Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Louisiana (2024)

If you’ve committed a serious driving violation, the state of Louisiana may require you to file an SR-22 to show proof of insurance coverage.

Angela Brown
Written byAngela Brown
Angela Brown
Angela Brown
  • 17+ years in insurance and personal finance writing

  • In-depth knowledge of home and real estate topics

Angela is an insurance and personal finance expert who uses her experience to create content that helps readers understand important and complex topics.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logo
Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley Cox
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logomedia logo
Amber Benka
Reviewed byAmber Benka
Amber Benka
Amber BenkaLicensed Insurance Agent

Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.

Updated April 19, 2023

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers
Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

In most states, if you have certain driving violations you must file an SR-22 form, which shows that you meet the minimum coverage requirements to drive in your state.

If you need an SR-22 in Louisiana, here’s what you should know about the process, how long you’re required to keep an SR-22, and the consequences if you don’t have the proper documentation on file.

Quick Facts
  • States often mandate drivers to file an SR-22 with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles after they’ve committed a serious driving offense.

  • Not all insurance companies offer SR-22s. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to find a different insurer.

  • The incident that caused you to need an SR-22 will probably increase your car insurance rates.

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

An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy. It’s a certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry the minimum amount of coverage required by Louisiana. If you don’t own a car, you must purchase a nonowner policy and get an SR-22 to prevent your license from lapsing.

The state of Louisiana requires drivers convicted of certain driving violations to obtain an SR-22 form. The following offenses typically lead to a court-ordered SR-22 requirement:[1]

  • Resisting arrest

  • Refusal to cooperate 

  • DWI

  • Underage DUI

  • Driving (speeding) violations that result in a license suspension

You must maintain the minimum state coverage with an SR-22. The minimum automobile insurance requirements in Louisiana are:[2]

  • $15,000 for bodily injury for a single person

  • $30,000 for bodily injury for more than one person in a single accident

  • $25,000 for damage to another person’s vehicle or property

Find Louisiana Car Insurance

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

How can you get SR-22 insurance in Louisiana?

The court will notify you if you’re required to have SR-22 insurance. Drivers required to have an SR-22 will need to pay a fee to their insurance company, which will file the proper paperwork with the state. You may need to shop around for a policy that fits your needs, as some insurers don’t offer SR-22s.

“Not all auto insurance providers are required to offer an SR-22 or FR-44, but many do to better serve their customers,” says Amanda Moss, a licensed auto insurance agent with A Plus Insurance. “Since each state has its own laws regarding car insurance, the requirements for insurance providers on whether or not they need to offer a financial responsibility form will be based solely on [individual state laws].”

Moss recommends asking companies you’re interested in purchasing insurance from if they offer SR-22 forms.

How long is SR-22 insurance required in Louisiana? 

Drivers in Louisiana must maintain their SR-22 continuously for at least three years from the date of their conviction.

If you allow your SR-22 to lapse, your required coverage time may reset. Additionally, you could face fines or have your driver’s license revoked. Time requirements may vary based on your compliance and the severity of your violations.

How much is SR-22 insurance in Louisiana?

The cost of insurance varies based on several factors, including the type of coverage, company, where you live, and driving history. Insurance companies in Louisiana may also use your credit score to determine rates. You should expect to pay between $25 and $50 for your insurance company to file the necessary SR-22 paperwork with the state.

In addition to the filing fee, you’ll need to pay a fee to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). The fee ranges from $60 for an underage DUI to $300 for a third offense of DWI.[3]

Important Information

Depending on the severity of the conviction, the state may also require additional measures like an ignition interlock. Further violations could result in a hardship license, limiting the driving capabilities of work-related and essential activities.

Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Louisiana

Insurance costs will be higher for drivers with an SR-22 because insurance companies consider your driving record when determining your rate. Drivers with an SR-22 requirement are considered higher-risk drivers.

It’s important to shop around and get quotes from multiple insurance companies — especially if you have an SR-22 requirement. For example, Louisiana drivers with SR-22s pay $338 less per month with The General than drivers insured with Bristol West.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
The General$240
Direct Auto$281
Bristol West$578
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest insurance companies in Louisiana with SR-22 by city

Insurance rates vary from state to state, but they can also vary widely across ZIP codes in the same city. Urban neighborhoods are likely to have higher rates since they’re more populated and the risk of accidents is elevated.

Even in the same city, rates can vary dramatically. For example, New Orleans drivers insured with Bristol West pay 137% more for a policy than New Orleans drivers insured with Direct Auto.

CityInsurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
New OrleansDirect Auto$276
New OrleansBristol West$655
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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

When you’re legally required to have an SR-22, your insurance rates will be higher, since this document flags you as a high-risk driver. Once the allotted time you’re required to carry an SR-22 lapses, the SR-22 requirement falls off your driving record. While your rates may remain slightly higher with a spotty driving record, you’ll have more options and better rates once you’re no longer required to have an SR-22 on file with the state.

Unlike other states, Louisiana doesn’t use the point system for its driving records. Since the state doesn’t use a point system, your options for improving your driving record are more limited.

But you still have ways to improve your driving record, which could help you save money on your car insurance:

  • Check your driving record. You can purchase a copy of your driving record from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles for $18. You can print the file from your home computer. Review your driving record for any errors or old violations that should be gone. If you find errors, you can contact the OMV to fix any mistakes.[4]

  • Avoid future violations and continue to drive safely. Most minor driving violations, such as speeding or failure to yield, will fall off your record within three to five years. Practice safe driving habits and avoid future violations to clear up your driving record faster.

  • Compare rates from multiple insurers. While you’ll pay more for an SR-22 insurance policy than one without, you can still save money by shopping your rates with multiple companies. Not all insurers work with drivers who need SR-22, so your options may be slightly limited.

Find Louisiana Car Insurance

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Louisiana SR-22 insurance FAQs

If you’re required to have SR-22 insurance in the Pelican State, you may have additional questions about the process. Here’s some additional information that can help.

  • How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Louisiana?

    Louisiana requires drivers to have an SR-22 for at least three years. Your time required could change depending on the severity of your violations, whether you maintain coverage consecutively, and whether or not you have additional traffic violations on your record.

  • How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Louisiana?

    You can only eliminate an SR-22 from your driving record and your insurance policy once you’ve completed the allotted time required by the courts. The court may send you a letter notifying you that your SR-22 period has expired; otherwise, keep track of your expiration date and contact the Office of Motor Vehicles and your insurer once you can remove the SR-22.

  • What happens to your SR-22 in Louisiana if you move?

    If you move before your SR-22 expires, you’ll need to file your SR-22 with your new state. You must abide by any rules and regulations in your new state. You’re required to renew your SR-22 each year. You should renew the SR-22 around 30 days before expiration to avoid delinquency. You should file your SR-22 with your new state as soon as you’ve established an address in your new state.

  • Do you need an SR-22 in Louisiana if you don’t have a car?

    Yes. If you want to retain driving privileges, you must have an SR-22 on record with the state. You can apply for a nonowner policy, which will be less expensive than a policy that covers a vehicle. You should maintain the SR-22 for three consecutive years, even if you don’t own a car in that time, to avoid license suspension.

Sources

  1. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. "Hardship License Requirements." Accessed April 18, 2023
  2. Louisiana Department of Insurance. "Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance." Accessed April 18, 2023
  3. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. "Suspensions." Accessed April 18, 2023
  4. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. "Louisiana Official Driving Record." Accessed April 18, 2023
Angela Brown
Angela Brown

Angela Brown is a freelance writer with 17 years of professional writing and editing experience.
She specializes in finance, real estate, and insurance content. Angela uses her experience to
create easy-to-understand content that helps consumers understand tough topics better. When
she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and planning vacations.

Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley CoxSenior Managing Editor
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logomedia logo
Amber Benka
Reviewed byAmber BenkaLicensed Insurance Agent
Amber Benka
Amber BenkaLicensed Insurance Agent

Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers