California SR22 Insurance
CA Insurance Requirements
Vehicles driven on California highways and roads must have liability insurance that will provide financial responsibility for any damage or injury caused by an accident regardless of fault.
Insurance companies who write policies in the State of California are required by the California Vehicle Code to electronically report insurance information for vehicles to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicles covered by commercial or business insurance policies are exempt.
This electronic reporting allows the DMV to monitor insurance compliance and to take appropriate actions as required by law, including suspension of vehicle registration or drivers licenses. The courts and law enforcement have electronic access to the insurance status on DMV records.
Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times and provided in the following situations:
- When requested by a law enforcement officer
- When the vehicle registration is being renewed
- Whenever the vehicle is involved in an accident
The DMV can also request additional insurance information such as:
- A declaration Page or ID card from your insurance company
- California Proof of Insurance Certificate (SR-22)
The minimum insurance coverage for private passenger vehicles per the California Insurance Code is as follows:
- $15,000 for bodily injury liability to one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability to more than one person
- $5,000 for property damage liability
CA SR22 Requirements
Drivers can be required by the courts to carry the California Proof of Insurance Certificate SR-22 for lots of reasons such as:
- DUI – driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
- DWI – driving while intoxicated
- Driving without insurance
- Driving with a suspended license
- Driving without a drivers license
- Too many tickets
- Or for any other reason that a judge deems it necessary for you to prove to the state that you are financially responsible.
Penalties for a first time DUI offense are severe
- 96 hours to 6 months in jail
- Fines from $390 to $1000
- License suspension for 6 months
- A Driving Under the Influence Program approved by the state must be completed
- An ignition interlock device can be ordered
- CA SR-2 must be filed with the insurance policy for 3 years
Subsequent DUI convictions cause the penalties to increase.
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The information contained in the above article is intended as informational and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements in California are subject to change. Visit California Department of Motor Vehicles for current information.
Have you had a DUI or other driving offense that required form SR22 insurance filing or are you getting car insurance for the first time? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form.