SR22 Insurance Filing In Illinois

Reader’s Question:

They took my driver’s license away because of my DUI and now that the revocation period is almost over, I need to have a new driver’s license here in Illinois but I also need SR22 filing, how do I do that?

Angelo

Waukegan, IL

Because your Illinois driver’s license has been revoked, you have to work your way in getting SR22 insurance filing so that you can have a new driver’s license. SR22 insurance is a form that is being added to a car insurance policy and is being required for those who have been convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) or for those who have had a driver’s license suspension or revocation for some other reasons.

SR22 insurance filing needs to be done by your car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you are not currently insured, you have to find a car insurance company that does SR22 insurance filing. You may get a hard time finding a car insurance company that will insure you because of your status as a high risk driver, but there surely is one that would be willing to do SR22 insurance filing for you but at a higher price than what you used to pay for your car insurance.

Through SR22 insurance filing, your car insurance company guarantees the DMV that you have at least auto liability insurance. Remember that you have to maintain this for a specific amount of time because if not, the DMV would have to suspend your driver’s license until you show them that you have SR22 insurance filing again.

Non-Owners SR22 Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I no longer have a vehicle but my insurance agent friend here in Illinois says I might still need to carry an SR22 since I will still be driving a different vehicle. What is it and what should I do?

Gary

Palatine, IL

Hello Gary, under the financial responsibility laws of Illinois, anyone who have been caught driving under the influence (DUI), proven at-fault in a car accident or has accumulated any number of moving violations severe enough to have his or her license suspended and lose car insurance coverage, would be required to file an SR-22 form. An SR-22 is proof of financial capability of a driver to compensate for any damages or injury he or she may cause to another person or property (the required coverage should not fall below the state required minimum limits).

Even if you would not be driving your own vehicle for a while, you will still be required to maintain an SR-22 for at least a couple of years to make sure you’re still carrying adequate liability insurance under a Non-owners SR-22. Please take note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle your driving is covered for any damages or loss it may incur. This type of insurance only covers liability from injury or damages.

You may want to purchase a Non-owners insurance policy if you would like to protect the vehicle you will be driving there in Palatine, IL. This is different since an SR-22 covers other people from damages or injuries you caused while a Non-owners Insurance policy works the other way around.

Do You Need Drunk Driver Insurance in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

My driver’s license was suspended because of my drunk driving charge. Is it true that this can be a reason for my car insurance rates to go up?

Barry

Des Plaines, IL

The states don’t allow insurance providers not to give coverage to people because of their color, faith, residence, profession or age but they can drop your policy for some other reasons. This includes having a suspended driver’s license, too many tickets or having a felony, criminal negligence or DUI conviction. Car insurance providers typically treat those who have drunk driving charge differently than those who have a clean driving record. They usually charge higher car insurance premium rates or they can even drop the policy.

Since you have a drunk driving charge in Illinois, you will be tagged as a high risk driver. If your car insurance provider finds out about it and decides to keep you, they would likely increase your premiums. In that case, you will be expected to file a proof of insurance, or what is called SR22, so that your driver’s license will be reinstated. Also, because of the SR22, your car insurance provider would notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if your car insurance policy is canceled for whatever reason.

DUI – Drivers License Suspended in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

My driver’s license got suspended and it is nearing the end of the suspension period. How do I get my license back so that I can drive again especially to and from work here in Aurora, Illinois?

Cannon

Aurora, IL

To have your driver’s license reinstated so that you can drive again especially to and from work in Aurora, Illinois, it would depend on what the violation was and the state laws or regulations of the state where your license got suspended or revoked. If the reason why your driver’s license was suspended was due to unpaid tickets then it could be as simple as paying the fines and fees for these violations and complete the requirements to have your driving privileges back.

If your driver’s license got suspended due to a DUI offense, the state of Illinois might require you to complete DUI school, pay fines and get an SR22 auto insurance. If your driver’s license was suspended due to a lot of points, check if a driving improvement class could let you have your driving privileges back. You can also contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to get particular information on reinstating your driver’s license.

Tags: DMV, driver’s license, drunk driving insurance, DUI, SR22 insurance

SR22 Filing For Auto Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

Recently I started filing my SR22 insurance policy in Arlington Heights, Illinois due to DUI. Is there anything I can do to appear less risky to an insurance company?

Robert

Arlington Heights, IL

You hit the nail on the head for what you have to do with your Arlington Heights, Illinois SR22. Risk is what is making you pay too much for your auto insurance coverage, and nothing else, so the best thing to do for people who do not want to pay more is to ease up on the risk factor. A lot of ways is out there for you to prove your responsibility with little to no effort.

One way to do is for you to sign up for a defensive driving course. You can call your Arlington Heights, Illinois SR22 auto insurance provider first to find out a list of defensive driving classes which count, because not all will and you do not want to waste your time. A defensive driving class is a good way to lower your risk, most especially if you have SR22 insurance policy due to DUI, because not only do you obtain an auto insurance discount, but you also learn a few things which assist you in the future.

Now, you can only use a defensive driving course to save you money if you are not mandated by the state to take it. If taking a defensive driving course is part of your required DUI recovery track from the court, then unfortunately this is not an option for you.

Illinois SR22 Auto Insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI conviction here in  Illinois and my license has been revoked. I’m getting ready to get my license back and I was advised by a friend that I need to file SR22 auto insurance. Is this some type of insurance policy?

Oscar

Naperville, IL

Since your driver’s license has been revoked because of your DUI conviction in Naperville, Illinois, you need to file an SR22 auto insurance to get your license reinstated. SR22 is not an auto insurance policy, but rather it is a type of rider that is added to an Illinois insurance policy. It is a form from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that shows that a driver has auto insurance. This is a document required as proof of financial responsibility under Illinois state law for persons convicted for DUI. This is simply a form which must be filed by the insurance company stating that auto liability insurance is in effect for a certain individual.

You can check with your insurance company first if they do offer SR22 auto insurance. That way, you can simply add SR22 to your insurance policy. If not, you need to contact an insurance agent to buy liability insurance to get SR22 from another insurance company. Ask the agent for SR22 form once you have committed to purchasing a policy. You need to take the form to the Illinois DMV and this can be done personally.