If you got pulled over for reckless driving or DUI, you might need an SR-22 form to get insurance coverage. An SR-22 can be required if you’re convicted of a driving-related charge – usually, DUI, driving without insurance or reckless driving. Drivers required to get an SR-22 are typically considered high-risk drivers.
The SR-22 form by itself doesn’t raise your insurance rates. Rather, the conviction on your driving record triggers the requirement for an SR-22 that causes your premiums to soar.
- The average cost of car insurance with an SR-22 is $2,093 per year or $174 per month.
- SR-22 is a form the state can require after certain driving-related convictions to guarantee that you have the required car insurance coverage.
- Driving-related convictions, like a DUI, requiring an SR-22 can result in a 120% insurance rate increase.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 form is a car insurance company’s guarantee that a driver carries the insurance coverage required by their state. But while some people think the SR-22 is an auto insurance policy, that’s not the case — the SR-22 is the form itself.
“An SR-22 is not itself an insurance policy, but rather exists as a convenient way to communicate insurance info between insurance companies and the states,” says Anthony Martin, founder & CEO of Choice Mutual, an insurance agency based in Reno, Nevada.
The SR-22 form, usually filed electronically, provides the driver’s state with proof of responsibility by showing that you have the required insurance coverage in effect. The state-mandated coverage may be the same as your state minimum liability requirements, or they may have higher limits. The exact auto insurance policy requirements differ by state.
Who needs SR-22 insurance?
“Drivers typically need SR-22 insurance after major violations like DUIs or reckless driving,” says Ryan McEachron, CEO of ISU Insurance Services.
If you are required to get SR-22 insurance, you should receive a written request for this paperwork from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Common reasons people are required to file an SR-22
Typically, drivers only need to file an SR-22 after committing a particularly egregious driving violation. Below are some common situations when people are required to file an SR-22:
- You have received several moving violations, like speeding tickets, within the course of a few months.
- You are convicted of a DUI or DWI.
- You were caught driving without car insurance.
- You caused a serious car accident.
- You received a license suspension.
How much does car insurance cost with an SR-22?
The average cost for a 40-year-old driver with full coverage and an SR-22 with one DUI insuring a Honda Accord LX was $4,173 with an SR-22 and $1,897 without – a difference of $2,276, which is 120% higher than a standard auto insurance premium.
The biggest issue for some is the cost associated with an SR-22, which can be fairly expensive, and it isn’t even car insurance, says Bradley W. Lane, Ph.D., a transportation expert and associate professor at the University of Kansas.
“The extra cost burden is particularly troublesome for low-income people, who already live near a level of ‘transportation poverty’ since quite a bit of transportation expenses are constant across incomes,” Lane says.
He says the added cost of car insurance may force some to abandon driving for public transit, which sometimes offers little to no accessibility.
“Commuting to work becomes a more time-consuming and more expensive chore, which puts further pressure on the time and monetary budgets of these people and makes it additionally difficult to advance out of a low-income living situation,” Lane says.
See the table below for car insurance rates in each state with and without an SR-22.
| State | Average annual rate | Average annual SR-22 rate | Difference | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,676 | $1,798 | $122 | 7% |
| Alabama | $1,860 | $2,169 | $309 | 17% |
| Arkansas | $1,957 | $2,225 | $269 | 14% |
| Arizona | $1,812 | $2,151 | $338 | 19% |
| California | $2,416 | $2,447 | $31 | 1% |
| Colorado | $2,337 | $2,805 | $468 | 20% |
| Connecticut | $1,725 | $1,984 | $258 | 15% |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 | $2,369 | $212 | 10% |
| Delaware | $2,063 | $2,369 | $306 | 15% |
| Florida | $2,694 | $3,164 | $470 | 17% |
| Georgia | $1,970 | $2,289 | $320 | 16% |
| Hawaii | $1,517 | $1,759 | $243 | 16% |
| Iowa | $1,630 | $1,772 | $141 | 9% |
| Idaho | $1,428 | $1,695 | $267 | 19% |
| Illinois | $1,532 | $1,555 | $23 | 1% |
| Indiana | $1,515 | $1,764 | $249 | 16% |
| Kansas | $1,900 | $2,151 | $251 | 13% |
| Kentucky | $2,228 | $2,372 | $144 | 6% |
| Louisiana | $2,883 | $3,231 | $348 | 12% |
| Massachusetts | $1,726 | $2,006 | $280 | 16% |
| Maryland | $1,746 | $1,779 | $33 | 2% |
| Maine | $1,175 | $1,334 | $159 | 14% |
| Michigan | $2,352 | $2,371 | $19 | 1% |
| Minnesota | $1,911 | $2,063 | $152 | 8% |
| Missouri | $1,982 | $2,217 | $235 | 12% |
| Mississippi | $2,008 | $2,128 | $120 | 6% |
| Montana | $2,193 | $2,361 | $168 | 8% |
| North Carolina | $1,741 | $1,784 | $43 | 2% |
| North Dakota | $1,665 | $1,952 | $287 | 17% |
| Nebraska | $1,902 | $2,262 | $360 | 19% |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 | $1,498 | $233 | 18% |
| New Jersey | $1,902 | $1,998 | $96 | 5% |
| New Mexico | $2,049 | $2,254 | $205 | 10% |
| Nevada | $2,060 | $2,349 | $289 | 14% |
| New York | $1,870 | $1,900 | $30 | 2% |
| Ohio | $1,417 | $1,670 | $252 | 18% |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 | $2,352 | $214 | 10% |
| Oregon | $1,678 | $1,932 | $254 | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,872 | $2,142 | $270 | 14% |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $2,298 | $237 | 11% |
| South Carolina | $2,009 | $2,194 | $184 | 9% |
| South Dakota | $2,280 | $2,436 | $156 | 7% |
| Tennessee | $1,677 | $1,958 | $281 | 17% |
| Texas | $2,043 | $2,237 | $194 | 9% |
| Utah | $1,825 | $2,190 | $365 | 20% |
| Virginia | $1,469 | $1,723 | $254 | 17% |
| Vermont | $1,319 | $1,501 | $182 | 14% |
| Washington | $1,608 | $1,765 | $157 | 10% |
| Wisconsin | $1,664 | $1,967 | $303 | 18% |
| West Virginia | $2,005 | $2,262 | $257 | 13% |
| Wyoming | $1,758 | $2,017 | $259 | 15% |
What is the average monthly cost of insurance with an SR-22?
The average monthly car insurance cost with an SR-22 is $174. But keep in mind that many factors impact your car insurance costs, which means that the amount you pay for coverage could be significantly different than the average.
How much does an SR-22 filing increase car insurance premiums?
Car insurance rates increase by 10% after an SR-22 filing. But the exact increase you’ll face will vary based on the other details of your driving situation.
Which companies have the cheapest SR-22 insurance?
Not all auto insurance companies file SR-22s, but many large carriers provide policies and file the forms with state or legal entities on your behalf, including the insurance companies included here.
See annual and monthly rates for car insurance with an SR-22 in the table below.
| Company | Average annual cost | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,725 | $227 |
| Farmers | $2,992 | $249 |
| Geico | $1,782 | $148 |
| Nationwide | $1,568 | $131 |
| Progressive | $2,216 | $185 |
| State Farm | $2,214 | $185 |
| Travelers | $1,613 | $134 |
| USAA* | $1,416 | $118 |
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Will my insurance rates go down after I no longer need an SR-22?
Your rates will go down once the SR-22 is off your record, but the time you’ll pay higher rates depends on your state.
“SR-22 forms do raise insurance premiums, often for 3-5 years,” McEachron says. “Once the SR-22 period ends, premiums will likely decrease but may remain higher than before the violations. The severity of the offense and driving record are factors.”
Different types of SR-22 formsThere are three main types of SR-22 certificates, and your insurance company can help you determine which one you need.
- Owner SR-22 certificate: Covers cars you own.
- Owner-operator SR-22 certificate: Covers any car you drive, regardless of the owner.
- Non-owner SR-22 certificate: Covers cars you drive that you don’t own.
How do I get an SR-22?
To obtain an SR-22, you must go through an auto insurance company that offers the filing (not all do) and buy a policy with the minimum limits that the state requires you to carry. Once the SR-22 is filed, you must maintain the related insurance coverage for the state-mandated period. The period varies, but most commonly, it’s for three years.
The form must be filed with the state as a certificate of financial responsibility to verify that you have the mandated insurance coverage and limits. Your car insurance company sends you a copy of the SR-22 to keep as proof.
However, most states have it stored electronically in their records so that law enforcement or the Department of Motor Vehicles can look it up if needed.
Discover how to determine if you still require an SR-22
What are the requirements for an SR-22?
There are currently only eight states that do not require an SR-22:
- Delaware: Requires an FR-19
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
All other states require an SR-22 and some have additional requirements.
- Florida: Requires SR-22 and FR-44 insurance
- Maryland: Requires SR-22 and FR-19
- Virginia: Requires SR-22 and FR-44 insurance
To determine under what circumstances your specific state requires the SR-22, contact your DMV.
How long do I have to carry an SR-22?
In most states, you must carry the SR-22 for three years, but the period varies from one to five years. In some places, the period varies by offense.
The start date varies by state, and the DMV can tell you how long you need to carry the SR-22 and the starting date. The clock may start with the offense date, conviction date, suspension date, or the date of your driver’s license reinstatement.
Don’t cancel an SR-22 before your filing period is up. If you cancel before the filing period ends, your state may penalize you. If insurance associated with an SR-22 is removed or canceled, the insurer must file an SR-26 that informs the state of the cancellation.
The state can then take actions against you that typically include the loss of your driver’s license and/or vehicle registration.
Frequently asked questions: SR-22 insurance quotes
What will happen if I do not carry an SR-22?
If you do not carry the required insurance coverage with an SR-22, your insurance company must notify the DMV, which could suspend or revoke your license – and you may be required to pay fines or penalties.
What is the difference between an SR-22 and an FR-44?
The FR-44 also provides proof of financial responsibility but mandates that you carry higher liability limits. The FR-44 is used only in Florida and Virginia and is required instead when convicted of certain alcohol-related offenses.
Do I have to inform my insurance company about my SR-22 requirement?
Yes, you must tell your current insurance company about the need for the form so that it can file it for you. Even if you already have coverage that meets or exceeds state-mandated coverage, the state can still require you to file an SR-22, which allows the state to ensure you maintain car insurance.
How much insurance must I buy if I have an SR-22?
You need to purchase insurance coverage that the state mandates. This requirement varies by state. It may be your state’s minimum or higher liability coverage (especially if you need an FR-44 instead).
The car insurance coverage purchased that is associated with the SR-22 form is rated according to all the factors that normally go into rating a policy, regardless of the SR-22 form filing.
Is an SR-22 tied to my driver’s license?
Yes. Similar to how demerit points can be added to your driver’s license if you receive traffic violations, an SR-22 is also tied to your driver’s license. The DMV uses your driver’s license number to extend or revoke your driving privileges.
Learn how to get SR-22 car insurance without a valid license
What is the timeline for getting an SR-22?
The process to file an SR-22 can take up to 30 days. If you need one, be sure to start the process at least 30 days in advance of your need date.
How can I check the status of my SR-22?
Most of the time, the best option is to call the insurance company that filed the SR-22 on your behalf. In some states, however, you can call the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Finding the best SR-22 insurance quotes today
It is best to practice safe and responsible driving and avoid needing this insurance form. But if you end up in that situation, compare insurance quotes to see where you can get your cheapest rates.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators “SR22/26.” Accessed September 2024.
- Insurance Information Institute “How to save money on car insurance.” Accessed September 2024.
- Maryland Department of Motor Vehicle “Maryland Vehicle Insurance Certification” Accessed September 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to pull rates from the Auto Problems Report 2023 for 40-year-old drivers with full coverage, limits of 100/300/100 and $500 deductibles. The hypothetical driver has a 12-mile commute and drives a Honda Accord LX 10,000 miles per year. The data come from 138 companies, 1,468 ZIP codes and 5,073,544 car insurance quotes.
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.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
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.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
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.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
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.