SR-22 Insurance: Compare Quotes and Find Cheap Coverage
An SR-22 form is a certificate of financial responsibility that demonstrates a driver has the bare minimum of auto insurance. You only need an SR-22 if your state or court requires it, which is usually after a major traffic violation.
If your license has been suspended as a result of one of these violations, you must either request that your insurer file an SR-22 on your behalf or find a new carrier. Then you can reapply for your driver's license and resume driving.
Which companies offer the cheapest SR-22 insurance quotes?
Any auto insurance company licensed in a state may file an SR-22, but they are not required to do so. Because an SR-22 requirement indicates that you are a risky driver, your insurer may decide to cancel your coverage if you require one. Even if your insurer chooses to keep your business, the driving violation that resulted in the SR-22 may cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket.
The cost of your premium is determined by insurers based on your perceived risk. And, because SR-22s are typically required after a major driving offence, simply having one on file will almost certainly raise your rates.
If your current employer fires you, you'll need to find a new one to file the SR-22 with, preferably one that won't penalize you heavily for your conviction. We discovered that larger companies, such as Geico and Progressive, penalize drivers for a DUI more severely than smaller, regional companies. Even if you don't have an SR-22, shopping for car insurance is essential for getting the best rates. It becomes even more important if you have a history of moving violations.
The table below compares annual SR-22 rates among the 14 largest auto insurers in the United States. These rates are based on online quotes for a 30-year-old driver as an example.
Rank | Company | Annual rate |
1 | Farm Bureau | $886 |
2 | Erie | $892 |
3 | USAA | $911 |
4 | American Family | $1,049 |
5 | Country Financial | $1,133 |
6 | State Farm | $1,178 |
7 | Progressive | $1,240 |
8 | AAA | $1,469 |
9 | Geico | $1,576 |
10 | Travelers | $1,696 |
11 | Allstate | $2,213 |
12 | Nationwide | $2,230 |
13 | Farmers | $2,875 |
14 | Auto-Owners | $3,305 |
How much does an SR-22 cost by state?
The fee for filing an SR-22 varies by state. It usually costs around $25, but it can range between $15 and $50. Because your auto insurance company will file the SR-22 for you, the fee will be passed on to you in the form of a bill.
Your SR-22 may be required for several years, but the filing fee is a one-time fee that you will not have to pay each time you renew your car insurance. If your auto insurance policy lapses and you buy new coverage, you must pay the fee again, and your new insurer must send proof of coverage to your state.
Because the same insurer may offer different SR-22 rates in different states, comparing rates from different insurance companies is a great way to ensure you're getting the best deal.
In general, the impact of an SR-22 on your insurance will be less severe if the cause was minor — for example, a traffic violation versus a DUI conviction. In some of the states in our survey, rates did not rise significantly after our sample driver received a speeding ticket. The table below compares rates in various states based on the type of violation. We discovered that the cheapest SR-22 insurance is available in Ohio on average.
State | Average annual rates | Speeding violation | DUI + accident |
California | $1,830 | $3,060 | $7,794 |
Texas | $1,230 | $1,242 | $2,298 |
Florida | $1,576 | $2,424 | $3,384 |
Illinois | $1,320 | $2,784 | $2,004 |
Ohio | $824 | $856 | $1,848 |
The cheapest insurers by state
State Farm and USAA are typically the cheapest carriers for SR-22 insurance among the 12 insurers we investigated. Some states require proof of future coverage, which means you must pay your premium in full rather than in monthly instalments.
And, while it is uncommon, you may be unable to find coverage at all after certain violations. Most states provide high-risk insurance plans, which can be obtained through a local insurance agent.
State | Cheapest insurer |
Arizona | Progressive |
California | Mercury |
Florida | State Farm |
Illinois | State Farm |
Indiana | USAA |
Ohio | Grange |
Oregon | State Farm |
South Carolina | State Farm |
Tennessee | Progressive |
Texas | USAA |
Virginia | Farm Bureau |
Wisconsin | USAA |
What is SR-22 insurance?
SR-22 insurance is not a policy. It is a document that your car insurance company files on your behalf to demonstrate that you have adequate car insurance. The insurance policy you receive after filing the SR-22 is known as "SR-22 insurance."
States require proof of third-party liability insurance because it pays for any injuries or property damage caused by your driving to others. The minimum SR-22 insurance coverage typically does not cover any injuries to you or damage to your own vehicle. If you were deemed a high-risk driver, you would only be required to obtain SR-22 insurance.
This is possible if you have been:
- a DUI or DWI conviction
- Involved in an at-fault accident while driving without auto insurance
- Convicted of multiple traffic violations or too many traffic violations in a short period of time
- Caught driving with a revoked or restricted license
Your state will typically suspend your driver's license if you are designated as a high-risk driver. You will be required to obtain an SR-22 from either your state or a court. Once the document is filed, you will be able to reclaim your driver's license and resume driving.
Nonowner SR-22 insurance
If you don't own a car but are considered a high-risk driver, you can get nonowner SR-22 insurance. Nonowner car insurance protects drivers who do not own a vehicle, so you are protected even if you drive a rented or borrowed vehicle. If you already have nonowner auto insurance, contact your provider and request that they file an SR-22 on your behalf. This will allow you to have your driver's license reinstated. However, because nonowner car insurance is not available from every insurer, you may have difficulty finding coverage, especially if you have a blemished driving record.
How to get an SR-22
- Contact your carrier or find an authorized insurer. Typically, drivers find out they need an SR-22 form at an administrative court hearing. If the presiding judge orders you to obtain one of these, you must contact your insurance company or find a new insurer.
- Pay the filing fee for the SR-22. Your insurance company will almost certainly charge you a fee for submitting the SR-22. This is usually between $15 and $50.
- Your car insurer files the SR-22. Your insurer will need to file this document with your state's department of motor vehicles on your behalf.
- Receive confirmation. The DMV may take up to two weeks to process your SR-22 request after your insurer has filed it. Electronic forms may be processed more quickly by the department than paper forms.
It is critical to request the SR-22 from your insurer as soon as possible because the court or state usually has a deadline for filing the form. Your license may be suspended if you do not meet the deadline.
How long do you need to carry an SR-22?
A certificate of financial responsibility is typically required to be kept on file for three years. However, depending on your state and the reason you require an SR-22, the time frame can range from two to five years. The SR-22 will be valid for as long as your car insurance policy is in effect.
If you cancel or lapse the policy for any reason, your insurance company is required to notify the appropriate state authorities. Your license will be suspended, and the time period will not be counted toward the required filing period.
For instance, if you are required to have an SR-22 for three years but cancel your insurance after one year, your license will be suspended. When you reinstate your insurance and license, the clock starts over, and you must keep the SR-22 on file for another two years.
The time frame is usually fixed, but if you commit another violation, the court or state may extend your required filing period. Your insurer may raise your rates again because it considers you to be a higher risk.
When you no longer need an SR-22 form, your auto insurance company files an SR-26 form, effectively terminating their sponsorship on your behalf. This can be done automatically by your insurer via an electronic AAMVA filing.
SR-22 insurance alternatives
You may be required to file a different document indicating financial responsibility depending on your state and the severity of your violation.
SR-21 insurance
An SR-21 is a document that your insurer files to demonstrate that you have adequate coverage. It's usually required if you've been in an accident or if you've received a traffic ticket.
SR-22A insurance
When drivers repeatedly violate financial responsibility laws, Missouri, Georgia, and Texas require an SR-22A. This form requires drivers to have a paid-in-full insurance policy for at least six months.
FR-44 insurance
The FR-44, also known as the SR-44 in Florida and Virginia, is typically required following a DUI conviction. It is essentially the same as the SR-22, but the driver must have twice the standard minimum liability coverage.
SR-50 insurance
Only in Indiana is the SR-50 filing required. It functions similarly to an SR-22 in that it provides proof of coverage and allows you to have your license reinstated if it has been suspended.