SR-22 insurance Guide: What is SR-22 Insurance and How Much Does it Cost?

These two major carriers are close in price, with Progressive costing $120 less a year, based on our experts’ data analysis.

Since the cost difference is relatively insignificant, if you already have a policy with one of these companies, it may be easier to stick with your existing coverage and have the company file the SR-22 for you.

The FR-44 also provides proof of financial responsibility, but mandates that you carry higher liability limits. The FR-44 is used only in Florida and Virginia and is required instead of the SR-22 when you've been convicted of certain alcohol-related offenses.

The FR-44 must be held for three years in these states, the same period such states require the SR-22 to be carried.

In Florida, FR-44 has bodily injury liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and property damage liability limits of $50,000. This is written as 100/300/50. The Florida SR-22 has liability limits of only 10/20/10.

In Virginia, the FR-44 liability insurance limits are 50/100/40, which are double the limits required for an SR-22 filing (25/50/20).

You are only covered for cars you don't own if you have the owner-operator SR-22 certificate.

Can my wife and I have the same insurance policy if I need an SR-22 and she doesn't, and I don’t own a car?

Yes, you must tell your current insurance company about the need for the form so that it can file it for you. Even if you already have coverage that meets or exceeds state-mandated coverage, the state can still require you to file an SR-22.

This allows the state to make certain you maintain your car insurance coverage for the specified time period.

You can’t skip telling your insurance company about the need for an SR-22, keep your current insurance coverage in place and then buy a separate one for an SR-22. That type of duplicate car insurance coverage isn’t allowed.

If your present insurer doesn't file SR-22s, you may need to cancel your current policy and purchase a car insurance policy with an insurance company that is able file the form for you.

You need to purchase insurance coverage that the state mandates. This requirement varies by state. It may be your state’s minimum liability coverage or higher liability coverage (especially if you need an FR-44 instead of an SR-22).

The car insurance coverage purchased that is associated with the SR-22 form is rated according to all the factors that normally go into rating a policy, regardless of the SR-22 form filing. The rates don't depend on whether you are getting an SR-22.

Your driving record is a rating factor in auto insurance costs. The reason that you're required to acquire and maintain the SR-22, such as reinstating your license after a DUI suspension, may affect your rates; however, the SR-22 form itself doesn't beyond the filing fee.

If your license was suspended due to a DUI or too many points, it can increase your liability insurance rates.

If you carry an SR-22 in one state but move to another state, you must fulfill the SR-22 requirement for your former state, even though you no longer reside there. To do this, you usually need an insurance carrier authorized to do business and file SR-22s in both states.

Your car insurance policy in your new state must have coverage and limits that at least meet the SR-22 minimums required by your former state. If the new state’s requirements are higher, you are likely to need those even higher limits on your policy.

If you're moving to a state that doesn't require SR-22s, ask your existing insurer what you need to do to comply with your existing SR-22 mandate.

If you live in California and are convicted of certain traffic offenses, you may be required to file an SR-22

Yes. In the same way demerit points can be added to your driver’s license if you receive traffic violations, an SR22 is also tied to your driver's license. The DMV uses your driver's license number to extend or revoke your driving privileges.

If you don’t own a car, you can still be required to carry an SR-22. In that case, you'll need to get non-owner SR-22 insurance to fulfill your SR-22 filing requirement.

With a normal SR-22 policy, you own and insure a vehicle, but with a non-owner’s policy, you don’t own a vehicle to insure directly or have access to a car that you can insure.

If you have a vehicle registered to you, one in your household, or someone provides a vehicle for your regular and frequent use, you should NOT purchase a non-owner policy for coverage.

If none of these situations apply, you can get a non-owner policy that complies with your SR-22 filing requirement.

Non-owner insurance is specifically for those who do not own their own vehicle and, in this case, for those who also need to file an SR-22.

The process to file an SR-22 can take up to 30 days. If you need one, be sure to start the process at least 30 days in advance of your need date. Some insurance companies can provide them in as little as one day, but you shouldn’t bank on that.

Most of the time, the best option is to call the insurance company that filed the SR-22 on your behalf. In some states, however, you may be directed to call the Department of Motor Vehicles to inquire about the status of your SR-22.

Typically, yes, at least at the point of getting your license reinstated. Many state motor vehicle departments do not reinstate a suspended license without an SR-22.

How Can I Get SR22 Insurance without a valid license?

The best way to avoid being required to file an SR-22 is to keep a clean driving record. In some states, after you get a certain number of driving violation points on your record, you will be required to file an SR-22.

One of the most common causes of the SR-22 requirement is drinking and driving. Keep your car insurance up-to-date, as some states require an SR-22 if you are pulled over and do not have valid insurance.

SR-22, SR22, and sr22 all refer to the same thing: a safety responsibility (SR) form verifying that you have and maintain proper auto insurance coverage.