Do You Need SR-22 Insurance If You Don’t Have A Car?

Generally speaking, if you got your driver’s license suspended for driving without insurance or if you’ve been charged for DUI (driving under the influence), you may be required to get SR-22 insurance. But you may be asking yourself a question on whether you need this even if you have no car. Well, the answer to that question is yes. 

Keep reading this article to know whether SR-22 insurance is still needed despite having no car of your own. 

What Is A Non Owner SR-22 Insurance?

As mentioned, you may still need to obtain SR-22 insurance even if you don’t own a car. This is specifically called the ‘nonowner SR-22 insurance.’ It refers to a policy intended by insurance carriers to safeguard drivers who have no car but are still required to file this document to verify their financial responsibility. 

While many people consider it as a form of insurance, it’s not actually insurance—it’s a document issued by insurance companies to provide proof that they have liability coverage on their insurance policy. Thus, if you need nonowner SR-22 insurance, you may be required to comply with certain criteria, which include the following:

• You can’t own a vehicle.
• Can’t install an ignition interlock breath device condition.
• You can’t access other vehicles in the household, even if they’re owned by someone else.
• You may need to hold an SR-22 for about three years or longer, depending on the state you’re in.
• Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of your SR-22 may warrant your license’s suspension.
• Once you meet your state’s time requirements, your SR-22 insurance will be lifted.

As you can see, mentioned above are the common conditions for getting non-owner SR-22 insurance. But, despite these criteria, having it doesn’t make you street legal. On the good side, it can give you a good standing with the state. 

Moreover, when it comes to the cost of filing, the SR-22 insurance without car ownership can cost you hundreds or thousands. So, make sure you’re ready for these expenses. However, if you think you still require more information about this policy, there are reliable resource websites that can provide what you need to know about SR22 insurances in California or whichever state you’re in. 

How Does A Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance Work?

Since you may still need SR-22 insurance although you have no car, it’s important to learn about how this policy can work for you. For example, instead of buying a normal policy to insure a car, the SR-22 will be used to cover any damages and injuries you may cause while driving another person’s vehicle. This means that even if you’re renting a vehicle or borrowing a friend’s car to go on enjoyable trips, this policy can be used to prove you have a basic liability coverage to get you out of any potential trouble. 

When Do You Need SR-22 Insurance?

Again, you can be required to get SR-22 insurance even without a car. But, regardless of whether you own a vehicle or not, this proof of insurance is needed for the following circumstances:

• Being caught driving without a driver’s license;
• Getting involved in a car accident without insurance;
• Being charged and convicted with DWI/DUI;
• Commission of serious traffic or moving violations, including reckless driving;
• When you need to reinstate your driver’s license after it’s suspended or revoked.

What Are The Benefits Of Getting SR-22 Insurance?

By now, you already know some important things about the non-owner SR-22 insurance. The next step is for you to be familiar with the common benefits of getting this policy, depending on the state you live in. These benefits can include the following:

• Prevents Discrimination: Even if you have no car, having this policy can help prevent discrimination. If you’re involved in a car accident or have a traffic violation ticket, some insurance companies will deny insurance coverage. But, if you have this policy, you can increase your chances of getting discriminated against by the insurance company based on your driving history.
• Peace Of Mind: Another benefit is that SR-22 insurance can provide you with peace of mind. This is especially true if you were a traffic law violator in the past and got into car accidents. When you have this policy, there’s nothing to worry about because you’ll be covered in case an accident happens.

The Bottom Line

With the information above, it’s clear how having SR-22 insurance is important even if you don’t have your own car. This is especially true if you’ve committed a traffic violation, a DUI/DWI offense, and or you get your license suspended for whatever reason. Thus, if you find yourself in a situation where you need this insurance requirement, keep this information in mind so you’ll know what steps to take to protect yourself in case a driving-related problem occurs.