It’s in your best interest to avoid having to get an SR22 insurance certificate. It means the state views you as a high-risk driver. You’ll also end up paying more for car insurance and it could be years before you can drive without an SR-22 certificate again. While this certificate proves you carry car insurance and are being financially responsible, here are some tips to avoid it altogether.
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1. Never (ever) Drive Under the Influence.
DUI’s and DWI’s are among the most common reasons why individuals end up having to obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate. It’s important to plan your night (or day) ahead of time, to avoid the possibility that you’ll be tempted to drive after drinking.
- Call an Uber, Lyft or Taxi – consider getting one too and from the party
- Denote a designated driver ahead of time
- Ask to stay at the residence
- Drink soda and water instead
2. Maintain Consistent Car Insurance.
Just like everything else these days, car insurance can be costly. But that shouldn’t stop you from shopping around for the best rates. When possible, get your car insurance automatically taken out of your account so you don’t have to worry about it lapsing.
- You may be able to get reduced coverage on older vehicles
- Consider asking for a higher deductible
- When purchasing a car, compare the insurance costs of the vehicles you’re interested in
- Get auto insurance quotes online
3. Keep Traffic Citations to a Minimum.
Everyone makes mistakes now and again, and that includes mistakes made while driving. However, if you are racking up traffic citations, you may find yourself heading toward needing an SR-22. Examples of traffic citations include (but aren’t limited to):
- Illegally driving on the shoulder
- Seat belt violations
- Running a red light or not stopping at a stop sign
- Failing to drive within your lane
- Driving over a median
- Not yielding the right of way to a pedestrian crosswalk
4. Don’t Drive Distracted.
For a driver, distractions are everywhere. There are many things pulling the driver’s attention away from traffic, the road, and the act of driving safely. These can include:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Eating
- Engaging in a heated conversation with passengers
- Listening to music
- Daydreaming
- Crying
- Putting on makeup
5. Take a Driver’s Safety Course.
Even if it’s been a few years since you got your driver’s license, it never hurts to brush up on driving skills. People often fall into bad driving habits, and a safety course is a great way to recognize and actively work toward correcting them. Plus, some insurers offer discounts on auto policies for completed driving courses.
6. Use Public Transportation.
While this might not be an answer for you every day, when you can cut back on the time you’re behind the wheel, you’re also cutting back on the opportunity to make mistakes and receive citations. Plus, using public transportation reduces your carbon footprint and you’ll be saving money on fuel costs.
7. Carpool.
Do you drive your kids to school every day? Have you discovered that a coworker takes nearly the same route that you do to work? Talk with the people that you see every day and work out a carpool plan. By using public transportation, you’ll be saving on fuel costs, spending less time behind the wheel, and reducing energy consumption which ultimately helps the environment.
8. Drive Defensively.
When you deliberately drive defensively, you will be learning the art and skill of anticipating dangerous situations before they present themselves. The state may view you as a liability if you have had many car accidents. So, practicing being mindful on the road and of traffic conditions and looking out for tell-tale collision conditions will help you avoid wrecks and become a safer driver.
- Check all of your mirrors regularly so you know the traffic situation in front of, beside, and behind you
- Anticipate bad weather and go around it or avoid it altogether
- Always wear a seat belt
- Be patient when driving, don’t tailgate or weave between lanes
- Maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you
- Avoid speeding
- Maintain your vehicle – tires, brakes, lights, and even windshield wipers to prevent an accident
- Keep an eye on other drivers, especially those that are driving recklessly
- Slow down through areas with active road construction work
Driving safely is always a good idea, and doing so will help prevent accidents, fines, and penalties. When you are proactive in following the rules of the road and avoiding distraction, you put yourself in a good position to also avoid SR-22 insurance.
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