Cheap SR-22 Insurance in Tennessee (2023)

Comparison shopping may help you find an affordable insurer who can file these court-ordered documents on your behalf.

Bob Phillips
Written byBob Phillips
Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips

  • 15+ years in personal finance advising and writing

  • Holds Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation

Bob has spent 15+ years helping people plan their financial lives. As a freelance writer, he’s covered insurance, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, and more.

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Evelyn Pimplaskar
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Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content

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Amber Benka
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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.

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Updated April 20, 2023

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Both SR-22s and FR-44s are court-ordered documents an insurer must submit on your behalf to prove to the state that you have at least the minimum amount of state-required car insurance. Although they’re sometimes called “insurance,” neither document replaces your auto insurance policy.

Here’s what you should know about SR-22 forms, when you might need one, and how it can affect your insurance costs.

Quick Facts

  • Only Virginia and Florida use FR-44 insurance; all other states, including Tennessee, use SR-22 insurance.

  • A court may require you to file an SR-22 form if you’ve been convicted of a DUI, DWI, driving without insurance, other moving violations, or have unpaid child support.

  • Not all insurance companies offer SR-22s.

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

Tennessee courts typically require SR-22 insurance (SR stands for “safety responsibility”) for high-risk drivers who have convictions for driving infractions. Your car insurance company, which must be licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, files the form on your behalf.[1]   

Some of the most common reasons courts require an SR-22 are:

  • DUI or DWI

  • Reckless driving

  • Causing an accident while uninsured

  • Driving without insurance

  • Having your license suspended or revoked

  • Multiple traffic offenses in a relatively short period of time

  • Unpaid child support

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How can you get SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?

You can buy SR-22 insurance through a licensed casualty insurance agent appointed by an insurance company and permitted to conduct business in Tennessee. The insurance company determines the cost of your policy based on multiple factors, including your driving record.

Not every auto insurance company files SR-22s, so you may need to contact multiple insurers to find one that does.

Learn More: What is Liability Car Insurance? 

How long is SR-22 insurance required in Tennessee?

You may need an SR-22 for up to five years, or as few as three years in Tennessee, depending on the severity of the violation and whether you’re a repeat offender.[1] 

However, “that time period can be extended if there are further driving offenses or violations,” says Lisa Crawford, a licensed agent with Serenity Insurance, which specializes in SR-22 insurance.

And, if you fail to renew your SR-22 each year, or your insurer cancels it and you don’t file a new form, the state can suspend your driving privileges.

How much is SR-22 insurance in Tennessee?

The cost of an SR-22 will vary, depending on the insurer who files it on your behalf. Some may charge a fee in addition to the state-determined filing fee. Others may file an SR-22 for free as part of your car insurance policy. Generally, it costs around $25 to file an SR-22.

Keep in Mind

The actual costs of SR-22 insurance go far beyond the filing fees. Typically, the type of driving violations that lead a court to require an SR-22 will increase your insurance rates significantly.  

Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Tennessee

SR-22 insurance in Tennessee is more expensive than the standard rate people pay for car insurance in Tennessee, so shopping for the cheapest SR-22 insurance premium makes good financial sense.

Based on Insurify’s data, here are the companies with the cheapest rates in Tennessee:

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
National General$110
Direct Auto$116
Travelers$134
Safeco$146
Elephant$148
Dairyland$164
The General$200
Freedom National$213
Bristol West$235
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 Tennessee with SR-22 by city

Not only does the cost of SR-22 coverage in Tennessee vary by insurance company, but also by city and metropolitan area. Here are the average monthly costs for liability-only coverage from multiple insurers in three of Tennessee’s largest cities:

City Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
ChattanoogaDirect Auto$190
ChattanoogaDairyland$272
ChattanoogaBristol West$351
MemphisDirect Auto$156
MemphisElephant$174
MemphisBristol West$320
NashvilleDirect Auto$141
NashvilleDairyland$219
NashvilleBristol West$247
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.

 Keep Reading: What Is Full-Coverage Car Insurance? 

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

Having an SR-22 doesn’t affect your driving record, but the infractions that caused the courts to order one can have serious long-term effects. For example, in Tennessee, a DUI could land you in prison for up to 12 years, depending on the severity of the crime.[2] And a DUI in the state remains part of your record for life — even after you’re no longer required to file an SR-22.

This could affect your future rates and make it more difficult for you to find an insurer that will issue you coverage. But you can take steps to improve your driving record and possibly lower your insurance rates while under SR-22 insurance: 

  • Check into discounts. Even with an SR-22 certificate on file, you may be able to qualify for discounts, such as bundling your home or renter’s insurance with your auto insurance, having anti-theft devices in your car, or completing a safe driving course.

  • Modify your deductible. Generally, choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly premium payment. But make sure you’ll be able to afford to cover the deductible in case an accident occurs.

  • Compare car insurance companies. Just as comparison shopping is a great way to find an affordable price on other large purchases, comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies could help you find the lowest price available to you.  

“The best way to keep your rates lower is not to get any more tickets and stay with the same insurance company for six to 12 months,” Crawford says.

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Tennessee SR-22 insurance FAQs

SR-22 rules can be confusing, but meeting state insurance requirements is essential. Because you may still have a question or two concerning an SR-22, here are answers to some of the most often-asked questions.

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

    In Tennessee, the standard term of the SR-22 requirement is three to five years. However, the state can extend the SR-22 compliance period if you fail to maintain continuous liability coverage under the SR-22 filing.

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

    You’ll need to notify your insurer and request the removal of the SR-22 from your policy; it won’t automatically terminate once it’s no longer required. This might result in a reduction of your rates if your insurer raised them after filing the SR-22.

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

    Tennessee drivers will have to keep their SR-22 when they move to a new state, even if the new state of residence doesn’t require it. Talk with your insurer before you move to ensure your policy won’t lapse, which could lead to the suspension of your driving privileges and result in having to pay higher premiums for a longer period.

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

    It depends. You’ll still need an SR-22 in Tennessee even if you don’t own a car and will, at some point, drive someone else’s car or rent a car. Getting into an accident without an SR-22 could result in you being held liable for bodily injury or property damage claims. Depending on the carrier, you may be able to buy a nonowner SR-22 policy.

Sources

  1. Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. "Financial Responsibility Affidavits." Accessed April 17, 2023
  2. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. "DUI Offenses." Accessed April 17, 2023
Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips


Having spent more than 15 years helping people plan their lives financially, Bob
mastered many different financial products to help people achieve their financial
goals, including life insurance, disability insurance, mutual funds, and stocks and
bonds. He earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation and held
numerous securities licenses. Bob is an internationally published poet and is now
a freelance writer living in North Texas with his wife and Doberman puppy.

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Evelyn Pimplaskar
Edited byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content

  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Featured in

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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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

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