What is SR-22?An SR-22 is a certificate of insurance filed by the home office of an insurance company directly to the Secretary of State. The SR-22 certificate is issued in one of the following forms:
- Operator's Certificate - This policy covers the motorist in the operation of any non-owned vehicle. If the motorist does not own a vehicle, the financial responsibility requirement can be met through the Operator's Certificate.
- Owner's Certificate - This policy covers vehicles owned by the driver. The type of vehicle must be listed on the SR-22 or may be issued for "All owned vehicles".
- Operators-Owners Certificate - This certificate covers all vehicles owned or non-owned by the driver.
Financial Responsibility Insurance (SR-22) is the mechanism in Illinois to monitor the insurance of problem drivers and authorize the Secretary of State to suspend upon cancellation (SR-26) or expiration. Through the SR-22 and SR-26 process, mandatory insurance is enforced in the most efficient way. Through the S&FR law, Illinois citizens are protected from uninsured motorists.
Back to TopWhat factors affect auto insurance rates?In addition to your driving history, the following factors apply:
1. Type of vehicle (model, year, and value): Statistics show that the accident rates are different for different cars. Some kinds of cars are also more expensive to repair.
2. How you use the vehicle (i.e., pleasure, work): Using your vehicle for work will probably increase your premium.
3. Age, sex and marital status: Older drivers, female drivers and married drivers statistically tend to have better driving records. Therefore, they tend to have lower premiums.
4. Where you live: Some territories have higher accident rates than others. In particular, areas with high population density tend to have more accidents.
5. Prior insurance coverage: Being a new driver, or a driver with no previous history of insurance coverage, will probably mean higher rates.
Back to TopWhat are the basic types of auto insurance?The basic types of auto insurance coverages are:
1. Bodily injury liability, which provides coverage for bodily injury claims from the people you might injure in an accident
2. Property damage liability, which covers any property damages to third parties -- such as another person's car you damage -- which you cause or are responsible for
3. Medical payments to the policy owner and other passengers in the policy owner's car
4. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you when the negligent driver has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
5. Physical damage covers damage to your car
a. Collision, which covers losses to your car when you are involved in a collision
b. Comprehensive, which covers most non-collision physical damage to your car (if your car is damaged in a storm, or a windshield breaks, for example).
You are in compliance with the mandatory insurance law if you have vehicle liability insurance in the following minimum amounts:
- $20,000 - injury or death of one person in an accident
- $40,000 - injury or death of more than one person in an accident
- $15,000 - damage to property of another person
Back to TopWhat is Renter's Insurance and why do I need it?Although renter's insurance is usually not required, it is just as necessary to have. Not only will renter's insurance protect your personal items, it will also give you help with temporary housing and liability protection such as medical expenses for people on your property or a lawyer if you are sued by someone unintentionally injured by you. Once you determine your need for renter's insurance, knowing your options will help you choose the best policy.
Back to TopHow much does Renter's Insurance cost?Renter's insurance probably costs less than you think. Based on territory and other underwriting factors, It should run you roughly $25-40 per month, and you may be able to benefit from certain discounts. Back to Top