What Is Non Owner SR22 Insurance?

Road accidents are considered a huge public safety concern in many countries across the globe. Hence, people should pay more attention to road safety through discipline and responsible driving. Along with these, drivers and vehicle owners are always encouraged to obtain car insurance due to its numerous merits that are highly relevant during life-threatening road conditions involving accidents, injuries, and financial liabilities.

Moreover, not having car insurance is illegal in many states and cities. If you’re involved in an accident without auto insurance, you’re bound to pay hefty fines and additional charges if the accident causes further injuries to passersby or other vehicles. Also, if you’ve been pulled over without any proof of car insurance, you’ll either be ticketed and fined, have your license suspended, and your car impounded.

If you own a vehicle and have been driving for some time, SR22 insurance is something that you should be well aware of. However, you might be surprised by the fact that car insurance policies aren’t just for vehicle owners but also for people who can drive despite not owning a car.

What Is SR22 Insurance?

An SR22, SR 22, or SR-22 insurance isn’t necessarily an insurance policy, but an insurance certificate that you should own as proof of car insurance possession. Therefore, it’s important to have this with you at all times. Basically, an SR22 insurance confirms that you’ve met the auto insurance coverage requirements in your area, as auto insurance laws vary from state to state.

Before you can acquire an SR22 insurance, it’s important to complete at least the minimum requirements for a car insurance coverage, which includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and underinsured or uninsured motorist protection. In case of any road accident, fulfilling these requirements can help shoulder medical expenses.

Generally, you’re required to obtain an SR22 insurance if you’ve violated the following traffic guidelines:

  • At-fault accidents
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving with a suspended license
  • Driving without insurance coverage
  • Getting involved in a car accident without car insurance
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)

It’s important to know that there are three different types of SR22 insurance. This article will focus on one particular type, which is non owner or non-driver insurance.

As mentioned previously, people who drive don’t necessarily own a vehicle, as they might be renting or sharing the same with another person. Most people don’t prioritize this type of insurance because they think that they don’t need one. Even if you don’t own a vehicle, a non owner SR22 is a must.

Obtaining A Non Owner SR22 Insurance

The biggest question is: why would you even need an SR22 insurance if you don’t physically have a car? Generally, it’s not a legal requirement to have one but is advisable for everyone who can drive, even for non owners.

For instance, if you don’t own a car yet you’re renting one regularly, non owner SR22 insurance is a great way of securing yourself from liabilities while you’re on the road. Also, getting an SR22 is relatively cheaper than purchasing rental car insurance. It is a necessity to secure an SR22 since some car rental companies won’t cover the damages especially when you’re facing a lawsuit. Finding a good car rental deal is also important in this kind of situation.

Another ideal situation to secure a non owner SR22 insurance is when you frequently borrow a vehicle from family or friends.  However, if you tend to borrow from a person you’re living with, it is more ideal to have your name added to the car owner’s insurance policy instead.

Coverage And Costs Of A Non Owner SR22 Insurance

In the event of a road accident and you’re found to be at-fault, non owner SR22 insurance will shield you from legal charges as well as protect you from hefty medical expenses for the victim’s hospitalization. Along with liability coverage, non owner SR22 insurance can also cover:

  • Rental car liability coverage
  • Medical payments or personal injury protection coverage
  • Uninsured or underinsured motorist liability coverage

It is also important to note that your non owner SR22 doesn’t cover liability car insurance or the physical damages caused by a collision, particularly on the vehicle itself. Note that some states might have a different policy on the matter.

Essentially, the costs of a non owner SR22 insurance are more difficult to narrow down compared to traditional auto insurance rates. Based on a rate analysis, one DUI conviction for a non owner SR22 insurance policy amounted to an average of USD$1,752. For a standard policy having the same coverage, non owner SR22 is about 5% to 15% less expensive.

Takeaways

You’ll never know when you’ll get involved in traffic violations and mishaps, which is why insurance policies exist for different kinds of security. If you’re planning to obtain a non owner SR22 insurance, make sure that you do your research and assess if you really need one. If you do, it would be best to compare insurance quotes among different companies to get the best deal out there.