A drunk driving conviction comes with several penalties, including the suspension of your driver’s license. Depending on the severity of your offense and your criminal history, your license may be suspended for a minimum of one year to more than ten years. Many people convicted of a DUI are therefore left without a way to get to and from work or to run important errands. To have your license reinstated during a suspension, you must file for SR-22 insurance with an insurance company.

What is SR-22 Insurance?

What is SR-22? SR-22 insurance is a required form of insurance for individuals who have had their licenses suspended and wish to continue driving legally. An individual purchases SR-22 insurance from his or her insurance company, which serves as proof that he or she is insured. An SR-22 filing ensures that an insurance company has covered the convicted driver with at least the minimum liability coverage required by the state, and that the insurance company will contact the Department of Motor Vehicles if the person’s coverage is dropped for any reason.

Insurance Rates

Because SR-22 insurance involves a greater amount of work and liability for the insurance company, it is often much more expensive than other forms of car insurance. A person convicted of drunk driving may see his or her rates increase by as much as 400%. Some insurance companies do not cover drivers with a DUI on record and may drop their coverage upon conviction. This can make a person’s car insurance rates especially costly, as he or she will have to find new coverage with both a DUI and a cancellation on record.

As with any car insurance, it is possible – and recommended – that you shop around for SR-22 insurance before committing to a plan. Many companies offer only sky-high rates to those with a DUI conviction, while others may be more willing to offer a competitive price.

Contact Us

To learn more about reinstating your suspended license and finding affordable SR-22 insurance, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly Chicago car insurance agents of Insure on the Spot today at 773-202-5060.