So, something happened the other night when you were driving home from that bonfire in Redmond. Maybe the police pulled you over and you’d had just a tad too much of that special craft beer your cousin brought to the party. Uh-oh. Now, you have to get something called SR-22 insurance.
Don’t be afraid! At Vern Fonk, we’ve got your back. We are going to clue you in on the cheapest way to get SR-22 insurance, as well as the pitfalls to avoid.
An SR-22, commonly referred to as SR-22 insurance, is a certification issued by your car insurance company providing proof that you carry the required minimum amount of vehicle liability coverage required by Washington. An SR-22 is most commonly required after a DUI conviction or other certain offenses. Some of these include:
For most Washingtonians, your SR-22 period will be three years. Unfortunately, if you need SR-22 insurance, you can be kicked up into a higher risk category, which means your car insurance could be higher than the peaks of Mount Rainier.
Take heart: the Fonk has your back! We can help you find high-risk auto insurance you can afford.
Don’t worry. Most likely somebody wearing a judge’s robe will tell you (or you might get a notice by snail mail).
If your license is suspended, you might need an SR-22 to get it back. Keep in mind that letting your SR-22 insurance lapse at any time during your three years will cause the time to start over (kind of like the movie Groundhog’s Day only in a not-funny way).
Washington drivers are required to carry liability limits of at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage.
Washington requires that an SR-22 endorsement be carried for thirty-six (36) consecutive months. If the policy is not renewed at least 15 days prior to expiration, a letter will be sent to the state, resulting in suspension of the driver’s license. Once the policy has been renewed, the state will reinstate the driver’s license. It is highly recommended that the insured renew their policy at least 45 days ahead of time.