SR-22 in Georgia: What You Need to Know

SR-22 insurance in Georgia is required for three to five years following a serious traffic violation and could increase your insurance costs.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Amy Bobinger
In Georgia, an
SR-22
is a certificate of financial responsibility that guarantees you hold the state minimum required liability insurance. You will likely need SR-22 insurance if you have any serious moving violations on your Georgia driving record, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.
  • Georgia drivers who have committed offenses such as driving without insurance, reckless driving, or DUI/DWI may need to file an SR-22 to drive legally.
  • An
    SR-22
    is a certificate that serves as
    proof of insurance
    for high-risk drivers in the state of Georgia.
  • Filing an SR-22 in Georgia requires a one-time fee of $15 to $35, but it will likely raise your
    car insurance
    premiums for three to five years.
  • Even with an SR-22, drivers can reduce their insurance costs by comparing quotes, changing their driving habits, and checking for discounts.

How Georgia SR-22 insurance works

Issued by your auto insurance company, an SR-22 filing provides proof that you’ve purchased car insurance in accordance with Georgia’s minimum
liability insurance
coverage requirements, in addition to
personal injury protection (PIP)
.
Under
Georgia state law
, drivers with an SR-22 must maintain an auto insurance policy with at least the following minimum coverage:
Keep in mind: While liability coverage is the bare minimum set by the state, you likely need full coverage insurance if your vehicle is financed or leased. 

SR-22s are often required after a license suspension

An SR-22, or Financial Responsibility for the Future Certificate, is required for drivers serious but non-habitual offenses—generally, one to two violations over a period of five years.
You might need to file an SR-22 certificate with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) if you have one of the following offenses on your record:

SR-22 alternatives in Georgia

If you have a court or state-ordered SR-22 requirement, you won’t be able to get around that—there are no alternatives. If you want to keep your driver’s license, you’ll need to ask your insurer to file an SR-22 with the DDS as soon as possible. If you don’t currently have car insurance, you’ll need to find an insurance provider willing to insure you with an SR-22 requirement—while most are, it will cost you.

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance

If you’re deemed a
high-risk driver
but don’t own a vehicle, you can still file an SR-22 by getting
non-owner car insurance
. Most insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, but you’ll have to ask around for non-owner SR-22 insurance, as some insurers don’t provide it.
If you frequently rent or borrow a car, non-owner insurance is a good option for an extra layer of liability insurance. You may also need it to keep your license and prevent a
car insurance lapse
but don’t plan on driving anytime soon after a severe traffic violation conviction.

Georgia SR-22A

Georgia is one of the few states (along with
Texas
and
Missouri
) that requires some drivers to file an SR-22A. 
Georgia Safety Responsibility Insurance Certificates, or SR-22As, are required for habitual offenders—typically, for drivers who have had three or more violations within a five-year period on their driving record or for those with more serious moving violations that resulted in license suspension and/or misdemeanor or felony charges (such as a DUI conviction). 
Unlike an SR-22, drivers with an SR-22A must pay for their insurance six months in advance and do this for three years. If the court or state orders an SR-22A, there are no alternatives, and you must file with the DDS.
Key Takeaway In Georgia, SR-22 certificates are required for drivers with low-level offenses, while SR-22As are for drivers with serious or repeat violations on their record.

Georgia SR-22 insurance costs

When you obtain the minimum liability coverage, your insurer will submit an SR-22 form to Georgia’s Department of Driver Services. Filing an SR-22 certificate in Georgia entails a one-time fee of $15 to $35.
While the average cost to file an SR-22 is low, SR-22 insurance costs tend to be much higher than average insurance premiums. Just how much of an increase you see will depend on the following:
  • Severity and amount of previous offenses
  • Vehicle age and type
  • Driving amount
  • Location
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Education
  • Occupation
ViolationAverage annual car insurance cost after violation in Georgia
Reckless Driving$6,582
Eluding Police$4,266
Speeding over 15$4,242
Suspension$4,160
Racing/Drag Racing$4,086
Illegal Turn$4,073

How an SR-22 impacts your insurance in Georgia

An SR-22 or SR-22A penalty in Georgia will most certainly raise your insurance rates. Luckily, you have some options for reducing your insurance costs:
  • Compare insurance quotes from multiple providers: Because different insurance companies will quote you different rates for SR-22 car insurance, it’s important to shop around for the best deal. Try using an
    insurance comparison tool
    like the
    Jerry
    app to make the process fast and easy.
  • Change how you drive: Drive less, drive a cheaper vehicle, or drive a car not registered under your name so that you can pay for one of the cheaper SR-22 options, such as the
    non-owners certificate
    .
  • Check for
    discounts
    : Sometimes, you can reduce your premiums by taking a DUI or
    defensive driver course
    or
    paying in full
    for your policy upfront. However, you might not get a discount for lump-sum payments for an SR-22A, which must be paid in full for six months at a time.
Buckle up for five years of high rates: In Georgia, SR-22 requirements last for three to five consecutive years, depending on the offense involved. If your insurance lapses during this period, your insurance provider is required to notify the Georgia DMV, and your license will be suspended until you reinstate your insurance.
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