What is SR-22 Insurance and How do I Get It?
- SR-22 insurance helps you get your license or registration back if it’s suspended.
- Your insurance company files it for you when you buy your policy.
- You usually need SR-22 insurance after a violation like DUI.
How does SR-22 insurance work?
SR-22 car insurance helps reinstate your driving privileges after a major traffic violation. The SR-22 itself is a form that certifies you have enough car insurance to drive legally. It’s also known as a certificate of financial responsibility.
In most states, your car insurance company sends your SR-22 certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles or a similar agency when you buy your policy.
SR-22 insurance is often one of the many requirements for reinstating a suspended driver’s license or vehicle registration. You may also have to pay fees and/or take a safe driving class, depending on the violation.
You usually need SR-22 insurance after an offense such as:
- DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated)
- Reckless driving
- Multiple at-fault accidents
- Repeated moving violations
- Driving without insurance
- Failing to pay child support
Florida and Virginia also have FR-44s. In these states, FR-44s are for major violations like DUI, while SR-22s are for less severe offenses.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
The cost of SR-22 insurance depends largely on your driving record and the amount of coverage you need.
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Full coverage
SR-22 insurance after a major violation like DUI costs the most at $336 a month. This is 89% higher than the average of $177 a month for a clean driving record.Full coverage includes collision and comprehensive, which cover your own car for damage and theft.
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Liability insurance
after a minor SR-22 violation is much more affordable, at $96 a month. This is only 39% higher than the average cost of minimum coverage with a clean record.Liability insurance covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. It’s required by law in almost every state.
SR-22 insurance costs by driving record
| Monthly liability | Full coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $68 | $177 |
| Minor violation | $96 | $240 |
| Major violation | $139 | $336 |
Factors like your location and vehicle also affect your rate. In most states, your credit does, too. Many companies add a filing fee of about $25 to your SR-22 insurance bill.
Each company treats these factors differently and has a different filing fee. It’s good to compare car insurance quotes from a few companies. This helps you find the cheapest SR-22 insurance for your situation.
How much insurance do I need for an SR-22?
In the eyes of the law, you usually only need minimum coverage
The liability requirements for FR-44s are higher than they are for other drivers. For example, Virginia makes you get double the normal amount of liability coverage for an FR-44.
How do I save money on SR-22 insurance?
Shopping around and raising your deductibles can help you save money on SR-22 insurance. It’s also good to ask about any car insurance discounts that may be available to you.
How to compare SR-22 insurance quotes
Getting SR-22 quotes is similar to shopping for regular car insurance, but it may take a little longer. Some companies don’t offer SR-22 or FR-44 filings, so you may have to contact a few more companies than normal.
It’s good to be upfront about an SR-22 or FR-44 requirement when you shop for car insurance. If one company doesn’t offer the filing you need, you can quickly move on to the next one.
The violation that led to your filing requirement may also add to the time it takes to get SR-22 insurance. Some companies consider drivers with a DUI or reckless driving conviction as too risky to insure, meaning you might need non-standard car insurance.
You may have to contact non-standard car insurance if other companies won’t insure you. Non-standard insurance companies accept many drivers that other companies won’t insure.
They tend to charge higher rates than standard companies, but you may eventually qualify for cheaper rates if you avoid tickets and accidents. Some of better-known non-standard car insurance companies include:
- Bristol West
- Dairyland
- The General
- Kemper
- National General
Car insurance deductibles for SR-22 insurance
Raising your collision and comp deductibles
However, just increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can knock about 10% off your rate. This works out to nearly $33 a month on average, or about $391 a year for SR-22 insurance with a DUI. Raising your deductible to $2,000 can save you about $750 a year.
SR-22 insurance rates by deductible amounts
| Deductible amount | Monthly rate* |
|---|---|
| $500 | $336 |
| $1,000 | $303 |
| $2,000 | $272 |
Collision and comp are usually worth keeping if your car is worth more than $5,000, even if you don’t have a loan. However, these coverages are not cheap. With a $1,000 deductible, they add nearly $1,700 to the annual cost of SR-22 insurance after a DUI.
If your car is worth less than $5,000, the benefits of these coverages may not be worth the price.
Car insurance discounts with an SR-22
Many companies offer car insurance discounts that aren’t related to your driving record. For example, most companies give you a generous discount for bundling, or getting more than one insurance policy from them.
Several companies also give you a discount for setting up automatic payments or getting your quotes online.
Most insurance companies apply discounts to your quotes, based on information you provide. It’s still good to ask about discounts and other ways to save when you get your quotes.
How long do I need to keep SR-22 insurance?
Most states require you to keep your SR-22 on file with your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for three years. However, this may vary, based on where you live and the violation that led to the SR-22.
You can switch car insurance companies during your SR-22 filing period. Just make sure your current policy stays in force until your new policy begins. Your license or registration may be suspended if your new car insurance isn’t in effect when an old policy expires.
It’s also important to make sure your new company sends a new SR-22 certificate to your DMV when you switch.
What is non-owner SR-22 insurance?
If you don’t own a car, you can get non-owners car insurance to satisfy an SR-22 requirement. A non-owner policy covers you in cars you rent or borrow.
A standard non-owners usually includes liability coverage. You may be able to add uninsured motorist
Frequently asked questions
SR-22 insurance is usually more expensive than standard car insurance. For example, SR-22 car insurance after a DUI is nearly twice as expensive as normal car insurance with a clean record. However, SR-22 insurance is much more affordable after lesser offenses like driving without insurance.
Yes. Getting SR-22 insurance is relatively easy. When you contact insurance companies for quotes, you’ll need to let them know about your SR-22 requirement. It’s also important to make sure your insurance company files your SR-22 certificate for you when you buy your policy.
An SR-22 is known as a safety responsibility certificate in some states. It’s a certificate that shows you have enough car insurance to drive legally in your state.
Methodology
LendingTree uses insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services using publicly sourced insurance company filings. Rates are based on an analysis of car insurance quotes for drivers in California, Virginia and Wisconsin. Prices are shown for comparative purposes only. Your own rates may be different.
Unless noted otherwise, quotes are for a full coverage policy for a 30-year-old man who drives a 2018 Honda CR-V EX. Minor violation rates are for driving without insurance. Major violation rates are for a DUI
Coverage limits
Minimum-liability policies provide liability coverage with each state’s required minimum limits.
Full coverage policies include collision, comprehensive and liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Collision: $500 deductible
- Comprehensive: $500 deductible
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