(9/2) Emmitsburg and the wider state of Maryland are experiencing an uptick in DUI citations. According to the Chesapeake Today, the most recent statistics - for April - show that 505 drivers were arrested statewide for DUI violations. The result of this, in the short term, will impact car insurance premiums; drivers returning to the Department of Motor Vehicles following citation will find a much different situation to the one they left. Providing coverage in this situation is SR-22 insurance, but Maryland has a unique take on it that requires some reading to understand.
Understanding SR22 insurance provisions
In a roundup of SRR insurance factors, Forbes presents a handy guide. After being involved in an incident on the road, the state may demand that you file an SR22 in order to continue driving. This status denotes that you are considered a high-risk driver and shows that you have a minimum level of car insurance coverage. You will then approach an insurer for bespoke SR 22 insurance. This typically results in an increase in car insurance costs, but many auto insurance companies do seek to mitigate this. In addition to this, Maryland has its own processes to consider.
Changing your records
Obtaining SR22 insurance requires filing an SR22 form in most states. Not so in Maryland; as the state government highlights, the alternative FR-19 is the standard. This can seem to add confusion, but in application, it is the same process as an SR22 form. The FR-19 form will show the same status to the state that you have obtained the minimum level of insurance coverage. Many states have these little adjustments in place to maintain a greater level of control over local bureaucracy.
Waiting it out
There's a lot of variation in how long an SR-22 will remain on a drivers record. According to State Farm, Maryland requires that the SR22 form be held for three years before a request can be made to the DMV to cancel the form and revoke it. Don't be tempted to cancel your SR-22 early if you're in this situation; liaising directly with the state will ensure the insurance coverage that is maintained is appropriate.
Receiving a DUI can seem like a death knell when it comes to driving. Frameworks are in place that punish drivers, yet they also provide a clear road to recovery. As Maryland continues to see increased numbers of drivers cited with DUIs, the SR22 insurance scene will be an important area to keep a focus on.
