Is my license suspended while waiting for my new 22 Insurance Policy in Los Angeles?

February 14, 2023 Sophia Tucker

Driving in Los Angeles comes with its own set of rules and regulations, and when it comes to insurance, having the correct coverage is essential. But what happens if you’re waiting for your new SR 22 Insurance Policy? Can your license be suspended while you wait?

The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. In California, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of car insurance liability coverage. This includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. The SR 22 Insurance Policy provides additional proof that you have sufficient car insurance coverage in place. When you apply for this type of policy, the insurance company will need to send an electronic filing to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If your current policy lapses before or while you are waiting for your SR 22 Insurance Policy, it may be possible for your license to be suspended by the DMV, depending on how long the lapse lasts. It’s important to note that when you apply for SR 22 insurance, it does not take effect immediately; instead, it can take up to several days for the filing process to be completed and sent to the DMV. During this time period, if there is a lapse in coverage from your old policy, then your license could be subject to suspension if it exceeds a certain period of time. To avoid this situation altogether, many people opt to keep their existing policy active until their new SR 22 Insurance Policy takes effect.

It’s also important to mention that if you are cited for driving without valid proof of car insurance after applying for an SR 22 policy but before it is filed with the DMV, then your licence may still be suspended by the DMV despite having already applied for that specific type of insurance. In these cases, some drivers choose to get a temporary driver’s permit from an authorized agency in order to legally drive until their new SR 22 Insurance Policy begins its effect date listed on their official paperwork from the DMV.

Overall, whether or not your license is suspended while waiting for an SR22 Insurance Policy ultimately depends on how long the lapse between policies lasts and whether or not valid proof of car insurance was sent during this time period. If any uncertainty exists regarding these matters, then it is best advised that drivers contact both their current auto insurer and the DMV in order to find out definitive answers about their specific situations.

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