Compare SR-22 Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2024]

States have an obligation to protect their citizens, especially from what they deem to be irresponsible drivers. One way of doing this is assigning a high-risk label to drivers with poor driving habits. 

If you’ve been involved in a traffic accident without carrying insurance, you could be required to carry an SR-22 form. This is also true if you’ve been convicted of a DUI. Having an SR-22 is significant for many reasons, including paying more for high-risk car insurance. 

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about an SR-22 and how to navigate your situation.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate filed by your insurance company with your state’s DMV that proves you have the minimum amount of car insurance required. 

Most states require drivers to carry an SR-22 if they’ve been convicted of a DUI or other serious traffic violations, such as an at-fault accident without carrying insurance. 

Getting an SR-22 may seem like a hassle, but it’s actually not that difficult. In most cases, your insurance company can file the form on your behalf for a small fee. In some states, you shouldn’t have to pay any additional fees. The only exception is if your state requires you to get the form in person. (For more information, read our “SR22 Without Car Insurance (How to Get)“).

Who is an SR-22 for?

There are several situations where you’ll be required to carry an SR-22. 

• If you have been convicted of a DUI/DWI
• If you have been convicted of driving without insurance
• If you have been involved in an at-fault accident while uninsured
• If your license has been suspended or revoked for any reason

Be aware that f you’re required to get SR-22 insurance, additional costs could increase the rate of your car insurance policy. Typically, a surcharge is added to your premium, and the DMV will also charge a fee to file the SR-22 form.

If you are required to carry SR-22 insurance and let your policy lapse, your insurance company will notify the DMV, and your license will be suspended.

Read More: Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Report to the DMV When They Cancel a Customer

What is the cost of an SR-22?

There are two main costs for receiving SR-22 insurance — the filing fee and the increased cost of insurance.

• Filing fee. States typically require a fee for filing SR-22 insurance. The exact fee varies based on where you live but ranges from $15 to $25.
• Increased cost of insurance. Once you file for SR-22 insurance, your insurance company will deem you as a “high-risk” driver. Your yearly insurance premiums will usually increase by up to 18%. SR-22 insurance can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,400 a year.

Be prepared for your monthly car insurance costs to increase when you file SR-22. Your rates will remain high until you’re no longer required to carry SR-22 insurance.

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What is an FR-44?

An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility form that, much like an SR-22, proves to your state that you carry the minimum car insurance required. FR-44s are only required in Virginia and Florida for drivers who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI (driving under the influence).

An FR-44 filing is typically required for three years following a DUI conviction, after which time it can be removed from your policy (and your record) if you maintain continuous coverage and have not been convicted of any additional driving offenses.

Similar to an SR-22, if you are required to carry an FR-44 and let your insurance lapse, the DMV will suspend your driver’s license.

An FR-44 is more expensive than a standard policy because it requires higher amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

For example, in Florida, the minimum amount of bodily injury coverage required for an FR-44 is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. This is significantly higher than the state minimum of $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident.

Read more: Compare FR-44 Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

Best Insurance Companies for SR-22 

Are you looking for the best insurance companies to work with if you have an SR-22? Your best course of action will to gather quotes from the top insurance companies. You will usually pay more for SR-22 insurance regardless of the company you choose because insurers will consider you a high-risk driver.

Geico and Progressive are known for excellent rates. A lot of people that are considered high-risk drivers find that one of these companies offers the best rates.

How to File SR-22: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering how to file for SR-22 car insurance? Obtaining an SR-22 is typically a straightforward process. Here are all the steps you need to follow to meet your state’s driving requirements.

Contact Your Car Insurance Company

The first step is to contact your SR-22 insurance company and let them know you need an SR-22 form. Some insurers may require you to switch to a high-risk policy, while others will simply fill out the form on your behalf. Be sure to ask about any associated fees or changes in coverage.

Decide What Type of SR-22 Certificate You Need

There are two types of SR-22 certificates — Owner’s and Operator’s.

• Owner’s certificate. This means that the vehicle is covered by the policy, regardless of who is driving it. This is typically the best option for people who own multiple vehicles or lend their car to others often. 
• Operator’s certificate. Only covers the named driver on the policy and is the best option for drivers who need SR-22 insurance without a vehicle.

If you need an operator’s SR-22 certificate, consider buying non-owner car insurance to meet the minimum requirements in your state before you file the SR-22 form.

Complete the SR-22 Form

Your insurance company will provide you with an SR-22 form, which must be completed and submitted to your state DMV. The form must be filled out completely and accurately, as any mistakes could delay the processing of your request.

Pay Any Required Fees

Most states charge a small fee for filing an SR-22, which is typically around $25. This fee is in addition to your regular insurance premium, so be sure to factor it into your budget.

Buy Car Insurance

If you don’t already have car insurance, you’ll need to purchase a policy that meets your state’s minimum liability requirements. Your insurer will then file an SR-22 form on your behalf.

Maintain Continuous Coverage

It’s important to maintain continuous coverage throughout the duration of your SR-22 period. If you cancel your policy or let it lapse, your insurer will notify the DMV, and your driver’s license may be suspended.

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What are the SR-22 requirements by state?

Every state has its own SR-22 requirements. To stay in compliance with your state’s laws, the best thing you can do is contact your state’s department of motor vehicles and inquire about the exact rules surrounding SR-22 coverage. Some states have stringent SR-22 insurance requirements, while others are more lenient for at-risk drivers. 

What happens if I move to another state?

If you move to another state, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 from your new state. You should contact your insurance company to see if they are able to file an SR-22 in multiple states. 

If they are not, you will need to find a new insurance company that is licensed to do business in your new state and is willing to file an SR-22 on your behalf.

How long do I need SR-22 insurance?

The length of time you are required to maintain SR-22 coverage depends on the reason why it was initially required. In most cases, you will be required to keep your SR-22 for at least three years. 

However, if you were convicted of a DUI/DWI, you may be required to keep your SR-22 for up to 5 years or more.

What if I need an SR-22 in a state I don’t reside in?

Receiving a driving offense in another state is a very common scenario. If you need to carry an SR-22 in another state, all you have to do is contact your insurance provider. Most insurance companies will automatically file an SR-22 in multiple states if they are licensed to do business in those states.

How to Remove an SR-22 Filing

The process of removing an SR-22 filing varies by state. Typically, you will need to provide your insurer with a notice that the SR-22 is no longer required. Your insurance company will then notify the DMV that the SR-22 has been removed.

Important Tips for Buying Car Insurance with an SR-22

As you can see, having an SR-22 can impact your auto insurance rates significantly. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on car insurance. Following these tips will help you receive the cheapest auto insurance rates despite having an SR-22.

Determine How Much Coverage You Need

The first step is to determine how much coverage you actually need. Many people over-insure themselves because they think it will help them in the event of an accident. However, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, carrying too much insurance can actually be detrimental if you’re in an accident.

That’s because your insurance company may only pay out a portion of the damages, and you’ll be stuck with the rest of the bill.

To avoid this, take a look at your assets and determine how much coverage you would need to protect them. This should give you a good idea of how much coverage you actually need. Once you know this, you can start looking for insurers that offer this amount of coverage.

Review Your Current Insurance Policy

Once you know how much coverage you need, take a look at your current car insurance policy. If you already have car insurance, there’s a good chance that you’re already carrying at least the minimum amount of coverage required by your state.

However, it’s still a good idea to review your policy to make sure. This will give you a better idea of what coverage you currently have and what coverage you still need to add. It will also help determine if there are any areas where you may be over-insured. If so, you can adjust your coverage accordingly.

Shop Around for Insurance Quotes

Now that you know how much coverage you need and what type of coverage you currently have, you can start shopping around for insurance quotes.

When doing this, be sure to compare not only the price of the premium but also the coverage options and deductibles. This will help you find the best possible deal on car insurance.

Keep in mind that the cheapest car insurance isn’t always the best option. In some cases, it may be worth paying a slightly higher premium in order to get better coverage.

Consider Dropping Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

If you’re having trouble finding affordable car insurance despite having an SR-22, you may want to consider dropping collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. These are two types of optional coverage that will pay for damages to your vehicle if it’s involved in an accident.

However, they can also add a significant amount to your premium. Dropping these types of coverage may help you save money on your car insurance.

Increase Your Deductible

Another way to lower the cost of car insurance is to increase your deductible. This is the amount of money you would pay out-of-pocket in the event of an accident before your insurance would kick in.

By increasing your deductible, you’re essentially agreeing to pay more yourself after an accident, decreasing the risk on the insurance company. In exchange for this, your insurer will lower your monthly car insurance rates.

Just remember that you should only agree to pay a higher deductible if you actually have the money available to do so. Check out how to find your car insurance deductible to learn if and when you should make changes. 

Check Your Driving Record

If you have any accidents or traffic violations on your record, this can impact your insurance rates. By checking your driving record or CLUE report, you can get an idea of which insurers will be more expensive and which ones will be more affordable.

Some insurers will penalize you more than others for certain driving offenses, so it’s worth comparing quotes from at least three companies before you buy to get the best rates.

Assess Every Insurance Company’s Profile

Not all insurance companies are created equal. Some insurers specialize in insuring high-risk drivers while others focus on offering low rates. When shopping for car insurance, be sure to assess each insurer’s profile to make sure they’re a good fit for your needs.

One way to do this is by reviewing customer satisfaction surveys like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. This will give you an idea of how satisfied customers are with a particular insurer’s rates, coverage, and customer service.

Finally, you should make sure any auto insurance company has the financial strength to pay out your claim should you get into an accident. You can assess an insurer’s financial strength by looking at their rating from A.M. Best.

Improve Your Credit Score

One thing that can have a major impact on your car insurance rates is your credit score.

In most states, insurers are allowed to use your credit score when determining your premium. This is because studies have shown that people with higher credit scores are less likely to file claims.

If you have a low credit score, you may want to work on improving it before shopping for car insurance. There are a few different ways to do this, but one of the best is by paying all of your bills on time and keeping your balances low.

Final Words on SR-22 Car Insurance

Getting SR-22 car insurance doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. While it’s a legal requirement, there are plenty of ways to find affordable coverage.

By following the tips above, you can get the coverage you need without breaking the bank. Just be sure to compare rates and coverage options from multiple insurers before making a final decision.

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