I have been found guilty of DUI and so I was required to get SR22 insurance here in Arizona. I know that I am now a high risk driver, but is there a way that I can still get cheap SR22 insurance?

Virgil

Gilbert, AZ

If you have been found guilty of major traffic infractions like driving under the influence (DUI) or not having the required insurance coverage, then you will be required to get SR22 insurance. SR22 insurance is required from drivers who, due to their involvement in traffic violations, are considered high risk. And because it is required among high risk drivers, SR22 insurance is usually very expensive. But high risk drivers may still be able to obtain a cheap SR22 insurance if they are patient enough in shopping for a cheap provider of SR22 insurance.

SR22 insurance is a kind of certificate vouching that the holder is covered with the minimum insurance covered as required by law. It is issued by a legitimate car insurance company to the department of motor vehicles. Drivers who have been found guilty of traffic violations should be carrying their SR22 insurance while driving for the next 3 years.

Since SR22 insurance is issued to high risk car owners, it is usually very expensive. Not all vehicle insurance companies issue SR22 insurance because of the high risk nature of this policy. Drivers who carry SR22 insurance should pay their monthly premiums on time lest their car insurance companies cancel their SR22 insurance.

High risk drivers often fear that it is impossible to get affordable SR22 insurance in Arizona given the high risk nature of the form. However there are many specialized SR22 insurance companies that offer cheap SR22 insurance. Drivers in need of cheap SR22 insurance should consider approaching these firms instead of a general car insurance company.

Can I go with any auto insurance company here in Arizona to file for an SR22 Insurance?

Randy

Deer Valley, AZ

No,actually. You will need to find an authorized auto insurance company to file an SR22 insurance form for you there in Arizona. Your state DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles Office would not accept any form submitted to them if it did not came from any of the SR22 insurance companies in your state. You can usually get a listing or directory of authorized SR22 insurance companies by contacting your state DMV office or through their website.

You can also go to the Internet and search for a suitable SR22 insurance carrier online. The Internet is both an effective tool and valuable resource to help you do just that. In fact, this website has a free SR22 insurance search tool that you can use to find SR22 insurance companies in your area, compare rates or quote offers, and some of the providers advertising rates on the Web even publish online versions of their policies for your perusal.

A few important things to remember about SR22: This is a certificate or form that is submitted by your insurance carrier to your states DMV before the process of reinstating your driving privileges can begin. There may be a one time fee involved so you need to ask your carrier about this as well. You would also be required to maintain the SR22 insurance policy for abut two years. Allowing the policy to lapse, get canceled or any coverage gaps may result in another suspension of your drivers license and more sever penalties in the future.

I just got my driver’s license but I do not have auto insurance yet in Phoenix, Arizona. I just want to know if I drive my friend’s vehicle even though I do not have car insurance?  Can I get a quote from you guys?

Jim

Phoenix, Arizona

It depends on the guidelines of the insurance provider of your friend’s vehicle you want to operate if you can drive their car legally and be covered by insurance. In most states both the car and the driver need insurance and in others just the car so you will have to verify with the Department of Motor Vehicles to check what your state requires with regards insurance coverage.

If you just got your driver’s license and reside with your parents they should tell their insurance provider of your licensing status in Phoenix, Arizona. Normally you would have to be listed to their car insurance policy to be properly covered. So if you are going to borrow your friend’s vehicle, it would be up to the terms of your friend’s car insurance policy whether you would be covered by their insurance.

Generally though, a person’s automobile insurance will cover those that the owner provides permission to drive the car but some car insurance policies have exclusions for covering certain people.

What if the information insurance providers get when they check driving records is not correct how can it be corrected? I live in Tempe, Arizona.

Brad

Tempe, AZ

Regardless of how the insurance providers obtains the information, if it is not correct it usually due to a problem or inaccuracy with your driving record coming from your DMV in your state, Arizona. So to correct this inaccurate information on your MVR/driver’s record you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and ask them how to clear up your driving record.

You can call DMVs have a customer service phone line to report the inaccuracy of the information in your MVR in Tempe AZ. Your driving history should then be reviewed and corrected if the Department of Motor Vehicle finds your complaint valid. If the DMV informs you of your record being corrected then you may inform the insurance provider so that they may run your Motor Vehicle Record again and get information adjusted.

Can I drive out-of-state with a Restricted License or Conditional license?

Jamie

Phoenix, AZ

If you have a restricted or conditional license because to your main full driving privileges being suspended or revoked, then normally there are limitations to where and when you can operate the vehicle. Each state has different rules and guidelines for where you can go with a restricted license.

For instance in Arizona you can only go between your place of employment and your place of residence during specified period of time, secondary or post secondary school according to your educational schedule, treatment facility and office of your probation officer, office of a physician.

If you have a conditional or restricted license and need to drive out of state you will need to check with your Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles to to verify if you can do so. If it is for work, school or an emergency, likely the limitations on your license will not permit you to do so.

I have two DUI in AZ but I am now living in California. Is it possible to get a license and insurance in CA if my license is suspended in AZ?

Mark

Thank you for asking Mark.

If your Arizona license is suspended or revoked due to the DUI convictions, than it is unlikely that you can get a California license. The Department of Motor Vehicles in California would require you to turn in your out of state license, which should be valid at the time.

A database of problem drivers which is the National Driver Register (NDR) linked to all states.. A problem driver is one whose license has been suspended, revoked, canceled, denied due to serious traffic violation. If you do not inform California of your licensing issues in AZ they will be able find out by check out the NDR.

If your DUI issues in Arizona have been taken care of and your driving privileges have been reinstated already, then you should be able to contact the CA DMV to apply for a driver’s license. You should also be able to get car insurance if you have full driving privileges, though it is possible that your AZ DUIs are likely to affect your rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR