December, 2017 | Amigo Insurance

Sometimes, minor traffic violations are more inconvenient than anything else. However, severe violations might show that you are a danger to yourself and others on the road. Each state has different ways of penalizing those who commit serious driving infractions. Penalties might include a requirement to get an SR-22 certificate.

If this is the first time that you have to get an SR-22, you might not understand what it is. SR-22s are certificates that essentially verify that you carry auto insurance. If you have serious driving violations, your state might require you to carry this form.

How You Can Get an SR-22 Penalty

Often, SR-22s penalties originate following dangerous behind-the-wheel violations by drivers. They may arise after drivers receive charges of:

Multiple or severe accidents
Many speeding tickets
Driving without insurance
Driving without a valid license or registration
DUI or DWI violations

Or other offenses.

Each state determines its SR-22 laws. Indeed, some states do not have SR-22 penalties at all, and won’t require the certificate. However, even if you live in a non-SR-22 state, you can still receive SR-22 penalties in another state. Visit your state’s DMV, motor vehicle service, or public safety websites for information about particular laws.

Understanding the SR-22

An SR-22 might impact the way you carry and afford auto insurance. Therefore, it is important that first-time recipients understand what the SR-22 is. Many people mistakenly believe that SR-22 coverage is a special type of car insurance.

If a driver commits serious violations, the authorities might classify them as high risks. High-risk drivers usually have a greater chance of causing property damage, injuries to third parties or damage to their own vehicle.

States understand the potential for damage that high-risks drivers carry with them. Many states have instituted the SR-22 rule as a way to protect high-risk drivers and others on the road. You can view the SR-22 as a way that states make doubly sure that high-risk drivers carry auto insurance.

SR-22s are not insurance policies. They are certificates that attach to existing auto insurance. Once attached to your insurance policy, the SR-22 goes to your state authorities. It verifies for the state that you have active auto insurance.

How Will the SR-22 Affect My Insurance?

When you get an SR-22, you will need to immediately contact your insurance agent. Your agent will be a source of information and assistance during this time.

SR-22s belong to drivers who carry a lot of risk, and insurance companies know this. Therefore, just as the state will view you as high-risk, so might your insurer.

When insurers issue policies, they assume risks associated with that driver. They base the amount of risk the driver has on varying factors. However, each factor impacts a driver’s likelihood of filing a claim. The more likely a driver is to file a claim, the higher their risk level usually is. The insurer may increase the driver’s premium because they have a higher chance of having to pay a claim for the driver.

Since SR-22s show a high risk, insurers will likely raise premiums for drivers who carry them. Some even refuse to cover the highest-risk drivers, including SR-22 carriers.

Getting and Maintaining Your SR-22

The thing to do when you get an SR-22 is to keep your wits about you. You usually have to follow a specific process to file the certificate. Contact your insurance agent or insurance company and notify them of the requirement. Your agent can then tell you how the SR-22 will impact your coverage.

If your insurer refuses to cover you any longer, your agent might be able to help you find a new policy.
You might need to consider adjusting your insurance coverage to higher limits. Your agent can often help you do that.
Some independent insurance agencies do not issue SR-22 certificates. You might have to seek policy assistance from another resource to get the filing. Be sure to verify with the state that it is in receipt of the certificate
Sometimes, you might have to file the SR-22 with the state yourself. In others, the agency might be able to file the SR-22 on your behalf.

There are usually costs associated with your SR-22 coverage. A simple filing fee is usually quite nominal, around $25 in most cases. However, you might face other costs. For example, the insurance company issuing the SR-22 may require you to pay your full premium up front. This helps make sure that your policy will not expire or cancel due to lack of payment. Remember, your premium may go up, and stay that way for a while.

The good news is, your SR-22 is usually temporary. Most first-time offenders have to keep the SR-22 active on their licenses for about 2-3 years. However, the key to getting an SR-22 is to not re-offend. If you commit further driving offenses during the SR-22 period, it may drive your rates up further or cause the penalty period to start over.

The SR-22 certificate is nothing to disregard or take lightly. You must adhere to its requirements like any other penalty. Talk to your insurance agent to make sure your auto insurance coverage and certificate meet all lawful requirements. With the correct protection, you can ensure that you will finish your SR-22 penalty without lingering consequences. Contact us to learn more about SR-22s in Chicago.

Before You Go: Obtain Mexican Auto Insurance

American drivers might think they can simply drive into Mexico with no barriers. Wrong answer. Americans have to get proper international travel documents, like passports, vehicle import permits and visas to travel into the country.

Furthermore, Mexican law does not recognize American auto insurance policies. That means if you drive past the U.S. border, your existing auto insurance will likely void.

Mexico and its states requires all drivers to carry their own liability insurance. Therefore, American travelers will need to invest in a Mexican auto insurance policy. Even if you travel in the Mexican free zones, areas with looser visa and import requirements, you still have to carry Mexican Auto insurance. Many American insurers work with their counterparts in Mexico to issue Mexican policies. However, your policy comes directly from the Mexican insurer. Once you get this coverage, you will file any claims with the Mexican auto insurance company. Usually, Americans can obtain policies only for the length of their travels in Mexico.

Once on the Road, Follow Safe Driving Practices

Simply getting Mexican auto insurance won’t give drivers immunity from accidents. Just like domestic driving, foreign driving poses its own risks to Americans. Keep certain safe driving practices in mind as you prepare to travel in Mexico.

Prepare your vehicle before you go. You want to have a well-functioning car with any road trip. Where you travel shouldn’t impact whether you have the vehicle serviced before you go. Do it regardless. Change the oil and inspect the engine, tires, battery and other vital systems. Remember, most auto insurance policies won’t cover maintenance breakdowns anyway.

If you find yourself in need of repairs in Mexico, seek out a trusted mechanic who understands U.S. vehicles. U.S. cars and Mexican vehicles often have certain differences in design. Mexican auto mechanics may not be familiar with some of the finer points of U.S. auto repairs. You do not want to entrust your vehicle to someone who might not know how to repair it.

Plan a route which you intend to travel, and research it beforehand. You should always know what amenities you have available to you along that route. Don’t deviate from your planned route unless you have assurances that it is safe to do so.

Contrary to tales of highway robbers, cartels and other threats, driving in Mexico is usually perfectly safe. Nonetheless, there are places that do pose threats to tourists. The U.S. Department of State and the Mexican authorities sometimes issue travel advisories. They might warn visitors to avoid certain areas. Both before and during travel, know which areas that it is best to avoid. Don’t venture into these areas if you can help it.

No one wants to have their purse or wallet stolen from their car when they stop for gas or the night. This can happen anywhere you go in Mexico, or even the U.S. for that matter. However, you don’t want to have to deal with the hassle of theft during international travel. Therefore, see to the safety of your possessions at all times. Keep valuable and private possessions with you or locked in your vehicle when you are not inside it. Hide items like purses, electronics or luggage under seats or in trunks. Arm all your security systems when leaving the vehicle.

Learn the rules of Mexican roads. In many ways, they will be similar to American laws. However, even small differences might impact foreign drivers. For example, you might encounter signage in Spanish. If you don’t understand it you might make mistakes. You might also encounter road construction or markings with which you aren’t familiar. You can often obtain safety guides to help you better understand the rules of the road.

Take special care when driving at night or in unfamiliar environments. Certain hazards could pop up that you might not expect. For example, livestock might roam on rural Mexican roads at night, posing risks to drivers. Additionally, it is well known that anywhere you go at night, unsavory characters might lurk and emergency services might be scarce. Therefore, always redouble your safety efforts.

The bottom line is to remember that you should drive with extreme care when traveling in Mexico. The safer you attempt to drive, the lesser your chances of encountering problems. Nevertheless, you should never go without protection. Speak to your American insurance agent about getting a Mexican auto insurance policy. Your agent can help you determine how best to protect yourself.

How You Can Get an SR-22 Penalty

Understanding the SR-22

How Will the SR-22 Affect My Insurance?

Getting and Maintaining Your SR-22

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