An SR-22 is a form your insurance company fills out with the DMV, also referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility, that proves to your state that you have the required amount of car insurance. It’s usually required for drivers who are considered high risk after being caught driving without insurance or after getting a DUI, which may increase your insurance rates. Find out how to save on SR-22 insurance and get back on the road on the cheap.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
Filing an SR-22 isn’t expensive. Your insurance company typically charges $25 to $55 to file the certificate. Your insurer can help you fill out the form or fill it out and send it for you.
But expect your insurance rates to go up by 50% or more depending on why you need an SR-22, according to Finder research. For example, getting a DUI could raise your insurance rates by $1,250 for three to five years, plus court fees and other costs.
To get the cheapest auto insurance quotes, we compared rates for the same driver profile averaged across all California zip codes.
Male driver
Married
Good credit
2017 Toyota Camry LE
State minimum coverage with SR-22
How to save on SR-22 insurance
Even with a DUI or SR-22 on your record, you can still save money on SR-22 insurance.
Look for discounts. Take advantage of as many discounts as possible like getting good grades or paying up front.
Choose the highest deductible you can afford. Pick a deductible that you could pay in an emergency. But raising it from $250 to $500 might only save a few dollars a month, so balance savings with your budget.
Remove extra coverage. You may save over $500 by dropping collision and comprehensive, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Consider dropping these on an older car you don’t drive much.
Pay only for features you use. Your auto club membership or new car warranty may include towing coverage.
Shop around. Get several quotes from SR-22-friendly companies to find the best rate for you.
Why can’t I get cheap rates with an SR-22?
You may find yourself paying higher premiums on your car insurance policy because of your driving history. Consider these factors that affect your SR-22 insurance rates.
Type of incident. DUI convictions and accidents cost more than traffic violations like speeding tickets.
Number of incidents. Each conviction raises your rates, especially for several violations in three years.
Age. Drivers under age 25 with a DUI charge will find the highest insurance costs.
Time since the event. Car insurers typically look at your three- to five-year driving record. But your state may record serious violations for longer in some cases, like failing to appear in court for a DUI.
Company. Some companies charge high rates or deny coverage, while others are lenient.
How long will I have higher rates after an SR-22?
Most states require an SR-22 for three years, though how long you’ll need an SR-22 varies by state and situation. During that time, you’re required to pay for and file a new SR-22 each time you renew your policy.
If you commit dangerous driving offenses in those three years, you could extend how long you need an SR-22. If you stay free of accidents, you can forfeit the certificate and get back to low-risk insurance coverage.
Can I get SR-22 nonowner car insurance?
Yes, nonowner coverage is a great way to meet your SR-22 requirement if you don’t have a car or don’t drive much. But stay honest about your true address or who owns the car to avoid denied claims for lying to your insurer.
Get cheap SR-22 insurance
50% of all car insurance companies won’t accept drivers who need an SR-22, according to Finder research of over 165 car insurance companies. The good news is almost every one of the big national brands do offer SR-22 insurance. Compare all your options to find the best deal and get your policy started today.
Bottom line
An SR-22 isn’t the end of the world, but the high-risk driving history behind it may be the end of cheap car insurance rates for now. You can still save even if you need an SR-22, and the best way to do that is by comparing rates from different car insurance companies.
Roslyn McKenna Ayers is insurance manager at ValuePenguin and a former publisher at Finder, specializing in home and auto coverage. Her expertise and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and Reader's Digest. She holds a BA in writing and communications from Maryville College.
Here’s how we rate business checking accounts, covering what we look for in fees, cash deposit, opening requirements, transaction limits, APY and account features.
SoFi and Capital One are both good picks for different reasons. SoFi is best for everyday banking, but Capital One has more account options and branches.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
