Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 20, 2024
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An SR-22 is a document insurance companies file with the state certifying that you’ve purchased the minimum liability car insurance Arkansas law requires. You might need one if you have a serious violation on your motor vehicle record, like driving under the influence. But not every insurer will file an SR-22 on your behalf, and you may have to find a new insurer to provide an SR-22 if you’ve had serious driving issues in the past.
Coverage with an SR-22 can be expensive, and you’ll need to consider several other things if you need SR-22 insurance in Arkansas.
An SR-22 is a certificate from an insurer saying you have the required minimum auto insurance coverage.
Arkansas requires SR-22 insurance after certain serious traffic violations.
Insurers offering SR-22 policies usually charge more compared to average rates for a standard policy because they see you as a high-risk driver.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Arkansas
Prices for SR-22 policies vary dramatically between insurers in Arkansas. The table below shows the liability-only and full-coverage costs from some of the most affordable SR-22 insurers in the state.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $37 | $75 |
USAA | $44 | $92 |
GEICO | $55 | $114 |
Auto-Owners | $63 | $128 |
Allstate | $81 | $169 |
Shelter | $81 | $166 |
Farmers | $82 | $170 |
Nationwide | $82 | $170 |
Root | $85 | $149 |
Travelers | $87 | $178 |
Progressive | $87 | $180 |
Safeco | $90 | $165 |
National General | $116 | $208 |
GAINSCO | $121 | $271 |
Dairyland | $122 | $303 |
Liberty Mutual | $156 | $333 |
The General | $161 | $341 |
Bristol West | $178 | $458 |
Direct Auto | $228 | $507 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires every driver to buy $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and another $25,000 in property damage coverage.[1]
If you’ve made serious driving mistakes in the past, an SR-22 is the state’s way of ensuring you have sufficient coverage, especially because getting an insurance policy with marks on your record can be expensive. In these situations, you ’ll need to work with an insurer that offers SR-22 coverage to get the right insurance.
Most states require SR-22 insurance in a variety of situations, including after some impaired driving incidents. The Arkansas state websites don’t specifically explain when you need SR-22 coverage. But the state often requires it after a conviction for vehicular manslaughter or another criminal conviction for a driving-related offense.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
An SR-22 is one type of certificate of financial responsibility you can get from an insurer to show you’ve met your obligations to buy insurance. Another is an FR-44.
Only Florida and Virginia require FR-44 forms. An FR-44 requires you to meet more than the state’s minimum coverage requirements — even double, in some cases.
If you live in Florida or Virginia, you’re usually required to get an FR-44 form only if you’ve been accused of a very serious driving offense, such as a DUI with a high blood alcohol level or you have repeated DUIs or reckless driving convictions.
If you live in Arkansas, you won’t be asked to get an FR-44, only an SR-22, and only in limited circumstances.
When you need SR-22 insurance
You may be required to get SR-22 coverage if you’re guilty of any of the following offenses:
Owning and operating vehicles without insurance
Getting a DUI
Committing another driving offense that imposes serious penalties
But an SR-22 requirement isn’t a guarantee in Arkansas for any of these offenses.[2]
State officials indicate that SR-22 coverage is usually required if you’re convicted of a serious driving offense, such as vehicular manslaughter. You may also need to provide proof of insurance if you were previously caught driving without coverage. You can use an SR-22 form as the required proof that you have an insurance policy in place.
If you have a suspended license, failure to provide proof of SR-22 coverage could prevent you from getting your license reinstated.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Arkansas
If you’re a high-risk driver and you need SR-22 insurance, here are the steps you should take to get the best deal on the coverage you need:
Look for an insurer offering SR-22 certification. Not all companies do, and you may need to leave your current insurer.
Provide your information, including your driver’s license details and the kinds of coverage you want, including liability coverage and also collision or comprehensive.
Get quotes from multiple companies so you can find the most affordable rates for your situation.
Apply for a policy when you’ve found a trusted insurer with affordable premiums and a solid customer reputation.
Let your auto insurance company know you’ll need an SR-22 insurance form.
How long Arkansas requires SR-22 insurance
State officials indicate SR-22 car insurance is usually necessary for three years from the time you were convicted of the driving offense that led to you needing SR-22 coverage.
Many other states also require an SR-22 certificate for three years. But in some of those locations, the clock starts running after your suspended license is reinstated. This could happen long after conviction.
Remember, not every car insurance company offers SR-22 insurance, so start looking for an insurance company that does as soon as you know you’ll need this certificate.
Once you no longer need SR-22 coverage, let your insurer know to see if you can qualify for a better rate.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Arkansas
Insurance companies see an SR-22 requirement as a risk, and your request for certification of your insurance status lets the insurance company know that you’ve committed a serious driving violation. If your insurer agrees to file an SR-22 on your behalf, it’ll charge you more than the average rate for a policy.
Even with an SR-22 on your record, you may still have some options to keep car insurance costs reasonable:
Compare quotes
Remember, there’s wide variation in pricing for SR-22 policies from different insurance companies. An insurance agent can help you find the right coverage for higher-risk drivers, or you could shop online using a price-comparison platform.
Complete safe driving classes
Safe driving courses, such as a defensive driving course or a DUI class, could help you get a discount on your insurance rates.
Ask for discounts
You can often still qualify for discounts auto insurers provide to all customers, such as a discount for bundling home and auto coverage, for example.
Raise your deductible
A higher deductible comes with lower premiums. But you’ll need to be prepared to pay more of your own money when you have a covered claim.
Arkansas SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about SR-22 insurance in Arkansas, check out the additional information below.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
You won’t need an FR-44 in Arkansas — those are required only in Florida or Virginia. If you need an SR-22, officials will inform you when you’re convicted of a criminal driving offense or when you aim to reinstate your license.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. You’ll usually have to pay a flat fee, and sometimes a surcharge, when your insurer submits your SR-22 certification. The insurance company usually charges a fee for each SR-22 it must file.[3]
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Most of the cost increase for your insurance premiums is based on the issue that led to the SR-22 requirement, such as driving without insurance. As such, your rates will increase based on the infraction that required you to request an SR-22 — not the SR-22 itself.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Arkansas?
You’ll typically need to hold an SR-22 in Arkansas for three years.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Arkansas?
Let your insurer know as soon as you’re no longer required to have an SR-22. Your SR-22 won’t disappear until you provide notice and your insurer removes it from your coverage.
What happens to your SR-22 in Arkansas if you move?
Depending on the state where you move, you may have to keep your SR-22 on file in Arkansas and sign an affidavit promising to do so. When you become a resident of your new state, you may need to obtain a new SR-22 form locally, so it’s important to check the laws in the state you’re moving to.
Related articles
More cities in Arkansas
Sources
- Arkansas Insurance Department. "Consumers FAQ."
- AR.gov. "Driver’s License Reinstatement Online Fee Payment."
- GEICO. "Is there a fee associated with a SR-22?."
Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in