Are you guilty of committing several traffic offenses that were not far apart and now must obtain SR-22 insurance? If you are confused as to why you are being asked to obtain SR-22 insurance when you already have coverage, you must understand that it is not like regular auto insurance. The article below will answer a few of the questions that you might have concerning SR-22 insurance so you will know why you need it with your regular coverage.

Why Does a Person Need Two Types of Auto Insurance Coverage?

The first thing that you must understand about SR-22 insurance is that it is basically required as a safety precaution by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Rather than acting as actual coverage for your vehicle, SR-22 insurance is only in place to confirm to the DMV that you have coverage. In other words, SR-22 insurance does not meant that you will have two types of coverage; it is only a certificate of responsibility that high-risk drivers are sometimes required to obtain before they can legally drive. You are required to obtain SR-22 insurance because of the traffic offenses that you committed that makes you a high-risk driver.  

What Must Be Done to Obtain SR-22 Insurance?

The first thing that you must do is verify if you can get a certificate of responsibility through your current auto insurance company. Keep in mind that a certificate of responsibility is not offered through all auto insurance companies. If your current insurance company does not offer the certificate, you must find a different company. Once you have found an auto insurance company that offers the certificate, you must get coverage and request that the certificate of responsibility is sent to the DMV. You won't be able to send the certificate on your own because the DMV needs solid proof directly from the insurance company that you are covered.

What Happens if the Auto Insurance Coverage Expires?

If you are still obligated to have a certificate of responsibility after your auto insurance expires, you must obtain coverage again. Make sure that you pay for more coverage in a timely manner because your insurance company will have to notify the DMV that your coverage has lapsed. If you wait too long to get coverage, it can lead to your driver's license being suspended. Contact your auto insurance company to find out if they can file a certificate of responsibility for you.