What is SR-22 insurance and how much does it cost?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required by the DMV or a court order that proves you have car insurance. SR-22 insurance is not a different type of insurance. An SR-22 is usually required after a major violation or license suspension for which you'll see higher car insurance rates.

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An SR-22 is a proof of financial responsibility form required by the DMV or a court order. It's not a type of insurance; it's a form filed by your insurance company that proves you have state-mandated liability insurance. SR-22 filings are required for those who have a serious violation on their record, and that means higher insurance rates.

With an SR-22, you'll pay an average of $993 a year more for car insurance. The amount of the increase depends on the reason for the SR-22.

For example, if you’ve been convicted of a DUI and need an SR-22 to reinstate your license, the rate increase will be based on the DUI, not the SR-22 requirement.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about filing an SR-22, including how much car insurance costs with an SR-22 and the cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance.

Key takeaways

What is SR-22 insurance?

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility mandated by the state to prove you have the required minimum car insurance. SR-22 insurance is not a specific type of car insurance; your policy and coverage remain the same unless the state mandates higher limits.

The term SR-22 insurance is commonly used to describe any policy where the insurance company has to file an SR-22 for the insured driver. The insurance company will file the form with the state and report any lapse in your coverage. An SR-22 usually requires that you carry at least the state-mandated minimum liability coverage levels, but you can add any additional coverage you want, including comprehensive and collision.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost?

The cost of an SR-22 filing is a one-time filing fee. The standard SR-22 filing fee is $25, but it can be higher. That doesn’t affect your car insurance rates.

However, the violation that resulted in an SR-22 requirement will mean higher rates. The SR-22 filing is one of the requirements for getting your license back; the insurance rate increase is due to the DUI, which makes you a high-risk driver.

For example, with one DUI, your rate will go up, on average, 98% or $1,883 a year, according to the most recent rate analysis by Insurance.com. With an SR-22 or FR-44 (a similar form required in some states), you may have to carry more than the state minimum, increasing your rates even more.

How much SR-22 insurance costs a month is a division of the annual rate into 12 payments. However, you may be required to pay the full amount for the term when your car insurance policy includes an SR-22 or FR-44 filing. 

Data updated in 2024 Read our full methodology

Why do I need an SR-22?

There are several reasons the state or court might require you to file an SR-22:

An SR-22 isn't just required to get insurance after a DUI. You might need an SR-22 for many reasons.

If you need an SR-22, you will be notified by the state or the court. This notice will explain why an SR-22 is required, the minimum insurance requirements, and how long the SR-22 form must stay on file with the state.

The FR-44 is similar to the SR-22 but requires drivers to carry much higher liability limits. It is only required in Florida and Virginia for drivers convicted of certain alcohol-related violations.

How to get an SR-22 insurance filing

To get an SR-22 filed, you'll need to request it from an insurance company. Only an insurance company can file an SR-22, you can't do it yourself. 

Call your insurance company when you are notified that you need an SR-22.

Most car insurance companies will file an SR-22, but some don’t provide that service. If that’s the case with your current insurance company, shop around for coverage. Since an SR-22 is associated with a driving violation affecting your rates, you might want to shop around either way. You may need to look to companies that specialize in SR-22 filings.

"Many companies are unwilling to provide you insurance coverage if you have an SR-22 and need to satisfy the various obligations associated with carrying an SR-22. As such, you’ll likely have fewer options available to you, and you may need to pay more for your insurance," says Rick Kautzer, director of product management for Dairyland Insurance, a non-standard insurance company.

How long is SR-22 insurance required?

How long you will need an SR-22 on file depends on the state and why you need it.

It's common for an SR-22 to be required for three years, although repeat violations could result in a five-year SR-22 requirement. When the clock starts also varies by state. It may begin with the offense date, conviction date, suspension date or the date when the state reinstated your license.

Make certain you know how long the state requires you to have an SR-22. If you cancel your car insurance policy before that time is up, your SR-22 filing will no longer be valid. Your license and registration may be suspended or revoked and the clock could start again on how long the SR-22 must be maintained.

The offense that resulted in the SR-22 also has an expiration date. When the violation falls off your driving record, your car insurance rates will go down as well.

What is non-owner car insurance with an SR-22?

If you don’t own a car but are required to carry an SR-22, non-owner car insurance can fulfill your SR-22 filing requirements.

A non-owner policy insures you as the driver when you are behind the wheel of a car owned by someone else. Since you can’t get a regular car insurance policy if you don’t own a car, a non-owner policy allows you to get the required coverage and get your SR-22 filed with the state.

What happens to an SR-22 if you move to another state?

Not every state uses an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility. These are the states that don't use the SR-22:

If you have an SR-22 in one state and move to another state, you’ll typically still be required to keep an SR-22 on file in your previous home state. You’ll need to look for an out-of-state SR-22 filing from a nationwide auto insurance carrier.

How your SR-22 is handled will depend on the state. Some states will waive the requirement, while others will require you to file a new SR-22. Speak to your insurance company and the DMV to determine what you need to do.

Which insurance companies can do SR-22 filings?

Most car insurance companies, including some of the best-known insurers, can and will file an SR-22 form for you. All of the companies in the table below will file an SR-22.

You can see that the rate increase varies. For example, you could pay 166% more for a Geico SR-22 policy than for standard car insurance without the SR-22 requirement.

Data updated in 2024 Read our full methodology

An insurance company is more likely to deny you coverage because of the violation on your record than because you need an SR-22.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned rate data from Quadrant Data Services based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a 2022 Honda Accord LX. Rate data was collected in 2023 from multiple companies and ZIP codes in every state.

Auto insurance FAQs

How do I get my SR-22 removed?

When your SR-22 requirement is removed, simply contact your insurance company to let them know you no longer need it. 

Do I have to tell my insurer about my SR-22 requirement?

You’ll need to inform your insurance company that you need an SR-22 so that they can file it on your behalf. Your insurance company will learn about the violation that led to the SR-22 requirement when it runs your record, so there’s no reason to avoid reporting it.

How do I check the status of my SR-22?

Contact your insurance company to find out if your SR-22 has been filed. You can also check with the DMV or the court to determine if the SR-22 has been received and processed.

How long does it take to get an SR-22?

The process of filing an SR-22 can be time-consuming. The average wait is 30 days, so don’t wait to get it started.

Are there different types of SR-22 forms?

There are three different types of SR-22 forms, and your insurer can help you choose one:

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