Reader’s Question:

A friend’s Dad was arrested for drunk driving in Peoria, Illinois. He was asked to file an SR22. What happens if he refuses to do this?

Karen

Peoria, IL

Good Question, Karen.

An SR22 is one of the means in Illinois to monitor the insurance of problem drivers. Through this process, mandatory insurance is enforced in the most efficient way. Illinois citizens are protected from uninsured motorists through the Financial Responsibility Law.

SR22 is required in Illinois by individuals with safety responsibility suspensions, unsatisfied judgment suspensions, revocations, mandatory insurance supervisions and individuals who receive three or more convictions for mandatory insurance violations.

In short, your Dad’s friend cannot refuse to file an SR22. This certificate of insurance is filed by the home office of an insurance company directly to the Secretary of State. This may be obtained by contacting an insurance company that is authorized to write SR-22 policies for Illinois.