Cheap SR-22 Insurance in California (2023)

An SR-22 is a form that your insurance company must fill out for you if you qualify as a high-risk driver. This is usually due to a DUI or other incident. It’s not an insurance policy, but it can signify that your premium will be more expensive.

What is SR-22 insurance in California, and when do you need it?

An SR-22 is a form that serves as proof of coverage for high-risk drivers. The DMV requires SR-22s to ensure that high-risk drivers have adequate insurance coverage.

You might need an SR-22 form due to the following situations in California:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)

• Driving without insurance

• Reckless driving

• Driving with a suspended license

If you’re required to have the form and don’t get it, you could lose your license or driving privileges.

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How can you get an SR-22 in California?

If you need an SR-22 form in California, the court or California DMV will notify you. The form is often necessary due to a driving conviction. Depending on the type, you might also deal with additional obstacles, like license suspension.

To get an SR-22 form, you need coverage from an insurance company. You should confirm your insurer is well-versed on the form, what it means, and how to file it. After you set up a policy, you usually need to request that your insurer submit the form on your behalf.

Some insurers have a specific department that handles this paperwork, which can streamline the experience. Once your insurer is ready, it will submit the form to the DMV as proof of insurance coverage.

How long is an SR-22 required in California?

The timeline for how long you need to maintain an SR-22 in California depends on the type of violation or conviction. If you need the form due to a DUI, you usually need it for three years. But you might need it for four years for an accident or property damage without insurance.

The timeline depends on various factors, including your personal circumstances, so check with the DMV about the specifics of your situation.

How much is SR-22 insurance in California?

It usually costs about $20 to file an SR-22 form in California. The cost can depend on your company, though. Most insurers add the cost of the filing to your insurance premium, so you don’t usually have to pay a separate bill.

Olivier Wagner, a CPA with a background in insurance and the founder of 1040 Abroad, explains, “A rise in insurance costs is possible for drivers who have been found guilty of a traffic infraction. Because of their heightened risk and propensity for [incidents], insurance companies perceive drivers with convictions as being more dangerous.”

It’s a good idea to talk with a potential insurer about the cost to file an SR-22 and about the specifics of the process. Even though the price can vary, an SR-22 filing shouldn’t be a monthly fee or a significant expense.

Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in California

If you’re shopping for auto insurance and must file an SR-22, the insurance price can be a significant consideration.

Here are some low-cost insurance companies you might want to consider, along with their average monthly rates for full coverage and liability-only car insurance.

Cheapest insurance companies in California with SR-22 by city

The price of car insurance for drivers who need to file an SR-22 can vary drastically from insurer to insurer. But your location can affect the cost of your auto insurance premium too.^[1]

This table can give you an idea of the monthly cost of SR-22 insurance in your city.

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How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in California

Once you have to file an SR-22 insurance form, you typically need to keep one on file for three or four years. But that doesn’t mean that the driving conviction will disappear from your record once you no longer need to submit the form.

Depending on the type of conviction, it can stay on your record for upwards of seven years. This is important because your driving record affects the price of your insurance premiums, and the presence of the incident on your record means you might deal with increased costs long after you’re done filing an SR-22.

Fortunately, you can take some steps to improve your driving record and lower your insurance rates while still under an SR-22 requirement:

• Ask your insurer about discounts. You won’t qualify for a California good driver discount while you need an SR-22, but other discounts might help lower your rate. Make sure to ask your insurance company about what’s available. For example, you might be able to bundle your auto and home insurance policies to receive a discount.^[2]

• Maintain a clean driving record. You can’t change the past, but you can focus on maintaining a clean current and future driving record. Make sure that you stay up to date on your monthly insurance payments and obey all traffic laws.

• Keep the SR-22 form on file. The timeline for how long you need to file the SR-22 form varies. But make sure you do as instructed. Stay in contact with your insurance company, and check that the form is up to date and filed as it should be.

California SR-22 insurance FAQs