Filing an SR22

Reader’s Question:

What is the process of sr22 filing?

Anne

San Francisco, CA

First of all, why do you need a sr22?

A sr22 is a document or certificate that an insurance company must file for a driver whose license has been revoked and driving privileges suspended. In doing so, the delinquent driver can legally ply the roads again, whether with a borrowed vehicle or his own. If you have been caught driving with an expired insurance policy or worse, been charged with DUI or DWI, then you are a candidate for sr22.

The first thing to do in sr22 filing is to look for an insurance company that offers the said service. With the number of errant drivers per state, you will find a lot of insurance providers offering to file the sr22. However, be on guard. There are companies who may ask you to overpay but under-deliver.

An insurance provider will first provide you with the sr22 form, wherein you will be asked to fill up a number of details. After accomplishing the form, you must bring it back to the insurance company for checking. There are companies who do the sr22 filing for the driver while there are others who simply give back the form to the driver to take and file at the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Make sure to ask this when shopping around for an insurance provider. It would be best if they do sr22 filing so all you have to do is wait.

The DMV usually receives and files a driver’s sr22 within 24 hours. However, processing can take up to a maximum of 30 days. Once it has been registered, the DMV informs the driver’s insurance company and reinstates the driver’s road privileges.