- What is SR-22 insurance?
- How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
- What is the cheapest company for SR-22 insurance?
- How much will an SR-22 increase my insurance?
- Why do I need an SR-22?
- How do I file an SR-22?
- How long is SR-22 insurance required?
- What happens if your insurer drops you after an SR-22 requirement is imposed?
- What is non-owner car insurance with an SR-22?
- What happens to an SR-22 if you move to another state?
- Which insurance companies can do SR-22 filings?
- Methodology
- FAQ: SR-22 insurance
What is SR-22 insurance?
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It's a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state to prove that you carry the legally required minimum liability coverage. Your insurer will also report any lapse in your coverage to the state for as long as your SR-22 requirement is in effect.
An SR-22 usually requires that you carry at least the state-mandated minimum liability coverage levels, but you can add any additional coverage you want, including comprehensive and collision.
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility mandated by the state to prove you have the required minimum car insurance. SR-22 insurance is not a specific type of car insurance; your policy and coverage remain the same unless the state mandates higher limits. You may need to file an SR-22 to get your driving privileges reinstated after a suspension.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
An SR-22 filing has two costs: a filing fee averaging $25 per renewal and an insurance rate increase tied to the underlying violation. For a DUI, the average is $1,956 per year.
- The filing fee: Averaging $25, this fee is payable on every renewal where the insurer must file an SR-22 on your behalf.
- The insurance increase: Your insurance rates will increase based on the violation; there isn't a single, universal increase for an SR-22 that applies in all situations. On average, drivers with an SR-22 pay $993 more a year for insurance, but it can be much higher.
Most of the violations associated with an SR-22 designate you as a high-risk driver. That comes with significant insurance increases, but the increase depends on the violation.
The monthly cost of insurance with an SR-22 is the annual rate divided by 12. However, you may be required to pay the full amount for the term when your car insurance policy includes an SR-22 or FR-44 filing.
What is the cheapest company for SR-22 insurance?
Travelers is the cheapest insurance company with an SR-22, at $2,933 a year for a driver with a DUI, a 49% increase. Progressive has the smallest rate increase for an SR-22 with a DUI at 36%, and rates are third-lowest following Travelers and USAA, so drivers with an already higher base rate should consider it an option.
| Company | Average annual rate before SR-22 | Average annual rate, SR-22, 1 DUI | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,962 | $2,933 | 49% |
| GEICO | $2,159 | $5,321 | 146% |
| Nationwide | $2,524 | $6,276 | 149% |
| Progressive | $2,569 | $3,486 | 36% |
| Amica | $2,769 | $8,439 | 205% |
| State Farm | $2,875 | $4,972 | 73% |
| Allstate | $3,159 | $5,513 | 75% |
| Farmers | $3,207 | $5,455 | 70% |
| USAA* | $1,628 | $3,130 | 92% |
*USAA is only available to military members and their families.
An insurance company is more likely to deny you coverage because of the violation on your record than because you need an SR-22.
People ask
How much is SR-22 insurance a month?
How much you pay for insurance with an SR-22 varies widely depending on the violation and your insurance company, but the average increase is $993 a year, which means an additional $83 a month.
How much will an SR-22 increase my insurance?
The SR-22 filing itself doesn't increase your rates; the violation that triggered it does. With one DUI, Insurance.com data show that rates increase by an average of $1,956 a year. The filing fee is $25, paid at every renewal.
With an SR-22 or FR-44 (a similar form required in some states), you may be required to carry more than the state minimum, which could increase your rates even further.
Review the average rates by state for an SR-22 filing following a DUI conviction below. Note that in states where SR-22s are not used, rates reflect the increase for a DUI.
| State | Average annual premium (before SR-22) | SR-22 with 1 DUI (average premium) | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,676 | $2,380 | 42% |
| Alabama | $1,860 | $3,751 | 102% |
| Arkansas | $1,957 | $3,879 | 98% |
| Arizona | $1,812 | $3,674 | 103% |
| California | $2,416 | $7,808 | 223% |
| Colorado | $2,337 | $4,830 | 107% |
| Connecticut | $1,725 | $4,851 | 181% |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 | $3,581 | 66% |
| Delaware | $2,063 | $4,206 | 104% |
| Florida | $2,694 | $5,005 | 86% |
| Georgia | $1,970 | $3,907 | 98% |
| Hawaii | $1,517 | $6,158 | 306% |
| Iowa | $1,630 | $2,724 | 67% |
| Idaho | $1,428 | $2,759 | 93% |
| Illinois | $1,532 | $2,630 | 72% |
| Indiana | $1,515 | $3,095 | 104% |
| Kansas | $1,900 | $3,684 | 94% |
| Kentucky | $2,228 | $4,417 | 98% |
| Louisiana | $2,883 | $5,176 | 80% |
| Massachusetts | $1,726 | $3,699 | 114% |
| Maryland | $1,746 | $3,222 | 85% |
| Maine | $1,175 | $2,466 | 110% |
| Michigan | $2,352 | $6,187 | 163% |
| Minnesota | $1,911 | $4,632 | 142% |
| Missouri | $1,982 | $3,283 | 66% |
| Mississippi | $2,008 | $4,010 | 100% |
| Montana | $2,193 | $3,785 | 73% |
| North Carolina | $1,741 | $7,386 | 324% |
| North Dakota | $1,665 | $3,575 | 115% |
| Nebraska | $1,902 | $4,411 | 132% |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 | $2,290 | 81% |
| New Jersey | $1,902 | $4,000 | 110% |
| New Mexico | $2,049 | $3,565 | 74% |
| Nevada | $2,060 | $3,805 | 85% |
| New York | $1,870 | $2,893 | 55% |
| Ohio | $1,417 | $2,970 | 110% |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 | $3,599 | 68% |
| Oregon | $1,678 | $3,088 | 84% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,872 | $3,975 | 112% |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $4,486 | 118% |
| South Carolina | $2,009 | $3,225 | 61% |
| South Dakota | $2,280 | $4,131 | 81% |
| Tennessee | $1,677 | $3,353 | 100% |
| Texas | $2,043 | $3,585 | 75% |
| Utah | $1,825 | $3,491 | 91% |
| Virginia | $1,469 | $3,111 | 112% |
| Vermont | $1,319 | $2,868 | 117% |
| Washington | $1,608 | $3,054 | 90% |
| Wisconsin | $1,664 | $3,371 | 103% |
| West Virginia | $2,005 | $4,142 | 107% |
| Wyoming | $1,758 | $3,681 | 109% |
People ask
Is SR-22 insurance expensive?
Car insurance with an SR-22 is more expensive than without it because if you need an SR-22, you have likely been convicted of a a violation. That violation means higher insurance rates, as you are now considered a high-risk driver.
Why do I need an SR-22?
You are most commonly required to file an SR-22 after a DUI/DWI conviction or another major moving violation, like reckless driving, or for driving without insurance. An SR-22 may also be required to reinstate a suspended license or obtain a hardship license.
Common reasons for a DUI include:
- DUI/DWI or other major alcohol or drug moving violation conviction
- Serious moving violation conviction, such as reckless or negligent driving
- Multiple traffic offenses in a short period
- Driving without insurance
- Being involved in an accident without insurance
- To obtain a hardship or probationary license
- To reinstate your driver's license after a suspension or revocation
If you need an SR-22, you will be notified by the state or the court. This notice will explain why an SR-22 is required, the minimum insurance requirements, and how long the SR-22 form must stay on file with the state.
The FR-44 is similar to the SR-22 but requires drivers to carry much higher liability limits. It is only required in Florida and Virginia for drivers convicted of certain alcohol-related violations.
Are there different types of SR-22 forms?
Yes, there are three different types of SR-22 forms. The right one depends on whether you own a vehicle.
| SR-22 form type | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Owner | You, only when driving a car you own |
| Owner-operator | You, when driving your car and cars owned by others |
| Non-owner | You, if you don’t own a car but drive cars owned by others |
People ask
Is an FR-44 the same thing as an SR-22?
An FR-44 is not exactly the same thing as an SR-22, but it is similar in purpose. An FR-44 is a filing used in Florida and Virginia the prove a driver has insurance, much like an SR-22. However, the FR-44 is used for more severe offences and carries a requirement for increased liability car insurance limits.
How do I file an SR-22?
To get an SR-22 filed, you'll need to request it from an insurance company. Only an insurance company can file an SR-22; you can't do it yourself. Here are the steps:
- Call your insurance company, or find a new insurer if necessary. Inform the representative that you require an SR-22.
- Confirm that you are purchasing the legally required amount of liability coverage.
- Pay your premium; note that you may be required to pay the full term premium upfront due to the SR-22.
- Request that the SR-22 be filed with your state's motor vehicle department.
- Carry proof of insurance with you at all times.
Most car insurance companies will file an SR-22, but some don’t provide that service. If that’s the case with your current insurance company, shop around for coverage. Since an SR-22 is associated with a driving violation affecting your rates, you might want to shop around either way. You may need to look to companies that specialize in SR-22 filings.
"Many companies are unwilling to provide you insurance coverage if you have an SR-22 and need to satisfy the various obligations associated with carrying an SR-22. As such, you’ll likely have fewer options available to you, and you may need to pay more for your insurance," says Rick Kautzer, director of product management for Dairyland Insurance, a non-standard insurance company.
How long is SR-22 insurance required?
An SR-22 is typically required for 3 years, though repeat violations may extend the requirement to five years. The start date for the requirement varies by state. It may begin with the offense date, conviction date, suspension date or the date your license was reinstated.
If you cancel your car insurance policy before that time is up, your SR-22 filing becomes invalid, your license and registration may be suspended or revoked and SR-22 period may restart from the beginning. Never let your policy lapse while an SR-22 is required.
The offense that resulted in the SR-22 also has an expiration date. When the violation falls off your driving record, your car insurance rates will go down as well.
What happens if your insurer drops you after an SR-22 requirement is imposed?
If your insurance company informs you that it plans to nonrenew your policy after the SR-22 requirement is imposed, you will need to find a new policy quickly. Nonrenewal occurs at the end of your policy term; you'll have until then to find new coverage. Start shopping right away; a lapseWhen your auto insurance coverage ends because you missed a payment or did not renew it on time. A lapse in auto insurance coverage may result in paying higher premiums for a new policy. in your coverage will be reported to the court or DMV and result in penalties, including a license suspension and a restart of your SR-22 period. You may need to consider non-standard carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers if standard carriers decline to cover you.
To find a non-standard carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims., work with a local agent. They can help you find a carrier that will cover you and file your SR-22. As a last resort, you may need to contact your state's assigned risk plan, which helps drivers unable to find coverage elsewhere. You will be assigned to an insurance company that is required by law to provide you with a policy.
What is non-owner car insurance with an SR-22?
Non-owner car insurance with an SR-22 is a policy that provides the legally required coverage and your SR-22 filing with the state if you don’t own a car but are required to file an SR-22. It insures you as the driver when you are behind the wheel of a car owned by someone else.
This is the best option for anyone who needs an SR-22 to reinstate their license but doesn't own a car to buy a traditional policy.
What happens to an SR-22 if you move to another state?
If you have an SR-22 in one state and move to another state, you generally must maintain the SR-22 on file in your previous home state until the requirement expires. Some states will waive the requirement; others will require a new SR-22 filing. Contact your insurer and the DMV in both states for clarification on your situation.
The following states don't have SR-22 filings:
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
Which insurance companies can do SR-22 filings?
Most car insurance companies, including some of the best-known insurers, can and will file an SR-22 form for you. All of these major companies will file an SR-22:
- Allstate
- Farmers
- GEICO
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Travelers
- USAA
Additionally, there are companies specializing in high-risk insurance with SR-22 filings, such as:
- Dairyland
- The General
- Serenity Insurance
Methodology
National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.
Base averages use our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:
- Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Additional rate data is drawn based on a single DUI requiring an SR-22 filing.
Rate data was provided by Quadrant Information Services, encompassing more than 220 companies and 34,588 ZIP codes across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
FAQ: SR-22 insurance
How do I get my SR-22 removed?
To get your SR-22 removed, maintain continuous coverage for the full required period (typically three years) without any lapses or additional violations. Once the court or DMV confirms that the SR-22 has been lifted, notify your insurance company so that it can remove the SR-22 filing from your policy.
Do I have to tell my insurer about my SR-22 requirement?
Yes. You must inform your insurance company that you require an SR-22, so they can file it on your behalf.
How do I check the status of my SR-22?
Contact your insurance company to find out if your SR-22 has been filed. You can also check with the DMV or the court to determine if the SR-22 has been received and processed.
How long does it take to get an SR-22?
It typically takes 30 days from the time the filing is received from the insurance company at the DMV to process an SR-22. Start your request as soon as possible to avoid penalties.
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