(Newswire.net — July 11, 2022) — If you have a conviction and your insurance company views you as a high-risk driver, you will be wondering whether you can still actually get insurance.
Well, the short answer is yes. But there are several things you need to be aware of.
Applying for Auto Insurance After a Conviction
Whatever you do, do not lie to an insurance company about a conviction.
When you apply for car insurance, you will be asked whether you have any driving convictions. The insurer needs to know that because drivers with convictions are viewed as being high-risk. That means your premium will be higher if the insurance company accepts you.
But it is important you tell the truth about any convictions before you take out a policy because when it comes time to make a claim on your insurance if you have not disclosed your conviction, your insurance company will find out and could refuse your claim.
Your insurance policy would then be invalid.
What Is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility?
In order to be approved for car insurance after a conviction, in most states in the U.S., you are required to have a certificate of financial responsibility, also known as SR-22 insurance.
Your insurance company files the document after you have had your driving license suspended or revoked. Once you are approved for SR-22 insurance, you can reacquire your license and be insured.
The purpose of a certificate of financial responsibility is to provide insurance for high risk drivers and ensure those high-risk drivers have enough insurance in place should they be involved in a road accident.
Types of Convictions That Require SR-22 Insurance
A certificate of financial responsibility, or an SR-22 insurance certificate, basically acts as proof that high-risk drivers who have had their licenses suspended or revoked now have financial responsibility should they be involved in an accident.
There are a number of types of convictions that could lead to licenses being suspended or revoked and requiring drivers to get SR-22 insurance, though laws are different from one state to another in the U.S.
You could need to get a certificate of financial responsibility if you have been convicted of:
- Reckless driving.
- Driving without insurance.
- At-fault accidents while driving without insurance.
- Accumulating a lot of points on your driving record.
- Excessive violations within a specific timeframe.
- Outstanding traffic fines or parking fines.
- A DUI or DWI.
Speaking of DUIs, if you need a DUI attorney, check out these helpful tips for choosing the right lawyer.
Does the Type of Offense Affect Your Insurance Policy?
You might think insurance companies only look at the number of points on your driving record and the number of fines you paid as a result of your conviction, but insurers actually look at each type of offense differently.
For instance, if you were convicted of a speeding offense, you might only see a small increase in your insurance premium whereas if you were convicted of another offense, like driving while using your cell phone, you could see a much larger increase.
Also, insurance companies always have the opportunity to decline your insurance application.
Is SR-22 Insurance Permanent?
The laws surrounding SR-22 insurance differ from one state to another in the U.S., but you will typically only need to have a certificate of financial responsibility for between two and five years. That is, as long as you maintain a clean driving record during that time and are not convicted again.
Once you meet the state requirements after the required period, you can simply ask your insurer to remove the SR-22 requirement from your auto insurance policy and revert to a standard policy.