SR-22 Auto Insurance (2024)
SR-22 auto insurance is a certificate proving high-risk drivers carry the state-required minimum liability auto insurance coverage. It usually costs less than $50 to file an SR-22 form, but drivers who need them have higher insurance rates. Below, we'll help you find the cheapest auto insurance for SR-22.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Producer
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: Sep 13, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- SR-22 auto insurance is for high-risk drivers, such as those with several DUIs, traffic violations, or accidents
- Not every state requires SR-22 car insurance, but your local DMV will notify you if you need to file
- The cheapest SR-22 auto insurance companies are USAA, Geico, and State Farm
SR-22 auto insurance isn’t insurance at all — it’s a certificate proving you carry the minimum liability auto insurance required by your state laws. If your driver’s license gets revoked, you must file an SR-22 with your local department of motor vehicles to prove you have the right types of auto insurance and can legally drive again. States require you to keep this endorsement on your policy for one to five years.
While your auto insurance rates increase with an SR-22 form, you can still find cheap auto insurance coverage by shopping online and comparing quotes. The best insurance companies for SR-22 filings are USAA, Geico, and State Farm. However, only military members, veterans, and their families qualify for USAA insurance coverage.
Keep reading to learn about SR-22 insurance quotes and how to file an SR-22 in your state. If you want to find the best and cheapest SR-22 auto insurance today, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to start shopping.
How SR-22 Auto Insurance Works
An SR-22 form is not an auto insurance policy. Most states refer to it as a certificate of financial responsibility, proving a driver carries the liability insurance meeting the minimum auto insurance requirements by state.
SR-22 insurance will show up on your driving record, and the DMV will notify you if you need to file it with your insurer. For example, you may have to file an SR-22 to reinstate your driving privileges once your license gets revoked.Benjamin Carr Former Insurance Agent State Farm
What does SR-22 cover? SR-22 doesn’t provide outright coverage but proves you carry the minimum liability amount you need to drive. You can choose to carry full coverage auto insurance with an SR-22, and the certificate will prove that coverage level.
Not every state requires an SR-22. For example, drivers don’t have to file SR-22 insurance in New York or New Jersey. However, most state laws mandate SR-22, FR-44, or similar filings for high-risk drivers, including those with DUI/DWI charges.
FR-44 Auto Insurance vs. SR-22 Auto Insurance
So, what are SR-22 and FR-22 insurance in Florida? FR-44 auto insurance is similar to SR-22, except only Florida and Virginia require it. The FR-44 certificate proves drivers carry liability insurance, but the minimums required by FR-44 are usually higher than the state’s legal minimums.
For example, FR-44 requires Virginia drivers to double their minimum liability from 25/50/20 to 50/100/40 to reinstate their driving privileges.
How Long SR-22 Auto Insurance Lasts
Insurance companies add the SR-22 as an endorsement to your insurance policy, and you’ll be required to maintain SR-22 insurance for as long as the court orders — anywhere between one and five years.
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Drivers Who Need an SR-22 Auto Insurance Policy
The local DMV will notify you if you need to file SR-22 insurance. You can expect to file SR-22 if you:
- Get charged with DUI/DWI or reckless driving violations
- Commit multiple traffic violations in a short period
- Cause numerous auto accidents in a short period
- Get caught driving without auto insurance or involved in an accident without insurance
- Have a restricted or suspended license
- Fail to pay court-ordered child support
Not every driver needs to file an SR-22 after a traffic violation. Your state laws will dictate who needs an SR-22.
For example, Texas drivers must file an SR-22 if their license gets suspended after an accident. In other states, drivers must file SR-22 after certain civil judgments, forfeiting bonds, or failing to meet state minimum liability requirements.
State laws also dictate how to obtain and file SR-22, so it’s important to research local laws and speak with an insurance or DMV representative before buying SR-22 insurance.
SR-22 Auto Insurance Cost
SR-22 auto insurance costs vary by state. In general, drivers pay between $15 and $50 to file SR-22, but state laws can tack on additional fees, including license reinstatement costs of $100 or more.
On top of these fees, insurance companies charge drivers higher monthly rates for SR-22. So you can see your rates double or triple after losing your license and filing SR-22 insurance. The key in finding your best rates will be in researching the best auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers.
The table below show how much high-risk auto insurance costs after accident violations:
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Accident vs. Clean Record
Insurance Company Clean Record One Accident
$180 $220
$166 $225
$116 $176
$119 $97
$140 $198
$95 $132
$177 $234
$140 $161
$120 $186
$105 $150
$175 $230
$160 $200
U.S. Average $123 $172
Read more about auto insurance for drivers with accidents. This table shows the average monthly rates for drivers with a DUI on their record:
DUI Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates vs. Clean Record by Provider
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One DUI |
|---|---|---|
| $86 | $240 |
| $160 | $225 |
| $117 | $176 |
| $97 | $166 |
| $139 | $198 |
| $80 | $132 |
| $174 | $234 |
| $115 | $161 |
| $105 | $186 |
| $86 | $202 |
| $112 | $250 |
| $99 | $239 |
| U.S. Average | $119 | $173 |
Read more about auto insurance for drivers with a DUI. Filing SR-22 will raise your insurance rates because insurers consider them more likely to file a claim.
State Farm, USAA, and Geico are the best auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers. Read more in our Geico SR-22 insurance review.
Still, you’ll get the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates by comparing quotes from as many companies as possible. We recommend choosing three insurers you like best to see which will offer you the best rates.
Cheapest SR-22 Auto Insurance Companies
While state laws set SR-22 filing fees, there are various factors that affect auto insurance rates for SR-22 coverage, and insurers all charge different premiums. So compare your SR-22 insurance quotes with different companies to see which offers the best price to a driver with your record.
6,435 reviewsCompany Facts
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19,116 reviewsCompany Facts
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17,759 reviewsCompany Facts
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We found that USAA, State Farm, and Geico are the cheapest SR-22 insurance companies when compared to the top insurers in the country.
Read More About These Affordable SR-22 Providers:
However, USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their families. Read more about how to find the best auto insurance for veterans.
Check out the table below to compare liability insurance rates for these companies and others:
Liability Auto Insurance Rates by Provider
| Insurance Company | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| $61 |
| $44 |
| $37 |
| $53 |
| $30 |
| $67 |
| $44 |
| $39 |
| $33 |
| $38 |
 | $22 |
| U.S. Average | $45 |
These rates are averages based on liability-only auto insurance policies. Your costs will vary by age, gender, and policy type. Auto insurance rates by ZIP code also vary for SR-22 coverage, so always compare quotes from local companies for the best rates.
SR-22 Auto Insurance by State
State laws determine filing fees and place other restrictions on insurance companies regarding SR-22 insurance costs. For example, California SR-22 auto insurance law forbids insurance companies from offering discounts to drivers with DUI convictions for at least 10 years. Alaska auto insurance laws require drivers to carry SR-22 insurance permanently after a fourth DUI offense.
The requirements and costs of an SR-22 policy vary widely across the United States. A good example is Alabama auto insurance.
In Alabama, you'll pay $275 to reinstate your license. However, in Alaska, it only costs $100. To find out the exact rules around SR-22 insurance, it’s best to check out your state’s DMV website.Daniel S. Young Insurance Content Team Lead
Your court judgment and state law determine when you can remove SR-22. For example, while drivers in most states must carry SR-22 for one to five years, the court may order you to file SR-22 for longer based on your driving record and the number of offenses you have.
How to Get SR-22 Auto Insurance Coverage
Before you get SR-22 insurance, determine what kind of certificate you need. States offer three types of SR-22 forms depending on your driving needs:
- Owner’s certificate: This SR-22 insurance covers the vehicle you own.
- Operator’s certificate: You may need non-owner SR-22 auto insurance if you need SR-22 insurance without a vehicle.
- Owner-operator’s certificate: This covers your registered vehicle and other vehicles you may drive, regardless of ownership.
Once you know which form you need, filing the certificate is relatively straightforward. You can buy SR-22 insurance in two easy steps:
- Contact your auto insurance company. Let an agent know you need to file SR-22, and they’ll start the process for you. If you’re buying online from a new company, answer “Yes” when prompted, “Do you need a certificate of financial responsibility?”
- File the SR-22. Your insurance company will charge a fee to file the SR-22 certificate. Some states — including Texas — may allow you to drop the form off in person and avoid the fee.
If you don’t have car insurance, shop around online for competitive SR-22 insurance quotes and choose the most affordable company. USAA, Geico, and State Farm have the best rates in most states, but you’ll find the cheapest quotes by comparing them to local insurers near you. Read more about how to evaluate auto insurance quotes.
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Finding Affordable SR-22 Auto Insurance Near You
SR-22 insurance costs may be more expensive than average, but you can still find affordable SR-22 auto insurance in your neighborhood. The trick is to shop around and to know how to get multiple auto insurance quotes before buying.
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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) September 27, 2023
So, can you get auto insurance with a suspended license? Yes, but you’ll need to file an SR-22 form to reinstate your license after a suspensions. You may also need to file SR-22 insurance with your company if you have DUI or reckless driving charges. These charges will raise your insurance rates, so compare rates from the best auto insurance companies for SR-22 coverage to get cheap rates.
USAA, Geico, and State Farm consistently offer cheap SR-22 insurance quotes. However, coverage with USAA is limited to active and veteran military members and their families. Read more about how to find cheap auto insurance for military and veterans.
Enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to get started on finding the best SR-22 insurance coverage for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest insurance company for SR-22?
Overall, USAA is the cheapest SR-22 car insurance company. However, only military members, veterans, and their families qualify for coverage. Geico and State Farm are the next cheapest SR-22 insurance companies.
How do I file an SR-22?
Contact your insurance company and let them know you need an SR-22 — they can file it for you. However, you’ll have to pay a fee alongside expensive SR-22 auto insurance costs.
What does SR-22 cover?
SR-22 insurance coverage includes liability insurance, meaning it only covers other peoples’ expenses after an accident. However, you can also add full coverage to SR-22 insurance.
How long is SR-22 required in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says that you must remain on an SR-22 insurance policy for three years and pay a reinstatement fee. Read more about what SR-22 and FR-44 insurance are in Virginia.
Hoe does an SR-22 work in Virginia?
You must file an SR-22 in Virginia to prove you carry minimum liability requirements of 30/60/20. However, you might need to file an FR-44 for more serious violations, and you’ll have to carry double the minimum requirements, meaning 60/120/40.
How long do I need an SR-22 in Texas?
You must maintain SR-22 coverage in Texas for two years from the date of your conviction. Read more about Texas auto insurance.
What is the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?
SR-22 auto insurance and FR-44 auto insurance forms are both certificates of financial responsibility and prove drivers carry minimum liability insurance. The main difference is that FR-44 has higher requirements and is only in Virginia and Florida.
What if I need an SR-22 and don’t have a car?
You can get SR-22 auto insurance without a vehicle with an operator’s certificate — also known as non-owner SR-22 insurance. You can buy non-owner auto insurance from most major companies, and they’ll file the non-owner SR-22 form for you.
How much will an SR-22 increase the cost of my insurance?
SR-22 auto insurance costs depend on your state laws and driving record. Getting multiple quotes from top insurance companies can help keep the cost of SR-22 insurance down.
How do I get my SR-22 removed?
The DMV will drop the SR-22 insurance requirements on your license once you’ve finished the minimum filing period or met the judgment terms. SR-22 filing periods vary by state, but you typically cannot remove SR-22 auto insurance for at least one to five years.
Why would I need SR-22 auto insurance?
You may need SR-22 auto insurance if you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), have received multiple traffic violations, caused an accident while driving without insurance, or had your license suspended or revoked. It serves as proof to the DMV that you are carrying the required liability insurance coverage.
How long do I need to maintain SR-22 auto insurance?
The duration of SR-22 auto insurance requirements varies depending on the state and the reason for the filing. Typically, you are required to maintain SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years. However, this period can be longer depending on your specific circumstances, such as multiple offenses or severe violations.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Producer
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.