)
8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
Featured in
)
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
Updated
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.
Table of contents
You may need an SR-22 if you drive without insurance, have a DUI, or have multiple violations in a short time frame. An SR-22 is a form of financial responsibility that your insurance company submits to the DMV on your behalf. It proves that you have adequate insurance coverage.[1]
Here’s what drivers in Nevada need to know about SR-22 insurance after a high-risk violation.
Drivers who need SR-22 insurance in Nevada must have it for three years.
The state government or a judge will let you know if you need SR-22 insurance.
If you must carry an SR-22 due to high-risk driving, the cost of insurance coverage will likely increase.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Nevada
An SR-22 typically follows a violation, so your insurance will consider you a high-risk driver, and your rates will likely increase. The good news is that you can still find affordable coverage. Here are the best options.
Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
---|---|---|
COUNTRY Financial | $39 | $62 |
State Farm | $57 | $90 |
GEICO | $69 | $109 |
USAA | $80 | $127 |
Allstate | $103 | $162 |
Farmers | $159 | $253 |
Nationwide | $164 | $261 |
Mercury | $165 | $207 |
Safeco | $180 | $239 |
Sun Coast | $181 | $303 |
Root | $186 | $298 |
Travelers | $191 | $303 |
Direct Auto | $191 | $337 |
American Family | $195 | $310 |
Progressive | $221 | $262 |
Dairyland | $227 | $426 |
Bristol West | $304 | $480 |
Liberty Mutual | $304 | $371 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Nevada?
An SR-22 form isn’t an insurance policy. The forms are certificates of financial responsibility and prove to the state that you have adequate insurance coverage that meets Nevada’s minimum amounts of property damage and bodily injury liability.
A state government official or a local judge determines if you need the form. You might need it on file after a high-risk violation, like driving under the influence or driving without insurance. Because you’ve had a serious violation, the state wants to confirm your coverage in case it happens again.
Filing the form doesn’t cost much, but insurers charge more for coverage if you need SR-22 insurance since it signifies that you’re riskier to insure. Your insurer submits the form to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, and you must maintain coverage for three years from the date of license reinstatement.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Nevada doesn’t require drivers to hold FR-44 insurance. The FR-44 form is similar to an SR-22 form — both provide proof of insurance coverage after a high-risk violation.
The biggest difference is that Florida and Virginia are the only states that require FR-44 insurance. Plus, FR-44 insurance usually has higher minimum-coverage requirements. Drivers who need FR-44 insurance in those states might also have more severe violations.
When you need SR-22 insurance
You must have SR-22 insurance after you receive notice from a court order or the state government. The form proves that you have adequate coverage and is only necessary after you’re at fault for a high-risk violation.
Here are the most common reasons drivers need an SR-22:[2]
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Driving without insurance
Driving without a license
Repeat at-fault car accidents
Multiple traffic tickets in a short time period
Reckless driving, including driving significantly over the speed limit
How to get SR-22 insurance in Nevada
You can get SR-22 insurance from almost any insurance company in Nevada, but you should confirm with an agent before finalizing coverage. Some insurers have separate departments that handle SR-22 forms. The more experience an insurer has with the form, the easier it is for you.
Here’s how to get SR-22 insurance in Nevada:
1. Confirm the requirement
You’ll receive a letter or court order stating that you need SR-22 insurance. Make sure you understand the requirements, and save the document.
2. Compare quotes
Car insurance is more expensive when you need SR-22 insurance, so comparing quotes and finding an affordable rate is essential. Get quotes from at least three companies before finalizing coverage.
3. Set up coverage
Check the coverage you need and confirm it meets the minimum requirements for the SR-22.
4. Request the form
Once you have coverage, ask your insurer to submit the SR-22 certificate to the DMV. Some insurers submit it automatically, but it’s always a good idea to double-check.
5. Receive confirmation
You should receive a confirmation from the state that the SR-22 insurance form is on file. If you don’t receive it within 30 days, contact your insurance company and discuss the next steps.
6. Pay on time
Maintain coverage and pay your premium on time to avoid a lapse in coverage.
How long Nevada requires SR-22 insurance
Nevada drivers must have SR-22 insurance for three years from the date of license reinstatement. You need continuous coverage, and there can’t be any gaps, so it’s critical to always make payments on time and maintain an active policy.
Your insurance company must notify the DMV immediately if you have a lapse in coverage. The DMV will suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration. You have to pay a $75 fee to reinstate it, and insurance will cost more because of the lapse in coverage.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Nevada
An SR-22 form indirectly increases the cost of auto insurance. Insurance companies consider driving records when determining insurance rates. High-risk violations, like driving under the influence and repeat at-fault accidents, cause rates to increase and require you to file an SR-22. So, while the form directly doesn’t affect your rates, your actions that resulted in an SR-22 do.
Here’s how you can keep costs down when you need SR-22 insurance:[3]
Avoid a lapse in coverage. If your coverage lapses, the DMV will suspend your license and registration, you’ll need to restart your SR-22 timeline, and your insurance costs will increase even more.
Shop for the best rates. Compare quotes from at least three insurers to find the best deal. Getting a quote only takes a few minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars.
Bundle policies. Consider whether you can bundle multiple insurance policies with the same company. Most insurers offer a discount if you have more than one type of insurance policy, such as renters and auto.
Switch to a low-mileage policy. Some insurers offer low-mileage policy options that can help you save money if you don’t drive much. You typically pay a small monthly fee and then a per-mile rate.
Nevada SR-22 insurance FAQs
High-risk drivers in Nevada need SR-22 insurance for different reasons. Here’s some additional information about the form requirement.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
The state government or a judge will notify you if you need SR-22 insurance in the state of Nevada. You can expect to receive a letter in the mail or an official court ruling.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
You have to pay a filing fee for SR-22 insurance. Your insurance company typically pays the fee when submitting the paperwork and then informs you of the cost. The fees are minimal — typically around $25 per year of your SR-22. The bigger cost is insurance rate increases.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
The exact amount of the increase depends on your driving record, location, age, and motor vehicle. But regardless of those factors, you can expect to pay more than you were before you needed SR-22 insurance. For example, Nevada drivers with a clean record pay an average of $174 per month for liability insurance, and Nevada drivers with a DUI pay $285 per month.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Nevada?
You must have SR-22 insurance for three years in Nevada. You need the form on file for three years from the date of your driver’s license reinstatement. If you have a lapse in coverage, the Nevada DMV will suspend your license and car registration and make you restart your time.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Nevada?
The only way to get rid of SR-22 insurance in Nevada is to fulfill the requirements. You must maintain adequate insurance coverage and submit the form annually for three years. After you complete the requirements, you can ask your insurance company to request removal of the form.
What happens to your SR-22 in Nevada if you move?
If you leave Nevada, you must maintain adequate insurance coverage and submit an SR-22 insurance form to the state government. You’re still responsible for meeting the requirements and can’t have a lapse in coverage.
Sources
- Nevada DMV. "Insurance."
- Nv.gov. "License Reinstatement."
- III. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
)
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Taylor has been a contributor at Insurify since February 2023.
)
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.