The best SR-22 insurance company is Geico based on average premiums, state availability, and WalletHub editors’ ratings. Progressive, AAA, and Allstate also earn high marks for their relatively affordable SR-22 insurance coverage.
Best SR-22 Insurance Companies of 2023
It’s important to compare options and find the best insurance provider when you need to file an SR-22 because your premiums could go up a lot otherwise. After all, an SR-22 is a form that high-risk drivers must file with their state to prove they are carrying the required amount of insurance. A driver will usually need an SR-22 after violations like DUIs, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.
Best SR-22 Insurance Companies
Geico
Geico is the best SR-22 insurance company because of their affordable rates, wide range of coverage options, and exceptional customer service.
Geico premiums increase by an average of 10% after an SR-22 is filed, which is slightly higher than other companies on this list, but Geico’s discount list is extensive, and they routinely offer cheaper rates than their competitors to begin with. They also offer non-owner insurance, which can be a great option for drivers with an SR-22 on file but no car.
Progressive
Progressive receives high marks for having competitive rates and a variety of discounts. Additionally, Progressive’s claims process is consistently complimented for being quick and convenient.
While Progressive is slightly pricier than Geico to start, their average premium increase for an SR-22 driver is only 3%. They also offer non-owner insurance, which can be a great option for high-risk drivers.
AAA
AAA offers great rates for SR-22 drivers and has good ratings from consumer watchdog groups. In addition to their well-known roadside assistance program, AAA offers a wide variety of coverage options with an impressive number of discounts available. However, their customer service isn’t the best, and they receive more customer complaints than their peers.
Allstate
Despite being a bit more expensive than their competitors, Allstate is a great company for SR-22 drivers because of Allstate’s multitude of discounts and their nationwide availability. Allstate offers non-owner insurance, too. While they may not be right for drivers who are concerned about affordability, Allstate’s claim satisfaction guarantee and variety of coverage options help make them a top pick for SR-22 insurance and a highly-rated company by WalletHub editors.
Travelers
Travelers receives great reviews from consumer watchdog groups and WalletHub’s editors. However, they are generally more expensive than their competitors and often receive complaints about their customer service and claims support.
Travelers’ average cost increase with an SR-22 on file is slightly higher than their competitors, but they offer a significant number of discounts and boast many coverage options to offset that price hike. Plus, they offer non-owner insurance, which can be a great option for SR-22 drivers.
Esurance
For tech-savvy drivers, Esurance’s all-online system can be a big bonus. They make it pretty simple to get quotes and purchase policies online. Esurance also receives great reviews for their competitive rates and discounts.
However, Esurance has limited coverage options and they receive more customer complaints than their competitors. Esurance’s lack of local agents can make managing policies a little difficult for those who prefer to work with people in person, too.
USAA
High-risk drivers who happen to be current or former military members, or a relative of one, will find USAA to have great rates compared to their competitors. USAA is highly rated by consumer watchdog groups and WalletHub’s editors, and they offer a wide array of discounts and coverage options, as well as non-owner insurance.
However, their claims process is more difficult than other companies. Their customer service department doesn’t always receive good reviews, either.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual receives great reviews from WalletHub’s editors and consumer watchdog groups like the Better Business Bureau. They also offer a significant number of discounts and coverage options, including non-owner insurance. However, customers frequently complain about Liberty Mutual raising rates unexpectedly and about them having a slow claims process.
Mercury
Mercury is unfortunately only available in eight of the states that use SR-22 forms. While their rates are comparable to what most of their competitors charge, they lack a strong variety of discounts and coverage options. They also have no system for filing claims online, and policies can only be purchased through an agent.
Kemper
Kemper insurance can be a good option for drivers who need an SR-22 since Kemper’s rates only increase by around 1% for most SR-22 offenses. Additionally, Kemper allows drivers to manage their claims and account all online, which can be a convenient option for tech-savvy customers. Unfortunately, Kemper does not have great customer service reviews, and average premiums from Kemper are often higher than those from competitors.
Best SR-22 Insurance Companies Compared
Companies | Premiums For SR-22 Coverage | Increase With SR-22 From Minimum Coverage Cost | WalletHub User Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Geico | $556 | 10% | 2.5/5 |
Progressive | $669 | 3% | 2.7/5 |
AAA | $576 | 0% | 2.4/5 |
Allstate | $954 | 0% | 3.0/5 |
Travelers | $741 | 7% | 2.2/5 |
Esurance | $769 | 7% | 3.6/5 |
USAA | $713 | 13% | 2.8/5 |
Liberty Mutual | $936 | 6% | 2.5/5 |
Mercury | $700 | 1% | 2.1/5 |
Kemper | $873 | 1% | 1.6/5 |
Note: Data is based on a 45-year-old male driver with an SR-22 and the minimum coverage required in California.
When shopping for an SR-22 insurance company, it is essential to consider the cost of premiums, how much each company raises rates for SR-22 drivers, and what sort of reviews the companies receive from consumers.
For example, while Geico does raise rates by an average of 10% for SR-22 drivers, Geico premiums are already so affordable that the resulting price is still cheaper than what most of Geico’s competitors charge.
It’s also important to recognize that SR-22 car insurance costs can vary wildly depending on the state.
Best SR-22 Insurance Company By State
State | Winner | Premium |
---|---|---|
Alabama | Geico | $411 |
Alaska | USAA | $476 |
Arizona | Noblr Reciprocal | $184 |
Arkansas | Geico | $387 |
California | Geico | $556 |
Colorado | American National | $290 |
Connecticut | Geico | $466 |
District of Columbia | Chubb | $372 |
Florida | USAA | $295 |
Georgia | Clearcover | $518 |
Hawaii | Geico | $363 |
Idaho | American National | $210 |
Illinois | Geico | $318 |
Indiana | Westfield | $289 |
Iowa | Hastings Mutual | $201 |
Kansas | Geico | $266 |
Louisiana | Louisiana Farm Bureau | $599 |
Maine | Geico | $223 |
Massachusetts | Chubb | $264 |
Michigan | Travelers | $266 |
Mississippi | Geico | $342 |
Missouri | USAA | $353 |
Montana | Safeco | $203 |
Nebraska | Farmers Mutual of NE | $255 |
Nevada | Country Financial | $568 |
New Hampshire | MAPFRE | $266 |
North Dakota | Nodak Mutual | $209 |
Ohio | Geico | $318 |
Oregon | Geico | $520 |
South Carolina | American National | $304 |
South Dakota | Farmers Mutual of NE | $198 |
Tennessee | Westfield | $250 |
Texas | Clearcover | $466 |
Utah | Bear River Mutual | $349 |
Vermont | USAA | $242 |
Virginia | ALFA Insurance | $396 |
Washington | PEMCO | $431 |
Wisconsin | USAA | $287 |
Wyoming | Grange Insurance | $168 |
Note: Premiums represent average annual prices for an SR-22 policy that fulfills minimum coverage requirements.
Tips for Getting the Best SR-22 Insurance
Shop Around
The best way to make sure you get the best SR-22 insurance is to shop around. Each insurance company has their own proprietary method for calculating rates, so the first quote you get may not be the best rate you’re eligible for. In general, it’s recommended that you compare quotes from at least three separate insurers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Since an SR-22 requirement designates you as a high-risk driver, you may find that some insurance companies will simply refuse to insure you. If that happens, the best option is to keep trying other companies. Many states also have special programs for high-risk drivers who are struggling to find car insurance. However, the policies available in these programs are usually very expensive, so this option should be used as more of a last resort.
Consider Non-Owner Insurance
Non-owner insurance is for drivers who often borrow or rent vehicles, but do not own a vehicle. It is often significantly cheaper than normal policies, so it’s great option for high-risk drivers with SR-22s who don’t own a vehicle. Most major insurance companies offer non-owner insurance, but you will need to call a local agent to get a quote as it’s a unique type of coverage.
Check your rates annually
To make sure you are consistently getting the best rates, compare offers from various insurance companies every year. Methods for determining rates can change, and every year you have without a moving violation could help bring your rate down.
Reduce Your Risk
SR-22s stay on your insurance for several years, but practicing safe driving and raising your insurance score will help lower your premium over time. Plus, taking a defensive driving course can usually earn you a discount from your insurance company, and the course can make you better driver overall. Eventually, you will no longer need an SR-22 to be on file, and you’ll begin to see your rates improve.
Methodology for Selecting the Best SR-22 Insurance Companies
The best SR-22 car insurance companies were determined using annual premiums with an SR-22, WalletHub editor ratings, state availability, and the amount each insurer’s premiums increase with an SR-22 added. California was used for quotes because it is the largest state population-wise and tends to be middle-of-the-road for insurance costs.
Weight of Factors for Scoring the Best SR-22 Insurance Companies:
- WalletHub editor ratings – 40%
- Cost of premiums – 25%
- Increase to premiums – 25%
- State availability – 10%
In the event of a tie, the WalletHub User rating was used as a tiebreaker.
Premiums:
Annual premiums represent an average of quotes for 30 California ZIP codes. The quotes reflect coverage for a 45-year-old single man with an SR-22 who drives 15,000 miles annually and has good credit. Premiums are for the following coverage limits:
$15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$5,000 in property damage liability coverage
Best in State:
The “Best SR-22 Insurance Companies by State” table is based on a comparison of the top five cheapest companies in each state. Their scores were determined using WalletHub editor ratings, average annual premiums with an SR-22, and the percent increase to premiums with an SR-22.
The WalletHub editor rating and percent increase both made up 30% of the score, while the average annual premiums were worth 40% of the final score.