SR-22 Insurance

SR-22 Insurance or Financial Responsibility

In Washington, all drivers must carry liability insurance or some alternative to it.  Your auto insurance policy is required to have at minimum the following requirements:

• $25,000 of bodily injury or death of 1 person in any 1 accident.
• $50,000 of bodily injury or death of any 2 people in any 1 accident.
• $10,000 of injury to or destruction of property of others in any 1 accident.

You may also fulfill your financial responsibility requirement in three other uncommon ways:  1) liability bond; 2) certificate of deposit or 3) self-insurance.  

Normally we simply have to maintain this policy, and carry a card that we can show to law enforcement if we are asked to do so.  

In some circumstances, drivers are required to carry SR-22 insurance.  Normally this occurs when you are convicted of certain motor vehicle crimes, such as Reckless Driving, DUI, or because you were in an accident and did not have the required insurance at the time.  

SR-22 insurance is the same basic policy as required for all drivers, however your insurance agent or company is required to transmit proof that you have the required insurance policy to Department of Licensing .  If for some reason you do not maintain your SR-22 insurance policy (i.e. you miss payments or the policy is cancelled), your agent or company is required to report this to Department of Licensing, who then will act to suspend your drivers license.