In Arizona, SR-22 auto insurance is required for those convicted of a DUI or certain other serious driving offenses. Despite often being referred to as insurance, SR-22 is not an insurance policy; it’s a certificate that serves as proof of insurance. SR is short for “Safety Responsibility”. SR-22 is also referred to as proof of future financial responsibility.
As a result of a conviction for DUI or a serious driving offense after a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) hearing, a person becomes considered a “high-risk” driver and their insurance company needs to file an SR-22 with MVD. An SR-22 certificate guarantees that you will carry Arizona’s minimum liability insurance for a defined period. Those who are caught driving without an SR-22 certificate on file or fail to pay for SR-22 insurance will have their license suspended.
To have SR-22, you’ll need to pay an additional amount for an auto insurance policy to have this certificate on file with Arizona’s MVD. In most instances, a person will have SR-22 insurance for a period of three years.
If you don’t have a vehicle you’ll need to have a non-owner SR-22 policy. Non-owner insurance gives secondary liability coverage. A non-owner car insurance policy is best for people that don’t own a vehicle, but occasionally drive a friend’s or relative’s vehicle. An SR-22 can be attached to a non-owner car policy and is frequently the cheapest.
The length of time you’ll need an SR-22 is generally three years. A DUI conviction can increase the requirement to five years.
Arizona Insurance Coverage with SR-22
The minimum liability coverage in Arizona and the minimum coverage guaranteed by an SR-22 insurance is what’s known has 15/30/10 insurance:
- $15,000 – injury or death of one person
- $30,000 – injury or death of more than one person
- $10,000 – damage to property
You can always select greater coverage, but choosing the minimum will keep the costs as cheap as possible.
Having an SR-22 certificate isn’t overly expensive, but is nonetheless an added expense. The fee generally ranges from $20-$50 per month. What can be expensive is the increase of insurance premiums that comes with having a DUI conviction on your driving record. However, the financial penalties for a DUI conviction can quickly add up. An experienced DUI attorney can find ways to reduce the costs of a DUI conviction.
Defending your Driving Privilege and Avoiding SR-22
The best way to keep from losing your driving privilege is to avoid a DUI conviction. However, there are ways a Phoenix DUI lawyer can help you keep your driving privilege intact when charged with DUI. A DUI attorney can also help you avoid the requirement of having SR-22, in some circumstances.
Winning a DUI Case
Lack of probable cause and a failure to read Miranda Rights are just two of at least 10 different ways an Arizona DUI lawyer may be able to defend you against a DUI charge. Additionally, a pretrial resolution to resolve the case with a lesser charge is an alternative way to avoid the harsh penalties of DUI and the requirement of having SR-22.
Contact Award-Winning DUI Lawyers in the Valley
If you’ve been charged with DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or any other driving violation which results in the suspension of a driver’s license, then you run the risk of being required to have SR-22 in order to reinstate your driving privileges.
Contact the best Phoenix DUI Defense Attorneys in the Valley* at Lerner and Rowe Law Group to schedule a free consultation so we can review the case and evaluate your options.
We’re available 24/7 and can be reached throughout Arizona by calling 602-667-7777. You can also get in touch using our LiveChat service or by submitting the details of your case using our secure contact form.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.