You might not understand what a court order or letter from Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security telling you to file an SR-22 is or how to do it.
There are many misunderstandings about SR22s. It is believed to be a unique type of insurance. Some will search for “SR22 insurance Tennessee”, “TennesseeSR22 insurance,” or “cheapSR22 insurance Tennessee” to find out more.
A Tennessee SR22 policy is not insurance. You don’t need a new type if you have an existing policy. An SR22 isn’t even unique. It is common to find many variations of it in the United States, each with its own costs.
What is “SR-22 insurance?”
A Tennessee SR-22 is proof that you have insurance. It is not insurance. It is frequently required following such offenses:
- Driving without insurance (DWI).
- Driving under the influence (DUI).
- Too many at-fault accident within a year
- Too many speed violations in a single year
An SR-22 is required in Tennessee by the Department of Safety and a court. It doesn’t matter who makes it a requirement. Your insurance provider will fulfill that obligation by sending an SR-22 the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. You don’t need to fill out any form. You are only required to inform your insurance company that you require an SR-22.
Alternatives to SR-22 Tennessee
Tennessee has no alternatives to the SR-22. If you are coming from another country, there may be obligations that you have to meet. Some are similar to an SR-22, while others are different.
| Form | Issued by the States | Minimum requirements for insurance |
|---|---|---|
| SR-22 | All other states, except Delaware, Kentucky and Minnesota. | Standard liability. Click here to see a complete list of the minimum insurance requirements for each state. |
| SR-19 | California and Texas | Standard liability |
| SR-21 | Florida, Georgia, Indiana | Standard liability |
| SR-22A | Georgia, Texas and Missouri | Standard liability must be paid, but six months of insurance must also be paid. |
| FR-44 | Florida, Virginia | Double liability |
| SR-50 | Indiana | Standard liability |
- SR-19 California and Texas both use SR-19s at the moment, though their functions are different in each state. It is a payment agreement between the at-fault driver and the injured party in Texas. It is a legally binding document that must be kept on file at the DMV. It is a document that confirms an at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance in California. This is required in order to provide uninsured motorist coverage for the injured party.
- SR-21 This form verifies that you have insurance in place before an accident involving bodily injury, death or property damage exceeding $1,000.
- SR-22A: Required after repeated DWI offenses. Similar to an SR-22 but requires six months of monthly payments instead of a regular monthly payment.
- FR-4: FR-4: FR-4: FR-44s are similar to SR-22s in that they require financial responsibility but, unlike SR-22s, FR-4s often require the driver to have double liability coverage.
- SR-50 In Indiana, an SR-50 is required to prove financial responsibility. It can be requested if a driver has been convicted for a DWI or has filed an accident report with the DMV.
Non-owner SR-22
Non-owner insurance can be used to satisfy your SR22 requirements. If you do not own a vehicle but are required to have insurance in order to maintain your license, this is an option. A non-owner policy will typically be cheaper than a regular one because you are not insuring a vehicle.
A non-owner policy is a good option if you rent out or borrow a car frequently. This will allow you to keep your driver’s license and help you save money on insurance.
SR-22A Tennessee
Although Tennessee doesn’t administer SR-22As it is possible that you may still be required to have them after you move from another state.
The SR-22A shares many similarities with a regular SR-22. Both the SR-22A (or SR-22) are required to show financial responsibility. They can also be used after a driving offense such as a DUI or DWI.
An SR-22A is different from a regular SR-22 because it’s most commonly used for repeat offenders. An SR-22A is a form of insurance that allows you to get a second chance if you have been convicted of driving without insurance several times. However, you will need to prepay six months of insurance each month for the next three years.
Insurance costs for SR-22 Tennessee
An SR-22 requirement may result in your insurance provider charging you a higher rate. If your driving record is clean, you shouldn’t pay a higher rate. Progressive states that the national standard for an SR-22 rise is only 5%. The increase could be much higher if you have had lapsed in coverage for a while or were convicted of DUI. ( See: Average Car Insurance Cost in 2021
There may also be filing fees. To send certification to Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, your provider may charge a one-time fee. Prices vary between providers, but you can expect to pay $15-$35 for certification.
FAQ
What length of time do I need an SR-22 to work in Tennessee?
It all depends on the offense. You might be required to have the SR-22 for as long as five years. After three years, you can call the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to request that it be removed.
How can I obtain SR-22 insurance for Tennessee?
If you have a provider already, all you have to do is speak to a representative to request an SR-22 be sent to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
You will need to locate an insurance company willing to cover drivers who have an SR-22 if you don’t already have one. This is a common practice among national insurance companies. It is possible to have issues with smaller businesses, so make sure you verify that the local provider offers SR-22 certificates before filling out an application.
What is the cost of SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?
SR-22s do not constitute insurance, but certificates of insurance. You should not be concerned about the fee your insurance company will charge to send an SR22 form to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. They range from $15 to $35.
Having an SR-22 requirement can mean that your driving record has had a few bad entries. A policy could be more expensive if you are convicted of DUI. ( See: The Best Car Insurance Companies in 2021
What happens if my insurer cancels my policy
If you do not have a new provider of insurance, your vehicle registration and license will be cancelled.
Will I have to continue my SR-22 requirements if I move outside of the state?
Yes. The SR-22 requirement is still in force for 3-5 years depending on the sentence. No matter where you are, if you do not maintain minimum insurance, your vehicle registration and license will be cancelled.