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Jerry Data & Research
What Is SR-22 Insurance? Do I Need It?
SR-22 insurance proves high-risk drivers’ insurance meets state minimums. Filing one is cheap, but policies requiring them can cost over 200% more than average.
Written by Sarah Gray
Edited by Amy Bobinger
SR-22 insurance is a document typically mandated by the state for high-risk drivers (e.g. those convicted of serious traffic violations, like reckless driving or DUI) that serves as proof of financial responsibility. Essentially, it provides proof to the state that the driver has the necessary
car insurance
coverage to be on the road.What is SR-22 insurance?
SR-22 insurance is not a distinct type of
auto insurance
policy—it’s a court-ordered certificate of financial responsibility submitted to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by an insurance company. An SR-22 verifies that you have the required minimum liability coverage
, including bodily injury liability
and property damage liability
, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
and/or personal injury protection (PIP)
as mandated by your state.Do I need an SR-22?
An SR-22 is typically required if you’ve been convicted of a major traffic violation. Some of the most common traffic offenses resulting in an SR-22 certificate requirement include:
- Reckless driving
- At-fault accident while uninsured
- Multiple at-fault accidents or violations in a short time frame
You may also need to file an SR-22 to have your driving privileges reinstated following a license suspension, and some states require it of those who fail to pay child support.
If you’re required to make an SR-22 filing, you’ll be notified by the courts and/or the DMV.
Do I need an SR-22 if I have an FR-44 requirement?
FR-44 filings are only used in
Florida
and Virginia
and require higher liability insurance coverage requirements than mandated by the state, so they likely supersede any prior SR-22 requirements—but check with your state’s DMV to make sure. FR-44
requirements are only issued if you’re ticketed for a serious violation while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
Do I need an SR-22 if I don’t own a car?
If you plan to drive at all now or in the future, you still need an SR-22 even if you don’t own a vehicle. Plus, if your license was suspended or revoked, you’ll probably need an SR-22 to get it reinstated.
To ensure you have your minimum coverage and filing requirements in order, you’ll need a non-owner car insurance policy.
Do I need an SR-22 if my violation was committed in a different state?
You probably need an SR-22 even if you committed the violation that resulted in the requirement in another state. If your filing requirement is for a state other than the one in which your policy is written, you’ll need to consult with an insurance agent to see if your state allows this type of filing request.
How much does an SR-22 cost?
An SR-22 filing fee is typically about $25, but costs vary by state and insurance company. Some providers include the filing fee as part of your insurance premium, but others require payment up front.
How much will an SR-22 increase my insurance costs?
If you need an SR-22, it usually means you’ve committed a serious moving violation, often resulting in a suspended license or even driver’s license revocation. Such high-risk drivers will always face higher car insurance rates than lower-risk motorists.
After analyzing our real customer data, here’s how much Jerry’s team of experts found drivers who require an SR-22 filing should expect their monthly rates to increase:
Coverage Type | Pre-SR-22 | Post-SR-22 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
State-Minimum | $77 | $262 | 240% |
Full coverage | $165 | $485 | 194% |
While all car insurance companies will charge more for a policy with an SR-22 endorsement, some charge less than others on average. Of course, what you pay will depend on several individual factors, like the reason for the requirement and your overall driving record.
For example, the average rate increase for a motorist convicted of reckless driving can vary from 58% to over 250% depending on whether the violation is for following too closely or speeding at more than 20 MPH over the posted limit. Meanwhile, driving a vehicle with a canceled registration can result in an average rate hike of 570%.
Meanwhile, where you live can also determine how much your rate will increase after a violation resulting in an SR-22 filing. Drivers in
Maryland
may see increases as low as 31%, while those in North Carolina
average 375%.According to our research, these providers tend to offer the lowest average monthly rates for SR-22 insurance across the board:
Provider | Average monthly rate | Average percent increase |
|---|---|---|
$1,416 | 5% | |
$1,650 | 7% | |
$1,773 | 13% | |
$1,478 | 20% | |
$1,948 | 32% | |
$2,224 | 47% | |
$4,603 | 63% |
To ensure you get the most affordable rate for SR-22 insurance, you’ll need to compare insurance quotes from at least a handful of providers. With
Jerry
, requesting quotes is fast and free—plus, you can select and purchase your new policy right in the app.Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
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How do I obtain an SR-22?
To obtain an SR-22 form, call your auto insurance company and inform them of your SR-22 requirement. They’ll add an SR-22 endorsement to your car insurance policy, let you know how to pay the filing fee, and file the required forms with the state.
If your insurance provider doesn’t offer coverage for drivers requiring SR-22s, you’ll need to buy a new policy from a provider who does offer coverage on policies requiring an SR-22.
How long do I have to have an SR-22?
SR-22 terms vary by state, but most run for at least three years.
During that time, you’re required to maintain continuous coverage. If your policy lapses or expires, your insurer is required to notify the state—this will likely result in license suspension, plus it’ll restart your SR-22 term.
Once your SR-22 term ends, it’s up to you to notify your insurer to have the endorsement removed. Your provider will then file an SR-26 form with the state certifying you’ve completed your SR-22 term.
SR-22 terms last up to five years in some states, so check with your DMV to find out how long you'll need yours.
SR-22 terms last up to five years in some states, so check with your DMV to find out how long you'll need yours.
FAQ
How long is SR-22 required in Virginia?
How long is SR-22 required in Texas?
How long do I need an SR-22 in Florida?
SR-22 terms in
Florida
typically last three years. If your violation involves drugs or alcohol, you should expect the resulting FR-44 term to last three years as well.How long do I need an SR-22 in California?
How do I check my SR-22 status in Ohio?
To check your Ohio SR-22 status, request a copy of your Ohio driving record from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) (ohiobmv.gov).
Methodology
To determine average insurance rates, Jerry's experts analyze thousands of policies purchased by our customers. Our data are based on real policy premiums for all customers in a given category.
Where real customer data are unavailable, Jerry’s editorial team researches average rates using expert sources from Forbes, NerdWallet, ValuePenguin, WalletHub, The Zebra, and CarInsurance.com. Our data shows the average of the data shared by those sources.
Meet our experts
Sarah Gray
Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.
Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
Amy Bobinger
Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Editor
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars.
Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
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