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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
If you need to file an SR-22 form — aka a certificate of financial responsibility or certificate of insurance — you may feel overwhelmed in your search for affordable car insurance. That’s because insurers raise rates for drivers needing SR-22s by around 24%, according to our research.
States usually require drivers to file an SR-22 after serious traffic violations, which already result in higher car insurance premiums. But fortunately, even high-risk drivers still have many ways to get cheap car insurance coverage.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about SR-22 insurance, including what it is, who needs it, the best car insurance companies providing it, and how to find the right coverage options at the best price.
An SR-22 is a form that proves you have the minimum liability coverage after serious violations, like DUIs or reckless driving.
Not all insurers file SR-22 forms, and rates vary significantly among those that do.
State Farm, GEICO, and Auto-Owners are among the best insurers if you need an SR-22.
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An SR-22 certificate is a proof-of-insurance document many states require for drivers involved in serious traffic violations, such as DUIs, multiple speeding tickets, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. It’s proof you carry the minimum liability insurance that your state law requires. State regulations vary, but in most cases, your insurance company files the SR-22 with your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) on your behalf.
Needing an SR-22 affects your car insurance premium because it signals you’re a high-risk driver. As a result, insurers increase rates — sometimes significantly — to cover the additional risk of insuring you, and they may even limit your policy options.
Some insurers may even refuse to issue you a policy altogether, requiring you to seek coverage from high-risk insurance providers, like The General, Direct Auto, and National General.
Compare personalized quotes and find the best policy for you.
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Though you’ll have limited options when you need SR-22 coverage, many insurance companies still offer policies to high-risk drivers. In fact, some even specialize in these types of “non-standard” policies.
Below, we’ve highlighted the top three performers with specific driver profiles, based on our research. We selected these companies based on average rates for high-risk drivers, available coverages and discounts, and existing customer satisfaction ratings.
Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5
Average SR-22 premium: $105 per month
State Farm earns high marks for customer service satisfaction and provides 24/7 claims service with a vast repair network to quickly get you back on the road. And this is in addition to some of the lowest rates around for drivers with a DUI conviction, according to Compare.com data.
Compare.com Rating: 3.90 out of 5
Average SR-22 premium: $301 per month
If you need SR-22 coverage and want a significant discount on your home and car insurance policies, check out Amica. This highly rated insurer offers extensive coverage options and provides up to 30% off your premiums when you bundle multiple policies. Amica offers policies in every state except Hawaii, but discount options and values vary by state.
Compare.com Rating: 4.65 out of 5
Average SR-22 premium: $109 per month
In addition to already low rates and a competitive good student discount, GEICO offers an exceptional online platform and mobile app to manage your auto insurance policy — a vital piece since GEICO doesn’t have a network of local agents. The company offers a wide range of policy options, too — though not as many as some other competitors.
Compare personalized quotes and find the coverage you need at a great price.
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Not all insurers offer SR-22 filing, and rates often vary widely among those that do. High-risk drivers usually find it challenging to get affordable coverage, making it crucial to shop around. The table below highlights the five cheapest SR-22 insurance companies, according to Compare.com data.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $76 |
| USAA | $92 |
| State Farm | $105 |
| GEICO | $109 |
| Safeco | $115 |
Auto-Owners provides the cheapest SR-22 insurance to many drivers, offering an average monthly premium of just $76 for these policies. But choosing the cheapest company in general doesn’t guarantee it’ll offer the cheapest rate for you. The best way to get the best rate is by comparing quotes from multiple insurers.
The cost of SR-22 insurance varies significantly from state to state because different states have different insurance regulations, risk factors, and coverage requirements. States with higher accident rates or other factors that already push up car insurance costs tend to have higher premiums for SR-22 policies as well.
The table below shows each state’s average monthly rate for SR-22 insurance, according to Compare.com data.
State | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $152 |
| Arizona | $193 |
| Arkansas | $204 |
| California | $199 |
| Colorado | $174 |
| Connecticut | $334 |
| Delaware | $246 |
| Florida | $312 |
| Georgia | $254 |
| Hawaii | $106 |
| Idaho | $133 |
| Illinois | $142 |
| Indiana | $131 |
| Iowa | $160 |
| Kansas | $152 |
| Kentucky | $252 |
| Louisiana | $276 |
| Maine | $154 |
| Maryland | $275 |
| Massachusetts | $169 |
| Michigan | $319 |
| Minnesota | $190 |
| Mississippi | $188 |
| Missouri | $198 |
| Montana | $177 |
| Nebraska | $183 |
| Nevada | $302 |
| New Hampshire | $138 |
| New Jersey | $192 |
| New Mexico | $160 |
| New York | $206 |
| North Carolina | $96 |
| North Dakota | $136 |
| Ohio | $146 |
| Oklahoma | $185 |
| Oregon | $173 |
| Pennsylvania | $184 |
| Rhode Island | $198 |
| South Carolina | $329 |
| South Dakota | $146 |
| Tennessee | $142 |
| Texas | $225 |
| Utah | $168 |
| Vermont | $179 |
| Virginia | $155 |
| Washington | $175 |
| Washington, D.C. | $219 |
| West Virginia | $147 |
| Wisconsin | $161 |
| Wyoming | $145 |
Getting SR-22 insurance is similar to shopping for any other car insurance policy. The main difference is that you must get your policy from a company that files SR-22s in your state.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting car insurance with an SR-22 form.
First, confirm that you’re required to file an SR-22. Usually, drivers need one after violations like DUIs, driving without insurance, or multiple traffic tickets. Your state authorities should notify you, but you can also reach out to your DMV for more details.
Not all insurance companies provide SR-22 coverage. You’ll need to do some research to find insurers authorized to provide SR-22 coverage where you live. Many companies that sell policies in your state will also offer SR-22 policies; you just need to let them know about your needs up front.
Because rates can vary dramatically between insurance companies, compare multiple car insurance quotes from as many companies as possible to find the best deal. Online insurance comparison tools make this easier by showing SR-22 options from different insurers in your area.
Once you find a suitable policy, purchase it and request that the insurance company file your SR-22 form with the DMV. Most insurers will handle this process quickly and easily.
There’s usually a small fee to file the SR-22, which varies by state — Tennessee charges $50, for example. Insurance companies may also charge an additional fee to file the form on your behalf. Make sure to include these costs in your budget.
You must maintain continuous insurance coverage for as long as your state requires you to have an SR-22 in order to keep it valid. Missing a payment could result in your insurance lapsing — which could lead to greater penalties and even higher rates in the future.
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Lowering the cost of SR-22 insurance presents major challenges due to the higher risk associated with drivers who need it. But you can leverage several tried-and-true strategies to lower your premiums.
Here are a few of our top tips to help you save:
Complete a defensive driving course. Some insurers offer discounts if you complete an approved defensive driving program.
Bundle policies. If you have other insurance products — such as homeowners or renters insurance — bundling them with your auto policy typically earns you a large discount.
Choose a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible reduces your premium, but be sure you can afford the higher out-of-pocket costs if you need to file a claim.
Consider minimum coverage. Though not ideal, sticking to the minimum coverage your state requires typically provides you with the lowest possible premium. But if you finance or lease your car, this probably isn’t an option since most lenders require full coverage.
Drive safely moving forward. Avoiding accidents and traffic violations may not reduce your costs overnight, but it’ll make a big difference in how much you pay in the future. Most insurance companies look at only the past three to five years when setting your rates.
Shop around. Rates vary significantly between insurers. Shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies is one of the best ways to find the best rates on your next policy.
Find the best policy for your needs and budget.
Navigating SR-22 insurance can be tricky. Below, we provide answers to some common questions about SR-22s to help you understand the insurance form and its costs.
Yes. While the SR-22 and FR-44 are both court-ordered financial responsibility forms, the FR-44 — mandated only in Florida and Virginia — requires drivers to purchase higher levels of car insurance. For example, you must have double the SR-22 limits in Virginia. On the other hand, Florida typically requires an FR-44 after more serious offenses, such as DUIs.
To remove an SR-22, you must meet your state’s SR-22 requirements, which usually involve maintaining continuous insurance coverage for a specific period. For example, in Arizona, you must maintain an SR-22 for at least three years. Once you fulfill the requirements, you or your insurer can request that the state remove the SR-22 from your record.
The average cost of SR-22 insurance in Texas is approximately $225 per month, according to Compare.com data. But car insurance rates vary depending on your driving history, the insurance company, and where you live — drivers with more severe violations might pay significantly more.
In Illinois, SR-22 insurance averages around $142 per month, according to Compare.com data. But your premiums can vary significantly depending on your insurer, driving record, age, and other factors. You may also need to cover additional costs, like driver’s license reinstatement fees.
Florida has one of the highest average premiums for SR-22 insurance, at $312 per month, according to Compare.com data. Be sure to review state requirements to ensure you comply with local rules and regulations.
Data Methodology:
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Sources:
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “Reinstatements,” accessed September 28, 2024.
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, “Financial Responsibility Certifications,” accessed September 28, 2024.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Procedures Manual for Implementation of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law,” accessed September 28, 2024.
Arizona Department of Transportation, “How long am I required to have an SR22?,” accessed September 28, 2024.
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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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