Question: I recently had some legal troubles and was told by the judge I needed to purchase SR22 auto insurance. Can you explain what this is and how much it will cost?

Answer: SR22 auto insurance is often required of drivers who have been convicted of driving while under the influence or of drivers who have many moving violations in a short time span.

Basically SR22 insurance is a certified letter from your insurance carrier that you have sufficient coverage in the event you are involved in an auto accident. In some states you can avoid buying an SR22 policy if you can prove to the court you have sufficient private funds to cover any accident you may be involved in.

The insurance company is usually required to immediately notify your states Department of Motor Vehicles if your SR22 policy lapses for any reason including nonpayment of premiums. If you move out of the state that required you to purchase an SR22 policy you still have to carry it for the time specified by the court.

If you allow your policy to lapse then your right to drive will be revoked pending obtaining another Sr22 insurance policy. You will usually be required to carry an SR22 policy for a period of three years, although the specific court that heard your case can modify this.

SR22 auto insurance will cost more, but it is difficult to put a price tag on it due to the many other factors that go into calculating the cost of an insurance policy. The best advice when shopping for an SR22 auto insurance policy is to get quotes from more than one company.