The Best Insurance Companies for SR22 Insurance

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Written by Paige Cerulli Edited by Quiana Darden

Updated May 18th, 2023

If you’ve been caught participating in high-risk behavior behind the wheel, your state might require you to file an SR-22. The SR-22 is a form you’ll need to file with your state for driving convictions like a DUI, driving without insurance, or having too many at-fault accidents or traffic violations on your record. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to find an insurance company that files SR-22. 

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the top insurance companies for SR-22 insurance to help you find the best company for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with the state, proving your auto coverage meets state minimum coverage requirements.
• Many auto insurers offer SR-22 insurance, though some offer better customer service, coverage options, discounts, and rates than others.
• The cost of filing an SR-22 is minimal, but your insurance rates will likely increase, as you’re considered a high-risk driver once you need one. 

Insurance Companies That Sell SR-22 Insurance Policies

As you shop around for SR-22 insurance, you’ll discover that an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. Instead, it’s a form you’ll need to file with your state in the event of a DUI or DWI conviction or too many at-fault accidents or traffic violations. The document proves you have the minimum state-required insurance coverage. 

If you learn you must file an SR-22, it’s a good idea to first call your current insurance company. If your insurer offers SR-22 forms, you can stick with the company.

But some insurance companies aren’t willing to insure high-risk drivers.

Fortunately, there are plenty of companies offering SR-22 forms and insurance:

• 21st Century
• AAA
• Acceptance Insurance
• Allstate
• Dairyland Insurance
• Direct Auto Insurance
• Esurance
• GEICO
• Infinity Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• Mercury
• Nationwide Insurance
• Progressive
• SafeAuto
• State Farm
• The General
• Travelers

The Best Insurance Companies for SR-22 Drivers

While many companies offer insurance for SR-22 drivers, understanding each option’s pros and cons is essential. Considering the price, coverage options, discounts, and quality of customer service, the following companies are some of the best.

SafeAuto

SafeAuto Insurance has provided insurance products for more than 25 years. Today, the company offers insurance in 19 states. SafeAuto has earned an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and specializes in providing minimum-limits insurance, giving you the coverage you need to drive legally in your state without spending extra on nonrequired coverage.

Choosing minimum insurance coverage through SafeAuto can make your insurance more affordable. You usually purchase liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage when buying state-minimum coverage. However, some states may require other policies like personal injury protection or uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

SafeAuto also offers several discounts to help you save even more. Available discounts include a driver improvement course discount and savings for having certain safety features in your vehicle and multiple cars on your policy.

Flexible payment options can also make paying for your car insurance easier. SafeAuto allows you to pay by phone and choose monthly or bi-monthly billing.

The General

Founded in 1963, The General Insurance initially operated as Permanent General Agency. The company has a 60-year history of selling insurance and got its iconic look — and a new mascot — in 2000. Having received an “A” rating from A.M. Best, The General focuses on providing affordable car insurance and reliable service.

It specializes in working with drivers with a history of driving violations or accidents, poor credit, or lapses in insurance coverage. The company offers low-cost insurance to drivers who might have trouble getting coverage elsewhere, making it ideal if you need SR-22 insurance.

There are several advantages to choosing The General for your car insurance. While other insurers might require significant down payments or even ask high-risk drivers to pay policies in full, The General is known for having low down payments. The company’s budget-sensitive payment plans make it easier to afford your insurance, and pricing is upfront, so you know what you’ll pay in advance.

Progressive

Founded in 1937, Progressive has become one of the largest insurance companies in the United States.

In addition to auto insurance, it offers many other policies, including renters, homeowners, condo, and business insurance. Pet, travel, umbrella, jewelry, ID theft, dental, and health insurance policies are also available. Bundling auto insurance with a home, renters, or condo policy saves an average of 4% on your insurance costs.

Progressive offers SR-22 forms for new and existing customers. Once you purchase a policy, it will electronically file your SR-22 form with your state’s department of motor vehicles. In some states, Progressive must file by mail. Customers with existing policies can request an SR-22 online or through the Progressive app, making the process simple and easy.

At Progressive, you can choose from comprehensive car insurance coverage options, including liability, comprehensive and collision, uninsured and underinsured motorist, and roadside assistance coverage. Many discounts are available, such as multi-policy, multi-car, online quotes, paperless, and pay-in-full discounts.

Mercury

Mercury Insurance was founded in 1962 to provide property and business insurance at competitive rates. It consistently receives A ratings from A.M. Best, and an Insure.com survey ranked Mercury Insurance as one of the nation’s top auto insurance companies. While it’s a large company, having local agents creates a personalized experience.

At Mercury, you can choose from numerous coverage options, including liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payment, and personal injury protection. Rental car, roadside assistance, and rideshare coverage are also available.

Mercury also gives you many discount options. Some available discounts include e-signature, auto-pay, multi-car, and pay-in-full discounts. If you bundle your homeowners and auto insurance policies, you can receive up to 15% off your homeowner’s policy and up to 14% off your car insurance.

State Farm

Founded in 1922, State Farm originally intended to provide low-cost vehicle insurance to Illinois farmers. The company has since grown into a major insurance company. Today, State Farm has a network of 19,000 agents nationwide, allowing for personalized customer service and the feel of working with a smaller company. It’s built a strong reputation for providing top-quality customer service.

State Farm offers extensive services, including home and property, small business, life, and health insurance. It also provides pet medical insurance and personal and business liability coverage.

State Farm not only files SR-22 forms for drivers but also has some of the lowest SR-22 rates. In addition to standard car insurance coverage options, you can also choose from rental, emergency roadside, rideshare insurance, and more.

There are plenty of ways to save money with State Farm, too. Bundling more than one policy with State Farm could save you as much as 24%. You can also opt for a defensive driving course discount, passive restraint or anti-theft device discounts, and more.

Esurance

Esurance, an Allstate company, started offering online car insurance policies in 1999, making it one of the first insurance companies to do so. Since then, Esurance has expanded, serving 43 states and providing homeowners, renters, and motorcycle insurance. 

Rather than interacting with an agent, you can complete the entire policy process online with Esurance via its user-friendly website and/or mobile app. The company’s innovative use of technology helps keep costs down so it can offer low rates for car insurance, including for high-risk SR-22 drivers.

With Esurance, you can choose from many coverage options, including gap coverage, emergency roadside assistance, collision, comprehensive, and rental car coverage. You can also bundle multiple policies to secure a discount.

Esurance offers a simple and fast claims process. You can use the app to submit photos of the damage to your vehicle, then track and manage your claim through the app. Vehicles that qualify for the virtual claims process may be able to skip an inspection, expediting the claim and getting you back on the road faster.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual was founded in 1912. Today, the company offers auto insurance, commercial auto, and risk insurance. It’s become the world’s sixth-largest property-and-casualty insurer, with an estimated 45,000 employees worldwide. A.M. Best gives it an A rating for financial stability.

While Liberty Mutual’s rates tend to be higher than average, the company allows you to customize your car insurance, so you only pay for the coverage you need. It has a car insurance calculator that simplifies selecting the best coverage that fits your budget.

Additionally, the company offers many discounts, including the telematics-based RightTrack program, an early shopper discount, and a claims-free discount. You can also save up to $947 on customized home and auto insurance when you bundle multiple policies.

Another advantage of selecting Liberty Mutual is its app. The app allows you to pay your premium and access your insurance information easily.

How Does SR-22 Affect Car Insurance Rates?

The cost of filing an SR-22 form is minimal and ranges from $15 to $50, depending on your state. While filing the form is affordable, the associated costs can set you back financially.

Because risky behavior prompts needing an SR-22 form, insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver. You can expect your car insurance rates to increase to compensate for the increased risk the company will assume by insuring you.

How much your rates increase will depend on the behavior preceding the SR-22 form. For example, Forbes found that drivers with a DUI experience see their premiums increase by an average of 74%.

Requesting car insurance quotes from several companies can give you the most accurate idea of your insurance rates with an SR-22. Remember that rates can vary from company to company, so shopping around and comparing quotes is essential.

What’s Non-owner SR-22 Insurance?

Non-owner SR-22 insurance is a cheaper way to get insured when you don’t have your own vehicle. With this special coverage, you’ll have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage that protects you if you borrow, rent, or share someone else’s vehicle.

Since you’re not insuring a vehicle you own, this type of policy tends to be pretty affordable, and that’s important if you’re a high-risk driver looking to save money. SR-22 insurance can be ideal if you’re borrowing a car from a friend, roommate, or family member, or renting a car.

A nonowner policy covers some key expenses in the event of an accident:

• Legal fees, if the other driver sues you
• Repair expenses to fix the other driver’s vehicle
• Repair expenses to restore an object you hit, like a building or fence
• Medical expenses for a person who you hit
• Compensation for any income lost by a person who you hit

However, nonowner insurance isn’t as comprehensive as traditional car insurance or a full-coverage policy. It won’t cover expenses like a rental car, towing, or roadside assistance. Most importantly, this coverage won’t pay for any damage sustained by the vehicle you were driving. The vehicle owner’s collision or comprehensive insurance covers those expenses, meaning the owner would need to file a claim even if you were the one who caused the accident.

Also, remember that the nonowner policy will only kick in once the primary insurance on the policy hits its limit. This is because insurance follows the car and not the driver. So, the vehicle owner’s insurance must be used before a nonowner policy can take effect. 

Tips for Purchasing SR-22 Insurance

Whether you’re looking to save money or just want to be sure you buy an insurance policy that’s right for your needs, the following tips can help you purchase SR-22 insurance.

Determine the Type of Coverage You Need

Since your insurance rates are likely to increase significantly, you might want to change the coverage you buy. For example, dropping add-ons like roadside assistance or reducing your policy limits can help you save money. You’ll need to consider your financial situation and the amount of risk you’re comfortable with to determine the best coverage. Remember, you increase your financial risk any time you reduce coverage.

Identify What You Want From an Insurance Company

Once you’ve decided on the type of coverage you need, think about any other elements you want from your insurance company. For example, consider whether a mobile app and a tech-friendly company are essential to you. Do you want to be able to speak with a local agent? Are you opposed to a company that’s based entirely online? Identifying these factors can help you narrow your options and choose a company that’s the right fit.

Think About a Higher Deductible

If you don’t want to reduce your coverage, you might be able to choose a higher deductible and still save money. With a higher deductible, you’ll pay lower premiums.

There’s some risk to this option, though. If you need to file a claim, you’ll need to pay that deductible out of pocket before your insurance covers any expenses.

Consider a Driver Safety Course

Taking a driver safety course would make you a safer driver and help you to avoid accidents, but you might also qualify for a discount through your insurance company. If you’re considering taking a course, ask your insurance company if it meets its requirements.

Buy a Cheaper Vehicle

As you shop for SR-22 insurance, you might find surprisingly high rates. Buying a cheaper vehicle can help to bring those rates down. More expensive cars cost more to insure because your insurance company would pay more to repair or replace them. Selling your current vehicle and buying a more economically priced vehicle might lower your insurance costs, too.

Try a Pay-Per-Mile Policy

Choosing a pay-per-mile policy could help you to save even more. With a pay-per-mile policy, you pay a flat monthly premium and an additional rate based on the number of miles you drive during the month. This coverage is ideal if you work from home, use public transportation frequently, or don’t drive often.

Maximize Your Discounts

As you shop for insurance, pay attention to each company’s discounts. Multiple discounts, like pay-in-full, electronic billing, and multi-policy discounts, can lead to significant savings and help you more easily afford your car insurance coverage.

Compare Quotes

As you shop for SR-22 insurance, take the time to compare quotes. When you buy a policy, the company may require you to pay six or 12 months of your premium upfront, so finding the best car insurance deal is essential.

Shopping around can help you save money and make it easier to afford your insurance. Compare.com makes it easy to gather and compare quotes. Use our auto insurance comparison calculator, and within minutes you’ll have a list of the most affordable insurers based on your needs. To get started, you just need to fill out a quote request form, which takes about five minutes. You can easily compare those quotes and determine which insurance company is best for you.

Best SR-22 Insurance FAQs

How much does SR-22 insurance cost monthly?

SR-22 insurance costs vary widely depending on the behavior that caused you to need it. It’s best to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to determine which provider offers you the best deal.

What’s the cheapest SR-22 insurance?

Insurance companies like GEICO, AAA, Progressive, Mercury, Travelers, and Esurance are known for offering some of the cheapest SR-22 insurance. You’ll want to compare rates from different insurers to find the cheapest policy for you.

Can drivers purchase SR-22 insurance without a vehicle?

Yes. You can get SR-22 insurance if you don’t own a vehicle. You must purchase an auto insurance policy that meets your state’s required insurance minimums. If you don’t own a car, you might find that a nonowner car insurance policy is the best choice.

What’s the best car insurance policy for SR-22 drivers?

The best car insurance policy is the one that gives you the coverage you need. Many SR-22 drivers choose a nonowner policy, which can help them save money on their insurance if they’re driving a vehicle they don’t own. Companies like GEICO, Nationwide, The General, and Dairyland Insurance offer nonowner insurance policies.

Paige Cerulli Auto Insurance Writer

Paige has written extensively on automotive topics. She frequently covers autonomous driving and electric vehicle topics, writes about car insurance and auto loans, covers car and trailer towing safety, and has written content for automotive dealerships.