, after being convicted of a serious driving violation, you’ll need your insurance provider to file an SR-22 form on your behalf if you plan on driving again. This "proof of insurance" guarantees that you meet the state’s required car insurance minimums

What is an SR-22 in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, an

SR-22 certificate

required

reinstate your driver’s license

after it’s been revoked or

suspended

due to a serious traffic offense.

Filed by your insurer, the SR-22 offers a "

proof of insurance

guaranteeing that you meet or exceed Arkansas’ minimum liability requirements

Drivers in Arkansas are required to carry

liability car insurance

. The state’s mandated

minimum insurance requirements

are as follows:

$25,000 for

bodily injury liability

per person

$50,000 for bodily injury per accident

$25,000 for

property damage liability

per accident

In Arkansas, SR-22 certificates are required for

three to five years

. The term of the SR-22 is determined by the Arkansas DMV, depending on the seriousness of the conviction.

If you fail to

renew your car insurance

policy with SR-22 coverage on time in Arkansas, or if your

coverage lapses

for any reason, your insurer will notify Arkansas’ DMV.

At this point, your SR-22 probation period will

reset

, and you’ll have to begin the process again, not to mention

you will have to pay all those SR-22 fees a second time

Key Takeaway
: With SR-22 coverage, be sure to pay your premiums on time every month, or your term will be reset.

MORE

Driving without car insurance

Who needs SR-22 in Arkansas?

If a driver in Arkansas has their license revoked or suspended for any of the following reasons (amongst others),

they will need their insurance company to submit an SR-22 form on their behalf

to drive legally again:

DUI

conviction

Hit and run

Reckless driving

Distracted driving

MORE

Hit and run insurance claims: Everything you need to know

How to get an SR-22 certificate in Arkansas

You’ll need to follow these steps if you need an SR-22 form filed on your behalf.

Find an insurer

Many insurers that won’t file SR-22 forms, as drivers requiring one tend to be labeled

high-risk

, meaning they’re considered more likely to file a claim. If your current insurer refuses to issue an SR-22 form for you, you’ll have to find a provider that will.

Do your research and find an insurer that files SR-22 certificates

in Arkansas

Pay the SR-22 fee

Once you find an insurer to file an SR-22 on your behalf,

pay the fee

so the form can be processed and filed on time. In Arkansas, filing fees range from about

$15 to $25

Verify minimum liability coverage

Before your insurer will file your SR-22 form, you’ll need to

buy liability coverage

that meets or exceeds Arkansas’ state requirements.

Submit your SR-22

Once your fee is paid, your insurer will

file your SR-22 with the Arkansas DMV

. When the application is confirmed, your insurer will notify you by mail that your SR-22 form has been accepted.

MORE

What happens if you’re deemed at fault in an accident without car insurance?

How much does it cost?

Depending on your insurer, your car insurance with SR-22 coverage will cost roughly

13%

(

or roughly $80

) more in Arkansas than standard, minimum car insurance.

Of course, your premiums will also depend on several other factors, including your personal profile, age,

driving history

, location, and a host of other factors.

Key Takeaway:
Each insurance carrier uses a different formula to set premiums, so shop around to ensure you find a policy with SR-22 coverage at a decent price.

How an SR-22 impacts your insurance in Arkansas

Your insurance premiums

will be higher than average

for as long as you need SR-22 coverage on your policy.

But, if you

finish your SR-22 term

without committing any other driving violations, your

insurance premiums will decrease

once your probation term ends.

Even though you’ll be temporarily dealing with higher premiums, those costs can be eased by

shopping around for the best rate

amongst carriers offering SR-22 coverage.

Key Takeaway
: If your insurance has SR-22 coverage, be prepared to pay higher rates than you would with standard car insurance.

How to find cheap car insurance with Jerry

Finding a good deal on

car insurance

is possible for every driver, even ones needing SR-22 coverage. With

Jerry

, finding a great car insurance policy at an affordable rate has never been easier.

After signing up with Jerry, the app generates up to

50 quotes

from the country’s top insurance providers for you to choose from. Just pick a policy, and Jerry handles the rest. No forms, no phone calls, and no hassles!

Best of all, Jerry users save an average of

$800+

on their car insurance!

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