Question: What is an SR-13 form? I live in the state of Alabama. I was in an accident, and the police told me to file an SR-13 on my automobile insurance. Why is that, and what will happen?
Answer: Alabama requires those in an accident that caused death, personal injury or more than $250 of property damage to fill out an SR-13 Safety Responsibility Accident Report. It contains information on the accident and your insurance coverages which Alabama law mandates that you turn in so they can have it on file if there are issues arising from the incident.
See the Alabama car insurance page for questions about car insurance in the state.
Completion of the SR-13 form is required by section 32-7-1 of the Code of Alabama. Completion of this form is required if a motor vehicle accident in Alabama caused death, personal injury or property damage to any owner in excess of $250.
The driver is legally required to file a report on this form with the Alabama Department of Public Safety within 30 days after the accident, regardless of who is at fault and whether or not the vehicle involved was covered by liability insurance at the time of the accident.
If a driver is physically incapable of making the report, the motor vehicle’s owner must make the report within 30 days of learning about the accident.
What information is on Alabama’s SR-13 form?
The Alabama DPS SR-13 fact sheet lists more information that may help you understand why this form must be filed and how to file it. Some of the information the DPS notes is that the completed form should be mailed to the address located at the top of the front page of the form.
The driver and/or owner are responsible for filing and mailing the SR-13 to DPS. Sometimes your insurance company will assist you in filling out the form, but the driver and/or owner must ensure that the SR-13 is filed and received by DPS.
It can be confusing to fill out the form because the front side has two sides. One side says “your information,” and the other says “other party’s information.” The DPS states that you must fill out both sides of the form with as much information as possible. Any information not provided during the accident will probably be available on the Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report (also known as a Crash Report).
If you were in a single-car accident, you do not need to fill out an SR-13 unless there is damage to another person’s property. Property can include mailboxes, fences, telephone poles, etc. Damage to this property must be greater than $250.
How does an SR-13 work for an accident on private property?
You do not need to send the Crash Report you receive from the police with your SR-13 form. You also do not need to send in damage estimates or any other attachments with the SR-13 unless the accident occurred on private property.
Alabama state law does not require that you file an SR-13 if the accident was on private property. However, if an uninsured driver hits you, it would be best to file an SR-13 with the Vehicle and/or Other Property Damage section filled out. In this situation, it will be necessary to send in with the SR-13 a copy of the Private Property Incident Reports so the DPS can establish the at-fault party in the accident.
It is unnecessary to file an SR-13 if you hit a deer and there was over $250 worth of damage to your vehicle. If you hit a domestic animal such as a cow or horse, there are instances where claims have been submitted against the driver for lost property. In these cases, it would be advisable to submit an SR-13.
A driver’s license will be suspended for failure to file an SR-13 in certain situations. Usually, the person at fault in the accident is the only one to get suspended.
When it comes to SR-13, it’s in your best interest to file the SR-13 because an at-fault driver may turn out to be uninsured. DPS can suspend the at-fault party’s license until compensation is received by you or your insurance company from the uninsured. Still, it can only take this action if an SR-13 has been appropriately filled out and filed with the department.
Final details: SR-13 form
It usually takes between 30-45 days to process the SR-13. If the Alabama DPS does not receive the SR-13 and requires your insurance information, they will mail you a notice requesting it. You have 30 days to return this information before your license will be suspended.
Mail the completed SR-13 form to:
Driver License Division
Safety Responsibility Unit
P. 0. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102-1471
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