If a driver is convicted of a serious moving violation such as a DWI, is at fault in a serious accident, or is regarded as a serial offender of driving rules, they will need to obtain an SR-22—or face having their license suspended.

An SR-22 is a document submitted by an insurer that acts as proof of insurance, guaranteeing that a driver has the minimum required coverage in order to stay on the road.

From

Jerry,

the

car insurance

comparison shopping app, here's what you need to know about SR-22s and how to find

cheap car insurance in New Hampshire.

What is an SR-22 in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, an SR-22 is a form submitted to the DMV by your insurer to verify that you have the coverage to stay on the road after your license has been

suspended or revoked

. It’s a financial and moral backing that the driver is legally covered.

New Hampshire usually requires drivers to have SR-22 insurance for three years following a major incident, including but not limited to:

DUI or DWI conviction

Reckless driving

Repeated traffic violations

At-fault accident causing injuries or death

At-fault accident without insurance

If you're convicted of one of those violations, you’ll need your insurer to guarantee minimum liability coverage. Car insurance isn't legally required in New Hampshire, but if you do have it, you need to have at least this minimum coverage:

$25,000 per person for

bodily injury liability

$50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident

$25,000 for

property damage liability

These are the

state's minimum requirements

, though, so ask your insurer if they can guarantee more coverage.

Key Takeaway You’ll need an SR-22 for three years after having your license revoked or suspended in New Hampshire.

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Who needs an SR-22 in New Hampshire?

Drivers who have committed serious moving violations, or racked up too many demerit points, need to obtain an SR-22 form in New Hampshire.

You might also have to obtain one if you get into an accident while driving without insurance.

Ultimately, it’s up to the DMV to determine if you need to go through the SR-22 process. It’s handled on a case-by-case basis.

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How do you get an SR-22 in New Hampshire?

Once you’ve received official notice from the DMV that you’ll need an SR-22, get in touch with your insurer, who will file all the necessary paperwork to get you back on the road—and driving safely.

There are a few extra issues to keep in mind, though. License suspensions or revocations sometimes come as a result of criminal charges, so it’s prudent to clean up whatever legal issues you have to go through first. You might also have to pay a license reinstatement fee.

Some insurance providers simply don’t cover drivers needing SR-22s, either. They might deem you too big of a risk.

Key Takeaway Your insurance provider will file an SR-22 for you in New Hampshire, but you might have to shop around for a new provider if your current insurer won’t cover high-risk drivers.

How much does an SR-22 cost in New Hampshire?

Physically filing an SR-22 is relatively inexpensive. Your insurer might charge you a small fee of $15-25. It depends on the provider.

But there are more costs to keep in mind. Some states have pricey driver’s license reinstatement fees—sometimes reaching north of $100. Furthermore, if you’ve been convicted in a court of law, you might be looking at legal fees as well as fines.

Your insurance premiums might also change significantly. Average yearly costs for SR-22 holders tend to be far higher than for those with

clean driving records

. You’ll lose any good driver discounts you may have accrued, too.

The bottom line, then, is that SR-22s are an expensive endeavor.

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How does an SR-22 impact your insurance in New Hampshire?

The more blemishes there are on your license, the more likely your insurer will deem you

high-risk

, potentially leading to higher premiums.

A conviction of a moving violation is one of the worst things that can happen to your insurance costs. Racking up so many demerit points that your license gets suspended doesn’t look too good for you, either.

Sure, your insurer will probably be able to get you back behind the wheel, but you’ll be looking at a

steep price increase

. The exact figure is difficult to determine and depends on both the severity of the incident and the strength of your driving record beforehand.

You may have to purchase a new insurance package altogether. Some companies simply don’t offer SR-22s, especially if you’re considered a major risk.

There is some good news, though! If you follow the rules and maintain an excellent driving record for three years, your SR-22 probation period will be lifted and you will be allowed to drive relatively normally. This should bring your premiums back to standard pre-SR-22 levels.

MORE:

New Hampshire car seat law

How to find cheap car insurance

SR-22s aren’t great for your driving record or bank account. But they’re not the end of the world. You can still find a good car insurance package at a price that suits you. To find the best deal, try

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licensed broker

, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you.

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

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