Milios Defense

Seattle DUI & Criminal Defense Attorneys

Open 24/7 – Call or Text
206-745-2371
Email Us

  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Attorneys
      • Tim Milios
    • Free Consultations
    • Legal Fees
    • Domestic Violence Defense
  • Process
    • Jurisdictions
    • Arrest & Processing
    • Arraignment
    • Pretrial Hearing
    • Motions & Evidentiary Hearings
    • Trial
    • Review Hearings
    • Potential Outcomes
      • Record Expungement
      • Quashing Warrants
    • Resources
      • BAC Calculator
      • Glossary
      • Industry Partners
      • Legal Resources
      • WA Court Info
      • WA DOL Info
    • DUI Self Help Guide
      • Alcohol Treatment Evaluations
    • FAQs
  • Penalties
    • DUI Sentencing Grid
      • First Offense DUI
      • Second Offense DUI
      • Third Offense DUI
    • Jail
    • Work Release
    • Fines
    • License Suspension
    • Vehicle Forfeiture
    • Alcohol/Drug Treatment
    • Probation
    • Ignition Interlock
    • Aggravating Sentencing Factors
    • Traveling to Canada
    • Moving to Another State
    • Employment Consequences
    • Immigration Consequences
  • Laws
    • WA State DUI Laws
    • Refusing Breathalyzers
    • Marijuana/Drug DUI
    • Minor DUI
    • Boating DUI
    • Physical Control Laws
    • Other Criminal Traffic Offenses
      • Seattle Reckless Driving Attorney
      • Seattle Reckless Endangerment Attorney
      • Negligent Driving: First Degree (Neg 1)
      • Driving on a Suspended License
      • Seattle Hit and Run Attorney
      • Seattle Vehicular Assault Attorney
      • Seattle Felony DUI Attorney
      • Vehicular Homicide
    • Ignition Interlock Laws
    • Deferred Prosecution
      • Can You Defer Prosecution for a DUI in Washington?
  • DOL
    • DOL Hearing Procedure
    • DOL Hearing Rules
    • License Suspension
    • CDL & DUI
    • SR-22 Insurance
    • Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
  • Blog
  • Contact

Facts About SR-22 Insurance in Washington

There are several potential outcomes during the course of the DUI process that could require a mandatory license suspension.  If a person either loses or does not request an administrative hearing, there would be a license suspension for 90 days or possibly a revocation for one (1) to two (2) years depending on the facts of the case.  If there is a conviction for DUI, there could be a suspension or revocation from 90 days up to four (4) years, again, depending upon the facts of the case and the individual’s DUI and DUI related history.  Even a reduction of the charge to Reckless Drivingwould entail a 30 day suspension.  Apart from the inconvenience of a suspension or the inconvenience and expense of obtaining an ignition interlock license (IIL) in order to continue driving during the period of suspension, each of these scenarios have one thing in common.

SR-22 insurance.

When an individual’s license is suspended for any one of the above listed reasons (as well as a few other less common reasons) prior to being reinstated, the person must show proof of insurance through what is called an SR-22 filing or SR-22 certificate.  This filing must be kept in place with the Washington Department of Licensing for up to three years from the date of eligibility to reinstate. The question most people who are in this situation ask is, “How do I go about satisfying the SR-22 requirement?”  A person in this situation has three choices.  Request their current insurer to file an SR-22 certificate on their behalf; seek insurance from an outside, independent insurance company, or do nothing (and don’t drive for three years).

Seeking a certificate from the current insurer

This approach has both pros and cons.  On the plus side is that if the current insurer does provide SR-22 coverage, it sometimes can be done for very little if any more than the current coverage costs.  This, of course, depends on the type of coverage already in place as well as the cost and scope of the current coverage.  The down side is that advance notification of the license suspension, and reasons for it, can lead to a premature rise in rates or possible termination of coverage.  There are also several providers of preferred coverage who don’t provide SR-22 filings and notification of that kind of insurance company would be for naught.

Acquiring insurance and an SR-22 filing from an independent agency

For people who don’t have current insurance or wish to avoid notifying their current insurer, the second choice is to contact an independent agency in order to find the least expensive coverage available.  Some individuals do this in order to try and preserve a preferred policy with the current insurer.  Others have a more complex policy with multiple vehicles and drivers and merely wish to separate themselves from that policy.  Regardless of the reason, these secondary insurers can provide broad form coverage that will provide liability coverage to the driver on any car he or she drives.  Costs of these policies vary.  If this option is chosen, a person should always go on line for several free estimates to find the least expensive coverage available.

Don’t drive for three years

If this final option is chosen, and the person decides not to renew for the three year SR-22 requirement period, the risk of deciding to drive without a license must be recognized.  If caught, driving on a suspended license constitutes a criminal offense, which, depending on the degree, could mandate jail time and/or resuspension of the license.

If your license has been suspended or you have questions regarding reinstatement or SR-22 requirement, contact the Washington DUI lawyers at Milios Defense.  We will review with you your options and help you in your efforts to reinstate your driving privileges.

DOL Info

  • Department of Licensing Info
    • DOL Hearing Procedure
    • DOL Hearing Rules
    • License Suspension
    • CDL & DUI
    • SR-22 Insurance
    • Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)

Our Firm

Attorneys
Jurisdictions
Initial Office Consultations
Fees
Contact Us

Resources

Legal Resources
Washington Courts
Department of Licensing
Client Resources

FAQs

The DUI Stop and Arrest
DOL Questions
DUI Penalties
DUI Court Questions

Seattle DUI Attorneys and Lawyers Serving Washington State | P: 206-745-2371 | 1325 Fourth Avenue #170, Seattle, WA 98101
Use of this legal website constitutes acceptance of the Milios Defense Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only regarding DUI legal issues, and is not a substitute for legal advice provided by an attorney or lawyer and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. © 2025 Milios Defense, LLP. We want to be your Seattle DUI Attorney. All rights reserved.