According to California Vehicle Code Sections16000-16078, which is also known as the Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law, drivers and owners of vehicles are financially responsible for any property damage or personal injury caused by a traffic accident, regardless of who is at fault.. Anyone in California arrested for Driving under the influence, DUI, even if he/she is not convicted, becomes a "problem driver" considered as high risk. Though this insurance requirement of the problem drivers is similar to the normal liability insurance, they must file proof their coverage to show future financial responsibility.
The driver is required to file a California Insurance Proof Certificate, in form SR-22, from the insurance company with the Department of Motor Vehicles as proof of his having minimum liability coverage ensuring future financial responsibility.
SR22 is a document that guarantees that the person has obtained the minimum liability insurance coverage. SR22 is a certificate issued by the insurance company and is kept on file by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In the state of California, a driver is required to carry minimum liability insurance and the levels of coverage are defined:
$15,000 - covers injury/death for one person.
$30,000 - covers injury/death for more than one person.
$5,000 pays for damage caused to property.
You must show proof of financial responsibility to the officer when you are stopped due to a traffic violation. You must also provide other motorists this proof when involved in an accident.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles will not accept any other form such as your insurance ID card or a copy of your policy for purposes of identifying an insurance policy. All states in the US have similar laws and regulations, SR-22 forms are state specific. A SR22 form filed with any other state will not be acceptable in California.