Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
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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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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
If you have a serious traffic violation on your record, the state of Colorado may suspend your driving privileges. An SR-22 form allows you to legally get back on the road, but you’ll likely pay higher insurance premiums stemming from the incident that required you to seek an SR-22.
Here’s what to know about cheap car insurance in Colorado when you have an SR-22 insurance requirement.
An SR-22 is a document that proves you meet Colorado’s minimum liability insurance requirements.[1]
Once your insurer files the SR-22 certificate on your behalf, it’ll notify the DMV if you drop your insurance policy.
Colorado law may require you to have SR-22 coverage for up to three years.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Colorado
Having an SR-22 form on file usually results in more expensive rates than standard auto insurance. But it’s still possible to find affordable coverage. Here are some of the cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Colorado.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $56 | $117 |
USAA | $71 | $151 |
American Family | $76 | $162 |
GEICO | $85 | $179 |
Allstate | $86 | $183 |
Nationwide | $92 | $195 |
Root | $92 | $165 |
Sun Coast | $92 | $224 |
Progressive | $98 | $206 |
Auto-Owners | $99 | $209 |
The General | $106 | $283 |
Bristol West | $114 | $286 |
Safeco | $132 | $241 |
Dairyland | $137 | $323 |
Foremost | $139 | $424 |
Travelers | $139 | $295 |
Farmers | $146 | $309 |
Direct Auto | $154 | $356 |
National General | $178 | $355 |
Liberty Mutual | $237 | $381 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Colorado?
Though sometimes referred to as SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. It’s a form your car insurance company files on your behalf to show you have coverage that meets the state minimum requirements. In Colorado, you may need this certificate of financial responsibility if you’re convicted of a serious driving violation.
If you drop your insurance coverage while the SR-22 is on file, your insurer must notify the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.[2] Dropping your coverage while your SR-22 requirement is active will typically lead to a suspended driver’s license. If this happens, you’ll need to buy a new policy and file a new SR-22 form to regain your driving privileges.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
SR-22s and FR-44s are two documents that act as proof of insurance for people convicted of certain driving offenses. Both forms state the driver will maintain their insurance coverage during a specified period, such as three years. The driver’s insurance company usually files the form with the state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV).
Some states require an SR-22 form for drivers convicted of a serious traffic offense, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving without a license. States may also require an SR-22 if a driver has multiple accidents on their record.
The FR-44 form is generally reserved only for DUIs and driving with a suspended license. The FR-44 also typically requires higher liability limits than the SR-22. Only Florida and Virginia use the FR-44 form. Other states use the SR-22.
When you need SR-22 insurance
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles may require you to file an SR-22 form if it considers you a high-risk driver. This may happen if you’re:
Caught driving without a valid car insurance policy[3]
Convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
Convicted of a moving violation, such as reckless driving, and the court determines you need to file the form
How to get SR-22 insurance in Colorado
Drivers who need SR-22 insurance in the state of Colorado typically learn about the requirement via court order. In addition to any court hearing you attend, you may receive a written notice in the mail.
Here are the steps you can take to get SR-22 coverage in Colorado:
1. Contact your insurer, or several other insurers if necessary
You can get a car insurance policy from any company licensed in Colorado. But not all insurers provide coverage for people with serious driving convictions. If your current insurer doesn’t, you may need to contact several others to find a policy that fits your budget and needs.
2. Compare quotes
Review the monthly insurance premiums and coverage limits, whether you qualify for discounts, and any additional costs involved in filing the SR-22.
3. Buy the required coverage
When you have an SR-22 on file in Colorado, your car insurance policy must have a minimum term of three months with at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability per accident.
4. Request the SR-22 form
Your insurance company can file the SR-22 form with the state Division of Motor Vehicles on your behalf. Alternatively, you can upload the form online or mail it in yourself. The SR-22 filing serves as proof of coverage.
How long Colorado requires SR-22 insurance
Your SR-22 form may need to stay on file for up to three years, starting with the date you reinstate your driving privileges. So, if you have a 90-day license suspension following a DUI, you’ll keep your SR-22 filed for three years from the first day of your license reinstatement.
If your coverage lapses while the requirement is in effect, your insurance company must inform the state, and you’ll face driver’s license suspension. Before driving again, you’ll need to get a new SR-22 form on file.[1]
In some cases, Colorado allows you to discontinue your insurance policy and remove the SR-22 if the state cancels your driver’s license.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Colorado
Your SR-22 filing can affect your driving record as long as it’s in force, which is up to three years in Colorado. It affects your insurance policy’s cost since you qualify as a high-risk driver.
But you have ways to lower your insurance rates in Colorado:
Take a defensive driving course. Some insurance companies discount your policy after completing this type of class. Ask the company about this option before signing up.
Bundle your insurance policies. When possible, consider bundling your auto policy with another insurance policy, such as home insurance or boat insurance. Many insurance companies offer a discount when you purchase multiple policies with them.
Improve your credit. Colorado allows insurers to consider information in your credit history when setting your insurance rates. Generally, building healthy credit can help improve the rates you receive. You can boost your credit history by paying all your bills on time and reducing your debt-to-income ratio.
Buy a safer vehicle. Insurance companies consider factors like your vehicle’s safety features when setting monthly rates. If you need to buy a new car, consider choosing one of the cheapest cars to insure to save on insurance.
Colorado SR-22 insurance FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about filing and maintaining an SR-22 form in Colorado.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles will let you know if you need to file an SR-22. The agency may tell you in a court hearing and send you a letter by mail. Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44s.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
The Colorado DMV doesn’t charge a fee to file an SR-22. But your insurance company may charge a fee of up to $200 to file the form on your behalf.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
After filing an SR-22, the amount your car insurance increases depends on a few factors. First, your insurer may raise your insurance premium because it considers you a higher-risk driver. Factors like your age, gender, marital status, and ZIP code can also influence what you pay.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Colorado?
You’ll need to keep the SR-22 on file for the required period, which can be up to three years.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Colorado?
You can ask your insurer to remove an SR-22 from your auto insurance policy once your SR-22 has been on file for the required time frame.
What happens to your SR-22 in Colorado if you move?
If you move out of state, you can file a DR 2680: Out of State Residency Affidavit to remain compliant with your SR-22 requirement in Colorado. This affidavit allows out-of-state drivers to maintain their SR-22 status and work toward reinstating their driving privileges in Colorado.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Colorado
Sources
- Colorado Department of Revenue. "SR-22 and Insurance Information."
- Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. "Quick Links."
- Colorado Department of Revenue. "Auto Insurance."
Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
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
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.