How does SR-22 insurance work? This question is about SR-22 Insurance Guide

How does SR-22 insurance work?

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This question is about SR-22 Insurance Guide

McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer

@mckayla_girardin • 12/08/22 This answer was first published on 01/26/22 and it was last updated on 12/08/22.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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SR-22 insurance works like normal car insurance, except it is for high-risk drivers who must verify with their state that they are carrying at least the minimum amount of coverage required by law. An SR-22 is not a type of car insurance itself, but a form filed on behalf of the driver that proves they have coverage. The insurer files the form directly with the state’s DMV, and the driver must maintain continual insurance coverage for a certain period of time – usually 3-5 years – to satisfy their SR-22 requirement.

SR-22s are often needed after certain high-risk violations, such as DUIs or driving without insurance. The SR-22 form is typically used to get a license or registration reinstated. Not every state requires SR-22s, though, and they are not permanent.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to SR-22 insurance.

Answer Question

What does SR-22 insurance cover?

SR-22 insurance covers the cost of other people’s injuries and property damage after accidents that you cause, and it does not cover damage to your own vehicle. If the court or state tells you that you need SR-22 insurance certification, your minimum coverage requirements are still the same as for any other resident.... read full answer

SR-22 is actually the name of the form the court or state requires from drivers convicted of certain violations, such as DUI/DWIs, reckless driving, and driving without a license or insurance. The SR-22 must be filled in by your insurance company and certifies that you have the legally required coverage.

What SR-22 Insurance Covers Depending on State

Many states only require liability insurance. In these states, SR-22 insurance covers the costs of the other driver’s injuries or property damage if you’re at fault in an accident. Some states, like Florida and Michigan, also require Personal Injury Protection, which pays medical expenses for you and your passengers. States such as New Jersey and New York mandate uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, as well. This kind of insurance pays for your losses if another driver is at fault and either has no/low liability insurance or is a hit-and-run driver.

SR-22 Insurance Limits

Like all insurance, SR-22 insurance policies are written with limits. These limits are the maximum amounts the insurance company will pay out for losses. The coverage limits for your SR-22 insurance policy will follow the requirements of the state in which you were convicted or now live, whichever are higher.

Even though it’s minimal, SR-22 coverage can be expensive. The violation you committed will put you into the insurance company’s high-risk pool of drivers. This can raise your insurance costs 25% or more.

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Do I need SR-22 insurance and regular insurance?

No, you do not need SR-22 insurance and regular insurance because SR-22 insurance is the same thing as regular insurance but for high-risk drivers who are required to have an SR-22 form on file with their state’s DMV. In other words, SR-22 insurance is just the combination of an SR-22 form and regular insurance.... read full answer

Key Things to Know About SR-22 Insurance and Regular Insurance

An SR-22 is a form that high-risk drivers are sometimes required to have on file with their state’s DMV after certain violations, like driving without insurance and DUIs. The form shows the state that the driver has auto insurance.

Drivers who need SR-22s usually pay significantly more for insurance than other drivers - $741 to $1,465 per year for SR-22 insurance versus $716 per year for good drivers.

SR-22s are required to be on file for 1 to 5 years, depending on the state, and the driver must maintain coverage that entire time. Any lapse in coverage can cause the time to restart.

Only 39 states and the District of Columbia require SR-22s, and only after certain traffic law violations.

Anyone with a registered vehicle typically needs to have regular insurance in every state.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to SR-22 insurance.

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How long does an SR-22 last?

An SR-22 lasts three years on average, though the exact filing period depends on the state. An SR-22 is a form filed with your state by your insurance company after offenses like driving without insurance or DUIs, and you must maintain coverage for the entirety of the required duration once you have an SR-22. Any lapse in coverage will reset the clock.... read full answer

How Long SR-22s Last in the Biggest States

State	Minimum Filing Period
California	3 years
Texas	2 years
Florida	3 years*
New York	0 years
Pennsylvania	0 years

*For DUIs only, drivers in Florida are required to file an FR-44 form instead of an SR-22.

Key Things to Remember About SR-22s

While an SR-22 may end after a few years, the action that led to it, such as a DUI, can stay on your record for significantly longer, depending on the offense.

Some states do not use SR-22s at all.

With an SR-22, you are required to continually carry insurance. Any lapse in coverage will be reported to your state’s DMV by your insurance company, and that will reset the clock for how long you need an SR-22.

Having an SR-22 will classify you as a high-risk driver, due to the types of violations that trigger an SR-22. You will see more expensive insurance rates for about 3 to 5 years, depending on the severity of the offense.

Not every state requires an SR-22, and each state has their own specific requirements.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to SR-22 insurance.

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