SR-22 Auto Insurance (2024)
SR-22 auto insurance is a certificate of responsibility that proves high-risk drivers are carrying the state-required minimum liability auto insurance coverage. It usually costs less than $50 to file for SR-22 insurance, but drivers who need SR-22 certificates will have higher insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 5, 2023
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.
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: Oct 5, 2023
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
- You must get SR-22 insurance when you have too many points on your license or get convicted of serious driving infractions, like a DUI or driving without insurance
- Not every state requires SR-22, but your local DMV will notify you if you need to file
- The cheapest SR-22 insurance companies are State Farm and USAA
SR-22 auto insurance isn’t insurance at all — it’s a certificate proving you carry the minimum liability 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. This is to prove you have 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 will 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 and State Farm.
Keep reading to learn about SR-22 insurance quotes and how to file an SR-22 in your state. If you want to find cheaper SR-22 insurance right away, use our free quote comparison tool to start shopping.
SR-22 Auto Insurance Explained
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.
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 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 vs. SR-22 Auto Insurance
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.
Time Period of SR-22 Auto Insurance
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 SR-22 Auto Insurance
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 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 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 drivers pay for auto insurance after accident violations.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Accident vs. Clean Record
Insurance Company One Accident Clean Record
AAA $220 $180
Allstate $225 $166
American Family $176 $116
Farmers $198 $140
Geico $132 $95
Hartford $230 $175
Liberty Mutual $234 $177
Nationwide $161 $140
Progressive $186 $120
State Farm $150 $105
Travelers $200 $160
U.S. Average $172 $123
This table shows the average monthly rates for drivers with a DUI on their record.
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record
| Insurance Company | One Accident | One DUI | One Ticket | Clean Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $220 | $240 | $220 | $180 |
| Allstate | $225 | $225 | $195 | $166 |
| American Family | $176 | $176 | $131 | $116 |
| Farmers | $198 | $198 | $176 | $140 |
| Geico | $132 | $132 | $125 | $95 |
| Hartford | $230 | $250 | $215 | $175 |
| Liberty Mutual | $234 | $234 | $217 | $177 |
| Nationwide | $161 | $161 | $175 | $140 |
| Progressive | $186 | $186 | $160 | $120 |
| State Farm | $150 | $102 | $138 | $105 |
| Travelers | $200 | $139 | $205 | $160 |
| U.S. Average | $172 | $173 | $152 | $123 |
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. 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, insurance companies will charge different rates after filing. So compare your SR-22 quotes with different companies to see which offers the best price to a driver with your record.
We found that State Farm and USAA are the cheapest SR-22 insurance companies when compared to the top insurers in the country (check out our State Farm auto insurance review and our USAA auto insurance review to learn more):
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Average Rates by Company and Driving Record
Insurance Company Monthly Rates with a DUI Monthly Rates with an Accident Monthly Rates with a Ticket Monthly Rates with a Clean Record
Allstate $270 $225 $188 $160
American Family $194 $176 $136 $116
Farmers $193 $198 $173 $139
Geico $216 $133 $106 $80
Liberty Mutual $313 $234 $212 $174
Nationwide $237 $161 $137 $115
Progressive $140 $186 $140 $105
State Farm $112 $102 $96 $86
Travelers $206 $139 $134 $99
USAA $108 $78 $67 $59
U.S. Average $146 $173 $147 $119
These rates are averages based on liability-only auto insurance policies. Your costs will vary based on age, gender, and policy type. Where you live can also impact how much you pay for auto insurance after SR-22, so always compare quotes from local companies to get 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. In Alaska, drivers must carry SR-22 insurance permanently after a fourth DUI offense.
Curious about SR-22 insurance costs and requirements in your state? Use the table below to compare filing periods and fees where you live:
The requirements and costs of an SR-22 policy vary widely across the United States. A good example is Alabama. In Alabama, you will have to pay $275 dollars to have your license reinstated. However, in Alaska, it will only cost $100. To find out the exact rules around SR-22 insurance, it’s best to check out your state’s DMV website.
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
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. This non-owner SR-22 auto insurance is for drivers who don’t own 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. State Farm and USAA have the best rates in most states, but you’ll find the cheapest quotes by comparing them to local insurers near you.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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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.
You might need to file SR-22 insurance with your company if you have DUI or reckless driving charges. In addition, if your license got revoked or suspended, the DMV might require you to file SR-22 to reinstate your driving privileges. These charges will raise your insurance rates, so compare at least three different companies to find the best price.
State Farm and USAA consistently offer cheap SR-22 insurance quotes. State Farm is available in all 50 states, but coverage with USAA is limited to active and veteran military members and their families. Compare these companies with local insurers near you to see which offers the cheapest rates.
You can compare SR-22 insurance companies now with our free comparison tool below. Get rates from local companies and compare costs for different policy types to find the right coverage for your budget
Frequently Asked Questions
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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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
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.