SR-22 insurance and how it works

If you receive a driving violation like a DUI or driving without insurance, your state may require you to get an SR-22 to show you meet minimum car insurance requirements. But you don’t have time to wait around—you need to get where you’re going. We can help by issuing your SR-22 right away and letting the state know you’re covered—with no filing fee.

Who needs an SR-22?

Not all drivers need to file for SR-22s. Each state has its own specific requirements, but as a rule of thumb, high-risk drivers with one or more of the following violations on their recent driving record will likely need an SR-22:

Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
Driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license
Causing an accident while driving without insurance
Being charged for repeated traffic violations—like multiple speeding tickets over the course of a few months—or severe violations, such as reckless driving

If you meet this criterion and a court or the state determines you need to file for an SR-22, you’ll be notified and receive clear direction—either in-person during your hearing, or via a letter mailed to your home from your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV).

How do you get SR-22 auto insurance?

The process for getting an SR-22 varies by state. In general, simply indicate you need to file an SR-22 when you purchase your auto insurance policy—we can take it from there. You need to provide your driver’s license number or other identification number for us to file with your state.

How long does it take to get an SR-22?

We can issue you one immediately. In most states, we can also send your SR-22 to the state electronically the same day—and with no filing fee. Need to file one now? Get a quote for cheap SR-22 insurance with Dairyland®.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost?

At Dairyland, most often we file your SR-22 for free as part of your policy. Some companies and agencies might charge you additional fees or surcharges.

Can you buy an SR-22 policy online?

Dairyland offers policies with an SR-22 you can purchase online. We also offer many other coverage options you can add to your policy, depending on your situation and budget.

Which states require SR-22s?

Each state has its own SR-22 coverage requirements for drivers, and all are subject to change. Get in touch with your insurance provider to find out your state’s current requirements and make sure you have adequate coverage.

How long do you need an SR-22?

Most states require drivers to have an SR-22—to prove they have insurance—for about three years. This may vary by state or by circumstances, so be sure to read up on your state’s insurance requirements and ask your insurance carrier for specifics.

What’s the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?

In Florida and Virginia, based on your driving record, you may be required to obtain an FR-44 instead of an SR-22.

Like an SR-22, an FR-44 is a document proving that you carry car insurance. However, an FR-44 may require your liability coverage limits to be significantly higher than the state minimum.

While the duration might vary, an FR-44 is also usually required for three years. By law, you can’t cancel your FR-44 policy while it is required.

What happens if an SR-22 policy is canceled?

If your coverage lapses, your insurance company is required to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This could result in the loss of your driver’s license or other consequences, depending on your state of residence.

Making payments on time will help keep your policy from being canceled and prevent your insurance provider from sending an SR-26 to the state. An SR-26 cancels the SR-22 with the state. If you no longer need an SR-22, an SR-26 form is also filed to remove the SR-22.

The Dairyland mobile app can help you set up bill alert reminders and keep your payment information up to date, helping ensure your coverage doesn’t lapse.

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Symptoms of hearing loss

Hearing is relatively subjective—after all, our minds are pretty effective at helping us overcome and even ignore mild hearing loss. Most people who face hearing loss experience a gradual decline over years or decades. Here are some symptoms that typically indicate moderate to severe hearing loss:

You can hear what people are saying but struggle to understand them
You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
You struggle to follow a conversation if multiple people speak at the same time
You find listening difficult in noisy environments and large gatherings
You have trouble hearing higher-frequency sounds, such as children’s voices
You often turn TV or music louder than others are comfortable listening to
You experience a consistent ringing or buzzing in your ears in quiet places

HOW TO CHECK YOUR HEARING

Self-testing can give you a general idea of your hearing, but for a more accurate measurement, visit an audiologist. Precise testing requires a completely soundproof room and special sound-generating and measuring devices.

How sound is measured

Sound levels are indicated with a unit of measurement called a decibel (dB), with 0 dB representing the quietest sound a healthy human ear can hear. The most common measurement used in judging sound level for hearing protection is called A-weighting, expressed as dBA. Each increase of 3 dBA indicates a doubling of the sound level. This means even small increases in dBA levels can lead to more severe impacts on your hearing. For example:

70 dBA: Hearing loss likely after prolonged exposure
80–85 dBA: Hearing loss likely after 2+ hours
120 dBA: Immediate hearing loss is possible

Causes of motorcycle-related hearing loss

Each time you ride, several sources of sound combine to produce loud, consistent noise. Let’s review those sources.

YOUR MOTORCYCLE

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established motorcycle emission noise limits. Under the motorcycle exhaust systems standard (§205.166 Noise Emission), motorcycles with a model year of 1986 and newer are limited to 80 dBA, while older bikes may reach 83 dBA. As we noted above, prolonged exposure to sound in this range can contribute to hearing loss.

ROAD NOISE

Road noise varies based on the road surface and traffic volume. One of the major causes of traffic noise is the sound of tires on the pavement. While traveling on busy highways, you can expect sound levels to reach or exceed 85 to 90 dBA. The farther you are from roaring tires—especially large truck tires, which can produce sound levels of 85 dBA at a range of 50 feet—the lower your risk of encountering dangerous road noise.

WIND

Wind noise is caused by the turbulence created as objects pass through the air. Turbulence causes the air to vibrate, creating sound. Here are approximate wind noise decibel levels you can expect to encounter riding on a typical highway or freeway:

30 mph: 75–90 dBA
50 mph: 90+ dBA
65 mph: 100+ dBA

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Motorcycle hearing protection

While the factors that contribute to dangerous sound levels are frequently unavoidable while riding, there are steps you can take to manage and help reduce your risk of hearing damage.

Well-fitted, full-face helmets can help reduce your noise exposure as you ride, but even the best helmet can still leave you exposed to potentially damaging sound levels. Earplugs can supplement your helmet’s noise-reducing capabilities, but be aware that wearing earplugs while operating a motorcycle can be a safety risk, and in fact is illegal in many states. Check your state laws ahead of time.

You can also consider alternatives such as in-helmet earmuffs or noise-cancelling headphones you can wear under your helmet. Again, check your state laws before riding to determine whether using these types of equipment while operating a motorcycle is legal where you’ll be riding.

As motorcyclists, we sometimes overlook the risks of hearing damage. Since hearing loss tends to be so gradual—and only noticeable after the damage is done—it’s easy for us to take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach. But by being proactive today, you can protect yourself in the future. Give us a call today to discover additional ways you can help protect yourself and your bike with safety resources and custom coverages.

Till next time, ride safe!