SR-22 Requirements in Washington State

If you need to file a certificate of financial responsibility as a Washington resident, your first step should be getting acquainted with SR-22 requirements in Washington state. Whether you have a conviction for DUI or another offense, you’ll still have to follow the same guidelines.

Getting through your SR-22 period and restoring your full driving privileges is all about following the rules. Before you even start looking for car insurance quotes, it’s important to learn everything there is to know about SR-22 coverage in the Washington area to make sure you do everything by the book. This guide sums up everything there is to know about SR-22 insurance in Washington, from sharing average costs to walking you through the actual filing process.

So, what exactly is SR-22 insurance in Washington state? SR-22 coverage refers to any car insurance plan that will qualify you to file an SR-22 certificate.

This form, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility, essentially verifies your insurance coverage with the state to prove that you have the minimum required protection. In Washington, that means you’ll need liability coverage with a minimum of $25,000 for property damage, $25,000 for bodily injury per person, and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

Although all Washington drivers should have an auto policy, the court requires an additional step of proof from certain high-risk drivers who have been convicted of various offenses. The idea is that people who are at high risk of causing an accident should have extra monitoring to confirm they have insurance and can pay for any damages if they cause a collision.

Reasons for Needing an SR-22

There are multiple reasons you might get court-ordered to file a certificate of financial responsibility to verify your auto coverage. The most common reasons are related to serious driving infractions. Getting convicted of driving under the influence is one of the major reasons people need to submit a certificate of financial responsibility and get SR-22 insurance. In fact, many people refer to SR-22 coverage as DUI insurance. However, you can also be ordered to file a certificate for other serious driving-related offenses, such as reckless driving, driving without a license, or getting into an accident while uninsured.

In Washington, you might also have to file an SR-22 form for reasons that aren’t directly related to driving. For example, the court can order you to file the certificate if you have outstanding child support payments.

Thankfully, the actual process of submitting your certificate of financial responsibility is pretty easy. After you set up your plan with your insurance company, they’ll communicate with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) on your behalf to file your form. After that, you just need to make sure your coverage is active and keep renewing it at the end of each policy term.

If you’ve been ordered to get SR-22 insurance, you’re probably worried about the costs. It’s common knowledge that high-risk drivers have higher rates, especially after getting convicted of a serious driving offense. As a result, SR-22 coverage is usually a bit more expensive than average. You’ll also have to pay some additional filing fees to actually submit the certificate to the DOL.

Impact on Insurance Rates

Average SR-22 rates vary by state, and your specific situation can also impact the cost of your coverage. However, looking at costs in your local area can help you get an idea of how much you have to pay. In Washington, the average annual cost of an SR-22 plan is $1,015 per year, which is 48% higher than insurance for drivers without SR-22 restrictions.

Different states have varying specifications regarding SR-22 laws. Here’s a breakdown of the specific SR-22 requirements in Washington state that you should know.

Duration of SR-22 Requirements

The length of your filing period is one of the major things that can change from state to state. In Washington, the filing period typically lasts three years. In some special cases, you might have a longer duration, so it’s important to double-check your documents to make sure.

Legal Consequences of Non-Adherence

If you fail to set up an SR-22 policy, you won’t be able to restore your driver’s license. Failing to keep up with your coverage will also lead to a license suspension until you reinstate your policy. If you choose to drive without SR-22 coverage, that could lead to even more legal consequences.

In Washington, there are multiple ways you can qualify to file proof of financial responsibility. The most common is getting SR-22 coverage and filing the form through your insurer. This is usually the most cost-effective and easiest option. However, the state government does give you two other options.

Instead of getting SR-22 auto insurance from an approved insurer, you can get a certificate of deposit from the DOL. You’ll need to deposit at least $60,000. This is essentially an up-front deposit that would be used to pay out damages if you caused an accident.

Another alternative is getting a liability bond of $60,000 or more. As you can see, these alternatives are pretty costly. Although they are an option for Washington residents, it’s much more cost-effective for the average person to simply get the right insurance plan that fulfills the SR-22 requirements in Washington state.

Still have questions about your insurance plan? Check out these frequently asked questions to learn more about SR-22s and how they work in Washington.

Can I switch insurance carriers if I have an SR-22?

You can switch insurers at any time, even if you have to file an SR-22. However, it does take a bit of extra planning and preparation.

If you have an unrestricted license, it might not be a big deal if there’s a gap in coverage between your old policy and your new one; all you need to do is stay off the road until your new plan kicks in. Under an SR-22 requirement, however, you could face serious legal penalties for letting your coverage lapse, including having your license revoked again and having to pay extra fees.

To avoid this, make sure you plan ahead. Communicate with your new insurer so they are aware that they need to file your certificate of financial responsibility promptly. Then, ensure your new policy starts immediately to prevent any gaps in your coverage.

How will I know if I need an SR-22 in Washington?

In most cases, you’ll know pretty clearly if you need to file an SR-22. That’s because it’s usually outlined in your court documents after getting convicted of an offense like a DUI. You’ll get an official letter from the DOL explaining your new restrictions. If you want to double-check, however, you can contact the DOL directly to confirm your status or determine how much longer you have left on your restricted period.

What happens if my SR-22 policy lapses?

If your policy lapses before your three-year term is up, you’ll have to deal with license suspension or revocation until you restart your policy. You may also have to pay extra fines and fees.

Because SR-22 rules vary from state to state, it’s important to understand SR-22 requirements in Washington state specifically. Once you know things like the length of your SR-22 period, the costs you can expect, and how to stay in compliance with your policy, you can get back on the road to success. Plus, if you’re ever unsure about your specific situation as a high-risk driver, you can always look over your own court documents or ask for guidance from your insurer.

If you want to get through your SR-22 period without any stress, you need to work with an insurer who understands the ins and outs of SR-22s in your state. At SR-22 Adviser, we specifically work with high-risk drivers, so we can walk you through the entire process of managing your SR-22 requirement from start to finish. Find the right policy for you by signing up for a free quote online today.