Drivers who commit a serious violation on the road might need to carry an SR-22 certificate. The document confirms you have an insurance policy that meets your state’s minimum coverage requirements.
Unfortunately, you may have a difficult time obtaining car insurance after a serious violation. When you find an insurance company to work with you, you’ll pay higher rates.
Even so, you have many ways to save and find affordable coverage while carrying an SR-22. Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in Vermont.
Common SR-22 offenses include DUIs, driving without insurance, and reckless driving.
Drivers carrying an SR-22 form in Vermont must maintain the policy for three years to avoid license suspension.
An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, but your rates will be more expensive because of the violation that caused you to need an SR-22.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Vermont
Although drivers with an SR-22 requirement face higher insurance costs than other drivers, some companies consistently offer lower rates than others. The table below highlights the best companies for SR-22 insurance in Vermont.
What is SR-22 insurance in Vermont?
SR-22 insurance for Vermont drivers isn’t a special type of insurance product. Instead, an SR-22 form is a certificate of financial responsibility that drivers may need to obtain after certain traffic violations.
After certain driving convictions, like a DUI or driving without insurance, your state may suspend your driver’s license. In Vermont, you’ll need to obtain an SR-22 filing to prove that you’ve obtained the minimum amount of liability insurance that Vermont law requires. With that filing, the state may clear your driver’s license suspension, allowing you to resume normal driving activities.1
Drivers who need an SR-22 form generally pay more for car insurance coverage because insurers consider them a high risk.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
After certain driving violations, your state might require you to obtain an SR-22 form or FR-22 form before you can drive legally.
Both filings indicate that you’ve obtained insurance and provided proof of financial responsibility. But an SR-22 insurance form indicates you have at least the minimum liability coverage your state’s law requires. In contrast, an FR-44 form indicates you’ve obtained insurance coverage with a higher liability limit.
FR-44 forms are only required in Florida and Virginia, which means drivers in Vermont don’t have to worry about FR-44 insurance.
When you need SR-22 insurance
After certain moving violations, Vermont drivers may need an SR-22 certificate. You might need an SR-22 insurance form after the following convictions:
DUI
Reckless driving
Driving without insurance
Repeat driving offenses within a short time frame
Excessive violations
How to get SR-22 insurance in Vermont
If you’re required to get SR-22 insurance, follow these steps:
How long Vermont requires SR-22 insurance
Vermont requires drivers who need an SR-22 filing to carry the coverage for three years from the date of the event that caused the requirement. For example, if you get a DUI on Jan. 1, 2024, and face a 90-day suspension that ends on March 31, 2024, the filing is required until March 31, 2027.
If you have a lapse in coverage or your insurer cancels your policy, you’ll have to restart the three-year time frame.2
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Vermont
You can generally expect higher insurance premiums if you have to file an SR-22. This is because the violation that preceded your SR-22 requirement usually represents a financial risk to car insurance companies. As a high-risk driver, insurers charge higher rates.
Although higher rates may persist for a while, you can take action to potentially lower your rates:3
Vermont SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about Vermont SR-22 insurance, check out the additional information below.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
If you need an SR-22 or FR-44 form, you’ll either receive notice in the form of a letter from the DMV or learn about the requirement from a judge in the form of a court order. The need for an SR-22 shouldn’t come as a surprise because it’s usually preceded by a moving violation.
Vermont drivers don’t need to worry about an FR-44 form unless they move to Florida or Virginia.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. Your insurance company will generally charge a fee to file the SR-22 certificate. Although costs vary from insurer to insurer, the filing fee generally costs around $25.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Drivers with an SR-22 in Vermont pay $82 per month, compared to drivers with a clean record, who pay $64.
If you need to file an SR-22 certificate, you can expect your car insurance costs to rise. The exact increase of your premiums will vary based on the severity of your violation and your driving history.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Vermont?
In Vermont, drivers must carry an SR-22 for three years from the event date that led to the SR-22 requirement. For example, if you must file an SR-22 after a driver’s license suspension ending on Jan. 1, 2024, you’ll need to carry SR-22 coverage until Jan. 1, 2027.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Vermont?
You can’t get rid of an SR-22 before the mandatory coverage period of three years. If you get rid of an SR-22 in Vermont early, the state will suspend your license.
Once you’ve completed your SR-22 requirement, call your insurer, and it can submit for removal from your record.
What happens to your SR-22 in Vermont if you move?
If you’re leaving Vermont, your insurance company should submit your SR-22 to the state where you’ll reside. If you move to Vermont from another state with an SR-22, your insurance company must submit an SR-22 to Vermont before you can obtain your new driver’s license. Your insurer that submits your SR-22 must have a license to sell insurance in the state.