Are There Discounts On Houston SR22 Auto Insurance?
Reader Question
I got a DUI conviction on my record (actually got my second DUI) and my auto insurance rates are just unbelievably high. I know that I am pretty high risk now, but there has to be an insurance company that has lower rates than what I am paying now. Currently I pay $1,800 every six months. Does anyone offer discounts on SR22 coverage?
Danny H.
Woodlands TX
Hey Danny. Man, I wish I could sugar coat this reply for you a little bit but dude….you are screwed. I mean, you basically are like a subprime mortgage loan applicant. Sure, there are companies that will give you the loan (insurance) but they are going to jack up the interest rates BIG time on you to make up for the added risk. As far as a discount for SR22 insurance coverage, I doubt it, BUT never say never. There are a handful of auto insurance companies that are willing to discount prices and take on extra risk to take market share from Geico and Progressive.
Here are a few companies you might want to get a quote from.
1. Nationwide
2. The General
3. Amica
4. Travelers
5. Farmers
6. Liberty Mutual
You might want to try and ask for some of the popular discounts given to standard drivers and see what happens.
1. Good grade students
2. Credit union members, bank membership, fraternal organizations
3. Military discounts both retired and active
4. Combine your car and home coverage together
5. Muli vehicle discounts
6. Defensive driving classes
7. Claim free history
How Much is Houston SR22 Auto Insurance Coverage
Q: What is Houston SR22 auto insurance and how much is required?
A: When your driver’s license is suspended in Texas, here are certain consequences in the form of higher car insurance requirements which you must hold for two years after the date of your license’s first suspension. This special requirement is called an SR22 certificate or bond. It must be filed by your car insurance company with the Texas DPS if you want to have your driver’s license’s reinstated.
SR22 car insurance is costly, and although you don’t have to have more coverage than usual, you are required to keep paying on it and will be caught immediately if you fail to continue being insured. If you don’t pay your premium on time, your coverage will be canceled and your driver’s license suspended (again) along with it.
As for the required minimum car insurance for an SR22 insurance policy in Houston according to Texas DPS.
$75,000 total coverage
$40,000 bodily injury per occurrence / $20,000 per person
$15,000 property damage coverage
One of the best ways to lower your rates on any kind of car insurance is to raise your deductible amount to the highest level you can. So if you have a $1,000 deductible and you are a safe claim free driver the last few years you could save a lot of money.
You only pay the deductible amount when you have a claim, and the claim is paid by YOUR carrier.
SR22 Certificate In Houston For Driving Without Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I live in Houston and I would like to know if I will be required to obtain an SR22 if I get caught driving without insurance? What are the penalties?
Jim
Houston Texas
Yes, typically if you’ve been found guilty of operating a vehicle without insurance in Houston for the 2nd time your drivers license is going to be suspended and to reinstate it you’ll be mandated to acquire and hold an SR22 insurance certificate for two years after the date of your conviction.
The state of Texas mandates individuals who operate a vehicle in Texas to have the ability to pay for any vehicle accidents they cause. The majority of motorists accomplish this by purchasing liability car insurance.
The minimum required liability insurance coverage is 25/50/25. These limits mean $25,000 for every wounded person, up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
You can get serious legal fees and penalties for breaking the state’s financial responsibility laws. If this is your first conviction for driving without insurance, you will pay a fine between $175 and $350. Subsequent convictions you could end up paying fines of $350 to $1,000, driver’s license suspension, and impound of your car.
To restore your driver’s license from suspension status because of operating a vehicle without car insurance, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee and you will have to acquire proof of insurance (form SR-22) from an insurer and send it to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In Houston, the SR22 insurance certificate is going to be required for two years from the date of conviction.
Houston SR22 Car Insurance Removal
Reader’s Question:
I no longer need an SR22 for my auto insurance policy here in Houston. How do I remove it?
Howard
Houston Texas
An SR22 is liability insurance which requires your insurer to certify insurance coverage to the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is also the responsibility of the insurer to inform the DPS if the policy has been canceled or lapsed.
If you no longer required to carry an SR22 insurance, you may be able to have it removed from your policy by contacting your car insurance company. An SR-26 is a form that is filed by the insurer to remove the SR-22. Certain insurers may require you to provide paperwork from the DPS that this coverage may be removed before filing the SR-26.
This SR-26 is a certificate processed by an insurer to inform the DPS that the SR-22 car insurance provided by the company has already been canceled. The SR26 filing may lead to drivers license suspension if the person’s driving record shows that the SR22 (insurance certificate) is still needed during the time the SR26 is issued. For this reason you will need to ensure the SR22 is no longer demanded by the state of Texas. The department and the insurance company representative may be able to give you more information on how to remove SR22 from your car insurance policy.
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