SR22 insurance is actually just a formal document verifying that you have satisfied California’s minimum auto insurance requirements. Typically, the state requires this form to reinstate a license after a DUI conviction. You can have your insurance company send it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you are currently facing DUI charges or already have a conviction on your records, a Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you reinstate your driver’s license. They can also build your defense and work toward a reduced sentence or a dismissal of charges.
SR22 Insurance Applies When the DMV Suspends or Revokes Your Driver’s License
DUI convictions carry severe penalties. Chief among the most inconvenient is the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can advocate for your rights and work to minimize or mitigate these consequences.
To reinstate it, you must have your insurer send the SR22 form, or certificate of insurance, to the DMV to show that you meet the following minimum requirements for auto insurance:
- $15,000 per accident for the injury or death of a person
- $30,000 per accident for the injury or death of two or more people
- $5,000 per accident for property damage
Generally, you will have to maintain SR22 insurance for three years. You may face other requirements when reinstating your licenses, depending on the severity of your sentence. For example, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Other Criminal Charges Can Lead to an SR22 Insurance Requirement
Aside from a DUI conviction (Cal. Veh. Code § 23152), You may need SR22 insurance if you are trying to reinstate your driver’s license after facing the following convictions:
- Wet reckless driving, per Cal. Veh. Code § 23103.5
- Negligent operation of a vehicle, per Cal. Veh. Code § 12810.5
- Operating a motor vehicle without insurance
When you work with a lawyer, they can explore your options for avoiding a suspended or revoked license. They may be able to make a plea bargain with the prosecution or challenge the arrest with evidence.
Even With SR22 Insurance, You Will Be Driving on a Restricted License
While SR22 insurance is necessary to get back on the road, be aware that you will still be driving on some sort of restricted license. There are two forms of restricted licenses that can apply during a probation period. For more serious DUI convictions, such as second offenses, you will likely have to drive with an IID.
Even if you do not, the court may order you to drive only to work or school and home. A criminal defense attorney can advocate for you, working to secure your right to maintain your job, career, or education by driving on a restricted license.
Requesting SR22 Insurance Can Negatively Affect Your Auto Insurance Policy and Rates
When you inform your insurer of the SR22 requirement, they’ll pull your DMV record to unveil the incident that mandated the need for this high-risk driver certification. Many insurers take that as a cue to promptly drop you as a customer for being too risky to cover.
If your existing carrier does agree to issue the SR22, you’ll likely face a steep increase in premiums since the certificate places you in the “high-risk” category. Insurers see SR22 drivers as more likely to have future claims.
Seeking New Insurance Can Also Be Difficult
However, some companies simply refuse to provide SR22 policies at all. In that scenario, you’re forced to search for a new insurer willing to take on a high-risk SR22 driver – and those policies come with exorbitant rates to match the perceived risk.
So in essence, the path to SR22 certification in California often means either a punishing rate hike from your current provider or getting dropped entirely and overpaying for expensive high-risk coverage elsewhere. Either way, that initial need for an SR22 translates to substantially higher auto insurance costs.
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How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You Avoid Needing SR22 Insurance
Facing a DUI charge in Los Angeles can be overwhelming, with potential consequences like jail time, license suspension, and hefty fines. However, a Los Angeles DUI attorney can provide a strong legal defense to protect your rights and future. They will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest, challenging any unconstitutional procedures or lack of evidence.
A DUI attorney can also negotiate for reduced charges or penalties, explore options like diversion programs, and fight for the best possible outcome at trial if needed. They will work to give you a chance of avoiding a conviction or minimizing the long-term impacts on your life.
Call Simmrin Law Group to Learn How SR22 Insurance Applied to Your Case
Simmrin Law Group can explain more about what SR22 insurance is and how it could apply in your particular situation. Our DUI attorneys are ready to build your defense as soon as you complete a complimentary, confidential consultation.
Contact us at any time to get started. The sooner you reach out, the better we can help you reduce or eliminate your DUI charges.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form