Latest news with #SR-22
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Creston Police: Motorcycle leads police on pursuit at over 110 mph
Apr. 15—Charles R. Balius, 54, of Creston, was taken into custody 1:41 p.m. April 12, in the 600 block of West Taylor Street on the charge of driving while barred. According to a Creston Police report, Balius, who is known to have a barred license, was observed driving a 2006 Buick LaCrosse with a broken taillight at Highway 34 and Abell Street. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, confirmed to be Balius. After running his information, his license status was verified to be barred. Balius is also required to have SR-22 insurance and an interlock device installed on any vehicle he operates, which he did not have. Balius was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $2,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Travis J. Klos, 40, of Afton, was taken into custody 12:35 a.m. April 13, at Beechwood Avenue and 260th Street on the charges of eluding — speed of 25 mph over limit, persons ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, first offense and driving while barred. According to a Creston Police report, police attempted to stop a 2004 Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider on Taylor Street. The driver, later identified as Klos, did not stop and attempted to elude officers, resulting in a pursuit that lasted for more than 10 miles. Klos reached speeds of 110 mph before wrecking the Harley on 260th Street. Klos was determined to have a barred driver's license and was in possession of a THC vape pen and a loaded .38 Special handgun. It is illegal to possess a dangerous weapon while also possessing drugs. Klos was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after positing $9,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Eulicer Morales Escalona, 41, of Orient, was taken into custody 3:21 a.m. April 13, at Montgomery Street and Sumner Avenue on the charge of OWI, first offense. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 2:52 a.m. a 2007 Honda Fit was observed westbound on Adams Street with no headlights. The Honda turned north onto Sumner Avenue and a traffic stop was conducted. Instead of pulling over, the Honda stopped in the middle of the street. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Morales Escalona, who told officers the Honda was a friend's and he did not know how to turn on the lights. An open beer can was observed in the cupholder of the vehicle. Morales Escalona admitted to drinking three alcoholic beverages and had bloodshot, watery eyes and a strong odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage on his breath. He consented to field sobriety testing and showed numerous clues of impairment. He refused consent for a PBT. Morales Escalona was transported to the Union County Law Enforcement Center where he consented to provide a breath specimen for chemical testing. The result indicated his BAC to be .147%. He was released from the Union County Jail after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Juliann M. Edsall, 45, of Creston, was taken into custody 3:32 p.m. April 13, in the 600 block of North Oak Street on a Union County warrant charging her with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 1:02 a.m. March 20, a 2013 Ford Edge was stopped at Montgomery and Howard streets. Edsall is known to drive the Edge and had an outstanding arrest warrant. After being advised of her rights, Edsall admitted to there being methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the Ford. A probable-cause search was conducted. Located in the vehicle were methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Edsall has prior convictions for drug possession. Edsall was transported to the Adams County Jail and held on $10,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Loren L. Edsall, 77, of Creston, was taken into custody 3:45 p.m. April 13, at his residence on a Union County warrant for the charges of theft, first degree and financial exploitation of an older individual (70-80 years old) — $15,000 or over. According to a Creston Police report, on Feb. 7 a Decorah woman reported that her stepfather had been the victim of a scam involving Edsall. During an investigation it was discovered Edsall had mailed the victim a letter informing the victim he had won a Mega Millions Sweepstakes prize. The victim subsequently mailed Edsall personal checks for $5,500, $6,500, $7,500 $30,000 and $35,000 while being made to believe he would receive the winnings. On Feb. 10 Edsall admitted to officers he had deposited two checks from the victim totaling $13,000. Stop payments were issued on the other checks prior to Edsall was able to access the funds to send off. Edsall was instructed to send the $13,000 back to the victim. On March 3, the victim's step-daughter advised police her stepfather had never received the money. Contact was made with Edsall March 5, at which time he told officers he had sent the money to the individuals running the scam instead of back to the victim. Edsall was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $25,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Jaxson A. Welcher, 24, of Mount Ayr, was taken into custody 8:34 p.m. April 13, on Maple Street on the charges of interference with official acts, disorderly conduct and OWI, first offense. According to a Creston Police report, there were multiple reports of a 2013 Dodge Caravan driving recklessly through Creston. The vehicle and driver, identified as Welcher, were located on Maple Street. Welcher admitted to driving the van and also to drinking. He was observed to have bloodshot, watery eyes, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person and impaired balance. Witnesses provided statements that Welcher had taken numerous alcoholic shots before getting into the van and driving. Welcher refused all field sobriety testing and was very combative toward officers, resisted arrest and was non-compliant the entire time. Welcher screamed repeatedly at officers and kicked the patrol car door. Welcher was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $1,600 cash or surety bond.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's how a DUI impacts your car insurance
Finding affordable car insurance is challenging with a DUI conviction because insurance companies consider drivers with a DUI risky to insure. Some companies won't offer coverage, and those that do will charge higher rates than for drivers with a clean record. Some states require the filing of a special form to show proof of coverage. Given the legal and emotional fallout after a DUI, it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. But getting insured is doable, and it's a critical step for getting back on the road legally. The keys to finding coverage are understanding the legal requirements in your state, shopping around to find companies that insure higher-risk drivers, and comparing rates among multiple insurers to score the best deal. Here's what to expect and how to get insured following a DUI. Whether you stick with your current company or switch to another one, your car insurance rates will go up. Your current insurance company might drop you as a customer at policy renewal time because of the DUI, also known as DWI (driving while intoxicated), OVI (operating a vehicle impaired), or OWI (operating while intoxicated), depending on the state. In that case, you'll have to shop for a different insurer. Learn more: What is the difference between DUI and DWI? The amount of the increase will depend on a variety of factors, including where you live. Insurance quote comparison sites estimate that rates will go up anywhere from about 30% to more than 100%, depending on the insurer. Progressive says it raises rates by an average of about 13% in most states after one DUI. But that average excludes 14 states. If you have other infractions besides a DUI, such as an at-fault accident or speeding ticket, these will also result in higher car insurance costs. Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident? In most states, a DUI will stay on your driving record for three to five years, according to Progressive. In Nevada and California, a DUI will remain for 10 years. Your rates will likely come down after a few years if you maintain a clean driving record, but additional DUIs or other driving violations will keep your rates high longer. Most states require that your insurer file an SR-22 form with the state to prove you consistently meet minimum coverage requirements after a DUI. In Virginia and Florida, instead of an SR-22, you'll need to file a similar form called an FR-44 if you have a DUI conviction. Some states, like New York, don't require you to file an SR-22 or FR-44, though you can still expect higher insurance rates for serious driving violations. Typically, an FR-44 or SR-22 filing will need to be in place for at least three years following a DUI conviction, though requirements vary by state. Once you've met your state's requirements, you can request that your insurance company remove the form from your record. While the cost of car insurance will be higher with a DUI, and a DUI will stick to your driving record for at least a few years, there are some things you can do to keep rates as low as possible both now and down the road. Here are nine tips for finding the cheapest car insurance following a DUI. Learn whether your state requires the filing an SR-22 or FR-44 form, which shows that you're maintaining at least the minimum required insurance. Read more: Minimum car insurance requirements in all 50 states If you need an SR-22 or FR-44 form, ask insurers from the start if they accept drivers who require the form. Don't don't try to hide the DUI from the insurance company or an insurance agent. The insurer will find out about the violation if you have to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form. Insurers can also find out when checking your motor vehicle record to determine your insurance rate. If the company learns later that you lied about the DUI on the insurance application, it could cancel your policy. Online insurance calculators and rate comparison tools let you view quotes from multiple insurance companies in one place. These tools can help save you time as you shop for a new policy. You can also go directly to insurers for quotes. Many major companies, including Progressive, State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, USAA, The General, and Erie, all offer policies to higher-risk drivers. You can start an application online or speak with insurance agents to obtain quotes and compare rates. Learn more: How to shop for car insurance An independent agent sells coverage from multiple companies. The agent will know which insurers cover high-risk drivers, will get quotes on your behalf, and will recommend the best deal. Many insurers offer discounts, which may be accessible despite your DUI. For instance, bundling multiple policies like your homeowners and auto insurance with the same provider could help you save on your premiums. Other common ones include safe vehicle, good grades, low-mileage, and good driver discounts. Read more: Car insurance discounts: 17 ways to save Maintaining a squeaky-clean driving record is the best way to reduce your rates over time. Many insurance companies offer safe driving discounts if you complete a defensive driving course. Your credit history is sometimes used as a factor in setting individual insurance rates. The lowest rates are often reserved for individuals with excellent credit or good credit because they're deemed as less risky to insure. Note that some states prohibit the use of credit as a rating factor. If your DUI is a few years in the past, it's possible a new insurer may offer you better rates. Shopping around every year is worth it to see if you can get cheaper car insurance. Learn more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 'DUI car insurance' is a shorthand term used to advertise coverage for drivers with DUIs. There is no such thing as a DUI car insurance policy. SR-22 is a special form that many states require insurance companies to file if you have a DUI. SR-22 insurance is not a policy; it simply refers to insurance offered by companies that will file the form for drivers who need it. Car insurance rates will increase anywhere from almost 30% to more than 100% on average, according to a sampling of several insurance quote comparison sites. The amount of the rate hike will depend on where you live and the insurance company. Yes, car insurance covers accidents even if a DUI is involved. The coverage is according to the policy's terms and limits. This article was edited by Tim Manni. Barbara Marquand contributed to this article.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What is an SR-22 for car insurance?
An SR-22, also known as a certificate of financial responsibility, proves you meet your state's minimum car insurance requirements. You may need to file an SR-22 with your state if you're convicted of certain motor vehicle offenses. This article will offer an explanation of what SR-22 forms are, when you need one, how they impact your insurance rates, and more. Learn more: What to do after a car accident: Your step-by-step guide This embedded content is not available in your region. An SR-22 is a form filed by auto insurance carriers with the state. The form confirms you have car insurance and the coverage meets your state's minimum car insurance requirements. Insurers do not file SR-22 forms automatically, nor does everyone need one. Your state will notify you of an SR-22 requirement — usually after an accident or moving violation. You must contact your insurer and request the filing. Or, if you don't have insurance, you must buy coverage from a provider that's willing to send in the SR-22 on your behalf. States set the rules for when SR-22 is required. Therefore, these rules can vary based on where you live or where you were involved in a moving violation or accident. Typically, the SR-22 requirement follows a serious incident or multiple driving infractions. Examples include: Driving with a suspended license or revoked license Driving without insurance Driving under the influence (DUI) or while intoxicated (DWI) Several at-fault accidents Several speeding tickets in a short timeframe Multiple reckless driving offenses Failure to pay court-ordered child support If you go to court for any of these situations, the judge will inform you when an SR-22 is required. Alternatively, your state's motor vehicles department may also provide that information. Often, you'll often need an SR-22 certificate on file to reinstate your driver's license. You may also need an SR-22 if you are awarded a hardship license. A hardship license restricts your driving to certain locations, such as work or school. The restriction usually follows a license suspension, but some states provide hardship licenses to unlicensed minors who must drive for school, work, or caregiving. Florida and Virginia require an FR-44 filing after serious infractions, such as DUI or DWI convictions. Like the SR-22, the FR-44 serves as proof you have auto insurance. Unlike the SR-22, the FR-44 certifies you have higher insurance limits than the state minimum. Learn more: What is the difference between DUI and DWI? For example, the minimum car insurance limits in Florida are $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 per person in property damage liability. If you are subject to an FR-44 requirement in Florida, you will need liability limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $50,000 for property damage. Learn more: Florida car insurance: Why experts recommend more than just minimum coverage A mandated SR-22 filing can impact your car insurance in a few ways, almost always making it more expensive. Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident? If your current insurer allows you to maintain your coverage, your premiums will probably go up because you'll likely be classified as a high-risk driver. The amount of the increase will vary depending on where you live, what you did to prompt the SR-22 requirement, and your previous driving record. A state-by-state analysis from SR22 Insurance Quotes concludes that insurance premiums can rise between 31% and 375%. There's also a possibility your insurance company will cancel your coverage. In that case, you'd need to find a new insurer, and your choice of providers may be limited. Chances are your new insurance company will also charge higher rates due to your past offenses behind the wheel. It can be difficult to avoid high insurance rates with an SR-22, though you can take positive steps to reduce your rates in the future. Avoiding additional offenses and policy lapses as much as possible will help. Ensure your coverage meets the minimum liability insurance requirement in your state, and have proof of insurance on hand at all times. Learn more: Car insurance discounts: 17 ways to save SR-22s are typically required for three years, though timeframes can range between one and five years, depending on your state. If you have questions about how long an SR-22 is required, contact your state's motor vehicles department for more information. Your history of traffic offenses can also impact the duration of your SR-22. For instance, in Ohio, drivers are required to maintain an SR-22 for three years if it's their first offense and five years for a second offense. During the timeframe in which your SR-22 is required, you'll need to maintain adequate car insurance coverage. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurance company will notify your state and you'll likely get hit with a license suspension, which could impact the duration of your SR-22. Once you've met your state's requirements for maintaining an SR-22, you'll need to contact your insurance company to have the designation removed. This step is essential because the SR-22 doesn't automatically drop off after a set period. While it may be referred to as SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 isn't an actual auto insurance policy; it's simply a certificate your insurer must file if you commit certain driving offenses. Drivers who need an SR-22 on file will likely see their insurance rates rise, but it's the past infractions and not the form itself that increases insurance costs Here's how to obtain and maintain your SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility: Learn about your state's SR-22 requirements, including timeframes and insurance minimums. If your insurance company offers SR-22s, call them to file one. If they don't, you need to find another insurance provider. Contact your state's motor vehicles department for a list of possible insurers. Submit any necessary documentation, including personal and insurance information and information about your driving offenses. Pay an SR-22 filing fee. These fees vary by state but are generally around $25. Comply with your state requirements, including maintaining continuous car insurance coverage for the duration of your SR-22 filing. Most states require a minimum amount of liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage, to maintain driving privileges. Learn more: How to switch car insurance companies You may have to file an SR-22 in a different state if you committed a driving offense while away from home. The SR-22 must be filed by an insurer licensed in the state that's requiring the form. Start by contacting your current insurance carrier. If your company is licensed in the state where the accident occurred, it can handle your request. If not, the carrier may be able to refer you to a provider who can file for you. Likewise, if you move to a new state, you may be required to maintain the SR-22 in your former state of residence for a set period. SR-22 is not insurance, though it is described that way. An SR-22 is a form states require after serious driving infractions. The filing certifies that the driver has car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements. When someone uses the term 'SR-22 insurance,' it refers to a car insurance policy in place while an SR-22 filing is in effect. Insurers charge a filing fee to submit an SR-22 on your behalf. The fee varies by state, but they are usually small – $25 is common. The larger cost will be an increase in insurance premiums related to the driving infraction or accident that prompted the SR-22 requirement. These increases also vary by state and can be influenced by your prior driving record. Expect your premiums to rise by 30% or more. Once your SR-22 filing requirement expires, you can contact your insurer to cancel the filing. An FR-44 is a form required by Florida and Virginia following serious accidents and driving violations. The form confirms you have auto insurance with higher liability limits than state minimums. An SR-22 is valid until the filing is canceled. If you stop paying your insurance premium and your auto insurance lapses, you could lose your license. After an SR-22 is filed, the insurer is legally required to let the state know if you no longer have coverage. You'll have to keep the insurance and the filing in place for a number of years, typically three, but this varies by state. A non-owner SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility for drivers with non-owner insurance coverage. This is auto liability insurance for drivers who don't own a car. This article was edited by Tim Manni
