A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) is proof or verification the holder is maintaining vehicle liability insurance in the required amounts. It is not a type of insurance—it is a form filed with the state’s department of public safety (DPS), department of transportation (DOT), or department of motor vehicles (DMV) and may also be referred to as an SR-22 Bond or SR-22 Form.

An SR-22 can be issued by most insurance providers, who will notify the state’s department of public safety or department of motor vehicles when an SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses.

The state will often require a driver whose license has been suspended following an arrest for DUI/DWI to provide an SR-22 in order to get their occupational or restricted license or to have their driver’s license reinstated.

In Michigan, an SR-22 is not used; instead, the state utilizes a form called an SR-22 bond, which is similar in purpose but not identical in form to the SR-22 certificates used in other states. The SR-22 bond in Michigan is a document that proves a driver has the minimum required amount of vehicle liability insurance. This form is typically required for drivers who have had their licenses suspended or revoked due to serious traffic violations, such as DUI/DWI offenses. The Michigan Department of State is the agency that handles these matters, and it requires the insurance company to certify that the driver has the appropriate coverage by filing the SR-22 bond. If the insurance policy is canceled, terminated, or lapses, the insurance company is obligated to notify the Department of State, which could result in the suspension of the driver's license until the insurance is reinstated or a new SR-22 bond is filed.