Anatomy of an SR22 Insurance Filing

 

A Closer Look at the California Insurance Proof Certificate

In this article, we intend to dig deep into the actual SR22 insurance form.  This form helps drivers get their license back after their license has been suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles, typically for a major violation like drunk driving. This might be a very dry topic, but it might help to make sure that you get the appropriate filing to file when you go into the DMV.

 

 

What does an SR22 look like?

This is what a copy of the SR22 certificate looks like. Typically delivered to your email inbox in PDF format or printed out and given directly to the driver if in your insurance provider’s office.  This is the form that you will present that to the DMV.

 

What about an filing that is electronically filed?

Different from the format of a PDF certificate mentioned above, some carriers give you the option of the carrier directly and electronically filing the SR-22 certificate directly with the DMV on your behalf. Some people choose this, but it often takes 24-48 (or more) to have it show up in the DMV system.  Most often, drivers wish to carry in the form to the DMV immediately so they can get their license back as soon as possible.

 

 

5 sections of the form (discussed below)

There are no titles of these sections, but our puposes of analyzing the form, we have given them names to aid in our explanations.
Header
Personal information
Type of filing
Insurance carrier information
Footer

 

 

Header:

Title: CALIFORNIA INSURANCE PROOF CERTIFICATE
Address of the California Department of Motor Vehicles
Agreement: States the following: “The company named below, which is authorized to do business in the State of California, certifies that it has issued to or for the benefit of:”

 

 

Personal information

Name — Person for whom the filing is issued
Driver License No. — California Drivers License Number or “X” number if the driver had an out-of-state license at the time of the violation.
Date of Birth
Address, City, State, Zip Code
Insurance Policy Number
Effective Date [of the filing — not the insurance policy]
Assigned Risk Plan Number (only completed if a CAARP policy)

 

 

Type of filing

Insurance Carrier or Agent/Broker is instructed to “Check One Box Only:” So depending on the particulars of your current situation, one of the following 5 choices will be checked off when your certificate is issued.

SR-1P
(P) An automobile liability policy as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 16054.
(M) Any other liability policy as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 16431 which meets the requirements of Section 16056 for vehicles with less than four wheels.

SR-22
(S) A motor vehicle liability policy as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 16450. (Broad Coverage).
(U) Owner’s policy covering all motor vehicles registered to the insured. (Section 16452).
(T) Operator’s policy covering the use by the insured of any motor vehicle of any motor vehicle not registered to the insured. (Section 16452).

Cancellation or termination of this policy shall be in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 16433.

 

 

Insurance carrier information

Name of Insurance Company
Department of Insurance I.D. Number
Insurance Carrier Mailing Address, City, State, Zip Code
Signature of Authorized Representative
Date

 

 

Footer:

Form number/date: CN-149  —  Different carriers name their forms differently, so odds are you will see something different for this number.
Form description: SR-22/SR-1P

 

What you need to make sure of

Make sure your personal information is correct.  Have you verified that all of your personal information is correct, especially your drivers license number.  If not, you may be taking another trip down to the DMV when they send you away.  Check the type of filing that you were provided.  You should check to make sure that you have the right type of filing.  Did the insurance provider make sure that they provided you with a filing with the correct boxes checked. You don’t want to provide the DMV with a filing that doesn’t comply with your particulars, e.g., a “(T) Operators filing when you indeed you own a vehicle and should be submitting at least a “(U) Owner’s” filing or an (S) Broad Coverage filing. The vehicle code holds you responsible to make sure that you are filing the correct type of certificate, so be sure to give it the once over.

 

 

Learn How To Get the Best SR22 Insurance Rates

 

 

McKenna Insurance Services is here to help you understand the Ins and Outs of the SR22 insurance certificate.  Call us toll free at 800.900.8075, and we can assist you with your SR22.