The Complete Guide to SR-22 Insurance (2024)

An SR-22 form confirms that your insurance policy meets the minimum coverage requirements. After a serious violation, some drivers must file this form with their state’s DMV.

Sarah Sharkey
Written bySarah Sharkey
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
  • 7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Contributor to top media, including USA Today

A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated March 25, 2024

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Drivers facing a revoked or suspended license are often told they need to get SR-22 insurance. Many states require high-risk drivers to file an SR-22 form to get back on the road. But this type of filing isn’t really a type of car insurance. Instead, an SR-22 insurance form proves that your policy meets the state’s minimum insurance requirements.

If you need to file an SR-22, it’s usually part of restoring your license after a traffic violation or if you’re caught driving without car insurance. Many insurance companies will raise your insurance rates if your state requires you to file an SR-22.

Who needs an SR-22?

Most drivers don’t need to obtain an SR-22 to get on the road. 

“Generally speaking, a driver only needs an SR-22 in cases where they represent a higher risk as a driver,” says Ben Michael, founder of Michael & Associates.

If you need an SR-22 form, the issuing court or your state motor vehicle department will likely notify you. But in general, you should expect to need an SR-22 after committing any of these driving violations:

  • Driving without insurance: In most states, it’s illegal to drive without a minimum-coverage car insurance policy. If you’re caught driving without the appropriate insurance, you could face serious consequences.

  • DUI or DWI conviction: Driving under the influence endangers you and other drivers. As part of a sentence after a conviction, the state may require you to submit an SR-22 form.

  • Suspended or revoked driver’s license: Some states may require you to file an SR-22 form to get back behind the wheel after a suspended or revoked license. And be prepared to pay additional fines after a license suspension.

  • Reckless driving: If you endanger yourself or others through reckless driving, this violation could lead to an SR-22 requirement.

  • Repeated traffic offenses: Even relatively minor violations, like speeding tickets, could lead to an SR-22 requirement if you get too many within a short period of time.

Drivers who make serious mistakes on the road may need to obtain an SR-22 form. In some states, you might hear an SR-22 form called a certificate of financial responsibility or an SR-22 certificate.

Regardless of the name, the purpose of this form is to prove that your auto insurance policy meets the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements. Since this document serves as proof of financial responsibility, your state can confirm your insurer will pay property damage and injury claims if you cause an accident.

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How do you get an SR-22?

The first step for getting an SR-22 form is to check whether your insurance company offers SR-22s. Not all auto insurance companies file SR-22s. If your current auto insurance company offers SR-22 coverage, contact a customer service representative to handle the filing for you.

The insurance company will file the form at your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or the appropriate court. If you have questions about the process in your state, speak to a customer service agent to guide you through the details of your situation.

If your current insurance company doesn’t offer coverage for SR-22s, then you’ll need to find a new insurer. When getting a new policy, it’s critical to shop around. Otherwise, you could end up paying more than you need to for coverage.

Good to know

A few top insurance companies that provide coverage for SR-22s include State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate. And some regional insurers offer to file state-ordered SR-22 forms if you purchase the minimum amount of liability insurance. As long as the policy meets your state laws, you can purchase an auto insurance policy through any reputable company.

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How much does an SR-22 cost?

The cost of filing an SR-22 varies depending on your location and insurance company. For some people, the cost to file will be around $25. But the filing costs can be higher for others.

Insurance companies can set their own rates for filing fees. When filing an SR-22, get a clear estimate from the insurance company up front.

Is car insurance more expensive with an SR-22?

In general, drivers with an SR-22 pay more for car insurance than drivers without an SR-22. Drivers without an SR-22 pay an average of $239 per month for car insurance, based on Insurify data. In contrast, drivers with an SR-22 pay an average of $256 per month.

“It’s usually the driving offenses that triggered the SR-22 requirement that increase the insurance rates,” says Jesse Cunningham, a licensed insurance agent at Bauple. “The insurance company feels like, based on your record, you are a larger risk to insure. A larger risk means higher premiums to offset the risk.” 

For example, if you’re required to get an SR-22 after a DUI, the serious violation usually leads to higher rates for insurance.[1]

Although you’ll likely pay more for car insurance, the good news is that you can find the lowest rate by getting quotes from multiple insurance companies. Before signing up for a new policy, confirm that the insurance company offers SR-22 filing services.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of monthly auto insurance costs for drivers with and without an SR-22.

StateAverage Quote: No SR-22Average Quote: With SR-22
Alabama$184$200
Arizona$223$275
Arkansas$191$222
California$216$273
Colorado$227$236
Connecticut$285$327
Delaware$302$504
Georgia$288$364
Idaho$136$147
Indiana$137$170
Iowa$143$182
Kansas$177$189
Kentucky$254$339
Louisiana$386$397
Maine$142$154
Maryland$308$349
Massachusetts$174$215
Minnesota$178$299
Mississippi$201$205
Missouri$221$307
Nebraska$178$234
Nevada$356$406
New Jersey$289$360
New York$457$639
North Carolina$92$94
Ohio$152$215
Oregon$192$230
Pennsylvania$179$263
South Carolina$250$339
South Dakota$197$207
Tennessee$159$165
Texas$237$301
Utah$175$208
Virginia$185$226
Washington$201$251
West Virginia$188$216
Wisconsin$172$212
Wyoming$148$196
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 Car Insurance Companies with Affordable Rates

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies with Affordable Rates

What’s the difference between an FR-44 and an SR-22?

In Florida and Virginia, drivers may need to file an FR-44 form instead of an SR-22. Although the filing process is very similar, an FR-44 includes liability insurance coverage requirements higher than the state minimums.

In Virginia, drivers must file an FR-44 form to confirm their insurance policy offers double the minimum coverage requirements for the state.[2]

How long is an SR-22 valid for?

States set their own timelines for how long you need to carry an SR-22. But for many states, the requirement is three years.

If you experience a lapse in coverage, you might need to re-file an SR-22. But keep in mind that coverage gaps could increase the time you have to carry it.

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SR-22 insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about SR-22 forms.

  • What is SR-22 insurance?

    SR-22 insurance is a misnomer because it’s not a type of insurance policy. Instead, an SR-22 form proves that your insurance policy meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. After a serious violation, some drivers must ask their insurance company to file this form with their state.

  • What does SR-22 insurance cover?

    An SR-22 is a form that confirms your insurance policy meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. If you opt for a liability-only policy, it will offer coverage to pay for damage and injuries you cause to other people and property.[3] If you want coverage to pay for damages to your own vehicle, consider collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

  • When is SR-22 insurance required?

    Most drivers don’t have to file an SR-22 form. But if you have multiple traffic violations, were caught driving without insurance, or have a DUI/DWI conviction, then your state might require you to file an SR-22. The state will provide notice about this requirement, often in the form of a letter.

  • How much is SR-22 insurance?

    Drivers often pay an SR-22 filing fee, which varies depending on the state and your insurance company. Typically, the violation that causes you to file an SR-22 will also cause your insurance premiums to increase. In the eyes of an insurance company, driving record violations are considered risks that must be compensated for with higher premiums.[1]

Sources

  1. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed March 23, 2023
  2. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. "Financial Responsibility Certifications." Accessed March 23, 2023
  3. III. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage." Accessed March 23, 2023
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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