How to Get an SR-22 Filed (Step-by-Step)

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1. Notify your insurer (or find one that handles SR-22s):

Not all insurance companies file SR-22s or insure high-risk drivers. Many do, but some preferred insurers (like certain subsidiaries) might not. The first step is to tell your current auto insurer that you need an SR-22 filing. They will let you know if they can file it for you. If your insurer cancels you or doesn’t support SR-22 filings, you’ll need to shop for a new insurance policy with an insurer that caters to SR-22 needs (companies like Progressive, State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, and specialized insurers like The General, Dairyland, etc., do offer SR-22 filings for eligible drivers).

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2. Purchase the required auto insurance coverage:

To get an SR-22, you must have an active auto insurance policy in your name. The policy must meet at least the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements (often, for SR-22 cases, you’ll want full coverage or higher limits depending on the offense – e.g., some states require higher minimums after a DUI). If you don’t own a car, you can get a non-owner car insurance policy to satisfy the requirement​. A non-owner policy gives you liability coverage when driving borrowed cars and can be used to file an SR-22 if you don’t have a vehicle.

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3. Request the SR-22 endorsement:

When buying the policy (or updating your current one), explicitly request an SR-22 endorsement. The insurance company will then prepare and file the SR-22 form with the appropriate state authority (usually the DMV). There is typically a filing fee for the SR-22 – often around $15 to $25 – which the insurer will charge you. This is usually a one-time fee each time an SR-22 form is filed (like at policy start, and possibly at renewal if needed).

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4. Confirm the SR-22 is filed and received:

After the insurer files the SR-22, they or the state will usually send you confirmation. In many cases, you’ll get a copy or a notice from your insurer that the SR-22 was sent to the DMV electronically. The DMV updates your record to show an SR-22 is on file. It’s important to ensure the timeline: If you’re trying to reinstate a suspended license, the DMV often won’t reinstate until they have the SR-22 in hand. So coordinate the timing – sometimes, the insurance can send it same-day, but it might take a few days to process. Follow up with your insurer or DMV if needed to make sure it’s active.

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5. Maintain the SR-22 and required insurance continuously:

Once filed, you must keep your insurance policy active for the entire required period (again, typically three years, but follow your specific requirement). If your policy cancels or lapses before the requirement period is over, your insurer is obligated to inform the state immediately – this will result in your license being suspended again. To avoid this, pay premiums on time and don’t let coverage lapse. If you need to switch insurance companies during the period, have the new company file an SR-22 before the old one cancels, so there’s no gap. Essentially, you’re under close watch: the state expects an SR-22 on file every day until your requirement ends.

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6. End of SR-22 period:

After you’ve maintained the SR-22 for the required time, find out if you need to alert the state or if it happens automatically. In many cases, after the time is up, the insurer can file an SR-26 form, which is a notice that the SR-22 is no longer needed. At that point, you or your insurer can remove the SR-22 filing from your policy at your next renewal (meaning you won’t have to pay the filing fee and the state won’t be notified of your coverage status anymore). Be absolutely sure you have official confirmation that you’re released from SR-22 requirements before altering your insurance.

How Does an SR-22 Affect Your Insurance Rates?

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Requiring an SR-22 filing usually means you’re now categorized as a high-risk driver, and unfortunately, insurance for high-risk drivers is much more expensive. The SR-22 form itself has a minimal cost (the small filing fee). The real expense comes from the violation or issue that caused the SR-22 requirement, which leads insurers to hike your premiums.

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Here’s what to expect:

• Significant Rate Increase: If an SR-22 is needed due to a DUI, for example, you could see your insurance rates jump dramatically – possibly by 50% to 100% or more. On average, car insurance rates go up about 93% after a DUI​. In dollar terms, one source noted it can cost roughly $126 more per month after a DUI on your record​. That aligns with doubling, since if you paid $125/month before, now it might be $250/month.

• High-Risk Market: Some standard insurers might non-renew you after a very serious offense, meaning you may have to go to insurers who specialize in high-risk drivers. Those companies’ base rates are higher to begin with. However, mainstream insurers like State Farm, Geico, Progressive, etc., often will continue to insure drivers with one DUI or a few issues, albeit at a much higher premium. For instance, Progressive is often one of the cheaper options for drivers needing an SR-22 (they market to high-risk segments), whereas some companies might be extremely expensive or not offer a policy at all. Comparison shopping is critical here.

• SR-22 for minor issues: If your SR-22 need wasn’t DUI-related but for something like an insurance lapse or too many points, you’ll still see a price increase, but it might not be as astronomical as a DUI. It could be more on the order of a moderate surcharge (maybe 20-30% higher). Again, it varies by insurer and state.

• Finding the cheapest SR-22 insurance: To save money, look for insurers known for dealing with high-risk drivers. According to some analyses, State Farm tends to have the cheapest rates for drivers who need an SR-22 – one study found State Farm’s average for SR-22 drivers was about $127 per month, which was lower than other competitors for that profile​. Other relatively affordable options can include Progressive, Farmers, or certain regional carriers, depending on your location. Using an insurance comparison tool like Kudos or working with an independent agent who writes high-risk policies can help find the best rate.

• Time is your friend: The biggest factor that will reduce that inflated premium is time. Each year that passes without any further incidents will generally lead to rate decreases. After the 3-year SR-22 period, assuming no new violations, you’ll likely see substantial relief in premiums as you transition back toward a standard risk profile. At that point, you can also more easily switch to other insurers for better rates.

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In short, needing an SR-22 will definitely cost you in insurance premiums. There’s no way around that. But you can mitigate the cost by shopping around for the most favorable high-risk policy and by taking steps (like driving safely, perhaps taking a defensive driving course, and improving your credit if that’s a factor) to gradually earn your way back to lower rates.

Tips for Managing SR-22 Insurance (and Reducing Costs)

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Don’t drive without insurance or a valid license:

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth stressing – while under SR-22 requirement, you must keep insurance at all times. If you were to drive uninsured and get caught, or have another serious violation, consequences get exponentially worse (you could face longer suspensions or even having to file an SR-22 for much longer). So, even though the insurance is expensive, maintain it diligently.

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Consider a non-owner SR-22 policy if you don’t have a car:

If you currently don’t own a vehicle but need an SR-22 to reinstate your license (maybe you sold your car after a DUI), you can get a non-owner car insurance policy to satisfy the requirement​. Non-owner insurance generally costs less than standard auto insurance since you don’t have a vehicle to insure for damage – it just provides liability coverage when you occasionally drive someone else’s car. This can be a cost-effective way to fulfill SR-22 requirements until you get a car in the future.

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Raise your deductibles, drop extras:

To counteract the high premiums, you might opt for a higher deductible on collision/comprehensive if you can afford that risk. Also, consider dropping optional coverages like rental reimbursement or roadside assistance temporarily if you need to cut the bill (just be careful to still keep the important coverages).

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Complete any court-recommended programs:

After a DUI, often there are alcohol education programs or defensive driving courses mandated or recommended. Finishing these can sometimes help on insurance (some insurers might consider that or a defensive driving course for a discount). More importantly, it demonstrates you’re taking rehabilitation seriously, which might indirectly help when an underwriter reviews your application.

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Shop your rate each renewal:

As years pass, different insurers may become more competitive for you. Maybe after 1 year, one insurer offers a big discount for staying claim-free that others don’t. Or after 3 years, another company might suddenly be much cheaper because the DUI is older. Keep comparing at renewal; don’t assume you’re stuck with the first insurer forever if their rate doesn’t improve.

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Ask about payment plans or state assistance:

High premiums can be a financial strain. Some states have programs for assigned risk (where if you really can’t get insurance, they assign you to an insurer as a last resort – though those are usually expensive). But mostly, ensure you talk to the insurer about payment options. Paying in full might not be feasible, so arrange a monthly or quarterly payment plan to keep the policy active. Just budget for it as a necessary expense, like rent or utilities.

FAQs: SR-22 Insurance

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How long do I have to have an SR-22 on file?

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In most cases, an SR-22 requirement lasts about 3 years. This can vary: some states or specific situations might require 2 years, others up to 5 years. For example, a standard DUI in many states is a 3-year SR-22 requirement​. It’s crucial to check your state’s mandate or your court order. The countdown usually starts from the date you’re eligible for license reinstatement or the date of conviction. Remember, the clock only runs while you have the SR-22 insurance active. If your policy lapses, the clock may pause or reset, and your license could be suspended again, prolonging the ordeal.

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Can I get an SR-22 if I don’t own a car (no insurance)?
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Yes. If you must have an SR-22 but don’t currently own a vehicle, you can obtain a non-owner car insurance policy and have the insurer file an SR-22 on that policy​. A non-owner policy gives you liability coverage when you occasionally drive borrowed or rented cars. It satisfies the SR-22 requirement because it proves you have insurance. This is a common solution for people who had their license suspended (needing SR-22 to reinstate) but sold their car or don’t have one. Keep in mind, a non-owner policy is only for drivers who truly don’t own a car and don’t have regular access to a specific car in their household.

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Which insurance companies offer SR-22 filings?
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Many well-known insurers do offer SR-22 filings: State Farm, Progressive, Geico, Allstate, Farmers, USAA (for eligible members), and others can handle it, provided they are willing to insure you. Some may decline if your record is too risky (especially if multiple DUIs or a very recent severe incident). There are also specialty insurers (like The General, Dairyland, Mendota, etc.) that specifically cater to high-risk drivers and will issue SR-22s. When you request a quote, you’ll usually indicate you need an SR-22, and the company will tell you if they can issue one with the policy. It’s wise to compare rates among companies because the premiums can vary drastically for SR-22 drivers.

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How much does an SR-22 cost?
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The filing fee for an SR-22 form is relatively low – roughly $15 to $25 one-time. The real cost is the increase in your insurance premium due to the infraction that led to the SR-22. So, there’s no huge additional monthly cost for the SR-22 itself; it’s that your insurance is now high. For example, the SR-22 fee might be $25, but your monthly premium might go from $100 to $250 after a serious ticket. Think of SR-22 as a small administrative cost but a flag of a big underlying rate increase. Also note, each policy term (6 or 12 months), some insurers charge the filing fee again at renewal while SR-22 is needed, but it’s still just a small fee. The bulk is the insurance rate.

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What’s the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?
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FR-44 is similar to SR-22 but requires higher liability coverage limits. It’s used in a couple of states (Florida and Virginia) typically for DUI cases. If you’re in a state with FR-44, after a DUI you must carry higher than the normal minimum limits (for instance, Florida FR-44 requires 100/300/50 liability coverage, which is much higher than Florida’s standard 10/20/10 minimum). The FR-44 form certifies you have those higher limits. In essence, FR-44 is an “SR-22 on steroids” for more severe cases, to ensure more financial responsibility. The process of filing and maintaining it is otherwise like an SR-22. If you move states while under an SR-22, you’ll have to fulfill the requirements in your new state too, which can get complicated – but generally, you must maintain whatever your last state ordered until the time is done.

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Will my insurance go back down after the SR-22 period ends?
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Usually, yes. Once you’ve maintained a clean record for the required period and the violation gets older, your rates should decrease. When the SR-22 comes off, it means the major infraction is 3+ years behind you, which many insurers start forgiving or giving back discounts for. You may also become eligible again for preferred insurance companies that you couldn’t get while the SR-22 was active. While a DUI can affect rates for up to 5 years or more with some insurers, you’ll likely see improvement after 3 years and even more after 5 years. Every year of safe driving helps. It’s not an immediate drop on the exact day the SR-22 period ends, but you should shop around at that point; you’ll likely find significantly better rates than right after the incident.

Final Thoughts

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Needing an SR-22 insurance filing is a signal that you’ve had a serious driving issue, but it’s a situation you can manage with the right knowledge and discipline. The key takeaways: maintain continuous insurance coverage, drive carefully to avoid any further incidents, and be patient through the period you’re required to have the SR-22. Yes, the insurance will be costly for a while – that’s the financial consequence for the violation – but over time, if you demonstrate responsible driving, you’ll work your way back to normal status. Many people have successfully gone through 3 years with an SR-22, then moved on as if it never happened (lesson learned!). Use this period to become a safer driver and to prove to insurers and the state that you can be trusted on the road. Before you know it, the requirement will be behind you. And remember, even during this time, you have options: shop around for the best high-risk insurance rates and take advantage of any program that might help reduce costs. With the information from this guide, you’re now well-equipped to handle SR-22 insurance and come out the other side with your driving privileges – and finances – intact.