Interesting you mention that, because I had a similar run-in with Grundy. They were pretty laid-back about my '68 Mustang, but once the SR-22 came up, things got a bit complicated. Ended up going back to my regular insurer who knew exactly how to handle it without any fuss. Maybe it depends on the state or even the specific agent you talk to...did you find local agents generally easier to deal with on SR-22 stuff?
I've had mixed experiences, honestly. When I had to deal with my SR-22 a couple years back, going through one of the big national companies felt like pulling teeth—they were polite enough, but it was obvious the agent wasn't too familiar with Kansas-specific requirements. After a few frustrating phone calls, I ended up talking to a local agent my coworker recommended. Night and day difference...the local guy knew exactly what paperwork to file, who to call at the DMV, and even gave me a heads-up on a couple quirks specific to our county.
That said, I've heard from friends in other states that their local agents weren't always as helpful. Maybe it's less about local vs national and more about finding someone who's dealt with SR-22s regularly? Seems like experience matters more than anything else here. Did you find your regular insurer had handled a lot of these before, or was it just luck of the draw?
Honestly, I'd say it's mostly about finding someone who's regularly dealt with SR-22s. I went through something similar recently (still kinda fresh—ugh), and my usual insurer was pretty clueless. They meant well but clearly didn't handle these often enough to feel confident. After some hesitation, I ended up switching to a local agency known for handling high-risk policies, and it was such a relief. The agent knew exactly what to do, even pointed out a couple county-specific details my first insurer never mentioned.
So yeah, while local agents might have an advantage with state-specific quirks, it really boils down to experience with SR-22s. I'd always prefer someone who deals with this stuff day-in-day-out rather than rolling the dice on someone who might be guessing. Plus, when it comes to insurance paperwork and the DMV, I'm all for minimizing risk—life's stressful enough without adding extra uncertainty to the mix...
"I'd always prefer someone who deals with this stuff day-in-day-out rather than rolling the dice on someone who might be guessing."
Couldn't agree more with this. SR-22 filings can get tricky fast, especially in Kansas where certain counties have their own quirks. From my experience, here's a quick rundown of how to handle it smoothly:
First, confirm exactly what the DMV requires—sometimes people assume they need an SR-22 when they actually don't. Next, find an insurer or agent who explicitly mentions SR-22 experience; don't hesitate to ask directly how often they handle these filings. If they're vague or unsure, move on.
Once you've got someone knowledgeable, double-check that your filing is electronically submitted to the state. Kansas prefers electronic submissions, and paper filings can slow things down significantly. Finally, keep a copy of your SR-22 certificate handy—digital or physical—just in case there's a hiccup at the DMV.
It's definitely not fun dealing with this stuff, but having someone experienced in your corner makes a huge difference. Good luck getting it sorted...
Wish I'd seen this a couple years ago when I was dealing with my SR-22 mess. I made the mistake of just going with my regular insurance agent, who clearly wasn't familiar with the process. Ended up taking weeks longer than it should've because they submitted paperwork instead of doing it electronically. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess... Having someone who knows exactly what's up really does save you a ton of headaches.
