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Filing the SR-22 Insurance Form

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SR-22 FORMS

  1. The Operator's Certificate covers the financial responsibility in the case the motorist does not own a vehicle.
  2. The Owner's Certificate covers the financial responsibility for vehicles owned by the motorist.
  3. The Operators-Owners Certificate covers financial responsibility for all the vehicles that are owned or non-owned by the motorist.

WHEN IS SR-22 REQUIRED?

The SR-22 financial responsibility Insurance form is required in the following cases:
  1. If you have any safety responsibility suspensions (Type Action 04, which involves uninsured motorists who did not pay for damages or injuries they caused).
  2. If you have any unsatisfied judgment suspensions (Type Action 06, a suspension resulting from a civil judgment entered against a driver involved in an accident that remains unsatisfied).
  3. In case of revocations of license (Type Action 01 and 02).
  4. In the case of mandatory insurance supervisions.
  5. For individuals who have received more than three convictions for mandatory insurance violations.

FILING FOR THE SR-22

  1. Contact a state-authorized insurance agency to request for a SR-22 filing.
  2. Pay the correct processing fee to the agency. The fee amount may vary between agencies. You can request an insurance quote from our Illinois auto insurance page and companies such as Esurance will allow you to request an SR-22 filing automatically.
  3. As per the State laws of Illinois, the minimum amount of coverage should be $20,000 for one person killed or injured, $40,000 for two or more persons killed or injured and $15,000 for property damage.
  4. Upon receiving the request from the agent the central office then sends the SR-22 directly to the Secretary of State in about 30 days.
  5. If accepted, you will receive the SR-22 from the agency along with a letter from the Secretary of State.
  6. The SR-22 has to be maintained for a minimum period of 36 months. If the motorist does not renew it at least 15 days before the expiration date the agency notifies the State. The State may then suspend the driving record of the motorist until the insurance is reinstated. So it is advisable to renew the SR-22 at least 45 days in advance.

FOR OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS

  1. If you are out of state you can request a waiver of your financial responsibility proof by filing an affidavit. The affidavit form must be completed and mailed to the following address: 
    Illinois Secretary of State
Driver Services Department
Financial Responsibility Section
2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62723
Phone: 217-782-3720
  2. In case you move to another state, the affidavit filed will only waive off your financial responsibility in Illinois, the requirements of your new state of residence will however be applicable to you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • An amount of $55,000 in cash or securities may be deposited with the State Treasurer in place of the SR-22. The motorist can also file a surety bond or a real estate bond approved by a court of record.
  • For related information, see Auto Insurance, DUI/ DWI Lawyers, DUI/DWI Information and Suspended License.