Yeah, SR-22 paperwork can be a real headache—been there myself. Overlapping coverage does feel like tossing cash out the window, but honestly, it's a small price compared to the hassle of sorting out a lapse notice. Learned that lesson the hard way when I switched insurers on my Audi... DMV doesn't mess around, weekend or not. Better safe than sorry with this stuff.
Totally agree—DMV doesn't care about excuses. Here's how I handled it: 1) Confirmed exact start/end dates of coverage with both insurers, 2) Got written proof from both sides, and 3) Sent everything to DMV immediately. Painful? Yep. But zero lapse notices since.
You're spot on about the DMV—they've heard every excuse under the sun, and honestly, they just don't budge. When I had to deal with my SR-22 a couple years back, I took a similar route to yours, but I was probably even more paranoid about it. I mean, the thought of driving uninsured—even accidentally—gives me anxiety.
One thing I'd add to your list is keeping digital copies of everything. Seriously, scan or take clear photos of every single document you send or receive. I learned this the hard way when the DMV misplaced some paperwork I'd submitted (shocker, right?). Thankfully, I'd saved digital copies and could resend them immediately without scrambling around or waiting days for insurers to resend stuff.
Also—and maybe this is just me being overly cautious—but after submitting everything, I called the DMV directly to confirm they'd received and processed my documents correctly. Yeah, it's annoying being on hold forever listening to elevator music, but that extra step gave me peace of mind. Especially since I've heard horror stories from friends who assumed everything was fine until they got hit with surprise lapse notices months later.
I know your method worked perfectly for you (and that's awesome), but personally, I'd still recommend double-checking periodically throughout the year. Insurance companies and DMVs aren't exactly known for flawless communication... mistakes happen more often than you'd think.
Anyway, glad you got through it without any issues—it's definitely doable if you're organized and proactive. Just gotta stay vigilant!
"Seriously, scan or take clear photos of every single document you send or receive."
Couldn't agree more on this. I once spent an entire afternoon digging through old emails because the DMV "lost" my proof of insurance... lesson learned. Digital backups are a lifesaver, trust me.
Yep, digital backups are great, but I'd also suggest keeping a physical folder handy. I once had my phone die right at the DMV counter—talk about bad timing. Now I keep both digital and paper copies... just in case.
