SR-22 Insurance Guide

SR-22 insurance costs $2,336 per year, on average, nationwide. Because an SR-22 flags you as a high-risk driver, your insurance company will charge you a higher premium than the average driver. But the cost of SR-22 insurance changes dramatically based on where you live.

Michigan drivers pay the most for SR-22 insurance, with rates averaging $7,472 annually. On the other hand, Maine has the cheapest SR-22 insurance, with drivers only paying an average of $1,051 per year. How much coverage you buy also makes a difference in cost. If you only buy the minimum amount of insurance required by your state, you can fulfill your SR-22 requirements while keeping your rates as low as possible under the circumstances.

It should be noted that the SR-22 form itself doesn't cause your rates to go up. In fact, your insurance company will only charge you a one-time filing fee of around $25. Instead, your premium will go up based on the infraction that caused you to need an SR-22 in the first place. SR-22s are usually required after serious traffic offenses like DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license. So, even if your state didn't require you to have an SR-22, your insurance company would still charge you a higher rate based on your risk as a driver.

Since you only need to have an SR-22 for 3-5 years, your premium will eventually go back down. In the meantime, switching to an insurer with lower rates is the best way to save money on SR-22 insurance. As long as your coverage doesn't lapse, it won't affect how long you need the SR-22.

To get an SR-22 removed, a driver needs to contact their insurance company once they are no longer required to have the SR-22 on file with their state DMV. While each state has its own rules for how long drivers must maintain an SR-22, it can usually be removed after 3-5 years. Since individual drivers do not handle SR-22 forms themselves, the insurance company will take care of the cancellation.

You can contact your state's DMV to find out exactly when your SR-22 filing period ends. Once you confirm that you no longer need an SR-22, you can call your insurance company and let them know. Your insurer will then notify the DMV that they have cancelled the SR-22 filing.

You should never try to remove your SR-22 before the state-mandated period ends. If the DMV finds out that you cancelled your SR-22 insurance early, you could face serious consequences that include a driver's license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, and hefty fees. In addition, you will likely have to start the SR-22 filing period all over again.  

Finally, if you cancel your SR-22 insurance because you are switching insurance companies, you should cancel the old policy a few days after the new one begins. It can take some time for your state DMV to receive the new filing, and having the policies overlap by a few days helps you avoid a lapse in SR-22 coverage.

No, SR-22 insurance is not full coverage. SR-22 insurance simply means that a high-risk driver's insurance company has filed an SR-22 certificate, which is a state-issued form verifying that someone has the minimum amount of car insurance required by law. While drivers can carry full coverage insurance with an SR-22, they are only required to have their state's minimum coverage limits.

SR-22 insurance with state-minimum coverage already increases annual rates by an average of 70%, and full coverage always costs more than the state minimum, so full coverage SR-22 insurance would be especially pricey. Fortunately, after 3-5 years, you will no longer need the SR-22, and your rates can go back down.

The differences between SR-22 and FR-44 are the amount of coverage they require, which states use them, and when they're used. SR-22s are used in almost every state and only require the minimum amount of liability insurance, while FR-44s are only used in Florida and Virginia, and require drivers to carry extra liability insurance. Nevertheless, SR-22s and FR-44s are both state-issued forms verifying that a high-risk driver is carrying a certain amount of insurance coverage.

SR-22 vs. FR-44

On average, an SR-22 or FR-44 will raise your insurance rates by about 70%. In some states, however, it could double or triple your premium. That's because both forms indicate that you're a high-risk driver, meaning you're more likely to file a claim in the future. In addition, if you need to file an FR-44, the extra coverage that you will have to purchase will contribute to the increased cost.

The good news is that SR-22s and FR-44s are only required for a few years, and if you practice good driving habits during that time as well as maintain continuous coverage, your rates will eventually go back down. But no matter what, you need to be insured in order to fulfill the requirements for both forms. Once your filing period has ended, you can inform your insurer and they will remove the SR-22 or FR-44 from your policy.

Yes, an SR-22 means you need high-risk car insurance, because only drivers who have been convicted or cited for a high-risk offense like a DUI are required to file an SR-22 with their state. “SR-22” isn't actually a type of insurance; it's an official form that your insurance company will file directly with the state to prove you have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. In other words, an SR-22 is a court-ordered document originating from a mistake your state deems serious, which makes it synonymous with high-risk insurance.

Offenses that could lead to an SR-22 include driving without a valid license or insurance, causing a serious accident, and being charged with a DUI, racing, or reckless driving. You'll be considered a high-risk driver as a result of any of these violations. But you won't need an SR-22 forever if you maintain your insurance coverage continuously and drive safely.

Your SR-22 status will usually last three years. And depending on your state and insurance company, most violations that qualify you as high-risk will no longer be factored into your insurance premium after three to 10 years.

An SR-22 in California is a certificate proving that a high-risk driver has the legal requirements for car insurance in California. So-called SR-22 insurance raises annual car insurance premiums by roughly $2,090 in California, compared to standard rates. In addition, there's usually a fee of $15 to $25 for your insurance company to file your SR-22 documentation with the state.

Your SR-22 must be maintained with California's licensing agency for 3 years, according to California law. If your insurance coverage lapses during that time, your insurance company is required to report you to the state. Your SR-22 period resets in that case, and you are required to pay any SR-22-related fees again.

What You Need to Know About SR-22 Insurance in California:

• Who Needs SR-22 Insurance in California? California requires SR-22 documentation for drivers who are convicted of serious traffic violations. The list includes reckless driving, hit and run, and DUI, among other major offenses.
• How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Raise Premiums in California? An SR-22 in California increases car insurance costs by approximately $2,090. That is roughly 115% more than the average California resident pays for car insurance. The increase is proportionate to your traffic violation – multiple DUIs will raise rates more than your first speeding ticket.
• What is Minimum SR-22 Car Insurance Coverage in California? Drivers need bodily injury insurance of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, plus $5,000 of coverage for property damage.
• How to File SR-22 Documentation in California: Your insurance company will file the SR-22 certificate with the state for you. For the next 3 years, you need to keep your insurance policy active with no lapse in coverage.

Summary: SR-22 Insurance in California

Yes, you usually need SR-22 insurance after a suspended license. Filing an SR-22 is often a requirement for a driver to reinstate their suspended license, but it does not allow someone to drive while the suspension is still in effect.

Your license can be suspended for a variety of reasons, such as too many traffic tickets, DUI, or reckless driving. Even if your license is suspended for a series of small infractions, it can signal to insurance companies that you are a high-risk driver. As a result, your state DMV will likely require you to file an SR-22 form to prove that you are carrying at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. Depending on your state's laws, you might not be able to reinstate your license without an SR-22.

After your license is reinstated, you will need to have an SR-22 for 3-5 years, and your insurance rates will go up due to your high-risk status. However, if you practice good driving habits during that time, your rates will start to go back down after the filing is removed.

You need an SR-22 in Texas for 2 years. That means drivers must maintain at least the minimum car insurance coverage required by Texas law for 2 years. If there is any lapse in coverage, the clock resets. Texas mandates at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person ($60,000 per accident), and at least $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Texas also requires personal injury protection.

When you get SR-22 insurance coverage in Texas, your insurance company files your SR-22 certification with the state on your behalf. Failing to file an SR-22 can result in your vehicle registration or license being suspended, in addition to costly reinstatement fees. Your insurer also notifies the state if you cancel your policy or allow it to lapse prematurely. You're even required to maintain an SR-22 if you move from Texas, using an out-of-state filing.

If you're unable to afford your payments, contact your insurance provider before you miss a due date. You can request a different payment plan or get information about subsidized plans that may be more affordable.

You need an SR-22 for 1-5 years after a DUI, though most states require you to have it for three years. You must be continuously insured during this timeframe, since any lapse in coverage will cause the SR-22 clock to reset.

Once you've maintained your SR-22 insurance for the required period of time after a DUI, you can contact your insurance company and ask them to cancel the SR-22 filing. However, keep in mind that your insurance company will have to contact the state DMV to remove the form. If you attempt to cancel the SR-22 early, you will face repercussions including hefty fines and a driver's license suspension. 

Since a DUI conviction and an SR-22 classify you as a high-risk driver, you should expect your insurance rates to go up by about 80%, though the exact amount will depend on your state. The good news is that insurance companies only look back 3-5 years on your driving record when calculating your premium, so your rates will eventually go back down.

You need an SR-22 in Louisiana for 3 years. That means drivers must maintain at least the minimum car insurance coverage required by Louisiana law for 3 years. If there is any lapse in coverage, the clock resets. Louisiana mandates at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person ($30,000 per accident), and at least $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.

When you get SR-22 insurance coverage in Louisiana, your insurance company files your SR-22 certification with the state on your behalf. Failing to file an SR-22 can result in your vehicle registration or license being suspended, in addition to costly reinstatement fees. Your insurer also notifies the state if you cancel your policy or allow it to lapse prematurely. You're even required to maintain an SR-22 if you move from Louisiana, using an out-of-state filing.

If you're unable to afford your payments, contact your insurance provider before you miss a due date. You can request a different payment plan or get information about subsidized plans that may be more affordable.