Best and Cheapest SR-22 Insurance Companies
Progressive has the cheapest SR-22 insurance for most people, at $268 per month, on average, after a DUI. Keep in mind that an SR-22 is a legal form, not actually a type of insurance.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Best and cheapest SR-22 insurance companies
ValuePenguin's insurance team has more than 50 years of experience and includes licensed agents. Our experts rank companies after a review of costs, coverage, discounts, customer service and unique features.
Read the full breakdown of how ValuePenguin gets car insurance quotes and scores companies.
On this page
What is SR-22 insurance?
An SR-22 isn't actually a type of insurance. It's a form that proves that you have at least the minimum amount of car insurance your state requires. Even though it's not a type of insurance policy, many people still call it "SR-22 insurance."
You only need an SR-22 if your state or a court orders you to get one. This typically happens after a serious driving violation like a DUI, reckless driving or driving without insurance.
Depending on why you need an SR-22, your state may also suspend your driver's license. In that case, you'll need an insurance company to file an SR-22 before you can get your license back.
Cheapest SR-22 insurance for most people: Progressive
-
ValuePenguin rating3.5/5ValuePenguin ratings are given after a review of each company's cost, coverage, discounts, service and unique features. Read our methodology.
-
Cost$268/moAverage monthly full coverage rate for a driver with one DUI. Read our methodology.
Cheapest regional SR-22 insurance: Erie
-
ValuePenguin rating4/5ValuePenguin ratings are given after a review of each company's cost, coverage, discounts, service and unique features. Read our methodology.
-
Cost$256/moAverage monthly full coverage rate for a driver with one DUI. Read our methodology.
Best SR-22 insurance: State Farm
-
ValuePenguin rating4.5/5ValuePenguin ratings are given after a review of each company's cost, coverage, discounts, service and unique features. Read our methodology.
-
Cost$469/moAverage monthly full coverage rate for a driver with one DUI. Read our methodology.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
An SR-22 form itself only costs about $25 to $50, but your actual insurance will cost much more because of your driving record.
Because you only need an SR-22 after a serious traffic violation, you have to pay higher insurance rates on top of the filing fee. That's because insurance companies will very likely consider you a high-risk driver.
Remember that an SR-22 isn't insurance. It's a legal form that your insurance company files to show the state that you have insurance. The form itself is fairly cheap.
One of the most common reasons for needing an SR-22 is getting a DUI, but you may also need one if you're caught driving without insurance, you get cited for reckless driving or you have too many smaller traffic violations on your record.
Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies
Erie sells the cheapest insurance after a DUI, which usually means you need an SR-22, with an average rate of $256 per month.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Your Area
- Progressive is the cheapest option for most people because it's more widely available than Erie.
- Travelers, American Family and Auto-Owners are also cheap options for SR-22 insurance.
- Shopping around and comparing car insurance quotes when you need an SR-22 could help you save hundreds of dollars each month.
Cheap SR-22 insurance companies
Company |
Value Penguin score
| Avg. DUI rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $256 | |
| Progressive | $268 | |
| Travelers | $289 | |
| American Family | $296 | |
| Auto-Owners | $346 | |
USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families. All rates are monthly averages for full coverage after one DUI, which typically results in needing an SR-22 form.
Not every car insurance company sells policies to people who need SR-22 forms. You may need to contact several companies before you find one that will sell you a policy and file the SR-22 for you.
Be cautious with "nonstandard" SR-22 insurance companies
Nonstandard insurance companies, such as The General and Direct Auto, specialize in selling policies to high-risk drivers, including those who need an SR-22. If you can't get a policy from a typical insurance company, nonstandard companies are one option to consider.
But it's worth trying to get a quote from a standard company, even if it takes extra effort to find one that will cover you.
Nonstandard insurance companies typically have fewer coverage options or discounts than major companies. And their customer service is often poor, so getting your car fixed after a crash may be difficult.
Cheapest SR-22 rates by state
New Hampshire has the cheapest rates for car insurance with a DUI, which usually requires an SR-22, at an average of $231 per month.
Michigan has the highest rates after a DUI, at $670 per month.
SR-22 insurance rates after a DUI by state
State | Avg. DUI rate | Cheapest company | Company DUI rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $345 | Umialik | $199 |
| Alaska | $270 | Travelers | $194 |
| Arizona | $414 | Farm Bureau | $233 |
| Arkansas | $347 | Progressive | $226 |
| California | $620 | Mercury | $351 |
All rates are monthly averages for full coverage after one DUI, which typically results in needing an SR-22 form.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Not all states use SR-22 forms. If you live in a state that doesn't have SR-22 forms, you may have to prove that you have insurance another way. And you'll still have to pay higher rates based on your driving history.
How to get SR-22 insurance
If your license has been suspended, you'll usually need an insurance company to file an SR-22 before you can drive again.
- Contact your company or switch insurance companies. First, check to see if your current insurance company will file the SR-22 form for you. But remember that not all companies do this, so you may need to shop around and find a company that is willing to sell you a policy when you need an SR-22.
- Pay the filing fee. Your insurance company usually charges you a fee for filing the SR-22. This typically ranges between $25 and $50. If you switch companies, that fee will be included in the cost for your new policy.
- Wait while your insurance company files the SR-22. You can't actually file the SR-22 form yourself; your insurance company has to file it directly with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Get confirmation. Once your insurance company files the SR-22, follow up with the DMV to make sure it received the form. If it hasn't, check with your insurance company to make sure it was filed or ask how long the DMV takes to process the forms.
- Reinstate your license. Follow the DMV's instructions to reinstate your license so you can legally drive again.
How to save on SR-22 insurance
To find cheap SR-22 car insurance quotes, you should shop for rates from multiple companies, look for discounts and drop unnecessary coverage.
Compare quotes from multiple companies: You could save hundreds of dollars each month by shopping around and comparing rates from different insurance companies.
That's because every insurance company sets rates differently. The cheapest company for you is probably different from the cheapest one for your family, friends or neighbors.
Check for discounts: The biggest discount you can typically get is a multipolicy discount, which means you're buying more than one type of insurance from the same company. Other common ways to save include paperless billing, early shopping and automatic payment discounts.
If you're committed to improving your driving habits, you could consider signing up for a usage-based safe driving program. These programs use your phone or a plug-in device to track your driving behavior and give you a personalized discount.
Get rid of coverage you don't need: For example, you could consider dropping rental car coverage or roadside assistance coverage to save money.
And if your car is older and you don't have a loan or lease, you have the option to drop comprehensive and collision coverage. If you do, though, you have to pay for your own car if you cause an accident.
Last resort: Assigned risk insurance plans
If you can't find an insurance company to file an SR-22 for you, consider your state's assigned risk plan, which is a last-resort insurance option.
These policies are backed by state governments and are a last resort for drivers with lots of accidents or tickets. The plans are usually expensive, but sometimes it's the only way to get coverage.
Assigned risk car insurance plans by state
What does SR-22 insurance mean?
An SR-22 is a form that your car insurance company files that shows you have at least your state's minimum level of car insurance.
SR-22 insurance isn't an actual policy. However, the policy you get after the insurance company files your SR-22 is often called "SR-22 insurance."
You only need SR-22 insurance if the state believes you're a high-risk driver.
This can happen if:
- You have a DUI or DWI conviction
- You were cited for reckless driving or another major violation
- You cause an accident while driving without auto insurance
- You have multiple traffic offenses, or you have too many traffic offenses in a short period
- You drive with a revoked or restricted license
Your state may suspend your driver's license if it believes you're a high-risk driver. To reinstate it, you have to prove that you have car insurance through an SR-22 form. Once the insurance company files the form, you can get your license back and start driving again.
Nonowner SR-22 insurance
If you don't own a car but you still had your license suspended, you can buy what's called nonowner SR-22 insurance. Nonowner car insurance covers drivers who don't own a vehicle, so you have insurance coverage even when renting or borrowing a car.
If you already have nonowner car insurance, contact your insurance company and ask it to file an SR-22 on your behalf. Just like with regular car insurance, you may need to shop around to find a company that will file the SR-22. Once the form is filed, you can reinstate your license.
How long do you need SR-22 insurance?
You typically need to have an SR-22 on file for three years.
The exact amount of time could depend on your driving history and your state's laws.
If you cancel your policy or it lapses while you have an SR-22, your insurance company must notify the state. The state will suspend your license until you can show that your insurance is active again.
Other forms that prove you have car insurance
Depending on your state and driving record, you may need a different form that proves you have insurance. Your state will let you know what form you need.
SR-21 insurance
An SR-21 is a form that's often filed to prove that you had insurance in the past, usually at the time of an accident. Unlike an SR-22, it doesn't show that you currently have insurance.
FR-44 insurance
Florida and Virginia have the FR-44 form. This is similar to an SR-22, but it requires that you have more coverage than just the state minimum requirement. Both states also use SR-22 forms in some cases.
SR-50 insurance
Only Indiana uses the SR-50 form, which shows the state the start and end date of your current policy. If you're asked to file an SR-50 and you don't, you may need to get an SR-22.
Every state has its own driving laws, which means you might be asked to file various forms depending on your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an SR-22 cost?
Insurance companies usually charge $25 to $50 to file an SR-22 form. However, you'll likely pay more than that for your insurance. If you need an SR-22, it's likely that you have a major violation such as a DUI, lots of smaller tickets or several accidents on your record and the state views you as a high-risk driver. That pushes up your insurance rates. The average cost for full coverage after a DUI is $391 per month.
What insurance company has the cheapest SR-22?
Nationally, Progressive has the cheapest rate after a DUI, which is one of the most common reasons for needing an SR-22. Progressive charges $268 per month for full coverage after a DUI, which is 31% cheaper than the national average. Erie has an even lower rate, at $256 per month, but you can only get Erie in a handful of states.
What does SR-22 insurance do?
An SR-22 proves to your state that you have at least the minimum car insurance coverage. When your state views you as a high-risk driver, it wants proof that you have car insurance in case you cause accidents. That's where an SR-22 comes in. Your insurance company files the form with the state to confirm you have coverage. If your coverage lapses or you cancel the policy, the company notifies the state, and your license will likely be suspended.
How long do I need an SR-22?
You typically need an SR-22 form for three years, although that could be different depending on your state's laws and your specific situation. You can still change insurance companies during those three years without resetting the clock, although your new insurance company still has to file the form with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
Methodology
To find the cheapest coverage for someone with an SR-22 filing, ValuePenguin got quotes for a 30-year-old man with a 2018 Honda Civic EX and one DUI conviction.
All quotes are for full coverage at the following limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision coverage: $500 deductible
Rates were provided by Quadrant Information Services and sourced from public insurer filings. Your rates will likely differ. These quotes are for comparison only.
Company ratings are from ValuePenguin's insurance experts and use rates, coverage, discounts, service and unique features. Customer satisfaction info is from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and from J.D. Power surveys.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Cate Deventer is a Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Referenced by
- CBS
- NBC
- Wall Street Journal
Education
- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
