Being required to have SR-22 insurance doesn’t mean you’re a “bad driver,” but it does usually mean insurance companies consider you a high-risk driver.

Common reasons you might be considered a high-risk driver and need to file an SR-22 include having a DUI conviction, causing an accident when driving without insurance, or reinstating your license after a suspension.

What Is SR-22 Insurance?

An SR-22 is a form your car insurance company files with a state that proves you have the state’s minimum car liability insurance requirements. This form might also be called an “SR-22 bond” or “certificate of financial responsibility.”

The term “SR-22 insurance” is misleading. An SR-22 is not insurance, although it will affect your car insurance. When people refer to SR-22 insurance, it merely means a car insurance policy that includes having an insurer file the SR-22 form for the driver.

To add confusion, the SR-22 in Florida and Virginia is used, but they also have a form called FR-44. The FR-44 is essentially the same as an SR-22 but requires you to carry higher levels of car insurance.

How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost?

The cost to file an SR-22 is relatively inexpensive and typically costs about $25, depending on your state and insurance company.

Having an SR-22 typically increases your auto insurance rates. The increase will be tied to whatever problem brought on the SR-22. For example, if you’ve caused too many car accidents, racked up moving violations, been caught driving without insurance or have a DUI conviction, you’ll pay more for car insurance based on those specific issues, regardless of the SR-22.

The average SR-22 insurance cost is $3,270 a year for a driver with a DUI conviction, according to our analysis of large insurers.

Here are the average costs of SR-22 insurance by company for a driver with a DUI conviction. Most of the cost increase is based on the DUI because the SR-22 itself has a relatively small fee.

Average cost of SR-22 insurance with a DUI

Car insurance company Average cost per year with clean driving record and no SR-22 Average cost per year with a DUI and SR-22
$2,786
$3,714
$2,158
$3,053
$1,743
$3,783
$1,800
$3,099
$2,297
$3,777
$1,642
$3,409
$1,676
$3,232
$2,037
$2,894
$1,748
$3,215
$1,387
$2,776
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.

If your SR-22 requirement isn’t related to a driving conviction or an auto insurance lapse, the SR-22 might not have a huge impact on your car insurance rates. For example, if a judge orders you to file an SR-22 because you didn’t pay child support, that won’t affect your auto insurance rates.

How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost by State?

The cost of car insurance with an SR-22 also varies greatly depending on your state.

We analyzed the average cost of car insurance across the nation for drivers mandated to get an SR-22 after being convicted of a DUI. Idaho has the cheapest rate at $2,174 a year for SR-22 insurance. California is at the other end of the spectrum and has the most expensive rates, coming in at an average of $5,593 a year.

State Average cost per year with a DUI and SR-22
$3,250
$3,036
$3,414
$3,451
$5,593
$3,882
$3,130
$3,883
$4,717
$3,689
$3,208
$2,174
$3,419
$3,015
$2,709
$3,318
$4,677
$5,402
$2,340
$3,781
$3,542
$5,397
$3,328
$3,173
$3,413
$3,100
$3,368
$3,705
$3,109
$4,095
$2,902
$4,840
$5,093
$3,180
$2,718
$3,363
$2,948
$3,708
$4,055
$3,949
$3,271
$3,079
$3,583
$3,417
$2,663
$2,797
$2,666
$3,221
$2,799
$2,540

Some states may require you to file an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car or before the state restores your driving privileges if your license is suspended. You may be able to purchase a non-owners car insurance policy to meet this requirement and get the SR-22.

Which Car Insurance Companies Offer SR-22 Insurance?

Here are some insurance companies that generally are willing to file SR-22s:

Which Companies Offer the Cheapest SR-22 Insurance?

USAA has the cheapest cost for SR-22 for drivers with a DUI conviction. Progressive and American Family are also worth checking out if you don’t qualify for a policy with USAA.

Car insurance company Average cost per year after a DUI plus SR-22 filing Average cost per month after a DUI plus SR-22 filing
$2,776
$231
$2,894
$241
$3,053
$254
$3,099
$258
Average
$3,270
$273
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.

How to get a cheap SR-22 insurance quote

It’s crucial to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find cheap SR-22 insurance.

Car insurance companies will factor the problem that brought on your SR-22 requirement into your car insurance rates, and each company will calculate rates differently. A DUI conviction might be a modest bump at one insurer but cost you thousands of dollars more at another.

You can get free quotes online or by speaking with an independent insurance agent. When getting an insurance quote, see if there is a place to request the SR-22 or ask an agent to verify the company offers SR-22 filings.

Make certain you’re getting all car insurance discounts available to you. Ask an agent if there are any discounts you may be missing out on to help reduce your car insurance costs.

Who Needs SR-22 Insurance?

An SR-22 is typically ordered by a court or state. Either the judge will notify you or you’ll get a letter from your state DMV. Common reasons you might be required to file an SR-22 include:

  • Conviction for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
  • Serious traffic offenses (like reckless driving) or repeat traffic offenses.
  • Causing too many car accidents.
  • Causing a car accident while driving without insurance.
  • Reinstating your license after having it revoked or suspended.
  • Having a hardship license, such as a temporary license restricts your driving hours because of a license revocation or suspension.
  • Not paying court-ordered child support.

How Do I Get an SR-22?

You get an SR-22 from an auto insurance company. The insurer has to make the filing with the state.

Since an SR-22 is a document that shows you have the minimum required car insurance in your state, you’ll need to have car insurance before you can get the SR-22.

  • If you already have car insurance, your insurer can file the document with your state. Contact your insurance company to let it know about your need for an SR-22. You’ll be charged a fee for this service, and not all car insurance companies will do SR-22s, so you may have to switch car insurance companies.
  • If you need to buy car insurance, you’ll have to alert the insurer about the SR-22 requirement. The policy application should have a question like “need an SR-22 or Certificate of Financial Responsibility?” Your new insurer will file the SR-22 on your behalf (for a fee) if they accept SR-22 drivers.

How Long Do I Need to Have an SR-22?

The requirements for an SR-22 will vary by state, but generally, you’ll have to retain both your SR-22 and car insurance policy for at least three years. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Failure to comply with the terms of an SR-22 could result in your driver’s license being suspended.
  • If your car insurance policy lapses or expires during the term of your SR-22, your insurance company is required to notify your state’s DMV. Your license will remain suspended until your insurance is reinstated.

Once you meet the terms of the SR-22 for the time period required, your SR-22 status will be removed.

How Do I Get My SR-22 Removed?

You must fulfill the time requirement for having an SR-22 before you can ask your insurance company to remove it.

You will likely need to have an SR-22 for three years or longer, depending on your state. But once your SR-22 requirement is fulfilled, it might not automatically drop from your insurance. Make sure to call your insurance company and ask them to remove the SR-22 (and fee) from your policy.

Don’t remove your SR-22 early or you could be penalized by the state with a license suspension. If you don’t receive a notification from the state or DMV once your time is up, contact them to verify you can remove the SR-22.

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Methodology

We used data from Quadrant Information Services, a provider of insurance data and analytics. Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on a 30-year-old driver with a DUI conviction and requirement to file an SR-22 who is insuring a new Toyota RAV4. Rates include $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability (known as 100/300/100), uninsured motorist coverage and any other coverage required in the state. The rate also includes collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible.

SR-22 Insurance FAQs

What’s the difference between an SR-22 and proof of insurance?

An SR-22 is technically proof of insurance, but it’s different from a standard proof of insurance.

An SR-22 is a form that your car insurance company must file with your state proving you have at least the state’s required minimum auto insurance. A state or a court could order you to file an SR-22 for reasons such as a DUI conviction, at-fault accidents or driving without insurance.

What if I don’t own a car but I’m ordered to file an SR-22?

If your state or a judge orders you to file an SR-22 form but you don’t own a car, look into non-owner car insurance. With a non-owner policy, you’ll have your state’s minimum liability car insurance and be able to show proof of insurance.

Is an FR-44 the same thing as an SR-22?

No, an SR-22 requires drivers to carry at least state-minimum car insurance, while an FR-44 requires you to buy much higher limits. Florida and Virginia are the two states that use an FR-44 (they also use an SR-22).

In Virginia, drivers required to have an FR-44 must carry double the state-mandated car insurance coverage limits. In Florida, drivers with an FR-44 must buy car insurance limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $50,000 for property damage liability (written as 100/300/50 by insurers).

How much will an SR-22 increase my insurance?

The fee for the SR-22 filing itself is nominal, typically around $25, but the reason for needing an SR-22 usually increases car insurance rates.

For example, if your state requires an SR-22 because of a DUI conviction, you can expect a pretty significant increase in car insurance costs due to the DUI. Our analysis of insurance rates shows a driver with a DUI and SR-22 can expect an average annual increase of around $1,400 per year compared to a driver with a clean driving record and no SR-22.

How much does SR-22 insurance cost per month?

The average cost for SR-22 insurance after a DUI conviction is $273 per month, according to our analysis of large insurers.

USAA has the cheapest cost at $231 per month, but Progressive ($241 per month) and American Family ($254 per month) are also worth checking out. USAA limits its policies to those in the military, veterans and their families.

Compare car insurance quotes to see which company will offer you the best monthly rates for SR-22 insurance.

Does SR-22 insurance cover any car that I drive?

Yes, SR-22 insurance covers you in any car you drive. SR-22 insurance is really just a standard car insurance policy with the addition of an SR-22 form filed with the state to prove you have the mandated coverage in place.

However, if you don’t own a car and buy non-owner car insurance to fulfill the SR-22 requirement, that policy is good only for cars you borrow or rent. You would need to convert your non-owner car insurance policy to a traditional auto insurance policy if you buy a car.