In Maine, SR-22 insurance is required for at least three years after a driver commits a serious traffic violation—although the exact period can vary.

Drivers are often required to file SR-22s after their license is suspended. The SR-22 itself is a document submitted by an insurer, that guarantees that a driver has the minimum required insurance in order to stay on the road.

From

Jerry,

the

car insurance

comparison shopping app, here's everything you need to know about SR-22 forms and how to find

cheap car insurance in Maine:

What is an SR-22 in Maine?

In Maine, an SR-22 is a form submitted to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles to verify that you have the minimum coverage required to stay on the road after a serious moving violation.

Maine most often requires SR-22s after you’ve had your license suspended or revoked.

You’ll usually need to have SR-22 insurance for three years following a major incident, including but not limited to:

Driving while intoxicated

Driving with a suspended license

Driving without a valid driver’s license

Numerous repeat violations

If you're convicted of one of those, you’ll need your insurer to guarantee minimum liability coverage. In Maine, the requirements are:

$50,000 per person for

bodily injury liability

$100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

$25,000 for

property damage liability

These are

Maine's minimum requirements

, though, so ask your insurer if they can guarantee more coverage—despite your spotty driving record.

Key Takeaway You’ll need an SR-22 for 3 years after having your license revoked or suspended in Maine.

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Who needs an SR-22 in Maine?

Drivers who have committed serious moving violations

such as a DUI

, or racked up too many demerit points, need to get an SR-22 form in Maine.

Ultimately, it’s up to the DMV if you need to go through the SR-22 process. It’s handled on a case-by-case basis. If you are ordered to get one, you’ll usually need SR-22 insurance for three years.

MORE:

Open container laws in Maine

How do you get an SR-22 in Maine?

Getting SR-22 insurance in Maine isn’t hard—when you receive official notice from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that you’ll need an SR-22, reach out to your provider. In Maine, they’re required to complete the process for you—as long as they deem that you’re safe enough to stay on the road.

There are a few extra technicalities to keep in mind, though. License suspensions or revocations sometimes come as a result of criminal charges, so you should be prudent and clean up whatever legal issues you have to go through first. You might also have to pay a license reinstatement fee.

Some insurance providers simply don’t accept SR-22s, either. They might deem you too big of a risk, or just not make them available as company policy.

Key Takeaway Your insurance provider will file an SR-22 for you in Maine, but you might have to try Jerry to find a new provider if your original insurer won’t cover you.

How much does an SR-22 cost in Maine?

Filing an SR-22 in Maine usually costs between $15-25. The exact figure depends on the state and the provider.

However, there are other costs to keep in mind. Some states ask for pricey driver’s license reinstatement fees—sometimes more than $100. Furthermore, there are fines and legal fees that might come along with a conviction for a criminal offense.

Your insurance premiums might change significantly, too. Average yearly costs for SR-22 holders tend to be higher than for those with relatively

clean driving records.

You’ll also lose any safe driver perks or discounts you may have racked up.

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How does an SR-22 impact your insurance in Maine?

The more blemishes there are on your license, the more likely your insurer will deem you

high-risk

, potentially leading to higher insurance costs.

A conviction for a moving violation is one of the worst things that can happen to your insurance rates. And the other reasons for needing an SR-22, such as racking up too many demerit points, don’t look too great either.

It’s good that your insurer might be able to get you back behind a wheel, but it’ll come at a significant premium increase. The exact figure will vary, but some states see a hike of up to 50% or more.

You may have to purchase a new insurance package altogether. Some companies simply don’t offer SR-22s, especially if you’re considered a major risk.

There is some good news, though! If you follow the rules and maintain a clean driving record for the duration of your SR-22 probation period, you will be allowed to drive relatively normally once it expires. This should bring your premiums back to standard pre-SR-22 levels.

MORE:

Seat belt laws in Maine

How to find cheap car insurance

SR-22s aren’t great for your driving record or bank account. But they’re not the end of the world, either. You can still find a good car insurance package at a price that suits you. To find the best deal, try

Jerry

Jerry is a

licensed broker

that compares competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute. Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you're not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. Basically, you get all of the savings and coverage, with none of the hassle.

"Wow—just tried
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