my florida license was suspended because insurance carrier i

by johnny2 » Wed Jul 16, 2008 01:00 am

no accident or dui was involved. I could not afford insurance because I was unemployed. Is SR22 required?

Total Comments: 12

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 01:34 am Post Subject:

Don't know, but more than likely you can contact the Florida Dept of Ins....or just wait we have a ''flordia adjuster expert'' he'll be along soon, I'm sure...oh Toooooooodd! :wink:

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 05:42 am Post Subject:

Why the insurance carrier has canceled the policy at the first place? The reason may help us to answer to your query easily.

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 05:52 am Post Subject:

when you can't afford auto policy, you can't also afford not having it. Sr-22 is mainly for drivers in the high risk bracket. Sr-22 is much more expensive than regular auto plan. Hence, you may try to get an cheap plan that you can afford.

Also, you may try to reduce the the limit of the coverage that you need to carry, may be only the minimum liability limit approved by the state body.

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:51 am Post Subject: insurance

SR??? I know I've seen discussions, on this, on the forum, from time to time. And someone DID try to explain what it was to me (I can't remember who, though). ..however, my memory may have gone into a 'Senior moment' ( I'm 44 years old..LOL) but, can someone please explain what this is? Thanks.

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 04:21 pm Post Subject:

Dazzlingdiamond said:

Sr-22 is much more expensive than regular auto plan. Hence, you may try to get an cheap plan that you can afford.



An SR-22 is not an insurance plan. An SR-22 is a state-mandated requirement that normally comes into play if certain things occur, such as
driving without insurance, DUI and similar, and other major violations, and usually goes right along with a driver's license being suspended. It is proof that the offender is actually carrying insurance coverage equal to at least that state's minimum liability requirements.

The insured will normally have to file the SR-22 for a period of time after the infraction occurred; different infractions commonly have different filing period requirements. Normally, your insurer will send proof of coverage to the state, however I have seen insureds go to their department of motor vehicles and file them directly in order to get their driver's licenses reinstated.

Due to the fact that SR-22's are only required for egregious violations, the insurance premium will typically go through the roof. This coverage must be maintained for the duration of the required period, and will normally result in another suspension of driving priveleges if the insurance lapses for any reason. If the policy lapses, the carrier will inform the state of the lapse.

It would help if the OP could be a little more specific as to the reason for the SR-22 requirement, the time frame for the filing, and everything surrounding the situation...maybe we could be a little more helpful if we had that information!

Finally, driving without insurance is, well, really stupid! :evil: I understand that money (really the lack thereof) can cause issues, and may hamper a person's ability to afford the coverage. It's been my experience that it's not a matter of if, but when people who drive without coverage get nailed. The downside is that you are literally putting your legal and financial future on the line by not carrying the coverage. I have seen people's lives absolutely ruined due to not having in-force car insurance at the time of a serious accident that was the fault of the uninsured driver. They can, and will take your house, garnish wages, levy and attach bank accounts, etc. Negligence knows no excuses- if you cause damage to property or injury to persons, you're on the hook regardless of whether you're carrying insurance coverage. :!:

InsTeacher 8)

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:25 am Post Subject:

(Copied from personal message from OP) Johnny2

Thanks for the info. Here's the scenario. I was working and had insurance. I lost job and could not afford insurance. Insurance lapsed because of non payment. Insurance company notified state of Florida policy lapsed. State requested proof of insurance because of notification from insurance company. I could not comply, thus suspended license. I am now employed and shopping for insurance and companies are telling me a SR22 is required. I did not have an accident, DUI or any other type of violation causing suspension. My suspension was because I was unemployed and could not afford insurance.



Unfortunately Johnny 2, this is what I found out, copied directly from stateofflorida.com: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/frfaqgen.html#8

What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle that I have registered in Florida?
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to suspend your driving privilege, including your vehicle tag and registration, for up to three years or until proof of Florida insurance is provided, whichever is first.

If my driving privilege is suspended because I am not properly insured, is there a penalty to reinstate my license?
Yes. A reinstatement fee of $150 up to $500, for subsequent violations, must be paid and you must provide proof of current Florida insurance.



So...it appears as if your insurer reported you as lapsed, and subsequently, your license was suspended and now you need that SR-22 to get it reinstated, plus the fees that are shown within the quote. Not many states require the insurance company to report lapses of insurance coverage to the state, but I guess Florida is one of them. I understand your situation, as money was a big issue in your inability to keep the coverage in force. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like your state has much of a sense of humor on these issues. Probably stems from Florida having one of the highest uninsured motorist populations in the country.

Sorry 'bout that- wish I had better news for you. :(

InsTeacher 8)

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 03:12 am Post Subject: accident without insurance

Are there attorneys that handle these situations? I am required to pay $6200 before my license will be re-instated, obtaine release forms from victims, or set-up a payment plan for property damages.

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:05 am Post Subject:

I'm sure there are...but if you owe it, and/or did it. Then why not just pay it?

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 03:02 pm Post Subject:

FLORIDA SUCKS THE BIG ONE! :o

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 03:15 pm Post Subject:

FLORIDA SUCKS THE BIG ONE!



No . . . being irresponsible and driving around town without insurance forces the rest of us who responsibly pay our premiums to pay more than we really should. That's what sucks!

Although there can be mitigating circumstances, such as temporary unemployment or other financial crises, the true penalty for repeat offenders who just don't seem to get the message about the requirement to drive with proof of financial responsibility (cash/bond on deposit is acceptable in most states) ought to be amputation of hands and feet -- something that might prevent future driving without insurance and other violations.

DUI offenders, in my book, should have their vehicles confiscated, kind of like asset forfeiture for committing certain drug offenses. Might make some of them think twice before getting behind the wheel on those occasions.

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