Generally, vehicles in Washington must have a minimum liability insurance policy. A Washington driver with a suspended license must provide proof of financial responsibility by filing an SR-22. The Washington State SR22 requirements when met serve as an assurance that a driver has the financial capacity to account for any damage you may create while driving.
When Do You Need Washington Financial Responsibility?
This requirement applies to people who have:
- been found guilty of, or forfeited bail for, particular offenses;
- neglected to fulfill the payment of judgments; or
- operated or possessed a vehicle involved in an accident.
Acceptable Proof for Washington State SR22 Requirements
Washington State provides 3 distinct alternatives to meet the SR22 requirements:
| Acceptable Proof | Explanation |
| SR22 Insurance: | Secure SR22 insurance provided by an insurer authorized in Washington State. To validate if the insurance commissioner has approved your insurer, use the lookup tool for agents, agencies, or companies on fortress.wa.gov. |
| Certificate of Deposit | Obtain a Certificate of Deposit for a minimum value of $60,000, dispensed by the Department of Licensing (DOL). For more information, refer to the Certificate of Deposit guidelines. |
| Liability Bond | Acquire a liability bond of at least $60,000 from any surety or bonding company that is licensed to operate in Washington. |
How Long Do You Have to Have SR-22 Insurance in Washington State?
The duration of SR-22 insurance requirement in Washington is 3 years from the date you are eligible to have your license reinstated.
How do I remove a SR-22 from Washington state?
After 3 years, you can have your SR-22 removed in Washington. You need to notify your insurance provider, who will then withdraw the SR-22 filing with the state. Occasionally, the Department of Licensing (DOL) might send you a notification to inform you when your SR-22 obligation has been fulfilled.
If you’re uncertain about whether you’ve completed your SR-22 requirement, you can confirm the date to eliminate the high-risk SR-22 classification from your driving record by reaching out to the Department of Licensing (DOL). Do not that drivers who terminate their SR-22 coverage prematurely risk facing license suspension or fines.
Once you’ve successfully canceled your SR-22, it is likely that your insurance premiums will decrease since you’re no longer viewed as a high-risk driver. Therefore, it would be beneficial to obtain quotes from various insurance providers to ensure you’re receiving the best available deal. Furthermore, if you’re not a vehicle owner but were previously obligated to file a non-owner SR-22, you can opt to completely cancel your insurance.
