CarInsurance.com Insights
- Indiana-only form: The SR-50 — formally called the Affidavit of Current Insurance — is unique to Indiana. No other state uses this specific document.
- It proves current coverage, not future coverage: Unlike an SR-22 (which proves future financial responsibility for up to three years), an SR-50 verifies that your insurance was active on a specific date.
- Your insurer files it, not you: The SR-50 must be submitted electronically by your insurance provider to the BMV through its Electronic Insurance Forms Submission (EIFS) system.
- Filing is free; reinstatement isn’t: There’s no charge to file an SR-50, but if your license has been suspended, the reinstatement fee starts at $250 for a first offense under Indiana Code § 9-25-6-15.
- High-risk drivers pay more — but Indiana rates are among the lowest in the country: Expect premiums to rise significantly after an SR-50 requirement, but Indiana’s baseline rates give you more room to shop competitively.
What is an SR-50 in Indiana?
An SR-50 is Indiana’s Affidavit of Current Insurance — a form your auto insurance company files electronically with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to confirm that you had active insurance coverage on a specific date. It is not a car insurance policy. It is not the same as a Certificate of Compliance (COC), which covers past-date verification for a specific vehicle and incident. The SR-50 is Indiana’s way of verifying that you currently meet the state’s minimum liability requirements.
Indiana is the only state that uses the SR-50 form.
“In most cases, an SR-50 certificate filing is necessary only if you receive a notification from the state informing you of this requirement,” says Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). The form shows the BMV the beginning and ending dates of your current auto insurance policy.
When does Indiana require an SR-50?
The BMV will request an SR-50 when it needs to verify that you currently carry the state’s minimum liability coverage. Common triggers include the following:
- Being caught driving without the minimum required auto insurance
- Being involved in an accident for which the BMV receives an accident report
- Accumulating three or more moving violations within a 12-month period
- Being charged with a driving-related misdemeanor or felony
- Receiving a moving violation while your license was already suspended for a prior financial responsibility failure
Once the BMV mails you a verification request, your insurance provider must electronically submit the SR-50 within 90 days. Miss that window, and your driving privileges are automatically suspended.
What coverage does an SR-50 require?
To satisfy an SR-50 requirement, you must carry Indiana’s minimum liability insurance — the same limits required of all Indiana drivers under the state’s 25/50/25 standard:
Indiana’s state minimum liability limits
| Coverage type | Minimum required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage per accident | $25,000 |
These limits are confirmed by the Indiana BMV’s Proof of Financial Responsibility page and Indiana Code Title 9, Article 25. While these minimums satisfy the legal requirement, insurance professionals broadly recommend higher limits — at least 100/300/100 — given that a single serious accident can quickly exceed state minimums.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
How does the SR-50 filing process work?
You do not file the SR-50 yourself. Here’s how the process works:
- The BMV mails you a notice requesting proof of financial responsibility.
- You contact your auto insurance company and notify them of the requirement.
- Your insurer electronically submits the SR-50 through the BMV’s EIFS system — no paper forms are accepted.
- The BMV processes the form and updates your driver record.
The SR-50 filing itself carries no fee. However, if your license has already been suspended, you will also need to pay a reinstatement fee to the Indiana BMV before you can legally drive again. Under Indiana Code § 9-25-6-15, those fees are tiered:
- First suspension: $250
- Second suspension: $500
- Third or subsequent suspension: $1,000
An SR-50 is a one-time filing for the triggering event. You do not re-file it annually.
“But you will need to file it again if you are involved in another situation that requires it — such as being charged with a different or repeat driving violation,” says Brian Martucci, finance editor for Money Crashers.
How long does an SR-50 requirement last?
An SR-50 covers your current policy period — typically six months at minimum — and the duration is ultimately at the discretion of the BMV.
“An SR-50 is typically only required for the current insurance period — which usually means six months, at minimum. But the length an SR-50 is required to stay in effect is at the discretion of the BMV,” Friedlander says.
This is a key distinction from an SR-22, which must remain on file for an ongoing period — usually three years. The SR-50 requirement is tied to a single triggering event; the SR-22 requirement is forward-looking and ongoing.
How much does an SR-50 increase your insurance cost in Indiana?
Filing the SR-50 form costs nothing. Your car insurance premiums, however, are a different story. An SR-50 requirement signals to insurers that you are a high-risk driver, and that classification raises your rates.
“Your insurance rates will be much higher than standard auto insurance rates — potentially 50% higher or more,” Friedlander “Your insurance rates will be much higher than standard auto insurance rates — potentially 50% higher or more,” Friedlander says.
The good news: Indiana consistently ranks among the most affordable states for auto insurance nationally. The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in Indiana is $1,894 — well below the national average.
Even so, SR-50 drivers should expect meaningful surcharges on top of those baselines. To manage costs:
- Shop multiple carriers. “Many national and regional carriers offer insurance for SR-50 drivers,” Friedlander notes. The Insurance Information Institute recommends getting at least three quotes.
- Bundle policies. Combining home and auto with one insurer often unlocks multi-policy discounts.
- Raise your deductible. A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium — just make sure you can cover it out of pocket if you need to file a claim.
- Skip optional coverages on older vehicles. Dropping collision and comprehensive on a high-mileage car with low market value may reduce your total cost.
- Enroll in a telematics program. Many insurers offer usage-based or behavior-monitored programs that can offset high-risk surcharges over time.
- Complete a driver safety course. Virtual and in-person programs may qualify you for a discount depending on your insurer.
How SR-50 compares to SR-22 and SR-16 in Indiana
Indiana uses three distinct proof-of-insurance forms, and it’s common for drivers to confuse them. See how they differ in the table below.
| Form | Purpose | Who files it | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR-50 | Proves current insurance (affidavit of current coverage) | Insurance company → BMV | One-time, for current policy period |
| SR-22 | Proves future financial responsibility after a serious violation | Insurance company → BMV | Three years (ongoing) |
| SR-16 | Notifies BMV of a court conviction or failure to appear | Courts only → BMV | N/A (court-initiated) |
The BMV can require a driver to file both an SR-50 and an SR-22 simultaneously. Failing to provide either can result in suspension or revocation of driving privileges.
“If you are convicted of a violation and don’t have proper insurance, you will likely have your driver’s license and registration suspended for one year and be subject to a fine,” Friedlander says.
Do you need insurance if you don’t own a car?
Not owning a vehicle doesn’t exempt you from an SR-50 requirement. If you need to file an SR-50 but don’t own a car, you’ll need a non-owner auto insurance policy — a liability-only policy that covers you when driving vehicles you don’t own. Your insurer can then attach the SR-50 to that non-owner policy and file it with the BMV on your behalf.
“Non-owner car insurance typically costs less than a standard policy because it does not provide protection for physical damage to your vehicle,” Friedlander says.
This makes it a more affordable path to fulfilling the SR-50 requirement if you drive infrequently or borrow vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions: SR-50 in Indiana
What is an SR-50 in Indiana?
An SR-50 is Indiana’s Affidavit of Current Insurance — a form your insurance company electronically submits to the Indiana BMV to confirm you have active liability coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements. It is not a type of car insurance policy.
How long does an SR-50 last in Indiana?
An SR-50 covers your current insurance policy period, which is typically six months at minimum. The exact duration is at the BMV’s discretion. Unlike an SR-22, it’s a one-time filing tied to a specific triggering event — not an ongoing requirement.
How much does it cost to file an SR-50 in Indiana?
Filing the SR-50 form itself is free. However, if your license has been suspended, you’ll also owe a reinstatement fee — $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent suspension, per Indiana Code § 9-25-6-15.
What’s the difference between an SR-50 and an SR-22 in Indiana?
An SR-50 proves you have insurance right now (current coverage). An SR-22 proves you will maintain insurance going forward — typically required for three years after a serious violation like a DUI or repeated driving without insurance. The BMV can require both simultaneously.
Can I file an SR-50 myself?
No. The SR-50 must be electronically submitted to the Indiana BMV by your insurance provider through the state’s Electronic Insurance Forms Submission (EIFS) system. Paper submissions are not accepted, and drivers cannot submit the form themselves.
Does having an SR-50 requirement mean I’m a high-risk driver?
Yes. Insurers will classify you as a high-risk driver, which typically results in significantly higher premiums — potentially 50% or more above standard rates. Shopping multiple carriers and asking about discounts can help reduce your costs.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
State of Indiana. “What are some common suspension and reinstatement forms.” Accessed April 2026.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. “Proof of Financial Responsibility.” Accessed April 2026.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs
