SR-22 Insurance in Massachusetts Explained

Whether you’re a student at Harvard, living the ocean life on Cape Cod, or commuting to Boston on the weekdays for work. Maintaining a legally adequate policy in the Old Bay state is imperative, lest you risk filing for an SR-22 after being caught driving uninsured. 

An SR-22 is a form an insurer files with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to certify a high-risk driver has an active and adequate car insurance policy under state law. Typically, only drivers with licenses or registrations suspended will require this form.

While skipping out on a policy entirely may save you a few extra bucks, the risk is often far greater than the reward. Let’s check out what an SR-22 is, its implications, and how you can still get a car insurance policy in Massachusetts if you have one on file.

Those who fail to follow the legal requirements for Massachusetts automobile insurance may risk filing for an SR-22 form. SR-22 insurance, or more precisely, an SR-22 form, isn’t a type of insurance policy or coverage but rather a document filed by an insurer on behalf of a high-risk driver. Typically, a driver caught driving without adequate insurance, intoxicated, or recklessly will require an SR-22 to be filed on their behalf.

An SR-22 form essentially proves to the state that a driver who’s previously made mistakes is on the way to correcting their pattern of risky behavior behind the wheel. This form verifies with the state that a driver has adequate coverage under the eyes of the law and takes financial responsibility for any damages or injuries they may owe in an accident. 

The minimum requirements for an auto insurance policy in Massachusetts are $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, $5,000 in property damage liability per accident (20/40/5 liability coverage), $20,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (20/40 UMBI), and $8,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) per person per accident. Those who finance or lease their vehicles may legally require collision or comprehensive coverages as part of their contract.

Failure to comply with the auto insurance laws in the state can result in penalties ranging from fines, fees, license or registration suspension, jail time, and of course, filing for an SR-22. 

An SR-22 is a facet of high-risk auto insurance in Massachusetts. However, an SR-22 isn’t a policy or a type of coverage itself but rather a form an insurer files on behalf of a high-risk driver who’s recently had their license or registration reinstated. Typically, a driver may not reinstate their license or registration until an SR-22 has been filed for them; as such a driver must maintain legally adequate coverage.

Typically, a driver who requires an SR-22 form will have a tough time finding a policy from a standard insurer. Many of the top insurers in the state will raise premiums for high-risk drivers, as premiums are usually determined based on the risk a driver poses of filing a claim. The average cost of a full coverage policy in Massachusetts for drivers with clean records is $1,330 annually. However, for a high-risk driver or a driver with a history of at-fault accidents, the annual premium can be double or triple the average rate. 

While an SR-22 is a form of short-term insurance in Massachusetts, drivers must have adequate coverage while the SR-22 is on file and when it’s removed. Typically, drivers must have the SR-22 on their record for three years, and within the three years, they must have legally sufficient coverage. While all drivers must have the minimum amount of coverage legally required in the state, drivers with an SR-22 on file will have to restart the clock, so to speak, on their SR-22 should they have a lapse in their policy. They may also face more severe legal repercussions than their first offense.

The cheapest Massachusetts SR-22 insurance will vary based on the driver, policy, and insurer but will typically be a minimum coverage policy from an insurer that offers low base rates and many opportunities for discounts. It’s important to note that an SR-22 itself doesn’t cost much, as it’s about $25 to file, but a policy for a driver with a record of at-fault accidents or driving uninsured often costs far more than the state average. 

Premiums are subjective to each driver, so while one driver may be eligible for the cheapest policy in the state, another may not. Insurers use unique facts about each policyholder to determine their premiums, like age, gender, ZIP code, driving record, and insurance history. These factors help insurers assess the level of risk they take when insuring a driver. If a driver is at high risk of filing a claim, insurers typically translate this risk into higher-than-average premiums. 

While the cheapest policy for a high-risk insurer may be a minimum coverage policy that only meets the state’s legal requirements but doesn’t exceed them, that may not be the safest policy. Typically, a full coverage policy is a much better choice for high-risk drivers and any drivers because policyholders can tailor the policy to meet their specific needs. Full coverage policies allow policyholders to have as much coverage as they need to guarantee their safety and the security of their savings while behind the wheel. 

While a full coverage policy can get pricey, especially for a high-risk driver, policyholders can utilize discounts to lower their premiums. Many of the state’s top insurers offer various stackable discounts, from criteria-based to enrollment-based. Some common criteria-based discounts insurers in the Old Bay State may offer are a student discount for young drivers who earn good grades in school, a multi-car discount for those who insure multiple cars on the same policy, and a bundling discount for those who bundle several insurance products with the same insurer.

Some insurers may offer enrollment-based discounts, which require the policyholder to take an active role in their savings. Some insurers offer a good driver discount for those who participate in and pass a safe driving class. In contrast, others may offer a usage-based discount for policyholders who consent to use a telematics device to track and share their driving data with their insurer to receive a discount based on their safe choices behind the wheel. Some insurers even offer a pay-per-mile discount for those driving less than the national average of 12,000 miles annually. 

Car insurance for high-risk drivers and those with SR-22s can be tough to find and can get pretty expensive. The best way to find a policy that meets your needs while remaining within your budget is to get and compare quotes online. By getting and comparing quotes online, you can tailor your policy to meet all your coverage requirements and check out what kinds of discounts may be stacked onto your policy.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for quotes. Here at Clovered, we have a free quoting tool you can use to access your unique quotes in minutes. If you prefer to speak with a professional about your quote, you can contact us at 833-255-4117 or [email protected], and one of our licensed agents will be happy to help you.