Have SR-22 insurance; suspend regular insurance?

[loopyguy]

Was arrested on May 1 for first-offense DUI (Iowa). Have obtained work driving permit and mandatory SR-22 insurance. Trial date pending, but conviction looks certain.

Obtained SR-22 insurance from a provider different from my existing (State Farm). It was cheaper and I didn't see the need to tell my existing insurer that I'd been arrested for DUI.

Post-conviction, I may have to carry SR-22 for up to two years. My instinct is to suspend (not cancel) the two auto policies I have with my existing insurer, as the SR-22 coverage is identical (liability only) to my existing coverage, so why pay for duplicative insurance? After my SR-22 obligation is over, I would re-activate my old policies with my usual insurer.

Is there any downside to this strategy? Will suspending coverage for two years trigger an automatic inquiry into my driving record when I go to re-activate the policies two years from now? I'm holding onto a small hope that my usual insurer will not find out about this conviction and raise my rates.

Thanks in advance.

[teflon_jones]

You need to read the conditions of your policy. Not reporting a DUI could invalidate the policy anyway.

[loopyguy]

That thought never even occurred to me. I'll check that out. Thanks!

[babymakesone]

Also, some companies will tell you how far back they will run an MVR (the company that I have goes back 34 months). So whether you tell the company or not, they can still find out about the DUI & rate accordingly.

[prayin_hope]

Originally Posted by loopyguy

Was arrested on May 1 for first-offense DUI (Iowa). Have obtained work driving permit and mandatory SR-22 insurance. Trial date pending, but conviction looks certain.

Obtained SR-22 insurance from a provider different from my existing (State Farm). It was cheaper and I didn't see the need to tell my existing insurer that I'd been arrested for DUI.

Post-conviction, I may have to carry SR-22 for up to two years. My instinct is to suspend (not cancel) the two auto policies I have with my existing insurer, as the SR-22 coverage is identical (liability only) to my existing coverage, so why pay for duplicative insurance? After my SR-22 obligation is over, I would re-activate my old policies with my usual insurer.

Is there any downside to this strategy? Will suspending coverage for two years trigger an automatic inquiry into my driving record when I go to re-activate the policies two years from now? I'm holding onto a small hope that my usual insurer will not find out about this conviction and raise my rates.

Thanks in advance.

Hi loopyguy,
Do you know a good place to get SR22 insurance. My DWI case is pending and my license will most likely be suspended by the first week of June. I need to get some information on the procedures to obtain SR22 insurance. Can anyone here please help?

Is it a good idea to move to a new insurance company to get competitive rates for SR22. What happens if my current insurance company raise my rates astronomically?

Thanks.