If you’ve gotten a DUI or got pulled over for reckless driving, you might be required to obtain an SR-22, which is a certificate of financial responsibility.

The bad news is that an SR-22 filing with a DUI can increase your car insurance rates by an average of 120% per year, increasing the cost for a 40-year-old male driver with one DUI from an average of $983 to $3,964 per year, according to a CarInsurance.com rate analysis.

The insurance policy associated with an SR-22 is calculated according to standard rating factors, such as your driving record, your geographical location and the type of vehicle you drive. If your driving record shows that you’re a risky driver, due to a major offense such as a DUI, your rates are likely to be higher, whether or not an SR-22 is required.

The good news is that we can help. Keep reading to learn about the cheapest SR-22 insurance near you.

Key Highlights
  • Progressive has the cheapest average cost for auto insurance with an SR-22 at $2,981 per year, followed by Travelers and State Farm.
  • The states with the greatest average increase in insurance rates when drivers must carry an SR-22 are North Carolina, Hawaii, California, Connecticut and Michigan.
  • Alaskan drivers experience the most minor premium increase with an SR-22, followed by New York, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Missouri drivers.
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Written by:
Sarah Sharkey
Contributing Researcher
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.
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Reviewed by:
Laura Longero
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Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
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Why do I have to carry an SR-22?

All states except Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania require a driver to obtain an SR-22, a certificate of financial responsibility.

Here’s why your state may require an SR-22:

  • Failure to carry liability insurance on your vehicle
  • Conviction for driving without insurance
  • Driving uninsured and being involved in a motor vehicle accident
  • DUI, DWI or other major alcohol offense convictions
  • Serious moving violation (such as reckless driving) convictions
  • Accumulating too many DMV points on your driver’s license
  • Being termed a habitual traffic offender
  • Needing to apply for a hardship or probationary permit (while license is suspended)
  • Reinstating your license after a suspension or revocation

States impose this requirement to ensure drivers with serious infractions in their past carry an auto insurance policy with enough coverage to take on financial responsibility after a car accident. While you’ll still only need to carry your state’s mandatory insurance coverage amount, the SR-22 form is required as a high-risk driver. 

Check out our detailed guide on SR-22 insurance and how much it costs

How do you get cheap SR-22 insurance?

If you need SR-22 insurance, use the following steps to find the cheapest rates. 

Determine how much coverage you need

While a policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements is often the cheapest option, many drivers need a more robust policy to protect their financial situation. 

For example, you might opt for car insurance with more liability coverage built-in to help you pay for damages to other vehicles after an accident. Or you might opt for a full coverage policy, with both collision coverage and comprehensive coverage included to help you get back on the road after an accident. 

Shop around

Different car insurance companies offer different rates. The only way to find the lowest rates is to get quotes from multiple insurance companies. 

Luckily, it’s possible to get free auto insurance quotes from multiple companies to compare rates. 

Lock in coverage 

Once you find an option that suits your needs, you can lock in your coverage needs by purchasing the insurance policy. 

Avoid coverage lapses going forward. Unfortunately, a coverage gap could derail your SR-22 insurance coverage requirements timeline.

Learn more about How to get SR22 auto insurance without a license?

Who has the cheapest insurance rates with an SR-22?

Progressive has the cheapest average cost for auto insurance with an SR-22 at $2,981 per year, followed by Travelers and State Farm. Use the table below to explore average price points at other car insurance companies. 

CompanyAnnual rate without an SR-22Annual rate with an SR-22$ difference% difference
Allstate$2,509$5,010$2,501100%
Farmers$2,387$6,350$3,964166%
Geico$1,763$4,522$2,759157%
Nationwide$1,548$3,639$2,091135%
Progressive$1,998$2,981$98349%
State Farm$1,984$3,458$1,47474%
Travelers$1,606$3,005$1,39987%
USAA*$1,381$2,842$1,461106%

Note: USAA is included here because of its competitive rates, but the insurance company only works with military members, veterans and their families.

What are the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in each state?

The only way to determine precisely how much your SR-22 insurance policy actually costs is to get a personalized quote.

The states with the greatest average price increase when drivers must carry an SR-22 are North Carolina with a 324% increase, Hawaii with a 306% increase, California with a 223% rate increase, Connecticut at 181% and Michigan at 163%.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers in Alaska experience the smallest rate increase at 51%, followed by New Yorkers at 55%, South Carolinans at 61%, Washington, D.C. at 66%, and Missouri at 66%. Most states fall in the 70% to 100% range.

The chart below shows the average yearly car insurance cost by state for filing an SR-22 with one DUI, based on a CarInsurance.com rate analysis.

State Annual rate without an SR-22 Annual rate with an SR-22 $ difference % difference
Alaska$1,676$2,539$86251%
Alabama$1,860$3,750$1,891102%
Arkansas$1,957$3,879$1,92298%
Arizona$1,812$3,675$1,863103%
California$2,416$7,810$5,394223%
Colorado$2,337$4,831$2,493107%
Connecticut$1,725$4,853$3,128181%
Washington, D.C.$2,157$3,582$1,42566%
Delaware$2,063$4,206$2,143104%
Florida$2,694$5,005$2,31186%
Georgia$1,970$3,906$1,93698%
Hawaii$1,517$6,158$4,641306%
Iowa$1,630$2,725$1,09567%
Idaho$1,428$2,758$1,33093%
Illinois$1,532$2,628$1,09772%
Indiana$1,515$3,094$1,579104%
Kansas$1,900$3,684$1,78494%
Kentucky$2,228$4,417$2,18998%
Louisiana$2,883$5,176$2,29380%
Massachusetts$1,726$3,700$1,974114%
Maryland$1,746$3,221$1,47685%
Maine$1,175$2,465$1,290110%
Michigan$2,352$6,186$3,834163%
Minnesota$1,911$4,632$2,721142%
Missouri$1,982$3,283$1,30166%
Mississippi$2,008$4,010$2,002100%
Montana$2,193$3,786$1,59273%
North Carolina$1,741$7,387$5,646324%
North Dakota$1,665$3,574$1,910115%
Nebraska$1,902$4,412$2,509132%
New Hampshire$1,265$2,291$1,02581%
New Jersey$1,902$4,000$2,098110%
New Mexico$2,049$3,564$1,51574%
Nevada$2,060$3,805$1,74585%
New York$1,870$2,894$1,02455%
Ohio$1,417$2,971$1,554110%
Oklahoma$2,138$3,598$1,46168%
Oregon$1,678$3,088$1,41084%
Pennsylvania$1,872$3,974$2,102112%
Rhode Island$2,061$4,486$2,425118%
South Carolina$2,009$3,226$1,21661%
South Dakota$2,280$4,132$1,85281%
Tennessee$1,677$3,352$1,676100%
Texas$2,043$3,586$1,54275%
Utah$1,825$3,491$1,66691%
Virginia$1,469$3,110$1,641112%
Vermont$1,319$2,867$1,548117%
Washington$1,608$3,054$1,44690%
Wisconsin$1,664$3,370$1,706103%
West Virginia$2,005$4,142$2,137107%
Wyoming$1,758$3,680$1,922109%

Cheapest SR-22 insurance rates by age group

Your driver profile will affect your insurance rates if you have an SR-22. Generally, younger drivers pay more for car insurance. But exact rates vary based on your situation and the insurance company you work with. 

See below for the rates from major insurance companies for different driver age profiles.

CompanyAnnual ratesMonthly rates
Allstate$7,926$661
Farmers$10,700$892
Geico$4,665$389
Nationwide$5,186$432
Progressive$8,064$672
State  Farm$5,869$489
Travelers$4,333$361
USAA*$3,900$325
CompanyAnnual ratesMonthly rates
Allstate$3,208$267
Farmers$3,552$296
Geico$2,058$172
Nationwide$1,854$155
Progressive$2,656$221
State  Farm$2,641$220
Travelers$1,881$157
USAA*$1,798$150
CompanyAnnual ratesMonthly rates
Allstate$2,781$232
Farmers$3,175$265
Geico$1,786$149
Nationwide$1,570$131
Progressive$2,224$185
State  Farm$2,251$188
Travelers$1,634$136
USAA*$1,421$118
CompanyAnnual ratesMonthly rates
Allstate$2,632$219
Farmers$2,813$234
Geico$1,685$140
Nationwide$1,393$116
Progressive$2,049$171
State  Farm$2,014$168
Travelers$1,499$125 
USAA*$1,331$111 

Note: USAA is included here because of its competitive rates, but the insurance company only works with military members, veterans and their families.

Expert tips to lower SR-22 insurance rates

Consider increasing your deductible and bundling auto with another policy for potential savings,” says Christian Strange, owner of Strange Insurance Agency. 

Below are some additional tips for finding lower SR-22 insurance rates:

  • Shop around. Shopping around helps you lock in the most affordable options for your situation. 
  • Ask for a discount. Many insurers offer a suite of discounts to drivers. Find out if you qualify for a discount by checking the insurer’s website and then ask to receive any discount you might qualify for. 
  • Don’t let your coverage lapse. A coverage gap is a red flag for insurance companies, which can push your rates higher. Even with an SR-22 requirement, you can avoid a lapse in coverage to keep rates lower. 

Although it’s tempting to focus only on the sticker price, it’s important to consider an insurance company’s reputation. Check the policy details, including the liability limit, to confirm you have the coverage you need. 

“I’ve seen cases where cheaper policies led to frustrations due to poor service,” Strange says.

Discover 10 ways to lower your car insurance and save money in 2025

Frequently asked questions

How much does SR-22 insurance typically cost?

SR-22 insurance costs an average of $3,964 for a 40-year-old male driver with one DUI.

Which states have the lowest SR-22 insurance rates?

On average, drivers in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Ohio have the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates.

Does filing SR-22 increase insurance premiums?

The SR-22 filing requirement itself might not lead to higher rates. However, the underlying reason for your SR-22 requirement, like a DUI or reckless driving ticket, will increase your rates.

Can I switch insurance providers if I have an SR-22?

Yes, switching insurance companies is possible even if you have an SR-22. However, your new insurance company must refile your SR-22 forms, and not all insurance companies will insure you with an SR-22. Ensure you have your new coverage in place before canceling your old policy to avoid unnecessary coverage gaps.

Resources & Methodology

Methodology

CarInsurance.com collected SR-22 car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services for male and female drivers aged 40 with a clean driving record and good insurance scores, carrying a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 deductible. 

SR-22 car insurance rates by age group are for the following ages:

  • Teen drivers: Aged 18
  • Young drivers: Aged 25
  • Adult drivers: Aged 40
  • Senior drivers: Aged 80

To evaluate the premiums, we compared 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 national and regional insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes.

Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.

John McCormick

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John McCormick

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John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz

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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

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Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

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Contributing Researcher

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.