How can I reinstate my suspended license in California after a DUI charge?

Alice

Good question.

A simple way to reinstate your suspended license is to purchase liability coverage utilizing the state of California’s minimum requirement in filing SR-22 car insurance form in California Department of Motor Vehicle. The policy is in two types:

An owner policy is an insurance the gives liability coverage for the driver’s personal car or vehicle. This can also be issued under collision and comprehensive coverage. Other additional coverage that may be added to premiums are uninsured motorist, underinsured, medical bills, towing or other rental car bills etc.

The non-owner policy on the other hand, is also called as operator policy. It is an insurance policy that gives mandatory liability coverage on any cars that the policy holder drives but does not own it. For instance, it can be a friend’s car or a company car used for work related. This policy can be issued exclusive of the existing insurance. Your current insurance company doesn’t have to be informed of the requirement for the SR-22 coverage if in case you have other vehicles in the household with an existing insurance. Your policy may be cancelled or your premiums might increase if your insurance company discovers multiple and extreme traffic violations.

Another form to show financial responsibility would be to buy a bond in the amount specified by the state of California. The amounts ranges usually from $30,000 and $50,000. An authorized car insurance company may issue the bonds.

DMV will determines the length of time you will need to carry the SR-22 depending on the gravity of the violation. Generally its between 3-5 years. But in some cases if you carry the insurance for 3 years without any traffic violations, the SR-22 may be then terminated. Fees for reinstatement and penalties will be assessed at the higher cost to the owner.

Goodluck!

-MariCAR

But on the first of October this year, that all might change. The no fault insurance law is sun-setting this year, and the legislature is showing no signs in being interested in renewing it. This is despite the fact that the sunset of this law will mean that checking car insurance for traffic stops and notification for dropped policies will no longer be required, making it particularly difficult for the DMV to locate people who do not have insurance and punish them.

The punishment component will still exist, with a possible $600 fine and two months in jail for anybody caught without insurance. However, the only ways to be caught without insurance are to either get into a car accident or get our car registered.

Many people think that this will lead to another rise in uninsured drivers. People, they say, can just get insured one day, go get registered, and then cancel their car insurance policy to get a refund the next. As for car accidents, the heavy penalties for lack of insurance are likely to create a higher incidence of hit and runs from uninsured motorist scared of the consequences.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

• Make sure you maintain a clean driving record. By driving safely and responsibly, you can keep traffic violations and accidents to a minimum, thus helping you maintain cheap car insurance.
• If you are still in school and under 25 years of age, you may be qualified for a Good Student Discount on your car insurance premiums. Ask your local insurance agent if they support such programs.
• If you are 55 years of age, make sure you speak to your insurance agent about special driver refresher course to avoid high premiums.
• You may also drop your comprehensive and collision coverage if your car is old and in bad shape. Your insurance company may not pay for any repairs to your vehicle in any event.

The Internet provides the best solution for getting several insurance quotes in a short time. You can compare prices offered by these insurance companies. Shop around to know who is offering the best rates in Maryland that suits your needs. By taking extra time, you will be saving a lot!

Goodluck!

-MariCAR