When it comes to car insurance, there are two particularly unique cases when it comes to those who may have a bit more trouble getting insured— those who need insurance but don’t own a vehicle, and those who are required to file an SR-22 form in their state.
If you fall into both of these categories, you may be wondering if and how you can obtain non-owner SR-22 insurance at all. The good news is that you can, and we’ve provided this guide to help you understand the ins and outs of non-owner SR-22 insurance in 2021.
What is Non-Owner Car Insurance?
Non-owner car insurance chase is designed to cover risks associated with driving vehicles that are not your own. For example, non-owner car insurance may be a good choice if you frequently drive rental cars, or drive vehicles that aren’t yours and don’t belong to someone in your household.
The liability coverage included in a non-owner car insurance California policy covers any injuries or property damage that your actions may cause others when involved in an accident.
That said, it’s important to note that this does not cover damage to the vehicle you’re driving or injuries and medical costs you might sustain from the accident.
The good news is that non-owner car insurance is often less expensive over the course of a year than owners’ insurance. But it also has another advantage— it can be an effective option for drivers who need to file an SR-22.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a special certificate that proves to your DMV and other authorities that you are properly insured. They are sometimes also known as a certificate of financial responsibility (CFR). It’s a simple statement that tells the relevant authorities that you meet the minimum car insurance requirements for your state over a specified period of time.
That said, not everyone needs an SR-22. For the average driver, the proof of insurance card or online form provided by their insurer is enough to prove that they’re properly insured. So why do some people need an SR-22 to be filed on their behalf while others don’t?
Who Needs Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance?
An SR-22 is required for drivers who have committed one of a range of serious driving-related violations. They’re often required to be filed after being convicted of a driving-related offense, but there are other reasons you might be required to file an SR-22 in order to be considered legally allowed to drive.
- DUI or DWI If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, having an SR-22 filed will likely be a stipulation of eventually having your license and driving privileges reinstated once you have met all of the other criteria required by the judge or relevant authorities
- Reckless driving conviction Like a DUI or DWI, a reckless driving conviction may result in the suspension or revocation of your license, which will remain in effect until you’ve had an SR-22 filed
- Multiple or serious at-fault accidents You could also be required to have your insurer file an SR-22 if you’re found to be legally at fault in a serious accident or in multiple accidents
- Conviction of driving without insurance Driving without insurance is another serious offense, and could result in you having to file an SR-22 in order to have your driving privileges restored
- Conviction of driving with a suspended or revoked license Another serious conviction that could require an SR-22 be filed with the state
- Multiple small infractions While you may not have any one major traffic-related incident on your record, a higher than normal number of smaller traffic incidents could result in you being deemed a ‘high risk’ driver who requires an SR-22
How to Obtain Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance
Your first step when looking for non-owner SR-22 insurance is to contact an insurance company. While many insurance agencies allow you to sign up for traditional policies online, signing up for a non-owner SR-22 insurance policy will require you to speak to someone directly on the phone or in person.
Not all insurers are willing to take on drivers who require an SR-22, as they’re considered a higher risk to insure. Fortunately, Freedom National helps those who require non-owner SR-22 insurance and standard SR-22 insurance get the coverage they need!
After you’ve found an insurer willing to offer you a policy, you’ll need to have them file an SR-22 form directly with your state’s DMV. This usually comes with a small filing fee between $15 and $25. Once you’ve met the conditions of no longer needing an SR-22, you can contact your insurer and ask them to remove the filing.
IMPORTANT: Remember that your coverage cannot lapse while driving under an SR-22 filing. If you do, the clock on your ability to remove the SR-22 requirement will reset. This is why the ability to get non-owner SR-22 insurance is so vital— it means that even if you don’t currently have a vehicle or can’t drive regularly because of a suspended or revoked license, you won’t have a lapse in coverage.
Can You Drive with a Non-Owner SR-22?
Yes! An SR-22 serves as proof of being properly insured so that you can drive a vehicle, even if you don’t own a car that’s covered by a traditional policy.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about car insurance, including SR-22s, non-owner car insurance, state regulations, insurance coverage minimums, and more, head to our home page and discover everything that Freedom National has to offer. You can also check out our blog to learn more about specific car insurance-related terms, information about driving in individual states, and much, much more.
Once you’re ready to find cheap car insurance that will keep you fully covered and allow you to easily customize your plan based on your unique needs, head to our page to start your free quote. It takes just a few minutes to enter some basic information and get a custom quote. From there, you can customize your policy so that it has everything you need— and nothing you don’t. We pride ourselves on offering some of the most accessible & affordable car insurance in the country, even for those with prior driving incidents on their record. Get started with Freedom National today.
