SR22, SR26 and no-insurance reinstatement fees

Explanation

An SR22 is a form your insurance provider files to show you have a policy that meets Indiana’s minimum standards. It can’t be canceled without prior notice to the BMV. If you have an SR22 requirement, you must keep an effective SR22 on file with the BMV.

A no-insurance suspension that became effective on or after 12/31/2021 is indefinite. It is put on hold (stayed) when the BMV receives an SR22, and it ends once you keep SR22 continuously for 180 days.

An SR26 is the notice your insurer sends when your SR22 insurance is canceled. If the BMV receives one while you have an SR22 requirement, it must suspend your driving privileges until it gets an effective SR22 or the requirement period ends. An SR26 during the 180-day stay puts an indefinite suspension back into effect.

Once a no-insurance suspension has expired, you also pay a reinstatement fee on top of any SR22 requirement. For suspensions after Jan. 1, 2015 the fee is $250 for a first, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or later no-insurance suspension. You can reinstate without the fee if your insurer electronically submits an SR22 and you keep SR22 continuously for 180 days.

Example

A driver’s insurance lapses and the suspension takes effect in 2026, so it is indefinite. Their insurer files an SR22, which stays the suspension. They keep the SR22 policy for 180 days in a row, which ends the suspension, and because they kept SR22 for those 180 days they don’t pay the no-insurance reinstatement fee.

Common mistake

Letting the SR22 policy lapse partway through. The insurer then sends an SR26, and the suspension becomes active again.

What the manual says

The SR22 form demonstrates that you have a motor vehicle insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum standards, and it cannot be canceled without prior notice given to the BMV.

If the BMV receives an SR26 during the 180-day stay for an indefinite no-insurance suspension, Indiana law requires the BMV to remove the stay and place the suspension back into an active status.

Reinstatement fees are $250 for a first no-insurance suspension, $500 for a second no-insurance suspension, and $1,000 for a third and subsequent no-insurance suspension(s) that occurred after Jan. 1, 2015.