Lose Your Insurance Due to a DUI? Here's How to Protect Your SR-22 Coverage
Losing insurance after a DUI puts your driving privileges at risk but knowing how to handle an SR-22 lapse may help you stay in compliance and avoid starting over.
Key Takeaways:
- If your insurance coverage is canceled during an SR-22 requirement, your certificate can lapse, which may result in a license suspension and a reset of the requirement period.
- The type of SR-22 certificate you need depends on whether you own or have regular access to a vehicle in your household.
- If you lose insurance coverage, act quickly to secure a new policy. Do not drive until coverage is in place with a new SR-22 certificate.
If your insurance carrier drops you or decides not to renew your policy after a DUI, your SR-22 status could be at risk. Continuous coverage is required to keep your license, and even a short lapse may reset your SR-22 timeline.
Knowing how to protect your auto insurance SR-22 may help you avoid this complication.
This informational blog shares what you need to know about DUI insurance, but it is not to be used as legal advice. Always consult a qualified DUI attorney to assist with any drunk driving charge you may be facing. If you have immediate questions about SR-22 insurance, call a Breathe Easy licensed agent at (833) 786-0237.
What is Auto Insurance SR-22?
An SR-22 isn’t actually insurance. Instead, it’s a form your insurance carrier files with the state to prove you have your state's required minimum auto liability insurance coverage. It’s commonly required after a serious violation like a DUI or driving without insurance that indicates you are considered a high-risk driver.
Having continuous insurance is a requirement for SR-22; however, car insurance carriers may drop you in the event you get a DUI.
Insurance Requirements for an SR-22 Certificate
Drivers required to hold an auto insurance SR-22 certificate must meet ongoing conditions to maintain a valid license.
Continuous Coverage
You must keep your auto insurance active the entire time your SR-22 is on file. If your coverage lapses, even briefly, your insurer is required to report it to the state. In some cases, the reporting may happen within hours of a lapse.
Filing in the State Where You Received the DUI
You must file and maintain your auto insurance SR-22 in the state where the violation occurred. If you relocate or do not reside in the state where the violation occurred, you may need a second policy in your new state. However, the original state still requires proof of coverage until the end of the filing period.
Some insurers can file across state lines if they’re licensed in both places, but you should always confirm this before moving. Do not let either policy lapse or cancel insurance in the original state until the required SR-22 period ends. This keeps you in compliance with both states and avoids legal trouble.
View SR-22 Requirements by State
State Minimum Coverage Requirements
Each state sets minimum liability coverage requirements for auto insurance. The SR-22 filing confirms you meet these minimums. While you may choose to carry a policy with higher limits for additional protection, you must at least satisfy state law to keep your license active.
Owner vs Non-Owner SR-22 Certificates and Insurance Policies
Auto insurance SR-22 requirements differ depending on whether you own a car.
SR-22 Requirements as a Vehicle Owner
If you own or currently lease a vehicle, you’ll need an owner SR-22, which is attached to an owner auto insurance policy. The policy must list each vehicle you own and meet your state’s minimum liability requirements. If you add or replace a vehicle, you’ll need to update your policy right away to keep the auto insurance SR-22 valid.
SR-22 Requirements If You Don’t Own a Car
If you don’t own a vehicle, the requirements depend on whether you have regular access to a vehicle in your household. If you live with someone (for example, a spouse, parent, or roommate) who has a car available for you to drive, you’ll likely need an owner SR-22, even if the car is not titled in your name.
If you do not have regular access to a vehicle in your household, you may qualify for a non-owner SR-22 policy. This provides liability coverage when you occasionally drive a car you don’t own, like a rental car or your friend’s vehicle. If you later purchase a vehicle, you must switch to an owner SR-22 policy before driving it.
What If My Auto Insurance is Canceled Under SR-22?
An auto insurance carrier may be able to cancel your policy if you are convicted of a DUI (not all states allow this). Most insurers view a DUI as evidence you are a high-risk driver, and this allows them to cancel your policy mid-term or refuse to renew it when your term ends, depending on state laws and your specific circumstances. Some states require a notice period before cancellation.
If you lose your insurance coverage while under an SR-22 requirement, you need to act fast. Even a brief lapse in coverage resets your SR-22 timeline and results in a license suspension. Here are the key steps to take if you find yourself without auto insurance.
Find Alternate Transportation
First, do not drive until you have an SR-22 certificate in force again. Otherwise, you could end up with new penalties, longer suspension periods, and higher insurance costs. While you wait, consider relying on public transportation, rideshares, or seeking help from family and friends.
Find a New Insurance Company
Not all insurance carriers are willing to cover drivers with a DUI. But there are companies that specialize in high-risk coverage. Rates can vary significantly depending on your driving history and state, making it important to shop around.
If your policy has been cancelled, Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions licensed agents work directly with DUI-forgiving insurance providers. Start comparing auto insurance options now to find an SR-22 policy that fits your budget.
Understand How This Impacts the SR-22 Timeline
In most states, you must maintain SR-22 coverage for one to three years, or longer for repeat offenses. If your policy is canceled and not replaced immediately, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may restart your SR-22 period. This means all the time you’ve already completed no longer counts.
Act Now if You’ve Lost Your Insurance Due to a DUI
The longer you go without coverage, the more time and money it costs you to get back on track. The best approach is to act quickly. Start by checking with your insurer or the DMV to determine whether your SR-22 is still on file. If it has been cancelled, you won’t be able to drive legally again until you have a new SR-22 certificate.
If you lose your car insurance during an SR-22 period, you need to take action right away. Contact Breathe Easy Insurance Solutions at 833-786-0237 to speak with an agent to find a policy that meets your needs.