Tennessee SR-22 rates are often far higher than general insurance rates within the state. However, it is important to know who needs SR22 insurance as there are a variety of reasons that you may be required to obtain this high-risk insurance policy. Depending on the circumstances, you could be required to maintain the insurance for up to five years. If required to complete an SR22 form, it is important that you do so immediately as failing to obtain or maintain financial responsibility will result in potential consequences, including jail time, fines and the suspension of your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
Therefore, it is important that you familiarize yourself with Tennessee high-risk insurance laws. To learn more about SR-22 requirements in Tennessee, including what this form of insurance is, when it is required and how to obtain it, review the information provided within the section below.
- Owner/Operator's Crash Forms As of July 1, 2013 in accordance with House Bill 0152 an Owner/Operator Crash Form (PR-901) is no longer required. However drivers involved in a traffic accident are still required to notify the nearest law enforcement agency about the traffic accident.
- Owner/Driver Report You MUST submit this form to the Tennessee DOS after being involved in a car crash resulting in excessive property damage, bodily injury, OR death. Get Form Open the form.
In some situations, you must report an accident to the Tennessee Department of Safety. You are required to complete and submit an Owner/Driver Report within 20 days of an accident, if any of the following apply: The accident caused injury or death.
What is Tennessee SR22 insurance?
Tennessee SR-22 rates are higher than general auto insurance due to the nature of this form of insurance. SR22 is considered a “high-risk insurance” that is only required of individuals who are convicted of certain traffic-related offenses as well as after a driver’s license is revoked or suspended. In circumstances like these, you will be legally obligated to obtain and maintain this form of high-risk insurance in order to satisfy proof of financial responsibility.
An SR22 form can be filed by an insurance company that has been licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. While rates are often higher for this form of insurance, the rates themselves are determined by the insurance company. Therefore, if trying to save money, it is important to review the insurance rates that different agencies offer.
Once required to obtain SR22, you will be required to maintain that insurance for a period of three to five years, depending on your circumstances and the nature of your conviction. During this period of time, you must maintain your insurance, even if you no longer have a vehicle. If you acquire a new vehicle, you will need to have your insurance agency complete a new form right away. Should you switch your insurance company during this time, you will be required to make sure that the company files immediately.
If an SR22 form is required after the suspension of your driver’s license, it is important to know that you will not be required to obtain this form of insurance if you choose not to reinstate your driving privileges. For example, if five years have passed from the date of your driver’s license suspension prior to the date that you pursue the reinstatement of your driver’s license, you will not be required to obtain high-risk insurance.
On the other hand, if you do reinstate your driver’s license and you lose your insurance or experience a lapse in coverage prior to the required time, your driving privileges will be suspended again.
Who needs SR22 insurance in Tennessee?
It is important to be aware of who needs SR22 insurance in order to better prepare you for possible convictions or suspensions. SR22 insurance is reserved for individuals who are convicted of particular vehicle-related violations, such as driving under the influence or vehicular manslaughter.
In many cases, you may also be required to obtain this high-risk insurance after having your driver’s license suspended for various traffic violations. If required to obtain insurance, you will need to maintain it between three and five years, depending on your situation.
Reinstating Driving Privileges With SR22 in Tennessee
Despite SR-22 rates, the only way that you will be able to reinstate a driver’s license in Tennessee that requires this form of insurance is by ensuring that your auto insurance agency files a form. Additionally, you will have to maintain your new insurance or risk having your driving privileges suspended for a second time.
Note: In some cases, you may be able to choose not to reinstate your driver’s license for up to five years to avoid the insurance fees.
How to Get SR22 Insurance in Tennessee
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You can obtain SR22 insurance quotes from any auto insurance provider that has been licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Due to the fact that insurance rates will vary from one agency to the next, you are encouraged to shop around if you do not wish to remain with your current provider or you do not accept the rate that they offer.
Once you have obtained this form of insurance, it is important that you avoid any lapses in your insurance until you have met the time requirements. In addition, it is worth knowing that some insurance companies may require that you pay for an entire premium up front as part of the insurance rather than make payments on monthly installments.
Penalties for Not Filing an SR22 Form in Tennessee
Should you refuse to obtain SR22 in Tennessee, you could be subject to additional legal consequences, depending on the nature of your driver’s license suspension or conviction. Additionally, it is worth knowing that if your insurance is canceled prior to your required time period, your driver’s license will be suspended, and you will be required to pay additional fees in order to reinstate it.