Chapter 8-7 SR-22 Financial Responsibility SR-22 Project One of the most common complaints we receive is that consumers in Massachusetts are unable to secure SR-22 (financial responsibility) filings, primarily because of the number of insurance companies that operate only in Massachusetts. Consumers have also complained that their company “doesn’t do” SR-22 filings. The purpose of MAIA’s SR-22 Project was to dispel some of the myths about SR-22s and provide valuable information to insurance agents, insurance companies and consumers alike. Until recently every auto insurance company was required to offer SR-22 (financial responsibility) filings. Now that insurance companies are able to file their own auto insurance rates and forms, most have opted to provide SR-22 filings only to existing policyholders, if the company writes them at all. As a result, the best option for those needing an SR-22 filing is to be placed in the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP). All insurance agents licensed in Massachusetts have access to MAIP. Even though MAIP rules require an insurer to make an SR-22 filing at the request of the policyholder, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the state in which the filing will be made will accept an SR-22 from the insurer that is not licensed to do business in the state requiring the SR-22. We have surveyed all of the state motor vehicle departments on this issue. Although only about a third of the state DMVs have responded, we have included the results of our survey at the end of this document. 04/10 8:66