How to Get Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in Texas

If you need an SR-22 in Texas but don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance is the best solution.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Julian de Sevilla
background
Need to file for an SR-22 certificate in Texas but don’t actually own a car? Then you’ll need non-owner SR-22 car insurance, which not all insurance companies offer.
Like most states in the nation, Texas requires all drivers to purchase
car insurance
before legally getting behind the wheel. But if you’ve been deemed a “high-risk driver” due to a serious moving violation on your driving record, then you’ll need to file an SR-22 form with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to prove you have sufficient insurance coverage. 
But how can you get SR-22 insurance without a car? In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about getting non-owner SR-22 insurance in the Lone Star State. 
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What is SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance
really isn’t insurance at all but a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company will file with the Texas DMV. This vital document confirms that you have sufficient car insurance to meet your state’s minimum liability limits. If you’re trying to reinstate your driver’s license after a major traffic violation like reckless driving or a DUI charge, you’ll likely need to file an SR-22 certificate and pay a reinstatement fee. 

Texas auto insurance requirements

According to
Texas car insurance laws
, all drivers are legally required to purchase the following minimum liability insurance: 
Of course, you can (and should!) carry more than the minimum liability coverage required. But if you need to satisfy SR-22 requirements in Texas, you can do so by purchasing a liability-only policy from your insurance company. 

Who needs an SR-22?

If your driver’s license has been suspended due to a serious moving violation, you may be required to file an
SR-22 certificate in Texas
What type of serious moving violations? You may need an SR-22 certificate if you have one or more of the following charges on your Texas DMV driving record: 
  • At-fault accident that causes injury or death
  • Driving without a license 
  • DUI
    or DWI
  • Reckless driving
  • Refusing a breathalyzer test 
  • Repeated traffic violations

How to get non-owner SR-22 insurance in Texas

Even if you don’t own a car but require an SR-22 certificate, you can still purchase a non-owner car insurance policy in Texas.
Non-owner car insurance
is a type of liability insurance for drivers who don’t have a car. If you frequently borrow or rent vehicles, this is the best insurance policy for you. 
Many insurance providers offer non-owner SR-22 insurance in Texas, including
Nationwide
,
GEICO
,
State Farm
, and
USAA
. To purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy, you’ll need to: 
  • Contact local insurance agencies to confirm if they sell non-owner insurance to drivers that require an SR-22 certificate. 
  • Gather at least three to five car insurance quotes before you settle on a policy. In particular, comparing car insurance quotes is a great way to secure cheap insurance coverage no matter what your driving history looks like.
  • Keep an eye out for any qualifying insurance discounts. Various insurance companies will reduce your rates if you pay your bill in full or take a defensive driving course
In Texas, you’ll need to maintain your SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction. After this time period, if you still don’t own a vehicle but plan on borrowing or renting one as before, then you'll still need to hold onto your non-owner car insurance. 
“I saw an ad for
Jerry
on Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have a terrible driving record, but Nathan still helped me. Before, almost no one wanted to insure me. Now, I have a great policy and save $200/month. I’m one happy gal!” —Terri C. 
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Only Texas drivers with major moving violations on their driving record, like a DUI or reckless driving charge, are required to file SR-22 certificates.
In the State of Texas, you’ll need to maintain an SR-22 filing for two years from the date of your latest conviction. Failure to maintain your SR-22 during this period could result in additional enforcement actions or reinstatement fees.
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