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South Carolina SR22 Insurance Explained
There are a number of reasons why you may need SR22 insurance in South Carolina. Most commonly, you are required to carry SR22 insurance for Driving Under the Influence, driving while suspended or driving uninsured.
Before going into more details regarding suspension periods, SR22 fees, costs and other requirements, it is good to understand what SR22 really is. Mistakenly, many people believe that SR22 is a different type of insurance they must obtain. In fact, what SR22 insurance really refers to is simply a proof of insurance. All you need to do is instruct your insurance provider to submit a form to the Department of Motor Vehicle, which states that you have the required auto insurance coverage. A non-owner SR22 insurance is required when you must provide a proof of insurance but you don’t own a car.
In South Carolina, SR22 insurance is required for a period of 3 years, usually starting from the end of the suspension period. If you obtain a provisional license, SR22 insurance will still be required for 6 months. The suspension period depends on the conviction. For Driving Under the Influence:
- First Offence – 6 months
- Second Offence – 1 year
- Third Offence – 2 years
If you have committed 4 or more offences, your license will be revoked. For a felony DUI you will lose your license for 3 years plus time served in jail.
For driving without insurance the suspension period is 30 days. If you are driving while suspended, a new suspension period will be added and it could be from 30 days, or the period of the original suspension, up to 3 months.
South Carolina SR22 Fees and Auto Insurance Requirements
The reinstatement fee is $100 for each and every suspension. In rare case a higher amount may be required. The minimum limits for which you must purchase auto insurance cover are:
- Bodily Injury Insurance – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per accident
Finding Cheap SR22 Insurance in South Carolina
Usually, apart from the reinstatement fee, having to carry a proof of insurance in South Carolina means higher auto insurance premiums. Most companies will put you in the “high risk driver” category and it is not difficult to work out that higher risk means higher monthly payments. Still, you shouldn’t just resign to the idea that for 3 years you have to pay over the top for SR22 insurance.
Don’t forget that there are other factors in play, like the make and model of your car, your credit rating and place of residency. You can take a defence driving class and show that you are a responsible driver. Driving less and using the public transport more will cut your early mileage and insurance cost too.
Still, the easiest and most effective thing you can do is to compare SR22 insurance quotes online. In less than 2 minutes you will receive quotes from different insurance companies. The difference in price is often shocking. You could even save up to $450!
