- What is SR-22 insurance?
- How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
- Why do I need an SR-22?
- How to get an SR-22 insurance filing
- How long is SR-22 insurance required?
- 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?
- How to get cheap SR-22 insurance
- Methodology
- Frequently asked questions about SR-22 insurance
What is SR-22 insurance?
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.
The term SR-22 insurance is commonly used to describe any policy where the insurance company has to file an SR-22 for the insured driver. The insurance company will file the form with the state and report any lapse in your coverage. 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.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
The cost of an SR-22 filing is a one-time filing fee. The standard SR-22 filing fee is $25, but it can be higher. That doesn’t affect your car insurance rates.
However, the violation that resulted in an SR-22 requirement will mean higher rates. The SR-22 filing is one of the requirements for getting your license back; the insurance rate increase is due to the DUI, which makes you a high-risk driver.
As a result, SR-22 insurance rates vary greatly.
How much SR-22 insurance costs a month is a division of the annual rate into 12 payments. 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.
How much will an SR-22 increase my insurance?
The SR-22 itself won't increase your insurance rates, but the reason you need an SR-22 will. So, how much your insurance will increase depends on the reason for the SR-22.
For example, with one DUI conviction, your rate will go up, on average, 98% or $1,883 a year, according to the most recent rate analysis by Insurance.com. With an SR-22 or FR-44 (a similar form required in some states), you may have to carry more than the state minimum, increasing your rates even more.
| State | Average annual premium (before SR22) | SR22 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% |
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.
Why do I need an SR-22?
There are several reasons the state or court might require you to file an SR-22:
- 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
An SR-22 isn't just required to get insurance after a DUI. You might need an SR-22 for many reasons.
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?
There are three different types of SR-22 forms, and your insurer can help you choose one:
- Owner: Covers you only when driving a car you own.
- Owner-Operator: Covers you when driving your car and cars owned by others.
- Non-owner: Covers you if you don’t own a car but drive cars owned by others.
How to get an SR-22 insurance filing
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.
Call your insurance company when you are notified that you need an SR-22.
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?
How long you will need an SR-22 on file depends on the state and why you need it.
It's common for an SR-22 to be required for three years, although repeat violations could result in a five-year SR-22 requirement. When the clock starts also varies by state. It may begin with the offense date, conviction date, suspension date or the date when the state reinstated your license.
Make certain you know how long the state requires you to have an SR-22. If you cancel your car insurance policy before that time is up, your SR-22 filing will no longer be valid. Your license and registration may be suspended or revoked and the clock could start again on how long the SR-22 must be maintained.
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 is non-owner car insurance with an SR-22?
If you don’t own a car but are required to carry an SR-22, non-owner car insurance can fulfill your SR-22 filing requirements.
A non-owner policy insures you as the driver when you are behind the wheel of a car owned by someone else. Since you can’t get a regular car insurance policy if you don’t own a car, a non-owner policy allows you to get the required coverage and get your SR-22 filed with the state.
What happens to an SR-22 if you move to another state?
Not every state uses an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility. These are the states that don't use the SR-22:
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
If you have an SR-22 in one state and move to another state, you’ll typically still be required to keep an SR-22 on file in your previous home state. You’ll need to look for an out-of-state SR-22 filing from a nationwide auto insurance carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims..
How your SR-22 is handled will depend on the state. Some states will waive the requirement, while others will require you to file a new SR-22. Speak to your insurance company and the DMV to determine what you need to do.
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
How to get cheap SR-22 insurance
Finding cheaper SR-22 insurance is a matter of shopping around.
How much you will pay varies by company and based on what your SR-22 is for. Among major insurers, Farmers has the smallest increase for SR-22 insurance with a DUI, but higher base rates. The cheapest company for an SR-22 with a DUI is Progressive, unless you qualify for USAA.
| Company | Average annual premium (before SR22) | SR22 with 1 DUI (average premium) | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,509 | $5,010 | 100% |
| Farmers | $2,387 | $6,351 | 166% |
| Geico | $1,763 | $4,523 | 157% |
| Nationwide | $1,548 | $3,639 | 135% |
| Progressive | $1,998 | $2,981 | 49% |
| State Farm | $1,984 | $3,459 | 74% |
| Travelers | $1,606 | $3,004 | 87% |
| USAA | $1,381 | $2,842 | 106% |
*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.
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned rate data from Quadrant Data Services in late 2023. Rates were fielded in all 50 states and D.C. for a sample driver who is 40 years old and drives a Honda Accord LX, with a full coverage policy including 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles. Rates were gathered for common offences requiring an SR-22 filing.
Frequently asked questions about SR-22 insurance
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.
How do I get my SR-22 removed?
When your SR-22 requirement is removed, simply contact your insurance company to let them know you no longer need it.
Do I have to tell my insurer about my SR-22 requirement?
You’ll need to inform your insurance company that you need an SR-22 so that they can file it on your behalf. Your insurance company will learn about the violation that led to the SR-22 requirement when it runs your record, so there’s no reason to avoid reporting it.
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?
The process of filing an SR-22 can be time-consuming. The average wait is 30 days, so don’t wait to get it started.
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