Cheap SR-22 Insurance: Cost, Filing & Quotes
SR-22 insurance is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves drivers carry state-minimum auto insurance. Courts require SR-22 insurance after DUI convictions, reckless driving, and uninsured driving offenses. An SR-22 requirement marks a driver as high-risk and raises premiums by 15% to 50%. According to NHTSA, 11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024. Drivers need quote, coverage, and filing information to meet state requirements. Insurance Navy helps high-risk drivers find affordable SR-22 insurance across the United States. This guide explains SR-22 insurance quotes, coverage, costs, and filings.
Table of contents
- What is SR-22 Insurance?
- Who Needs SR-22 Car Insurance?
- How Does SR-22 Insurance Work?
- How Much Does an SR-22 Cost?
- Will Filing an SR-22 Raise Your Car Insurance Rates?
- Canceling or Removing Your SR-22 Coverage
- What's the difference between an SR-22 and a FR-44?
- How to Lower Car Insurance Rates After an SR-22
- Are there different types of SR-22s?
- Non-owner SR-22 for drivers without a vehicle
- Which car insurance companies offer SR-22 policies?
- Get a Free SR-22 Insurance Quote with Insurance Navy™
- SR-22 Insurance FAQ
- How do I get cheap SR-22 insurance?
- Why is an SR-22 required?
- What is SR-22 insurance?
Get Free Online Quote
Cheap SR-22 insurance starts with comparing quotes. Insurers price SR-22 drivers differently, so rates vary widely between companies. Insurers that specialize in SR-22 and high-risk drivers often price these drivers below standard carriers. Compare quotes from these specialists to find cheap SR-22 insurance.
With Insurance Navy™ you can find the best and most affordable SR-22 car insurance. Getting a quote is easy, all you need is your zip code.
What is SR-22 Insurance?
SR-22 insurance is a certificate that proves you carry the minimum amount of auto insurance your state requires all drivers have. This is also known as a certificate of financial responsibility since it shows you are paying for the appropriate coverage.
No matter what you may label it, an SR-22 informs the department of motor vehicles that you have the proper coverage and are considered a legal driver. Your state may require one following a major traffic violation.
An SR-22 is not an insurance policy. An SR-22 does not provide coverage after an accident. A driver cannot buy an SR-22 by itself. The SR-22 attaches to an auto insurance policy.
This form does not provide any coverage following an accident. Your auto policy will protect you and your vehicle against damage in the event of a collision. You also cannot only purchase an SR-22 certificate. It goes hand-in-hand with your auto policy.
Who Needs SR-22 Car Insurance?
An SR-22 requirement typically is required following being convicted of a major traffic violation.
Some states may require them after other circumstances, but in general, committing one of the following offenses may also call for an SR-22 filing:
DUI - This is one of the most common reasons a driver may find themselves needing an SR-22. A DUI conviction follows driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of drugs which greatly impacts the driver's ability operating a vehicle.
Driving Uninsured - If you cannot provide proof of insurance, a financial responsibility requirement will force you to obtain the proper auto insurance coverage. Driving uninsured is illegal in nearly every state.
Suspended or revoked license - A state often requires an SR-22 to reinstate a suspended or revoked license.
Reckless driving - Driving negligently or recklessly may also lead to you being convicted of a traffic violation and thus call for an SR-22. The concept of reckless driving can include speeding or ignoring road signs.
At-fault accidents - Depending on the severity of an accident, if you have been found at fault for a collision, you may also be ordered by the courts to maintain an SR-22 for a set period of time.
Multiple driving offenses - Those who rack up multiple smaller traffic violations in a short amount of time may need to file an SR-22. This can happen after receiving a number of parking tickets in a short period of time, for example.
The offenses that require an SR-22, and the filing period, vary by state. Your court order or state DMV notice states what you must file and for how long. The SR-22 period commonly runs about 3 years, but the period varies by state.
How Does SR-22 Insurance Work?
If a driver needs to file an SR-22, they will receive a court order notifying them of such a requirement. It is then your responsibility to pass along such information so it can eventually end up in the hands of your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or BMV.
Your insurer files the SR-22 with your state on your behalf. You do not file the SR-22 yourself. The steps are:
You receive notice you are required to file an SR-22 with the state.
Inform your insurer you need SR-22 insurance.
Your insurer will fill out the paperwork and then go on to file it with the state.
Your state recognizes you carry the mandatory minimum liability insurance.
You may find that you can run into some issues if your agency is not licensed in the state requesting an SR-22 certificate. This may happen if you end up in an accident in another state or move following a traffic violation.
Just because you are in a different state does not mean your SR-22 requirements vanish. If your insurance company is not licensed in the state requesting the SR-22, you will have to personally submit the form with that state's DMV.
If the process is overwhelming, do not be afraid to contact the state's Department of Motor Vehicles or your agent for assistance. Make sure you have everything filed properly in the case for when you may need to present proof of insurance.
How Much Does an SR-22 Cost?
An SR-22 filing fee costs about $25. The filing fee ranges from $15 to $50. The filing fee varies by state and by insurer.
An SR-22 is relatively cheap and gets attached to your preexisting policy, assuming you already have one. If you are dropped from your provider or never had car insurance, you have a few ways to find the best rates.
Shopping around can help give you an idea of where to find affordable SR-22 insurance, as rates vary by company. Fulfill your state's requirements should be a priority, but you want to find a quote with a policy that is affordable. With nearly every company offering a quote online, your chances of finding a great policy at an even better rate may increase.
Several factors set your SR-22 premium:
Your state - State-minimum coverage requirements and base rates differ by state.
Your driving record - The offense behind the SR-22 sets your rate. A DUI raises rates more than a coverage lapse.
Your coverage level - State-minimum liability costs the least. Full coverage costs more.
Your vehicle and mileage - A high-value vehicle and high annual mileage raise your rate.
Your insurer - The insurer you choose affects your premium.
Will Filing an SR-22 Raise Your Car Insurance Rates?
Yes. Having an SR-22 requirement labels you as a high-risk driver since they are only mandated following a severe traffic violation. If an SR-22 certificate alone doesn't raise your rates, you may find that the traffic violation on your record certainly will.
Either way, upon informing your insurance company of the SR-22 requirement, you will most likely find your monthly rates increase. How much they increase greatly varies by state and your insurance provider. Increases in your auto insurance rates can vary from 15% to 50%. Always be prepared for higher rates after the filing.
Canceling or Removing Your SR-22 Coverage
Even if you are certain your SR-22 period is up, contacting your states DMV confirming that is a good idea. They should be able to find the regulations surrounding the states requirements.
Once confirming you no longer need an SR-22 on file, you should inform your insurance company. A lot of this responsibility with SR-22s falls on you as a customer. What you tell your insurer to do, they will go about doing. Just as they filed the documents for you, they will go about canceling it and notifying your DMV.
Failure to contact your state's DMV in time may result in you canceling your SR-22 certificate early, leaving you with extra penalties. Don't forget the basics and leave yourself vulnerable with penalties from the state and your insurance company all over again.
What's the difference between an SR-22 and a FR-44?
Depending on the state you live in, you could be required to file an FR-44 instead of an SR-22. Two states, Florida and Virginia, utilize FR-44s. An FR-44 is very similar to an SR-22, as this document proves that you carry state minimum auto insurance.
Where they differ is when maintaining an FR-44, you will need to increase your liability coverage limits. Carrying only the state minimum will typically not be sufficient when you need an FR-44. This, in turn, will raise your car insurance rates. An FR-44 certificate is required for three years on average, and it also cannot be canceled prior to the expiration date.
How to Lower Car Insurance Rates After an SR-22
Since your car insurance premiums are bound to increase following an SR-22 requirement, you’re going to probably want to find a way to lower them. While they may never be as low as they were pre-SR-22, there are still some ways to make them fit into your budget better.
One simple way to lower your car insurance premiums is by increasing your deductible. Your deductible is how much you promise to pay in the event of a claim. The higher your deductible is, the less your insurance premiums will be. This is because when you agree to pay more out of pocket, your insurer will have to provide less following a claim. But it is important to remember that once you set your deductible at a certain amount, you need to make sure that you can actually pay it following a collision.
Reconsidering what kind of vehicle you drive can also be helpful in lowering your car insurance premiums after an SR-22. High-powered, luxury vehicles are more expensive to insure than your everyday sedan. Newer models also tend to be more expensive to cover than decades-old vehicles. It may be beneficial to shop around and trade in your vehicle for one that’s a couple of years old with good safety ratings. This will help you appear to be less of an insurability risk to your insurance provider.
If you have done everything highlighted above and you are still displeased with your insurance premiums, ask your insurance agent about any discounts you are eligible for. You may not qualify for any good driver discounts, but there are plenty of others, like multi-policy and paid-in-full discounts. It may take a little bit of navigating, but affordable premiums after an SR-22 requirement can be a reality.
Are there different types of SR-22s?
There are three choices when purchasing an SR-22 from your insurer, Owner, Operator, and Owner & Operator.
● Owner - The Owner's Form is for those who drive and own their vehicle.
● Operator - An Operator's Form is for drivers who borrow or rent a vehicle instead of owning one.
● Operator/Owner - The Operator/Owner's Form is intended for drivers who both own a car but occasionally, rent or borrow another car. This assures you are driving with the legal amount of car insurance no matter what vehicle you are in.
Non-owner SR-22 for drivers without a vehicle
A non-owner SR-22 is a policy for drivers who must file an SR-22 but do not own a vehicle. A non-owner SR-22 provides the state-minimum liability coverage the certificate must prove. A non-owner SR-22 is usually the cheapest way to meet an SR-22 requirement. Read more on the Insurance Navy non-owner SR-22 page
Which car insurance companies offer SR-22 policies?
Many car insurance companies offer SR-22 car insurance, including Insurance Navy™. Taking time to work with an insurance agent or broker will help you find affordable insurance rates and fulfill your state's requirements. You should make sure you do adequate research if you are in the market for a new car insurance policy, especially if you need to file an SR-22. Fulfilling what your state has mandated for you is incredibly important.
