Requirements for SR22 Insurance in Washington State

Significance

In the State of Washington, once a driver's license has been revoked or suspended, drivers must obtain special liability insurance called SR-22 (from the name of the form) from an insurance company. This type of insurance comes into play in cases of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), repeated convictions of traffic violations, failing to play judgments resulting from automobile accidents and other offenses such as leaving a child unattended in a running vehicle.

Process

After finding out exactly what the driving record shows, which can be done through a written request or visiting one of the privately registered driver license issuing agencies, the driver contacts the Department of Motor Vehicles to learn what fees will be required. Then all the driver has to do is contact insurance agencies for quotes. Once the insurance is purchased and a certificate issued, the driver files this with the Department of Licensing.

Time Frame

A driver must file an SR-22 for up to three years from the date when the driver is eligible to reinstate a suspended or revoked driver's license. This eligibility time varies depending on the nature of the offense. In the case of DUI, there is a wide variation in time periods, from zero days to four years. There is a complicated table of penalties that vary with such things as a first offense with blood alcohol under 0.15 percent to refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test for the third offense within seven years (see Additional Resources).

Considerations

Insurers are required to notify the Washington State Department of Licensing if an SR-22 policy is canceled. If it is, the individual has to start the three year period over again beginning with day one. In addition to the cost of the insurance, there will be a filing fee for the certificate and a license reissue fee of $150.00. There may be other requirements depending on the severity of the offense, such as an ignition interlock system to prevent driving again while drunk.

Warning

Failure to obtain an SR-22 certificate will prevent the individual from reinstating their license. Even if a vehicle is no longer owned, a non-owner's form of SR-22 may be required. Costs probably will be higher than simple automobile liability insurance for a good driver. However, in the long run, buying the extra insurance using what is called a broad-form SR-22 policy may be a good idea for the driver.