I almost got caught drunk driving last week here in California and when I told my friends about it, one of them told me to add SR22 in my car insurance. There are many hat I can’t understand just like what is SR22? Why do I have to include it in my car insurance and how does it work?
Cole
San Diego, CA
Many people have been wondering why someone who usually goes home under the influence of alcohol or drunk should need a SR22. SR22 is a document given out by your Insurance Company in which you are assured that the California Department of Motor Vehicles has given you the required minimum liability coverage.
If a driver has gotten his/her license suspended, the driver is required to get a SR22 Filing to restore the drivers’ license. Drunk driving is not the only reason for your license to be suspended but also unpaid traffic tickets and parking violations. In order for a driver to get an SR22, they should get the minimum liability coverage to all of their cars. You have three years for SR22 Filing but this depends on how harsh your situation is. With regards to your driver’s license, you have to call Department of Motor Vehicle to know when it is going to be restored and how much would it cost you. The Car Insurance Company will be able to get you how much would your SR22 and your car insurance upon receiving the report on your driving record. And after calculating and agreeing how much you will have to pay for your SR22 Filing.
I’ve been told that I should get an Umbrella Policy for my car here in California. What is it and why do I need it?
Marion
Anaheim, CA
There are lost of benefits for choosing to get an Umbrella Insurance Policy. First, Umbrella Insurance is another type of additional insurance option where you can get a relatively large amount of financial coverage in case you are sued and is obligated to pay for compensation for causing a car accident. Surprisingly, you actually only have to pay a small amount in terms of monthly or regular premiums for this type of coverage but the amount of coverage you can get can reach up to a million to a couple of million dollars in total liability protection.
In the event of a claim filed against you in an accident, the only time an Umbrella Insurance Policy will take effect is once the regular liability coverage limits stated under your policy has been exhausted and is still not enough to cover for the whole monetary obligation you are required to pay for in damages or liabilities. Umbrella Policy will take care of the rest. It may be interesting to note that the state minimum liability amounts there in California is pegged at 15/30/5, that’s $15,000 total minimum for payment per injured person per accident, $30,000 total minimum limit for payment liability for all injured individuals per accident and $5,000 to cover for property damages. As you can imagine, car accident costs can amount to much larger sums hence the practicality of an Umbrella Policy.
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