What Is SR-22 Insurance?
SR-22 insurance is car insurance coverage that satisfies a high-risk driver’s state-mandated requirement to maintain proof of insurance coverage after a traffic violation. An SR-22 is a form your insurer has to file with your state’s DMV to prove you have coverage.
Offenses that might cause a driver to need an SR-22 include DUI, driving without insurance, or any violation that leads to a revoked or suspended license. SR-22 insurance usually costs more than regular coverage because the driver is considered to be high-risk.
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance?
- Drivers who accumulate too many moving violations in a short period of time
- Drivers convicted of DUI, DWI, reckless driving or other serious offenses
- Drivers caught driving without the required amount of insurance
- Drivers who need to get a suspended license reinstated
Usually, a judge or your state's motor vehicle department will inform you about needing to file an SR-22.
Learn more about when drivers need an SR-22.
How SR-22 Insurance Works
In states that use the SR-22 form, it is most often required to get a license or registration reinstated after suspension or revocation. The insurance company will file this form on the driver’s behalf, and the policyholder will need to maintain the required amount of insurance for the entire time they have an SR-22 filed.
Failure to maintain sufficient coverage will lead to consequences, such as license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and hefty fees. In addition, you may need to start the SR-22 filing period all over again.
Learn more about how SR-22 insurance works.
How to Get SR-22 Insurance
1. Contact your car insurance company to start the filing process
You will be required to certify that you will carry at least the minimum amount of car insurance for the entire period that you must have an SR-22 on file. If you do not have car insurance or you do not have enough coverage to meet state minimums, you will have to first purchase a sufficient amount of coverage before an SR-22 can be filed.
2. Decide what type of SR-22 certificate you need
There are three types of SR-22 certificates available to drivers based on their individual needs. An owner’s certificate only covers cars that you own, while an operator’s certificate (also called a non-owner SR-22) is what you need if you don’t own a car. In most states, you can also get an owner-operator certificate, which covers you when you drive any vehicle, regardless of ownership.
If you own a vehicle but frequently use rented or borrowed cars, the owner-operator certificate is likely the best choice for you.
3. File the SR-22
Your insurer will file the SR-22 with your state’s DMV and charge you a filing fee between $15 and $25. It is important to consistently maintain insurance coverage while you have an SR-22 on file. Should your insurance lapse or be canceled during the mandated period, your insurance provider will alert the state. If you have not obtained insurance from another provider, the state may revoke your driving privileges as a penalty for having a lapse in coverage.
Learn more about how to get SR-22 insurance.
SR-22 Insurance Cost
There are two types of costs associated with filing an SR-22: the SR-22 filing fee and the increased cost of your insurance.
Filing fee
States require a filing fee for the SR-22 form. Although this fee varies by state, it typically ranges from $15-$25. Your insurance provider will file the form with the state and charge you the fee as part of your insurance bill.
Increased insurance cost
Car insurance premiums increase with an SR-22 because your insurance company will usually classify you as a “high-risk” driver. SR-22 insurance costs an average of $1,204 per year, but the amount will vary depending on the insurer and the offense that led to the SR-22 requirement. An SR-22 requirement can raise a driver’s premium by up to 103%.
Learn more about how much SR-22 insurance costs.
Cheapest SR-22 Insurance Companies
- Grange: $775 per year
- Wawanesa: $792 per year
- Geico: $809 per year
- Mercury: $860 per year
- USAA: $930 per year
- Progressive: $973 per year
- Travelers: $1,110 per year
- Auto-Owners: $1,250 per year
- Safeco: $1,283 per year
- National General: $1,287 per year
Learn more about WalletHub's cheapest SR-22 insurance companies.
SR-22 Requirements By State
Most states require drivers to file an SR-22 for a minimum of three years. So long as you remain violation-free during that time, you will no longer be required to have an SR-22 on file after that period ends. However, if you commit another serious violation, your filing period may be extended. Twelve states do not require either an SR-22 or an FR-44.
*The minimum filing period was set to 0 for states that do not require an SR-22.
SR-22 Insurance Requirements by State
State | SR-22 Required? | Minimum filing period (in years) |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Yes | 3-5* |
Alaska | Yes | 3-20** |
Arizona | Yes | 3 |
Arkansas | Yes | 3-5* |
California | Yes | 3 |
Colorado | Yes | 3 |
Connecticut | Yes | 1 |
Delaware | No | 0 |
District of Columbia | Yes | 3 |
Florida | Yes** | 3 |
Georgia | Yes | 3 |
Hawaii | Yes | 3 |
Idaho | Yes | 3 |
Illinois | Yes | 3 |
Indiana | Yes | 3-5* |
Iowa | Yes | 2 |
Kansas | Yes | 1-3* |
Kentucky | No | 0 |
Louisiana | Yes | 3 |
Maine | Yes | 3 |
Maryland | No | 0 |
Massachusetts | Yes | Varies |
Michigan | Yes | 3 |
Minnesota | No | 0 |
Mississippi | Yes | 3 |
Missouri | Yes | 2-3* |
Montana | Yes | 3 |
Nebraska | Yes | 3 |
Nevada | Yes | 3 |
New Hampshire | Yes | 3 |
New Jersey | No | 0 |
New Mexico | No | 0 |
New York | No | 0 |
North Carolina | No | 0 |
North Dakota | Yes | 1 |
Ohio | Yes | 3-5* |
Oklahoma | No | 0 |
Oregon | Yes | 3 |
Pennsylvania | No | 0 |
Rhode Island | No | 0 |
South Carolina | Yes | 3 |
South Dakota | Yes | 3 |
Tennessee | Yes | 3-5* |
Texas | Yes | 2 |
Utah | Yes | 3 |
Vermont | Yes | 3 |
Virginia | Yes** | 3 |
Washington | Yes | 3 |
West Virginia | No | 0 |
Wisconsin | Yes | 3 |
Wyoming | Yes | 3 |
* Minimum filing periods vary depending on the specific violation.
** The filing period increases with each subsequent offense. After a fourth DWI offense, the filing requirement becomes permanent.
In Massachusetts, an SR-22 is only for drivers who are required to file one in another state. The filing period depends on the state where the driver was convicted.
FR-44 vs. SR-22
FR-44 and SR-22 certificates both verify that a driver has insurance, but they differ in the level of insurance coverage required and the states that use them. Most states use an SR-22, while Florida and Virginia are the only states where drivers may be required to file an FR-44 instead. An FR-44 is used after offenses involving drugs or alcohol.
Also, with an SR-22, a driver must carry at least the minimum insurance coverage required in the state. An FR-44 typically requires at least twice as much coverage.
Learn more about the differences between an FR-44 and an SR-22.
How Moving States Affects SR-22 Insurance
Moving states can affect your SR-22 insurance since not every state uses the SR-22 form. Each state is different, though, so the most important thing to remember is to follow the requirements of the state in which you originally filed an SR-22.
Common State Requirements When Moving With an SR-22
- Some states may not ask you to file a new SR-22 form; they instead request an affidavit stating that you will keep the SR-22 on file in the original state.
- If you move to a state that does not use SR-22s, you still need to keep your SR-22 on file in the original state for as long as it is required in that state.
- Some states require extra fees, additional insurance, and refiling your SR-22 with them.
5 Tips for Getting Cheap SR-22 Insurance
Shop around.
Not every insurance company offers SR-22 insurance. Do your research and get quotes from at least three insurance providers that offer SR-22 insurance. You can start by checking WalletHub’s list of the best SR-22 insurance companies.
Figure out how much insurance you really need.
Your state requires a minimum level of insurance, but getting more than that is up to you. You should consider the monthly cost of insurance options against the risk of not having enough insurance to cover expenses in the event of an accident.
Consider non-owner SR-22 insurance.
If you don’t own a car but may still need to drive using rentals or borrowed cars, non-owner insurance is often the cheapest route to getting back on the road with an SR-22.
Continue to compare insurance rates annually.
As time passes, the violation that caused you to need an SR-22 will have less of an impact on your insurance rates. You should compare quotes annually to make sure your current company is still offering you the best deal. If you do switch companies during the time in which you are required to file an SR-22, make sure that your insurance does not lapse.
Know your options if you can’t find a company willing to insure you.
If you are unable to find a company willing to provide the necessary coverage and certification on your own, you may be able to apply for car insurance through your state. Many states have programs that match high-risk drivers to partnering insurers that agree to provide at least the minimum required level of coverage.
Depending on the state, you can apply through a state office or through a local insurer that participates in the program. However, consider using a state program as a last resort, as it will likely be your most expensive option.
How to Get an SR-22 Removed
To get an SR-22 removed, you will need to notify your insurance company once the required time for your SR-22 has expired. The SR-22 won’t automatically fall off by itself, so you must contact your insurer to have it removed.
Once the SR-22 is removed, you may see a decrease in your insurance rate. It’s important to note that if you remove your SR-22 by cancelling your policy or letting your insurance coverage lapse before the required filing period is up, your insurance company will notify the DMV, and you run the risk of your license being suspended. It is also possible that you may have to restart your SR-22 filing period.
Learn more about how to remove SR-22 insurance.
Video: SR-22 Insurance Basics
Ask the Experts
To gain more insight about SR-22 insurance, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of experts. Click on the experts below to view their bios and answers.
- What can high-risk drivers do to lower their car insurance?
- What makes a driver high risk?
- How much coverage should a high-risk driver carry?
- What can drivers do to become not a high-risk driver?
WalletHub experts are widely quoted. Contact our media team to schedule an interview.