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.
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.
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An SR-22 is a form your insurance company submits to the state or district proving you have your state’s required minimum car insurance coverage. You must have the document on file after certain violations, like driving without a license or driving under the influence (DUI). A judge or the District of Columbia will let you know if you need to file an SR-22.
Filing an SR-22 is fairly affordable, but the incident that led to the form can increase the cost of car insurance.
SR-22 offenses include DUIs, driving without insurance, and numerous traffic violations.
You typically need to maintain SR-22 coverage for three years in Washington, D.C.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.
After you receive an SR-22 form, the cost of coverage will increase.[1] This is because an SR-22 results from high-risk driving behavior, such as DUIs or driving without insurance. Rates vary from one insurer to the next, so comparing quotes is the most effective way to save money.
The following insurers offer the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST.
Insurance Company
▲▼
Liability Only
▲▼
Full Coverage
▲▼
GEICO
$96
$171
Erie
$97
$173
State Farm
$104
$186
USAA
$106
$191
Liberty Mutual
$150
$345
Progressive
$177
$317
CSAA
$182
$237
Allstate
$204
$368
Nationwide
$206
$369
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.
What is SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.?
An SR-22 form is a certificate of financial responsibility that your state or district requires. Your insurance company files the form with the District of Columbia to prove you have adequate car insurance coverage.
An SR-22 insurance policy is the same as a standard liability policy that meets the minimum legal requirements. The only difference is that your insurer must file a form confirming you have coverage with the District of Columbia.
It costs around $25 to file the form. But the form usually indicates to insurers that you’re a high-risk driver and more likely to file a claim or have a future violation. Because of that, you typically have to pay higher rates.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
SR-22 and FR-44 forms are similar — both provide certificates of financial responsibility. Insurers file the form on behalf of drivers as proof of coverage. With an SR-22, you only need the legal minimum amount of coverage. An FR-44 typically requires more coverage than an SR-22.
Florida and Virginia are the only states that use FR-44 forms. They’re usually a requirement for more serious violations, like repeat offenses or DUIs with high blood alcohol levels. Drivers don’t need FR-44 insurance in Washington, D.C.
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When you need SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance is only necessary for serious driving violations or repeat offenses. You don’t need an SR-22 form for minor violations, like causing one at-fault accident with property damage or running a red light for the first time.
An SR-22 form is never a surprise — you’ll receive notice from a judge or the DMV to file the SR-22 certificate.
Here are the most common reasons that high-risk drivers need SR-22 insurance:[2]
DWI or DUI conviction
Driving without liability insurance
Numerous at-fault accidents or violations
Using a suspended license
Enrollment in D.C.’s Ignition Interlock Device Program (IID)
Reckless driving
How to get SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.
Although many insurers offer SR-22 insurance, some don’t, and it can be difficult to find an affordable rate. Here’s how to set up SR-22 coverage.
1. Confirm you need coverage
A judge or the DMV will notify you that you need SR-22 insurance.
2. Compare quotes
Get car insurance quotes from multiple companies to compare rates. Make sure to disclose that you need SR-22 insurance to get accurate quotes.
3. Discuss the process
Once you’re ready to move forward with an insurer, ask questions about SR-22 insurance before finalizing coverage. Working with an experienced insurer can streamline the process and make it less stressful.
4. Set up coverage
Finalize coverage with the insurance company. Pay your first premium and ensure you can access proof of coverage.
5. Ask the insurer to file
You usually need to ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form. Confirm that the insurance company filed the form, and repeat the request every year until you no longer need SR-22 insurance.
How long Washington, D.C., requires SR-22 insurance
Once you need SR-22 insurance, you must maintain it for at least three years. Depending on your violation, you might need it for longer, but the standard time frame in Washington, D.C., is three years.[3]
For example, drivers in the Ignition Interlock Device Program, due to an alcohol or drug violation, must maintain SR-22 insurance for three years.
Most insurers offer SR-22 insurance, so it’s easy to compare quotes. But you’ll pay more for coverage since the form usually signifies that you’re riskier to insure. It’s also crucial that you don’t let your insurance lapse. If you do, your insurer must report it to the DMV, which might result in license suspension and restarting your SR-22 time frame.
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How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Washington, D.C.
SR-22 insurance is usually more expensive than a policy without an SR-22 form. Filing the form doesn’t cost much, but the fact that you need it means you have violations on your driving record, which increases the cost of insurance.
The good news is that you can take steps to lower your auto insurance rates when you have SR-22 insurance. Here’s how:
Triple-check your coverage. The best way to lower your car insurance rate over time is to ensure you meet your court- or state-mandated requirements. Confirm your insurer submits the SR-22 form every year, and meet any requirements associated with your violation. For example, you might need to maintain a specific amount of coverage or complete a safe driving course.
Ask about discounts. If you have SR-22 insurance, you can still qualify for car insurance discounts. Ask your insurer if you’re eligible for any discounts that could save you money.
Shop around. Comparing car insurance rates can help you save hundreds of dollars. Get quotes from at least three companies before finalizing coverage. Because SR-22 insurance usually costs more, shopping around is even more critical.
Increase your deductible. Consider increasing your deductible to reduce your monthly insurance premiums. As long as you can afford the higher deductible, it can be a helpful way to save money every month.
Washington, D.C., SR-22 insurance FAQs
Understanding how SR-22 insurance works is essential as you navigate it. Here are answers to common questions about SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
You’ll know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44 insurance because a judge or the district will notify you. It’s never a surprise. If you have a serious driving violation, make sure you understand the consequences. Read the letters that arrive in the mail, follow the instructions from the DMV, and pay attention to court orders.
Only Virginia and Florida use FR-44s, so unless you move to either of those states, you only need to worry about an SR-22 in Washington, D.C.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. Filing the SR-22 form costs a small fee. Most insurers will have you pay the fee after the filing is complete since the cost can vary. The most significant cost of SR-22 insurance is that you’ll usually have to pay more for coverage due to the violations on your driving record.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
It depends. Car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22 form, but the exact amount varies on your violation and driving record. Insurers consider your driving record when determining rates. The violation that caused you to file an SR-22 is what increases your car insurance rates.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Washington, D.C.?
You must hold an SR-22 in Washington, D.C., for at least three years. Depending on your violation, the time period might be slightly different, but you typically need to file the SR-22 form for three years.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Washington, D.C.?
To get rid of SR-22 insurance in Washington, D.C., you must complete its requirements, which vary depending on your violation. You typically need to maintain continuous SR-22 insurance coverage for three years, and you might need to complete a specific program or course.
Once you complete your requirements, you can request your insurance company to remove your SR-22.
What happens to your SR-22 in Washington, D.C., if you move?
If you move, it’s crucial to maintain SR-22 insurance coverage. The best way to do that is to stay up to date on the filing in Washington, D.C.
You can establish coverage in your new state and ensure an overlap between the policies. Sticking with the same insurer throughout the transfer process can be helpful if your current insurer offers coverage in your new state.
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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
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.
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.
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