Last reviewed: October 2026 · By the SmartCoverage Editorial Team · How we research
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It is a certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum required liability coverage. Courts and DMVs usually require one after a DUI, driving without insurance or a license suspension, typically for three years. The filing itself costs little, about $25 on average, but the violation behind it can raise your premium by around $1,500 a year.
Do you need an SR-22, an FR-44 or neither?
Most states use the SR-22. Florida and Virginia use a stricter FR-44 after alcohol-related offenses, and eight states do not use SR-22 filings at all. Check your situation:
Which filing do you need?
Answer three questions to see which form applies to you, what coverage it requires and what to ask your insurer for. Your court order or DMV letter is the final word.
Based on state rules summarized by Insurance.com and Progressive. Eight states do not use SR-22 filings but have their own ways to prove insurance after serious violations. Requirements change, so confirm with your court, DMV or a licensed agent. For guidance only.
Why would a court or the DMV require one?
An SR-22 is the state’s way of keeping a close eye on drivers it considers a risk. Common reasons include:
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- Driving without insurance, or causing an accident while uninsured
- A suspended or revoked license, often after too many points
- Serious or repeated traffic violations, such as reckless driving
- An unpaid court judgment from an accident
If you are not sure whether you need one, your suspension or court notice will say so. Do not guess: driving without a required filing can extend your suspension.
How do you get an SR-22?
Not every insurer offers SR-22 filings, so say upfront that you need one when you ask for quotes. If your current insurer does not file them, or drops you after the violation, you will need to switch, ideally without any gap in coverage. Our guide to getting comparable quotes walks through it.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
The filing fee is small. What costs money is the violation that triggered it. In Insurance.com’s 2026 data, drivers with an SR-22 paid about $1,511 more a year on average, and the increase varied a lot by company. For a driver with one DUI and an SR-22:
| Insurer | Before | With SR-22 after a DUI | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,962 | $2,933 | +49% |
| USAA | $1,628 | $3,130 | +92% |
| Progressive | $2,569 | $3,486 | +36% |
Progressive had the smallest percentage increase, and in our GEICO vs Progressive vs State Farm comparison it was also by far the cheapest of those three after a DUI. If the big insurers will not cover you, see our guide to car insurance for high-risk drivers for non-standard insurers and state plans.
What if you do not own a car?
You can still be required to carry an SR-22, for example to get your license back. In that case ask for a non-owner car insurance policy with the SR-22 attached. It covers you when you drive cars you do not own and is usually cheaper than a standard policy. It does not cover a car you own or one you drive regularly, such as a household car.
How long do you need it, and what if it lapses?
Three years is typical, and repeat violations can extend it to five. The period usually runs from the date your license is reinstated or the date of the conviction, depending on your state. Your order or the DMV will confirm the exact end date.
The most important rule is to never let the policy lapse. If you miss a payment or cancel, your insurer must notify the state, which can suspend your license again and restart the SR-22 period from the beginning. Set up automatic payments and, before you switch insurers, make sure the new filing is in place before the old policy ends.
Does an SR-22 follow you if you move?
Generally yes. If you move to another state while the requirement is active, you still need to keep the filing for the state that ordered it. Tell your insurer you are moving: you will need a policy that meets the original state’s requirements, even if your new state does not use SR-22s.
Frequently asked questions
Is SR-22 insurance the same as high-risk insurance?
Not exactly. The SR-22 is only the certificate. But because the violations that trigger one also mark you as a high-risk driver, your premium will usually go up and some insurers will not offer you a policy at all.
Will my price drop as soon as the SR-22 ends?
Not necessarily. The filing requirement ends, but the DUI or violation behind it can keep raising your price until it is old enough for insurers to ignore, which can take longer. Our clean-record countdown estimates when that happens.
Can I cancel the SR-22 early?
No. If you cancel the policy or the filing before the required period ends, your insurer will report it and the state can suspend your license again. Ask the DMV to confirm your end date before making any change.
Sources
- Insurance.com: SR-22 insurance cost and how it works (updated May 6, 2026)
- Progressive: What is an FR-44 form?
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. SR-22 and FR-44 rules, durations and required limits are set by each state and can change. Follow your court order or DMV notice, and confirm the details with a licensed agent.