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SR-22 Insurance in Utah
It is important to know how to get SR22 insurance within the state of Utah as well as when this “high risk” insurance policy may be required. SR22-rates are often higher than general insurance and while they do not offer additional coverage, you could face legal consequences if you fail to obtain and maintain a high-risk insurance policy when required to. Furthermore, you can change your insurance provider while required to maintain this form of insurance, however, your new insurance provider must submit an additional form to the Utah Department of Public Safety immediately in order to avoid any lapse in your coverage.
The SR22 form is initially submitted by your insurance agency, but it is important to know that the insurer is also charged with notifying the Utah DPS if there is a lapse in your coverage or if your policy is cancelled. Therefore, it is important to fully understand the requirements for this form of insurance as well as how long it must be maintained. To learn more about high risk insurance options, how to find a quote, and when it is required, review the sections provided below.
What is Utah SR22 Insurance?
Before learning how to get SR22 insurance, it is important to learn more about this form of insurance and the requirements that the state of Utah has set forth. Essentially, SR22 is a “high risk insurance” that provides proof of financial responsibility to the state through a form that is filed by an insurance agency of your choice.
This high-risk insurance plan must still cover state minimum insurance coverage, but the premiums tend to be higher. In Utah, motorists must carry both liability and no-fault insurance with minimum insurance requirements set as:
- $25,000 liability insurance for bodily injury per person, per accident
- $65,000 liability insurance towards bodily injury per accident
- $15,000 liability insurance towards property damage per accident
Alternatively, you can obtain $80,000 liability insurance total for bodily injury and property damage. No-fault insurance coverage must meet a minimum $3,000 per person coverage limit. After obtaining SR22 insurance, it must be maintained for a three-year period in order to avoid further consequences. Not only does your insurance agency file the form for you, but they will report to the Utah DPS immediately following a lapse in coverage or the cancellation of your policy.
Who Needs SR22 Insurance in Utah?
When determining who needs SR22 insurance in Utah, it is important to be aware of the different type of violations that can result in high-risk insurance requirements. You may be required to obtain SR22 from your insurance agency if you are convicted of certain moving or insurance violations.
Eligible moving violations include driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter and certain convictions that lead to the suspension of a drivers license. Insurance violations refer to operating a motor vehicle without insurance or with an insurance policy that does not meet Utah state requirements.
When required, SR22 must be maintained for a three-year period that begins from the date of the eligible conviction. Failing to maintain this form of high-risk insurance will result in further consequences, such as the loss of your driving privileges.
Reinstating Driving Privileges With SR-22 in Utah
If required to complete an SR22 form in Utah, you will only be able to reinstate your driver’s license and vehicle registration after obtaining insurance. SR-22 rates do vary from one insurance company to the next, so you are allowed to shop around for the lowest rate.
However, if you change your insurance provider at any time during the three years that you are required to maintain this form of insurance, you must file a new form immediately in order to ensure that there is no lapse in coverage.
How to Get SR22 Insurance in Utah
You can request SR22 insurance quotes from any insurance agency within Utah that is licensed to provide motor vehicle coverage within the state. While not every insurance company will offer high-risk insurance policies, most do for an additional fee.
Once you have selected a company, it is important that you make sure that they file the correct form with the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) immediately. Should you change SR22 insurance companies within the three years that you are required to maintain coverage, it is important that you ensure that there is not a lapse in coverage and that the new insurer reports to the DPS immediately.
This is important as your previous insurer will notify the DPS of any lapse in coverage or cancellation to an insurance policy automatically. If your new insurance agency does not report to the DPS, you could face further consequences.
Penalties for Not Filing an SR22 Form in Utah
If you are required to complete an SR22 form and you refuse to do so, you can expect to receive further penalties. Should you fail to obtain high-risk insurance that meets Utah minimum requirements, you will not be eligible to reinstate your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
Furthermore, if you terminate SR22 prior to the three-year period, you will be required to surrender your driver’s license. Therefore, it is crucial that you ask any new insurance provider to submit proof of your high-risk insurance to the DPS immediately after undergoing any sort of change.
Proof of SR22 must be filed with the DPS before a new driver’s license will be issued, so long as you are still within the three-year requirement from the date that the state of Utah originally required that you file. It is also important to know that you will still be required to file for high risk insurance, even if you no longer own a motor vehicle, in order to avoid the forfeit of your driver’s license.