New Jersey SR-22 Insurance
Navigate New Jersey SR-22: Assurance, Reinstated.
Getting New Jersey SR-22 insurance can be a hassle, but it’s a necessary step to get your license back after a serious traffic violation. A NJ SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have sufficient auto insurance coverage. It’s required by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) for three years after certain convictions like a DUI or driving without insurance.Â
While SR-22 requirements are a pain, there are ways to get affordable coverage. Here’s a comprehensive guide on New Jersey SR-22 insurance rules, costs, and how to find the best rates.
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What is an SR-22 Certificate?
01
$15,000 bodily injury liability per person
The SR-22 certificate is mandatory for 3 years in New Jersey.
02
$30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
Once you get an SR-22, you must maintain continuous auto insurance coverage for 3 years.
03
$5,000 property damage liability
If the policy lapses, the insurer will notify the MVC and your license will be suspended again.
Who Needs New Jersey SR-22 Auto Insurance?
The MVC requires an SR-22 filing if your license was revoked or suspended for certain serious offenses. Common reasons for needing NJ SR-22 insurance include:
01.
DUI
Mandatory after a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
02.
Driving without insurance
Required if caught driving without valid liability coverage.
03.
Too many points
This may be required if you accumulate 12+ points on your license within a 3-year period.
04.
Driving with a suspended license
Ordered for those caught driving on a suspended license due to unpaid child support, loan default, or other administrative reasons
05.
Failure to pay child support
Ordered for failure to pay child support for 3+ months.
06.
Defaulting on car loan
Required if the state had to seize your car that was registered in NJ.
07.
Causing an accident without insurance
Mandatory if you caused an accident without required liability coverage.
08.
Other serious violations
May be required after convictions for reckless driving, street racing, leaving the scene of an accident, etc.
Check with the MVC to see if you need an SR-22 filing after a serious violation. Carrying valid auto insurance is required in New Jersey. SR-22 insurance can be costly, but it’s the only option if you need to get your license reinstated.
How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost in New Jersey?
That’s 2-3 times more expensive than minimum liability car insurance for drivers with clean records. With a recent at-fault accident or conviction, SR-22 rates can be as high as $3,000-$5,000 yearly.
Why is SR-22 coverage So Expensive?
- High-Risk Drivers – It’s only required for drivers with serious violations and suspended licenses. You’re considered a very high risk.
- Policy Filing + Administration – The insurer has to file the SR-22 with the state and may charge a fee of up to $50. Ongoing monitoring costs are also passed to the policyholder.
- Minimum 3-Year Requirement – Insurers know you’re a captive customer for at least 3 years, so they may inflate premiums.
- Limited Insurer Options – Not all companies offer SR-22 insurance due to the administrative requirements and high risk. Less competition means higher rates.
The good news is there are ways to comparison shop and find cheaper SR-22 insurance in New Jersey. Getting quotes from multiple insurers is key to saving money.
How to Get SR-22 Insurance in New Jersey
If the MVC orders you to get an SR-22 filing, here are the steps to take:
- Find an insurer that offers SR-22 coverage – Not all companies do, so you may need to shop around. National insurers that provide SR-22 insurance in New Jersey include Progressive, Allstate, Geico, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual.
- Inform them you need an SR-22 – Let the agent know it’s for a driver’s license reinstatement. They’ll need your case details to file the proper certificate.
- Provide required personal details – This includes your full legal name, date of birth, driver’s license number, VIN of your car, and policy information.
- Get quotes for SR-22 coverage – Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Rates can vary greatly, so shopping around is crucial.
- Select a policy and pay for coverage – You must pay for the entire 6-month or 12-month policy upfront. Monthly payments are usually not allowed with SR-22 insurance.
- The insurer will file Form SR-22 – They’ll submit the certificate electronically with the MVC.
- Check your license status – Verify with the MVC that they received the SR-22 filing so your driving privileges can be reinstated.
How to Shop for Cheaper New Jersey SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 insurance will be more expensive than regular minimum liability coverage. But you can still comparison shop to find cheaper rates. Here are some tips:
- Get quotes from at least 5 insurers – Compare quotes from national companies and local agencies to find the lowest rates.
- Ask about discounts – Insurers offer discounts for things like defensive driver courses, good student grades, multi-policy bundles, anti-theft devices, and more.
- Raise deductibles – Opting for higher collision and comprehensive deductibles can lower premiums. Just make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
- Limit your driving – Restrict driving only as needed for work, school, medical appointments, etc. Lower mileage can earn you lower rates with some insurers.
- Improve your credit – Insurers often check credit when pricing SR-22 policies. Pay bills on time and lower balances to boost your score.
- Enroll in an alcohol education course – Completing a state-approved DUI class can help demonstrate you’ve changed habits and earn discounts.
- Ask about payment plans – If you can’t pay for the full 6 or 12 months upfront, ask about installments. This may limit insurer options but gives you another choice.
- Maintain a clean driving record – No speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUIs, or other violations. This keeps rates as low as possible over the 3 years.
- Shop again when the SR-22 term ends – At the 3-year mark, shop for regular insurance which should cost significantly less.
Following these tips can help you secure the most affordable SR-22 insurance possible in New Jersey.
New Jersey SR-22 Insurance Laws
The MVC sets all requirements and rules for SR-22 filings in the state. Here are some key laws surrounding New Jersey SR-22 insurance:
01. Insurance Order
Mandatory after a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
02. 3-Year Requirement
Drivers must maintain an SR-22 filing and continuous auto insurance coverage for 3 full years. There are no exceptions.
03. Suspension for Lapse
 If the SR-22 insurance policy lapses or cancels for any reason, the insurer must notify the MVC immediately. The driver’s license will be suspended again.
04. Electronic Filing
Insurers must electronically submit SR-22 certificates using the MVC’s online system. Paper filings are no longer accepted.
05. Proof of Coverage
The SR-22 form itself does not provide any liability coverage. You must have an active insurance policy that meets the state minimums.
06. Driver Improvement Course
For some violations like DUI, completing an approved defensive driving course can reduce the SR-22 requirement to just 1 year instead of 3.
07. Administrative Fees
Insurers may charge up to $50 in fees for initiating, filing and processing the SR-22 certificate.
08. Required Information
The SR-22 must include your full legal name, date of birth, driver’s license number, car VIN, effective policy dates, liability limits, and insurer info.
Failing to follow these laws can lead to license suspension, fines, and other penalties. Maintaining continuous auto insurance coverage is essential once you get an SR-22 requirement.
New Jersey SR-22 Insurance FAQs
Do you still have questions about New Jersey’s SR-22 requirements? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
The insurer will immediately notify the MVC if your SR-22 insurance lapses or cancels. The MVC will then suspend your driver’s license again. Driving without valid SR-22 coverage in place during the 3-year term will also reset the clock – forcing you to start a new 3-year filing process.
The SR-22 filing and continuous auto insurance coverage is required for a full 3 years. There are no exceptions. The only way to shorten it to 1 year is to complete a state-approved driver improvement course after a DUI.
For all other violations, you must maintain SR-22 insurance for the full 36-month term without any lapses in coverage. The three years starts from the effective date of the initial SR-22 filing.
Yes, in most cases the MVC will require an SR-22 filing from your insurer before reinstating your driving privileges after a serious violation like DUI or driving without insurance. You cannot legally drive until the SR-22 is processed and the MVC sends notice your license is valid again.
If you already have insurance, ask if they offer SR-22 filings. Not all companies do. If yours won’t, you’ll need to find a new insurer that can provide mandatory SR-22 coverage. Make sure there’s no gap between policies.
Yes, the SR-22 requirement applies if your driver’s license was issued in New Jersey. It doesn’t matter if your car is registered in a different state. The MVC still demands New Jersey drivers follow SR-22 rules or risk license suspension.
An SR-22 is just proof of financial responsibility. But you must carry at least the state minimum liability limits – which are $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 property damage per accident. Higher limits are recommended.
Yes, you can get a non-owner SR-22 policy. It provides liability coverage if you drive vehicles owned by others or rentals. This satisfies the MVC requirement to have active auto insurance even if you don’t currently own a car.
If driving is required for your job, then an SR-22 is usually mandatory to get your license reinstated after a DUI or other conviction. Without a valid license and SR-22 filing, most employers will not allow you to continue driving for work purposes.
About two months before your SR-22 term expires, contact your insurer to end the filing. Then shop around for regular car insurance, which should cost much less. Notify the MVC of your new non-SR-22 coverage. Make sure there’s no lapse between the policies.
Most insurers require the full 6 or 12-month policy premium paid upfront. However, some carriers do offer monthly payments at a higher total cost. Check with the insurance company. Monthly installments limit your options but can make SR-22 coverage more affordable.
Insurers can electronically submit SR-22 certificates within 1-2 business days. Confirm with the MVC that they received it. Processing can take 1-2 weeks before your license suspension is officially lifted. Don’t drive until you receive confirmation your driving privileges are reinstated.
Insurers can instantly check your SR-22 status electronically through the MVC’s database. They’ll receive immediate notification if the SR-22 lapses so your license can be quickly suspended again if you break coverage requirements.
No, the SR-22 certificate must be connected to your own individual auto insurance policy. You cannot meet this legal requirement by simply having coverage under someone else’s policy, such as a parent’s policy.
Your insurer will still cover the accident as long as you have sufficient coverage limits. However, any at-fault accident will be considered a serious violation. The MVC may extend your SR-22 requirement for additional years if you’re at fault while on an existing SR-22.
An SR-22 certificate alone does not provide coverage. You must purchase an auto liability policy that includes the state’s $5,000 minimum property damage liability coverage. This covers damage you may cause to another person’s vehicle or property.
Yes, your auto insurer should still be willing to file an SR-22 even if you don’t currently own a vehicle. You’ll be issued a “non-owner” policy that satisfies the liability requirements. It covers driving vehicles owned by others.
Conclusion
If you get convicted of certain driving offenses you will be required to get New Jersey SR 22 Insurance coverage. Your rates will go up but there are ways to save. Talk to your insurance company and see if they can get the SR-22 filed for you and compare their rates to other carriers. Get cheap New Jersey SR-22 insurance coverage today with a free online quote.
Author: David Haan
David Haan is a professional writer who has a passion for writing about financial topics: including investing, insurance, and entrepreneurship. David has a way of simplifying complex financial topics to make it easy for anyone to understand. During his free time, he likes to play volleyball, surf, and listen to jazz music.