SR22 Car Insurance Texas, what you need to know Shopping for a Texas Car Insurance Quote? We're here to make life a little easier Texas. Car Insurance Specialists & Texas Independent Agents
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Texas SR22 car insurance comes quick and accurate when you call us. After you become a client we never forget
you. The citations or accident that triggered the SR22 will not remain on your MVR indefinitely.
At each renewal interval, we examine your policy and search for lower cost alternatives. Any opportunity to save
money, whether or not the SR-22 compliance period has ended, is discovered and offered to you.
There are many reasons why a driver is required to submit proof of insurance via the SR-22 filing. Drivers at fault
and causing injuries with no insurance or ability to compensate may need to get an SR-22. Naturally, DWI insurance
Texas requires one. Other traffic violations or suspension for too many points often requires an SR-22. What
matters to us is a hassle free insurance experience to maintain or reinstate your license.
We’re not here to judge you; we’re here to help you.
Contrary to popular belief Texas SR22 car insurance is not a type of policy. It is the name of the form used by auto
insurance companies to certify compliance for their policyholders. The Sr-22 form is submitted by auto insurance
companies to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Policyholders can physically bring the SR22 to one of
four specific DPS locations to help expedite the process.
SR22 forms can be mailed to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Safety Responsibility Division
PO Box 15999 Austin, Texas 78761
SR22 forms can also be brought in person to one of these four locations:
12220 South Gessner Drive, Houston, Texas
350 West IH 30, Garland,Texas 75043
1633 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, Texas 74148
For all residents of Texas the minimum mandatory auto liability insurance includes bodily injury of 30,000 per
person and 60,000 totals in any one accident. The property damage liability limit is 25,000. One combined single
limit of 60,000 is also satisfactory. Even cheap TX car insurance includes this coverage.
The price charged for insurance is the same from the company regardless of an SR-22. There is one additional fee
charged for the filing process which is anywhere from 0 -50 dollars. However, drivers who are required to file an SR-
22 generally pay more than others due to the reason for the SR-22, such as an at fault accident, or a conviction for
driving while intoxicated.
A wide variety of rating characteristics makes a personalized quotation necessary to find out how much a policy is for
any particular driver. Many companies avoid this type of policy while others are competing for it. A good shopping
strategy will keep rates lower. Our independent family owned insurance agency is available for a personalized quote
at anytime by calling 1-877-WIZ-AUTO (949-2886). You can also quote yourself here at
www.progressiveinsurancequotesonline.com and one of our staff members will follow up with you.
Once mandated to file an SR-22, failure to do so will result in your driver’s license being suspended. A reinstatement
will only occur after certified proof of the required liability insurance in the form of an SR-22 is once again filed with
the DPS. Reinstatement fees will apply and a new two year compliance period will begin.
Complying with Texas’ Financial Responsibility law does not protect you from being sued. Having Bodily Injury
Liability of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident does not go very far when a major auto accident causes
severe injuries. Higher liability limits should be carefully considered when purchasing a policy. If you decide against
purchasing more than basic coverage, and you are sued, the Department of Motor Vehicles and its DPS will take no
adverse action against you.
Everyone wants to pay as little as possible for insurance; however, nobody wants to be left unprotected. Each
policyholder must decide for themselves the right balance. There are many policy coverage options to consider.
Another advantage of increased limits is qualifying for better tiers (categories) from your insurance company. A
better tier means lower overall premiums. Many of the top rated, most reputable, companies will not offer a policy in
their most favorable rating tier unless increased liability limits are included. Over the long term, if you consistently
maintain high limits, not only will you be in compliance with Texas’ Financial Responsibility Law, you will less likely be
sued, and save money too.
Always keep in mind, when a policy with an SR 22 is canceled the insurance company reports to the DPS. If the
individual has not replaced insurance with a new policy then their license will be suspended. Reinstatement fees
apply and a new two year compliance period begins.
Our family owned insurance agency helps DWI drivers and others in need of SR22 car insurance Texas every day.
This is our chosen specialty. We often remind our customers “It only takes a little alcohol to breach the level of
conviction. Anyone can easily make this mistake. You’re not a criminal.”
Please keep in mind we enjoy helping everyone with their car insurance. "High risk” drivers are not the only ones
with special needs. A family car insurance quote deserves as much attention as any other. In fact, were all family
members here at Texas Auto Plus Insurance and completely understand the needs and challenges of a family
policy. And for a simple cheap TX car insurance policy were here too!
Why don’t you give us a call at 1-877-WIZ-AUTO (949-2886)? Were here, ready, and want to help you.
Should you become a member of our “family of insured’s” we’ll be delighted and so will you! Thank you!
"Welcome, thanks for calling" - Wally
www.TexasAutoPlusInsurance.com
1-877-WIZ-AUTO (949-2886)
Texas Auto Plus Insurance Agency
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What is Texas SR22 insurance?
SR22 is actually not an insurance policy at all. It is a document, or more precisely a certificate, which proves that a
driver has a car insurance policy with certain minimum limits for liability coverages. This is the same definition
regardless of the state where the SR22 is required. The process which a driver has to go through to be in
compliance is quite similar from one state to another. Most states have an SR22 requirement for their high risk
drivers. While there are many similarities between the SR22 process from one state to another, there are a myriad
of differences which are revealed in the details. All of these differences make it pretty challenging for any driver who
needs this coverage to change their residence from one state to another. A driver in Florida with SR22 can not
transfer their policy to Texas, and a whole new policy will have to be initiated.
What are the minimum liability limits required for an SR22 in Texas?
As in most states the minimum requirement is the same as is required for any driver. In Texas minimum car
insurance coverage is 30,000 / 60,000 / 25,000. These numbers expressed in this way is known in the industry as
split limits. The first figure represents the amount payable to any one person that an at fault driver caused injuries to
in an accident. The second figure is the total amount payable in any one accident. The third figure is the amount
payable toward any property damage that was caused by an at fault driver. Each state sets their own minimum
liability coverage limits for their drivers. For example, a Florida SR22 has the minimum requirement of 10 /20 /10.
Just as in Texas, these minimum liability limits are required of all drivers whether or not an SR22 is mandated.
Naturally any driver who has a policy that exceeds the minimum limits would be a qualifying policy. These limits are
obviously not very high and drivers in either of these two states should consider increased limits. Average medical
bills after a car accident far exceed $10,000, and so does the average cost of a vehicle for that matter. Consider
this; even the perfect driver is required to maintain 100 / 300 / 50 limits when they lease a car.
Which drivers are required to have an SR22 Texas insurance policy?
Here again it is very similar from one state to another. Generally an SR22 is required for certain drivers who have
been identified as “high risk.” Typically, drivers who have had their license suspended or revoked or been in an
accident and not have had insurance at the time, or drivers who have been convicted of DUI or DWI will be required
to have an SR22. One notable difference between the various states is Florida and Virginia which require an FR44
insurance certificate for their drivers convicted of DUI. The FR44 certificate is a relatively recent development and
prior to this, both Florida and Virginia were utilizing the SR22 for these drivers. The main difference between the
SR22 and FR44 is in the amount of required coverage. An FR44 requires higher liability limits than the state
minimum which is the required SR22 amount of coverage. In Florida an FR44 mandates coverage of 100 /300/50.
Increased limits certainly make sense for drivers who are identified as “high risk”. Of the various categories of
drivers who are required to have an SR22, the DUI driver group has become a safe class of drivers as evidenced by
a very favorable loss ratio for the group. Over the years, required liability coverage limits have not kept pace at all
with rising claims costs.
What is meant by an SR22 Texas filing?
Filing is an industry term for submitting the required proof of insurance to the State governing body. A Texas SR22
is filed with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the authority in Florida is the Florida Bureau of Financial
Responsibility. After a policy is purchased the insurance companies provide the necessary proof of insurance via
the SR22. Anytime one of these policies are lapsed or canceled the insurance company notifies the respective
department and that drivers license and car registration is subject to being suspended. This is a powerful motivator
for policyholders to maintain their coverage as it is very costly to buy an SR22 policy without any prior insurance,
and their will be reinstatement fees that are imposed by the State.
How long does a driver have to maintain a Texas SR22 filing?
Two years from the date of conviction in Texas and in Florida it is three years. For a Texas Sr22 anytime there is a
lapse in coverage a new two year period is required. So, essentially a driver in Texas may have the SR22
requirement for a number of years. It is very important for policyholders to maintain their coverage with an SR22
without any lapses or cancellations. Otherwise, their overall cost for car insurance and reinstatement fees become
quite prohibitive. For policyholders that move from one State to another they are still required to satisfy the SR22
requirement and most States have reciprocal agreements. Unfortunately for these drivers, a new SR22 car
insurance policy must be secured in the new state as policies are simply not transferable from one State to another.
How much is an SR22 car insurance policy in Texas?
the actual cost for the SR22 is nominal compared to the reasons an SR22 policy is required in the first place.
Remember, an SR22 is not any kind of insurance in and of itself, so, the cost for a policy is determined by all the
other rating factors. If an SR22 is required then the infraction or circumstance that necessitated the SR22 filing will
certainly drive up the cost for a policy. The most dramatic increase potentially comes about in Florida when an FR44
filing is required of a DUI driver. Here the mandated Florida coverages are 100 / 300 / 50. Way more than the State’
s financial responsibility for other drivers which is at 10/ 20/10. In fact, Florida being a No-Fault State only requires
Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability with out the need for any Bodily Injury Liability at all. This is
a tremendous deterrent in Florida for drivers to avoid any chance of being over the limit. And over the limit is
breached very easily with just one or two drinks. It does seem a bit unfair as youthful operators and distracted
drivers or very old senior drivers pose a greater risk of losses to the insurance company. However, public sentiment
is very unforgiving to folks who drink and drive. Texas as the number on State for the most DUI / DWI drivers may be
next to utilize the FR44 for DUI drivers as Florida and Virginia have.
Where do I go when I need a Texas SR22 insurance to reinstate my driver license?
Any Texas car insurance policy with an SR22 included, from any company licensed to transact car insurance in
Texas, will qualify. Also, a motorcycle policy or even a non-owner policy, where this is no actual vehicle insured, will
suffice. Your best bet is to work with a Texas licensed independent agent. This way the agent can search a number
of qualified companies and find the cheapest Texas SR22 insurance policy. Keep in mind that this type of a policy is
the same exact one as an ordinary car insurance policy except with the addition of the SR22 form which has to be
sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety. So, just like an ordinary policy, there can be a wide range of prices
from one company to another. The first place to look is with your current car insurance company to see if the SR22
can be added to your existing policy. Even if this is the case, now that an SR22 is required, it is a good time to shop
and make sure your not paying a good deal more than necessary. Not all companies have an appetite for so called
“high risk” drivers. However, there will be even more that will compete for this business by providing a low cost Texas
SR22 insurance policy. Moving out of State will not release you of an SR22 obligation. A policyholder will have to get
a new policy in the current state as most have reciprocity agreements. Even if your existing company sells SR22 car
insurance policies in both states, a new policy will have to be secured. This is the same regardless of weather or not
you need an SR22 filing with your policy. Whenever you move from one state to another a new policy from the new
state of residence will have be to acquired.
Although there has been a pretty contiguous trend over time for the liability limit requirement of an SR22 policy to
increase, it comes no where close to keeping pace with rising claims costs. Recently Texas went from a 25/50/25
liability requirement to 30/60/25 liability. Not much of an increase at all. Anybody who might be seriously injured in a
car accident is going to need a whole lot more than just $30,000. In Florida it is a lot less, if you can beleive that,
which seems to be so unreasonable in face of how expensive it is to receive emergency medical care. Accident
victims who exhaust the limits of coverage and who do not have other medical insurance and cannot pay means the
taxpayers ultimately pay. One very notable difference, here again in Florida, is the recent development of the FR44
insurance filing for DUI drivers. This effectively separates these drivers from the rest who are required to secure an
SR22. The coverage mandate for the FR44 is a whopping 100/300/50 liability limit. I say whopping as it relates to the
SR22 coverage limit of 10/20/10. In actuality it is easy to imagine that these limits may not be enough for accident
victims medical care. As Texas has the highest number of DUI or DWI drivers I would not be surprised if they become
the third State behind Florida and Virgina to introduce the FR44 with its much higher liability requirement. This is
something that MADD could easily get behind and begin a grass roots campaign for legislatures to consider the
FR44. As you might expect MADD is very active in Texas. Anyway, and in the mean time, Texas DWI drivers will be
required to secure the SR22. Also, any driver no matter their specific circumstance should consider high liability
limits to protect themselves from a law suit after a bad accident. And, The last thing any driver wants to do is leave
an accident victim short of insurance money to secure not just adequate care but excellent care. And yet, at the very
same time, no driver wants to spend a fortune for their car insurance. In the end, when it is all said and done, drivers
will decide for themselves what makes most sense to them. Except of course those who need an SR22 or an FR44
will have to buy at least the amount necessary to satisfy their requirement.
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