If you've been involved in a series of traffic collisions, have been convicted of driving under the influence, or have any number of potential issues with your auto insurance, the process of staying protected and on the road can seem daunting. Luckily, there are some options available that will allow you to maintain your coverage and avoid being forced away from driving.

Below, you'll find a guide to understanding SR22 insurance. If you've been required to maintain such a policy as a result of traffic violations, it's important that you understand how an SR22 works as well as the things you need to do to maintain it. Having this information can be a necessary step of making sure you stay mobile.

Relatively Low Costs

Any change in insurance coverage brings a natural fear that your costs and premiums will go up. If you have a significant history of traffic incidents, it's understandable that you would be skeptical that an additional requirement won't be a significant financial burden.

In most states, however, the cost to file an SR22 is relatively low. It's also a one time cost that you won't have to worry about recurring. While there's a chance that your insurance premiums may increase slightly, the SR22 is designed to be a preventative measure that provides a degree of security and keeps those costs down.

Short Duration

If it seems difficult to understand being forced into maintaining a new insurance policy for the remainder of your driving life, you'll likely be pleased to discover that an SR22 tends to be a relatively short term solution. They're designed to provide certainty, not create a new hoop.

For most drivers, the probationary period in which you're required to maintain an SR22 will be less than five years. Each state has its own regulations and requirements, but generally speaking, a decent interval of safe driving will allow you to return your coverage to its previous state.

Protection For Others

It's important to understand that calling your SR22 policy an "insurance" policy may be misleading. An SR22 doesn't actually provide additional coverage to you as a driver. What it does, however, is provide a guarantee that your coverage is sufficient and up to date. In this way, it serves as an insurance policy for other drivers and for law enforcement that you're working to turn around a checkered driving history and do all you can to promote safety on the road.