The main difference between non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance: SR22 non owner insurance is for people who don’t own a vehicle, SR22 insurance is for vehicle owners. Whether you need owner or non owner SR22 insurance, the main reason to buy it is to reinstate your license after a suspension. People with a poor driving record are considered high risk by auto insurance companies. Therefore, both types of SR22 are called high risk insurance.
Why do I need SR22 insurance?
There are many reasons you may be required to carry SR22 insurance. Some of these reasons include:
- A DUI/DWI conviction
- Refusal to test
- Accumulating more “points” on your record than allowed (points are penalties for moving violations)
- Driving without insurance
Non-traffic related situations can also lead to an SR22 requirement. These include child support cases, unpaid traffic tickets, fines, and other legal judgments.
After license suspension, you’ll be required to carry SR22 insurance to continue driving legally. In some states, you may not be eligible for SR22 coverage in certain alcohol-related cases or other situations.
How does non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance work?
Buying SR22 insurance does not automatically reinstate your driver’s license. In some cases, you may first have to go through a mandatory suspension period before you qualify to reinstate your license. This is determined on a case by case basis, so make sure you’re eligible for license reinstatement before purchasing a policy. If you’re required to file an SR22 certificate, but don’t own a vehicle to attach it to, you’ll file a non-owner certificate with the state.
You’ll be required to carry SR22 insurance for 3 to 5 years in most cases, and most states. Whether you need non owner or owner insurance, you must never miss a premium payment as long as you’re required to carry it. If you do, your license will be immediately suspended, your SR22 requirement will be extended, and you’ll have to pay all fees and penalties associated with license reinstatement again.
Other types of SR22 insurance
There are other variations of non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance. In Indiana, the BMV may require individuals to file both an SR22 and SR50 certificate to have their license reinstated. In Florida and Virginia, DUI/DWI convictions require filing an FR44 certificate with the state. Another type of SR22 insurance is called Broad Form insurance, but it is not offered in every state or by every provider.
SR22 Owner/Owner-Operator Insurance
SR22 insurance for vehicle owners is called owner/owner-operator insurance. One difference between non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance is that an owner-operator policy generally costs more than a non owner’s policy. Factors that determine your rate include:
- Your age
- Driving history
- The year, make and model of the insured vehicle
- Type of coverage you want
Depending on the state you live in, you may be able to reduce your rate by purchasing a stand-alone insurance policy and a non-owner policy with an SR22 endorsement. However, only a few states allow this. Speak to one of our licensed agents to find the cheapest SR22 rate and arrangement for you.
SR22 Operator’s Insurance (Non Owner SR22)
An SR22 operator’s policy is called non owner SR22 insurance. The main differences between non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance are:
- Non owner SR22 insurance insures you instead of insuring a vehicle
- Non owner insurance provides secondary coverage when you operate a vehicle you do not own
- A non owner SR22 policy helps pay personal injury and property damage claims of the other party involved
It’s important to understand the limitations of non owner insurance coverage. A non owner policy does not insure a vehicle, so you must be sure that any vehicle you operate is insured by the owner.
Non owner SR22 insurance does not cover you if you’re injured in an at-fault accident. It covers auto damage, personal injury and property damage claims of the other party if claims exceed the coverage on the car you’re driving.
When you’re looking for non owner insurance companies, remember that not all insurance providers offer SR22 insurance.
If you start with non owner insurance policy and later purchase a vehicle, your non owner policy must be converted to an owner/owner-operator policy. This is not an automatic process. Contact your SR22 provider before changing from a non owner to an owner policy. This way you’ll know if you can afford the new premium with a car added. Your premiums could change a little or a lot. For example, in Florida, the cost of a non owner policy is fairly reasonable but increases drastically when a car is added to the policy.
Broad Form Insurance
Broad form vehicle insurance is not available in every state, or from every insurance company. It’s slightly more expensive than a non owner policy. It provides liability-only coverage on any registered vehicle owned by you, or any non-owned auto you may drive on an occasional basis. Broad form insurance excludes any cars in your household that you do not own.
A broad form policy may suit you if you own several older cars that you only drive occasionally. Instead of carrying insurance on each vehicle, you can purchase a broad form policy that will cover any of the cars that you own.
The big difference with this type of policy is that it only covers you as the driver. No other person is would be covered to drive your vehicles. Similar to a non owners policy, an SR22 endorsement can be attached to a broad form policy.
UltraCar Insurance agents know all the ins and outs of non owner SR22 vs SR22 insurance and are licensed in each of the states we operate. We work with top insurance providers and can find the cheapest SR22 insurance to meet your particular needs. For competitive SR22 quotes, give us a call or start a quote today!
