{"id":1142,"date":"2024-08-05T23:41:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T23:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/?p=1142"},"modified":"2024-08-05T23:41:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T23:41:55","slug":"restoring-insurance-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/restoring-insurance-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Life After SR-22: Restoring Your Insurance Record\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SR-22 Insurance: Your Ticket to Redemption\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everyone makes mistakes. Some errors are costlier than others. That\u2019s what you might be thinking if you\u2019ve received legal notice that you can only drive your car after obtaining SR-22 insurance<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does that mean? How much will it cost you? What if you simply ignore the demand that you get such coverage? And what comes after an SR-22? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SR-22 Insurance: Your Ticket to Redemption<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, what is SR-22 insurance<\/a>? Well, it isn\u2019t car coverage at all, though it sometimes gets called that. It\u2019s actually state-mandated legal paperwork an insurer must file on your behalf. It\u2019s a guarantee of financial responsibility, which means that you\u2019ve proven you have the state\u2019s minimum required liability protection to cover injuries and damages to other people and personal property damages if you cause an accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason you must have this guarantee is you\u2019re considered to be a high-risk driver as a result of your prior actions. You can earn that status by convictions for reckless driving, numerous speeding tickets, or other serious driving offenses. One common reason is a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some states refer to this as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or similar terminology that means the same thing \u2014 you were stopped, arrested and convicted of driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, this or other serious violations will result in the loss of your driving privileges for a specified period of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can actually look at your SR-22 as good news because it means you can drive again, though with various restrictions. You can do some research so you have a better understanding of what you need to know about the SR-22 requirement<\/a>. The first restriction is you must obtain your state\u2019s required liability coverage. This is what\u2019s often called SR-22 insurance. Your auto insurance agent can file the paperwork with the state on your behalf and get you the auto coverage you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How SR-22 Breathes New Life Into Your Driving Privileges<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The way you begin to restore your good driving record is by\u2026driving. It\u2019s really that simple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drive carefully, observe all posted speed limits, follow all rules of the road, and never drive with even a single alcoholic drink in your system. Follow those few simple tips, and your driving record will clear up on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because even the most serious violations are only saved as negative points on your driving record for a limited period of time that varies by state. The simple act of driving safely will clear up your record over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the value of an SR-22. It puts you legally behind the wheel again after serious violations and back on the road to a restored driving record and a restored insurance policy at lower rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fresh Start: Understanding DUI Expungement<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Expungement is the removal of a legal conviction from a person\u2019s criminal record. An offense might be expunged for a number of reasons, such as the infraction being a minor misdemeanor or the violator being a first-time offender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to DUI expungement, the rules, conditions \u2014 and even availability \u2014 vary greatly by state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning Your Driving Slate<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a DUI on your record might keep you from getting a job and have other negative impacts. So it\u2019s understandable that you\u2019d want to expunge that record if you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, expungement is only available in about half of the states in the U.S., and sometimes only in situations that might not apply to you. For instance, in some states, it\u2019s only possible if it\u2019s your first offense, you\u2019re under a certain age, or the offense was only a misdemeanor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some states, you can use other legal maneuvers to erase your DUI, including an annulment or a pardon. The availability and process for getting a DUI expungement or similar erasure varies by state, so it\u2019s best to consult a lawyer. Your auto insurance agent might also be helpful in this regard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Man<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Navigating the Aftermath of a DUI<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Things are going to get tough for a while. There\u2019s no sugarcoating the cost and complexity of dealing with a DUI conviction. Nevertheless, there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Implications and SR-22 Insurance<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you should do after a DUI charge is to consult a lawyer. Use a search engine to query \u201c(your city) DUI lawyer\u201d or \u201cDUI attorney\u201d or get a recommendation from a friend or family member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re convicted and it\u2019s your first offense, you\u2019ll probably get off with a fine, court costs, and temporary loss of your driving privileges. If you\u2019ve had multiple offenses, you might also get jail time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll get correspondence from the court system to inform you how long your license has been suspended and when you must get SR-22 insurance. Don\u2019t drive without it. You can lose your license for even longer if you\u2019re arrested while illegally behind the wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your car coverage rates will rise with an SR-22, perhaps as much as double what you used to pay. Put your auto policy agent on your team to help you contain those costs. If you do not inform your insurer about your SR-22 requirement, they will find out when it is time to renew. If you are lucky, your agent has probably filed many SR-22s, so they know what to do and can help you get back on the road as quickly as legally possible. If they decline to insure you, you will have to find some affordable solutions for your coverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind independent auto insurance agents have contractual relationships with several major insurers. That means they can help you find the most affordable liability coverage on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning for the Long-Term<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, your SR-22 insurance is not something you must have for the rest of your driving life. Vow to do better behind the wheel, and the results of your conviction will melt away over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of SR-22 Requirements<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It should be acknowledged that SR-22 requirements don\u2019t even exist in about a dozen states. Some states have what\u2019s called an FR-44. One of the differences between SR-22 and FR-44<\/a> is that FR-44s are more severe, and they’re only used in certain states. For states that do have SR-22 requirements, the period of time in which a motorist must drive on SR-22 insurance is about three years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is if there have been no other serious driving violations in that period, you\u2019ll be free of the SR-22 requirements at the end of your state\u2019s time period. However, additional time could be tacked on if you\u2019re found driving without SR-22 coverage or if you have other serious driving infractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining a Clean Record Post-SR-22<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is imperative. You\u2019ll restore your driving record by avoiding additional flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Over time, your auto insurer will also take notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, the rates you pay for car insurance are based on what company underwriters see as the odds that you\u2019ll have an accident, resulting in claims being paid out. If they think that risk is high, you\u2019ll pay much more than if they think the odds are low that you\u2019ll have an at-fault accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why they look at speeding tickets and other moving violations on your record. If you have few or none over time, you\u2019ll pay less for coverage than if your records are a mess of violations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the Best SR-22 Insurance Deals With Acceptance<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve already been through the worst of your infraction. You\u2019ve been arrested, convicted, and had your license suspended. You\u2019ve had to hire a lawyer and pay fines and court costs. Now things are getting better. You can drive again, though, with higher-priced SR-22 insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The independent auto agents at Acceptance Insurance have helped countless drivers obtain the most affordable SR-22 policy and eventually restore their insurance records for lower rates. Let us help you. Simply call us at 877-405-7102<\/a> or get a quick online quote for SR-22 insurance<\/a>. You can also find an Acceptance Insurance office near you<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SR-22 Insurance: Your Ticket to Redemption\u00a0 Everyone makes mistakes. Some errors are costlier than others. That\u2019s what you might be thinking if you\u2019ve received legal notice that you can only drive your car after obtaining SR-22 insurance.  What does that mean? How much will it cost you? What if you simply ignore the demand that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1145,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,37],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1142"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1142"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1153,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1142\/revisions\/1153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}