After a serious driving offense, drivers in the Lone Star State might need to file an SR-22 to prove they meet the state minimum car insurance requirements.
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In Texas, drivers who’ve had their license suspended, received more than one conviction for driving without insurance, or have a civil judgment against them must file an SR-22 with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
An SR-22 isn’t a separate policy; instead, it’s a certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the state minimum required coverage. Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 requirements.
Quick Facts
You’ll typically pay higher car insurance rates if you have an SR-22 requirement.
Not every insurer offers SR-22s, so finding one that does can be challenging.
You’ll be required to keep an SR-22 on file in Texas for at least two consecutive years.
What is SR-22 insurance in Texas, and when do you need it?
SR-22 insurance isn’t actually car insurance. Rather, it’s a form that your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety that certifies you meet the state’s minimum liability requirements.[1] Courts typically require drivers to obtain an SR-22 to retain their driving privileges.
An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22, but only Florida and Virginia use these forms. FR-44s have a higher liability requirement than SR-22s.
Convictions that require an SR-22 in Texas include:
The state of Texas requires drivers to have the following liability coverage amounts:[1]
$30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person per accident
$60,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people per accident
$25,000 for damage or destruction of property per accident
Important Information
If you’re required to have an SR-22 on file with the state of Texas, it’s important not to let your coverage lapse. Any lapse in your policy could result in the loss of driving privileges, a fine, and a reset of the time required to hold an SR-22.
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How can you get SR-22 insurance in Texas?
Your insurance agent will file your SR-22 with the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you already have insurance, your agent can submit the form. However, some insurance companies may choose to drop your coverage, and others don’t offer policies to drivers with serious driving violations on their records.
If your current insurer doesn’t offer SR-22 services, you’ll need to talk to several companies to compare rates and coverage options.
Once your insurance agent files your SR-22 with the Department of Public Safety, processing can take up to 21 days. You’ll also need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee to have your driving privileges reinstated.[2]
How long is SR-22 insurance required in Texas?
Texas drivers with an SR-22 must maintain the SR-22 for at least two consecutive years from the date of their most recent conviction. If you let the policy lapse, you could face additional fines or restart your enforcement period.[2]
Drivers required to have an SR-22 can’t use an insurance or policy card in place of an SR-22.
The cost of SR-22 insurance in Texas varies. In addition to the $100 fee for reinstating your license, you may need to pay a filing fee when your insurance company submits the SR-22. The cost for filing typically ranges between $10 and $25 and may vary between companies and state to state.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Texas
Finding cheap car insurance can be difficult, especially when you must file an SR-22. If the state of Texas has mandated that you carry an SR-22, you should expect to pay more for your policy than drivers with a clean record. Insurance companies base their rates on several factors, including driving history.[3] Drivers with convictions on their record are considered high risk, so companies increase these premiums to offset the additional risk of insuring you.
Rates can vary greatly by insurance company. For example, Texas drivers with an SR-22 requirement insured with Safeco pay 47% less for a policy than drivers insured with The General, based on Insurify data.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest insurance companies in Texas with SR-22 by city
Did you know that insurance rates can change based on where you live? Rates can fluctuate based on population and roads. Areas that see higher accident rates may charge higher rates. Your rates could also be higher if you frequently travel in large urban areas.
Here are the average monthly rates in some of the most populous cities in Texas. For example, Insurify data shows that Houston drivers with a Mercury policy pay 36% more than Dallas drivers with a Mercury policy.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Texas
If you’ve had your Texas driver license suspended for a violation like driving without insurance or driving under the influence, you’ll need to file an SR-22 to get your license reinstated. You’ll also need to maintain that SR-22 for two years in order to keep your license.
The violations that led to your suspension will likely stay on your driving record for a few years, but in some cases — like a DWI — they’re permanent parts of your record. Insurers typically charge higher rates to drivers with serious infractions on their records.
But you can do a few things to help lower your insurance rates while you have an SR-22 policy:[4]
Shop around for the best rates
The easiest way to save money on your auto insurance is tocompare rates from multiple companies. You may have fewer options with an SR-22, but you may be able to save some money each month if you compare quotes from multiple companies.
Maintain safe driving habits and avoid additional convictions
Since Texas charges a surcharge for unsafe driving, the easiest way to avoid additional fees is to drive safely and avoid additional moving violations. Drivers lose one point from their record for each year they’re accident-free.
Look for other discounts
Check fordiscountsthrough your employer, school, or member organization. You may also save money by bundling your home and auto insurance policies with one insurer.
Improve your credit score
Auto insurance companies may use your credit score when considering insurance rates. However, Texas has strict regulations in place to ensure that consumers are treated fairly. Improving your credit score could help you save money on your auto insurance.
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Texas SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you’ve been mandated to get SR-22 coverage in Texas, you may feel overwhelmed. Here’s some additional information that could help.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Texas?
You’re required to maintain an SR-22 certification in Texas for two consecutive years from the date of your most recent conviction. A lapse in coverage could result in fines or loss of driving privileges.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Texas?
Once the two-year mark passes, you can ask your insurance company to remove the SR-22 and notify the state that your requirement period is over.
What happens to your SR-22 in Texas if you move?
If you move, you must maintain your SR-22 in the state you relocate to. You must follow the new state’s laws regarding fees and ending periods. Texas will automatically notify your new state when you apply for a license, and, if you fail to maintain your SR-22 in your new state, your driver’s license may be suspended.
Do you need an SR-22 in Texas if you don’t have a car?
Yes. To maintain your driving privileges in Texas, you must purchase a nonowner policy. This policy ensures that you have minimum liability coverage. You could face fees and a license suspension if you’re pulled over while driving any vehicle without an SR-22.
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.