Filing An SR1 With California Auto Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I’m from Iowa and I’m licensed in that state. I was driving someone else’s car in California when I got into a car accident. The car is insured but I am not covered in that policy. In what state then should I file my SR-1? What type of insurance must I get where I will be covered even though I don’t own a car? Is there a type of insurance that will allow me to get my license once I purchase it?

Bill

Alhambra, CA

Since the form SR-1 is a CA accident report and the accident happened in California, you will need to file it not in Iowa but in California. If anyone was injured or killed or a property damage cost more than $750, according to CA DMV, you have to report the accident to them, regardless who is at-fault or even the accident happened in a private property, within 10 days. The form is available on the CA DMV website.

You mentioned that the car you were driving is insured but you were not covered. Normally, the owner’s car insurance extends the coverage to the person whom he/she gave permission to drive his/her car unless the policy excludes you or states other restrictions.

In case the car is not insured and you received a citation for driving an uninsured car, you may contact the court listed on the ticket to check whether you or the owner will be held accountable for the uninsured vehicle. If the police officer cited you for driving an uninsured car and being responsible
for not having the car insured, an SR-22 is likely required.

You can obtain an SR22 non-owner’s policy if you still don’t have a car you can drive. If you are required to get an SR-22, you need to add this to your non-owner’s policy. If you are planning to buy your own car, you have to change your policy that will cover your car.