Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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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.
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Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that states require for high-risk drivers to prove they have the minimum required liability insurance coverage. It’s a way of ensuring high-risk drivers stay insured for a set amount of time after a traffic violation or driver’s license suspension.
Learn more about SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin, when you need it, and how to get it.
An SR-22 insurance form is a certificate showing proof of financial responsibility.
Wisconsin requires drivers who need an SR-22 certificate to maintain it for three years.
Having an SR-22 certificate will likely increase your car insurance rates.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin
Just like with regular car insurance, some insurance companies have cheaper car insurance for SR-22 certificates than others. Check out the table below to see the cost of car insurance with an SR-22 certificate from some of the cheapest companies in Wisconsin.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $35 | $66 |
Auto-Owners | $36 | $69 |
State Farm | $36 | $68 |
Erie | $47 | $91 |
GEICO | $49 | $91 |
American Family | $52 | $99 |
Mile Auto | $55 | $88 |
Chubb | $60 | $114 |
Farmers | $69 | $134 |
Nationwide | $71 | $136 |
Clearcover | $76 | $123 |
Progressive | $84 | $159 |
Travelers | $90 | $172 |
Root | $99 | $172 |
Allstate | $102 | $194 |
Dairyland | $102 | $320 |
Safeco | $104 | $167 |
GAINSCO | $109 | $429 |
Bristol West | $115 | $328 |
Direct Auto | $128 | $292 |
The General | $134 | $311 |
State Auto | $136 | $257 |
National General | $140 | $287 |
Liberty Mutual | $172 | $281 |
Foremost | $192 | $503 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin?
SR-22 forms are certificates that insurance companies issue to high-risk drivers to prove they have the minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin. Unlike standard car insurance policies, SR-22 certificates are proof that you meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements — they don’t provide any car insurance coverage.
The state of Wisconsin requires SR-22 insurance certificates for people who want to reinstate their driver’s licenses after a serious violation and for drivers younger than 18 without a sponsor. You need to maintain your SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years in Wisconsin. If your car insurance policy lapses, your insurer will notify the state, which can result in penalties.[1]
One of the most common reasons SR-22 certificates are issued is for DUIs. SR-22 forms are crucial because they ensure that high-risk drivers are held financially responsible on the road.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
SR-22 and FR-44 forms are both certificates of financial responsibility. They differ in which states they’re used in — Florida and Virginia use FR-44s, while most other states, including Wisconsin, use SR-22s. FR-44 certificates typically impose stricter limits than SR-22 forms.
When you need SR-22 insurance
You’ll typically need SR-22 insurance if you have any of these driving incidents on your record:
A DUI conviction
Driving without insurance
Reckless driving
A suspended license
Numerous traffic offenses
How to get SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin
Getting SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin is pretty straightforward. Follow these steps to obtain an SR-22 certificate:
1. Inform your insurance company
Let your car insurance company know immediately that you need an SR-22. Your insurer will file it for you if it offers SR-22 certificates, but if not, you’ll need to switch insurers.
2. Make sure you have enough coverage
Make sure your policy meets the state’s minimum liability requirements: $10,000 in property damage, $25,000 in bodily injury per person, and $50,000 in bodily injury per accident.[2]
3. Have your insurer file the SR-22
Ask your insurance agency to file the SR-22 certificate with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
4. Pay the fee
Once your insurer files the certificate, you’ll likely need to pay a filing fee of $15 to $25 to the state.
5. Maintain your coverage for the required amount of time
You’ll typically need to maintain your SR-22 certificate for at least three years. It’s important to do so, as letting coverage lapse can lead to penalties.
How long Wisconsin requires SR-22 insurance
In most cases, Wisconsin requires drivers to maintain SR-22 coverage for at least three years once their driving privileges have been reinstated. For serious moving violations, such as DUIs or repeated reckless driving offenses, you may need to maintain the SR-22 for longer than three years. If you fail to renew your SR-22 or commit another driving violation, you’ll likely need to maintain the coverage for longer.
With an SR-22 insurance certificate, your insurance premiums are likely going to be more expensive, as insurers see you as a higher risk to insure. It can be difficult to find a company to insure you in some cases, depending on the severity of your traffic violation.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Wisconsin
SR-22 insurance affects your driving record for about five years, during which your insurance rates will be higher than normal. You’ll likely pay much more in premiums than you used to, but you still have some ways you can lower your insurance rates:[3]
First, and most importantly, avoid any more violations. Do your best to maintain a clean driving record going forward. Having more incidents on your record could increase the duration of your SR-22 and raise your auto insurance rates even more.
Take defensive driving courses. It’s a good idea to take state-approved defensive driving courses — this can potentially remove points from your driving record and earn you a discount from your insurer.
Compare car insurance quotes. One of the best ways to save money is by comparing quotes from multiple insurers to find the most affordable one for you and your vehicle.
Wisconsin SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about SR-22 certificates in Wisconsin, check out the information below.
How do you know if you need an SR-22 or FR-44?
The Wisconsin DMV, your insurer, or the state via court order will tell you which type of insurance form you need, whether it be an SR-22 or FR-44. In most cases, you’ll need SR-22 insurance. Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44 certificates.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. You’ll typically need to make a one-time payment of $15 to $25 with SR-22 insurance.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing SR-22?
Car insurance rates can increase by as much as 50% after filing an SR-22, depending on the severity of the violation.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Wisconsin?
You have to hold an SR-22 for at least three years in Wisconsin in most cases. For more severe violations, you may need to hold an SR-22 for longer than three years.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Wisconsin?
You can get rid of an SR-22 in Wisconsin only after you’ve maintained it for the required period (typically three years). You’ll need to tell your insurer that you no longer need the SR-22, and they’ll begin the process of removing it.
What happens to your SR-22 in Wisconsin if you move?
If you have an SR-22 in Wisconsin, you should let your insurer know if you move. If you move to a new city, your insurance company will need to update the address on your SR-22 filing with the state. If you move out of state, you’ll need to comply with that state’s SR-22 requirements. You may need to switch insurers — ask your insurance agent for more information if you’re unsure.
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
- 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.
Related articles
More cities in Wisconsin
Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "SR22 Certificate."
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Minimum insurance requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
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