A Texas DWI insurance policy is just like any other Texas car insurance policy with the addition of specific coverage and procedural requirements as prescribed by state law.
These mandates must be satisfied and continued for convicted drivers to maintain a valid license.
The process is the same for any driver who needs a Texas SR22, regardless of the reason why it is required.
The cost is different for every driver due to a multitude of rating factors, and contrary to common belief; car insurance with DWI can be affordable.
Many companies are competing for this business with competitive rates while others discourage this type of policy.
Here in our insurance agency we have experienced a trend toward more companies attracting these drivers with competitive rates of their own.
Many fear the worst from their car insurance company after a DWI and how they may be forced to buy insurance from an inferior company at ridiculously high rates.
This is generally not the case at all, and that is the good news.
Although your current company may cancel or dramatically increase your premium, it is easy to find a new one.
In Florida and Virginia, DUI drivers are separated from other high risk drivers with the use of FR44 insurance, exclusively for them, instead of the SR22.
This separation has made it very apparent in our agency that DUI and DWI drivers are good, sought after business by insurance companies.
The very low loss ratios experienced with FR44 insurance is a direct reflection of how safely past convicted drivers operate their vehicles, and ensures that coverage will be available at an affordable price.
Car insurance after DWI in Texas must include an SR22 filing for the convicted driver.
Texas requires 30/60/25 liability limits for its SR22 which is the same financial responsibility required of non DWI drivers.
Since liability requirements are identical the increase in premium is due to points applied and its corresponding surcharge from the DWI citation.
A multitude of rating factors makes an individual quote necessary to find out how much is DWI car insurance for any particular driver.
Companies may charge a small fee ($25 - 50) for endorsing (adding) a policy with an SR22.
The other significant cost for Texans is a $100.
00 reinstatement fee and $1000.
00 annual administrative fee for 3 years.
This fee is a very costly financial consequence compared to other states and is a reflection of how severe and widespread DWI driving is in Texas.
In the future other measures will surely be adopted by Texas to reduce the number of DWI drivers as they lead the nation in both accidents and citations with these drivers.
I expect the recent and successful FR44 insurance programs employed by Florida and Virginia will be utilized by Texas next, and soon.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) monitors fulfillment through the SR22 form (pink color) which is submitted (filed) to them.
Insurance companies are required to notify the department of any cancellations or non-renewals of SR22 polices.
The compliance period is for a continuous 2 years.
A cancelled policy means starting the process all over again and incurring another reinstatement fee.
SR22 forms can be mailed to: Texas Department of Public Safety Safety Responsibility Division PO Box 15999 Austin, Texas 78761 SR22 forms can also be brought in person to one of these four locations: 12220 South Gessner Drive, Houston, Texas 108 Denson Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 350 West IH 30, Garland,Texas 75043 1633 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, Texas 74148