are some things to know if you need this certificate.
You are Likely to Pay More for Insurance
Whether you lose your license because you were at fault in a car accident or because you let your insurance lapse and got caught, be aware that car insurance providers are likely to consider you a high-risk driver if you need an SR22 certificate. As a result, your car insurance premium will probably be higher than you are used to.
However, although you will get steep insurance quotes, there are still ways to reduce the price of your insurance, in spite of your SR22 classification. Some of the things you may be able to do to reduce your insurance costs include:
- Taking a defensive driving course
- Spending less time driving by walking to work, carpooling, working at home
- Raising your deductibles
- Getting rid of extras like towing or rental insurance
Depending on the car insurance company you go with, you might also be asked to pay for the entire policy up front; check with different insurance providers to get an idea of whether you'll be required to do that.
You May Never See the SR22 Certificate
You might contact your car insurance provider expecting to receive an SR22 certificate that you can take to the appropriate authorities. However, in an effort to cut down on fraud, the SR22 certificate must be sent by the car insurance company directly to various agencies. In order to have your suspension lifted, you have to request that the insurance company send the form to the court and local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Don't assume that the form will be sent; follow up with the authorities to make sure it has arrived. Be sure to write down the date you were told that the form would be sent, and check with the DMV and the court to ensure that they've received it.
With the information in this article, you have a better understanding of what to expect when you are required to get an SR22 certificate. Talk with local, reputable insurance providers in your neighborhood who are willing to provide you with this certificate and to offer you a comprehensive insurance policy, or check out websites like http://www.greatnortherninsuranceagency.com for more information.
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