SR-22 Insurance Explained

SR-22 is not a type of car insurance. It is a certificate, filed electronically by your insurer with your state DMV, confirming you carry at least the state-minimum liability coverage. The DMV requires it after certain high-risk events (most commonly a DUI, driving without insurance, multiple moving violations, or a license suspension). Florida and Virginia use FR-44 instead, which requires double the standard state-minimum limits.

Who needs an SR-22

The triggering event is set by the state DMV, not the insurer. Common triggers:

• Conviction for driving under the influence (DUI / OUI / DWI).
• Driving without insurance when state law requires it.
• At-fault accident while uninsured.
• Repeat moving violations within a short window.
• License suspension or revocation.
• Reckless driving or hit-and-run.

The court or DMV will tell you the SR-22 is required, how long for, and when the clock starts. Most states run a 3-year filing period; a few run 5 years for repeat DUIs or felonies.

How the filing works

1. 1

   The DMV or court orders it

   Your reinstatement paperwork names SR-22 as a requirement, the duration, and the start date (usually at reinstatement, not at the triggering event).

2. 2

   You bind a policy with an SR-22 filer

   Not every insurer files SR-22s. You request the filing at bind time. Common filers include Progressive, Dairyland, The General, Bristol West, Kemper and National General.

3. 3

   The insurer files the certificate

   The insurer sends the SR-22 electronically to the state DMV within 24 to 48 hours. You pay a one-time filing fee of $15 to $25.

4. 4

   Keep the policy continuously in force

   If the policy lapses, is cancelled, or is non-renewed, the insurer must file an SR-26 and the DMV typically suspends your license again. There is no grace period in most states.

How this link works: the quote comparison above routes through our owned ZIP flow and does not take you to a specific carrier. YesWeSure's editorial team is independent and provider payment does not affect our review conclusions or placement in rankings. See our editorial policy.

Not sure whether your state uses SR-22 or FR-44 or what filing duration applies? The state requirements checker renders the filing type, duration, higher-limits requirement, and verification system for any state, each row linked to the state statute or DMV source and dated.

FR-44 (Florida and Virginia only)

Florida and Virginia use FR-44 instead of SR-22 after a DUI or other serious offense. The mechanics are the same: an electronic filing from your insurer with the state DMV. The difference is coverage: FR-44 requires double the state-minimum liability limits. In Florida that means 100/300/50 instead of the baseline 10/20/10. In Virginia it means 60/120/40 (post the 2024 minimum-liability increase). FR-44 cost impact is larger than SR-22 because the required limits are higher.

Non-owner SR-22

If you need an SR-22 but don't own a car, a non-owner SR-22 policy satisfies the filing. It provides liability only (nothing on a specific vehicle's physical damage) and typically costs 30 to 60 percent less than an owner SR-22 because there's no vehicle to insure for collision or comprehensive. Common writers include Dairyland and Bristol West (named product in most states); The General, National General and Kemper in smaller footprints; Progressive on its standard platform in most states. Carriers verify you don't have a vehicle at the garaging address. Living with someone who owns a car you drive regularly usually disqualifies you; a named-insured endorsement on their policy is the alternative. See non-owner coverage for the full breakdown.

What it actually costs

• SR-22 filing fee: $15 to $25, one-time per filing event.
• Underlying policy premium increase: typically 40 to 100 percent, driven by the triggering event (DUI, uninsured driving) rather than the SR-22 filing itself.
• Required filing period: most commonly 3 years in most states; up to 5 years for repeat offenses or hard-case states.
• Non-owner SR-22 annual cost: $300 to $700 for clean records; higher after a recent DUI.

Which carriers file SR-22

Not every SR-22 filer accepts every risk. Rough guidance based on each carrier's published underwriting posture; verify in-state availability at bind time.

• 

  Progressive

  Files in most states. Accepts one-event DUI or SR-22 on an otherwise clean record. Often declines multi-event records or recent lapses.

• 

  Dairyland

  Sentry Group non-standard book, roughly 37 states. Accepts most records including multi-event and recent lapses. Written through independent agents.

• 

  The General

  Files in its 47-state footprint. Direct-to-consumer bind-today. Accepts most non-standard records.

• 

  Bristol West

  Files in its 41-to-43 state footprint. Accepts most non-standard records. Non-owner SR-22 is a named product.

• 

  Kemper

  Files mainly in California, Florida and Texas. The non-standard specialist for those three states.

• 

  GEICO

  Files in some states but not all. Call for a quote rather than relying on the website, which often errors on SR-22 requests.

• 

  State Farm / Allstate / USAA

  File for existing policyholders in most states but routinely decline new-business SR-22. Shop the specialists above for new coverage.

Common questions