How much does SR-22 insurance cost?

If you’re in need of SR-22 insurance, you could be in a rush to get back on the road. Don’t worry: Filing for an SR-22 isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Learn how much you might pay for an SR-22, how to start the filing process and how long you might have to carry it.

How much does it cost to get an SR-22 insurance?

Filing for an SR-22 comes with two costs: filing fees and higher insurance premiums. Most insurance providers charge between $15 to $35 fee for filing and renewing your SR-22.

But more expensive than the filing fee is the higher premiums you’ll pay. The cost of remaining insured as a high-risk driver varies depending on such factors as your age, your previous driving record and your provider.

For example, car insurance increases $1,248 after a DUI on average per year. But you might see less of a hike to your car insurance rates for getting caught driving without insurance.

Not everyone that files for an SR-22 reports higher insurance premiums. The only way for you to know exactly how much you’ll pay overall is to get an insurance quote from a provider.

• Affordable coverage
• Instant online access
• SR-22 support

Our pick for SR-22 drivers: The General

The General offers affordable coverage for nearly any driver who needs car insurance.

• Affordable coverage
• High risk drivers okay
• Instant online access
• Available in 46 states

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Name	Product	SR-22	Nonowner policy	Payment schedule	States served
The General		Yes	Yes	12 months, monthly	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, West VA, WI, WY	The General offers affordable coverage for nearly any driver who needs car insurance.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SafeAuto		Yes	Yes	12 months, 6 months, monthly (fee applies)	AZ, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA	Known for providing insurance to high-risk customers who may have trouble finding coverage elsewhere, SafeAuto offers a lot of different discounts, from those for homeowners to good drivers.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Direct		Yes	Yes	monthly, custom	AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA	Discounts, flexible payments and a life coach that guides you to your best rates and coverage with Direct car insurance.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Dairyland		Yes	Yes	custom	AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NM, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, West VA, WI, WY	Dairyland offers auto insurance with flexible payment and coverage options for high-risk drivers in 37 states.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Will my rates go down after I no longer need an SR-22?

Most likely. But remember: It’s not the SR-22 that affects your premiums, it’s the conviction on your driving record.

Your driving record — along with your age, state of residence and other factors — are what ultimately determine your rate. Most insurance policies renew annually or every six months. Each time your policy is renewed with no new incidents to report, you could see decreased premiums.

Many insurance providers gradually lower your rates after three years following a conviction. To increase your chances of receiving lowered premiums from your provider, renew on time and practice safe driving on the road. The longer you stay free of incidents, the more likely you’ll see lower premiums with your renewals.

How do I get an SR-22?

You must hold an active insurance policy before you can file for an SR-22. If you already carry a policy, contact your local insurance agent to ask that they file an SR-22 for you. If you don’t already have insurance, many providers offer free online quotes that include an SR-22.

Have the following information ready for your agent:

• Your date of birth and Social Security number.
• Your existing policy number, if you have one.
• Your state of residence and driver’s license number.
• The date your license was suspended.
• The date you anticipate your SR-22 will no longer be required.
• Any applicable information about your conviction.

Your provider will file an SR-22 on your behalf and notify you of any associated filing fees for handling the documents.

How long does it take to process an SR-22?

It can take up to two weeks for your local department of motor vehicles to fully process your SR-22 documents. If your driving privileges are revoked until you’ve an SR-22 in place, follow up on the status of your insurance with either your provider or your local DMV before you get back behind the wheel.

How long will I be required to keep an SR-22?

How long you’ll need to file for an SR-22 depends largely on where you live and the severity of your violation. However, most states require that you carry SR-22 insurance from three to five years. During this time, you will be considered a “high risk” driver so your premiums will be higher than normal.

You must maintain your insurance policy while you carry SR-22 insurance with no lapse and safe driving practices. If you miss a renewal, you could lose your SR-22 documents, pay steep fines and even find your license revoked.

Common questions about SR-22 insurance costs

• I need SR-22 insurance, but my provider will no longer cover me. What do I do?

  First, don’t panic. Many providers are willing to cover high-risk drivers. Still others, like The General, specialize in providing insurance coverage to nonstandard drivers.

  If you discover that your current provider will no longer cover you or that your premiums have skyrocketed, shop around for a new provider that’s willing to take you on at the best possible rate.

• I don’t have a car. Am I still required to carry SR-22 insurance?

  It depends. If you’re notified that you need to file for SR-22 insurance but don’t own your own vehicle, you’ll might be required to file as a non-owner. Check with your local department of motor vehicles to learn whether a non-owner policy is required by your state.

• Will all insurance companies file for an SR-22?

  No. But many nationwide providers do, so it’s worth researching your full range of options to find a price that fits your needs and budget.

Jing Jun Ma

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Jing Jun Ma is an innovations expert at Finder. With a decade of experience in digital marketing and programming, Jing is a tech and data guy. He wrangles data to make it useful for consumers facing a decision.