Tennessee SR22 Insurance: Essential Information Explained

Tennessee SR22 Insurance: Everything You Need To Know

If you're required to carry an SR22 in Tennessee, it's important to understand what it is and how it affects your insurance rates. In this blog post, we'll provide an overview of what an SR22 is, why it's required in Tennessee, and how it affects your driving record and insurance rates. For over 26 years, I have worked with clients who have had DUIs and been involved in accidents without insurance. Our firm has issued thousands of SR22 certificates over the years. Because of this experience, I can provide tips on how to save money on SR22 insurance, maintain continuous SR22 coverage, and keep insurance rates affordable. 

What is SR22 insurance and when do you need it?

SR22 insurance is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have the required minimum auto liability insurance coverage required by law as required under Tennessee Code Annotated 55-12-114. You typically need SR22 insurance if you have been convicted of certain driving offenses or moving violations. In Tennessee, common reasons for being required to get an SR22 include reckless driving, a DUI, driving without insurance (your policy lapsed), being in a car accident without proof of insurance, or just driving without a license or on a suspended license. An SR-22 shows you have a car insurance policy with liability coverage and is necessary for reinstating your driver’s license. In addition to allowing you to get your driver's license reinstated, an SR-22 shows you have car insurance coverage that meets the state's minimum insurance requirements of $25,000/$50,000/$15,000. We will help get you an inexpensive insurance policy that meets these requirements and even file the SR22 in Tennessee for you.

How can I get an SR22?

We can provide the SR 22 proof of financial responsibility for you! The form must be issued from a car insurance company in Tennessee, so we will provide you with a car insurance policy and our insurance company files the form with the Tennessee Department of Safety. Some people think that it is filed with the Secretary of State's office, but it is not. The proof of coverage goes to the Tennessee department of safety, Financial Responsibility Division. We can file the form electronically so you do not even have to take it to the department of motor vehicles.

How Does SR22 Affect Your Driving Record and Insurance?

The misconception everyone has is that an SR22 affects your rates. An SR22 does not affect your rates, the violation that caused you to be required to show the proof of liability coverage is what affects your auto insurance rates. The driving violation will stay on your driving record in Tennessee for at least 5 years. During that time, you may be considered a high-risk driver by insurance companies, leading to higher insurance rates and limited auto insurance coverage options.

How much does SR22 Insurance cost?

The cost of the actual filing fee of the financial responsibility certificate is a small fee between $25 and $50. Again, it is the violation or violations that will affect your price. The filing fee is minimal. Since I have been selling SR22 Auto Insurance for over 26 years, I have seen some interesting stories. A man from Johnson City TN called us and he had no violations showing on his record. He had just gotten a DUI and had to get an SR22. Believe it or not, his auto insurance was actually LESS with us than what he was paying before! I can't remember if it was State Farm, or Allstate or Geico, but it was a popular insurance company. Now, when his insurance expired in 6 months and we renewed his policy, his premium went up a lot because the driving under the influence violation popped up and he was charged accordingly.

What is 25/50/15?

25/50/15 are the Tennessee state minimum limits of insurance required on an auto insurance policy. This means that you have $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage for everyone in the accident, and $15,0000 of property damage liability coverage per car accident. As you can tell, this will not do much good if you hit a nicer car and send two people to the emergency room. We recommend higher levels of car insurance liability, not just the state's minimum required vehicle insurance limits.

How long to I have to keep an SR22?

An SR-22, which is a certificate of financial responsibility, may be required for up to 5 years from the date of license suspension in TN. If you file the SR-22 for at least 3 years out of the 5-year period and it is not needed for any other suspension, you can cancel it. In addition, if you do not reinstate your drivers license within five years of the suspension date, the SR-22 will no longer be necessary. It's crucial to note that if you cancel the SR-22 or your policy lapses before the mandated time and fail to file a new form, your driving privileges will be suspended again. Therefore, it's imperative to comply with all TN requirements and maintain accurate records.

Tips for Maintaining SR22 Coverage

To maintain continuous SR22 coverage and ensure affordable car insurance rates, it is important to pay premiums on time, avoid driving offenses, and choose a reputable insurance company. We always suggest putting your insurance premiums on monthly auto draft so you do not forget to pay the premium. Additionally, consider taking a defensive driving course and comparing rates from multiple insurance companies to keep your rates low. When you call our local office, we will give you SR22 Insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. When you no longer require SR22 coverage, make sure to contact your insurance agent to have the certificate and the fee removed from your policy. This is especially important because once your SR-22 period ends, you may be able to start shopping for cheaper car insurance rates, and we can help with that too! Premiums may decrease once you’re three years removed from a major traffic violation, allowing you to save money on your car insurance.

Does a DUI Require SR22 Insurance?

Generally, yes, a DUI requires you to get SR22 insurance. Always remember, driving under the influence is not only dangerous, it is also against the law. It can lead to potential arrest and involvement in serious or even fatal traffic accidents. You get charged with a DUI when your blood alcohol concentration is above the legally allowed limit.

In Tennessee, SR22 insurance coverage is required for drivers who have committed certain driving offenses, such as DUI or driving motor vehicles without insurance, as a way to ensure they have proper insurance coverage. We can help with that! So, to get started, just click here.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, understanding SR22 auto insurance requirements in Tennessee is crucial for maintaining a clean driving record and managing your car insurance costs. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this post, you can keep insurance rates affordable and maintain proper SR22 coverage. It’s crucial to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find cheap SR-22 insurance. Car insurance companies will factor the problem that brought on your SR-22 requirement into your car insurance rates, and each company will calculate rates differently. Make certain you’re getting all car insurance discounts available to you. In addition, always, ask an agent if there are any other discounts you may be missing out on to help reduce your car insurance costs. It never hurts to ask! If you are in need of an SR22 insurance quote or have any questions, don't hesitate to call our office or click the button below to get started. We're here to help you navigate through this process with ease.