SR22 insurance is the determining factor between you being able to get back on the road or struggling to handle day-to-day tasks without driving privileges. It’s not a program anyone wants to need, but it’s crucial, and it’s a positive opportunity for high-risk drivers.
There’s just one problem. It tends to be pretty expensive since SR22 requirements are hefty, and those required to meet them are high-risk with severely blemished driving records.
Today, we’re going to go over six tips to find affordable SR22 insurance in the Florida market, so you can get back on the road without too much of a financial burden.
1. Buy the Bare Minimum
When you need SR22 insurance, your insurance policy has to meet some pretty hefty requirements. This is the state’s way of ensuring that, if you make a mistake again, you have proper coverage to pay for it.
However, you don’t need to exceed those minimum requirements. The price is already going to be higher than regular insurance policies, and every extra bit of coverage you have on your policy ensures that you’ll pay even more. If you only purchase what’s legally required, you can get the minimum price.
This is a trade-off, though. Minimum coverage is cheaper, but there will be situations that your insurance simply doesn’t cover, and that leaves you footing the bill.
2. Consider Pay-Per-Mile
Pay-per-mile isn’t too common with the average driver, but if you don’t drive much, you might be aware of it. Essentially, this is where your insurance policy charges you for how many miles you drive during the billing period.
If you don’t drive a lot, this can save you a ton of money on your insurance. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re searching for affordable SR22 insurance, as lower mileage often translates to lower costs.
However, it does add another layer of complexity, and if you drive an average or above-average amount, you’ll spend a lot more. So, this is only useful for a limited demographic.
It can also be harder to find an insurance company that offers pay-per-mile for those required to file for SR22.
3. Complete Any Driver Improvement Courses or Driver Re-Education Classes
If you’re required to go to a driver re-education course due to the issue that caused you to need SR22 insurance, make sure you complete that.
This is the first step in reducing your high-risk status. It proves to the insurer that, even though you have a history of driving violations, you are willing to take the appropriate steps to correct that. One of the key benefits of SR22 insurance is that it allows high-risk drivers to rebuild their reputation on the road.
As such, they can be more willing to provide fairer prices than they would for someone who hasn’t completed those programs or started to fix their record.
4. Choose a High-Risk Company
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to get your SR22 insurance through the same company that you’d get your car insurance from in a normal situation.
When you need SR22 insurance, It’s because you’ve done something that made the courts deem you a high risk for people on the roadways.
Insurance companies also look at it as a high risk to insure you. They’re more likely to have to pay off for damages you cause. So, when you get your insurance from a company that caters to the average driver, they’re particularly turned off by that risk.
However, there are SR22 insurance providers in Florida who are not only familiar with the various factors involved with SR22, but they actively cater to high-risk drivers.
The companies that cater to high-risk drivers typically don’t mark up their prices for your SR22 insurance nearly as much as a normal insurance company. Since they know what to expect, and you’re their target audience, they keep their prices fair.
Sometimes, they might have various restrictions or limitations, but in general, going to a high-risk insurance provider is going to be far better than trying your normal insurance provider.
5. Maintain a Good Driving Record
This is one that you pretty much have to do after you have a violation that forces you to get SR22 insurance. However, once you get SR22, you can greatly increase your ability to get better deals if you maintain a good driving record.
While SR22 insurance is typically looked at in a negative light due to its purpose, this factor is why it’s actually a good thing.
It’s not a permanent punishment. You usually have to stay on an SR22 plan for 3 to 5 years after you’re able to get back behind the wheel. While it’s more costly and frustrating to deal with sometimes, it provides you with the opportunity to rebuild your record and show that you’ve moved past the issue that got you on SR22 insurance.
That’s not just something for when you’ve completed the court-ordered term for it, either. The insurance provider can have different perks that lower your costs or get you more bang for your buck when you show that you’re actively reducing your risk level for them.
6. Don’t Rush
Finally, you want to avoid rushing to the first company that will insure you. It’s tempting. You probably haven’t been able to drive for a while, life has probably gotten a little harder, and you just want to get back behind the wheel.
Unfortunately, rushing the process can cost you a big time.
Different insurance companies are willing to provide different rates for the same quality of insurance. You want to take your time, get a few quotes, and compare them to find the lowest price possible.
Of course, you also need to consider a few things when comparing quotes. Always take into account whether you get any bonuses or potential future opportunities for good driving, the insurance provider’s reputation, hidden fees, etc. Just because an option is the cheapest doesn’t mean it’s the best value or the most useful.
Make SR22 Insurance Easy with SR22 Direct
So there you have it! Finding and securing affordable SR22 insurance in Florida can feel a bit confusing and overwhelming at first, but it’s not that complicated if you know what to pay attention to.
The key is to take your time, compare options, and work with an insurance provider that understands the unique challenges high-risk drivers face.
At SR22 Direct, we specialize in helping drivers like you navigate the complexities of SR22 insurance. Whether you’re in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, or anywhere else in Florida, our team is here to guide you through the process and connect you with a policy that fits your budget.
Don’t let SR22 requirements keep you off the road any longer. Contact us today and let us help you secure the right coverage so you can move forward with confidence.
