What an SR-22 means for your insurance
An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to prove you carry the minimum required coverage. You need one because your license was suspended — usually for a DUI, unpaid tickets, or too many points on your driving record. The SR-22 itself is not insurance; it is a certificate that says your existing policy meets state requirements.
Your insurance company files the SR-22 for you, but you have to ask them to do it. Once filed, it stays on record for three to five years depending on your state and the reason for suspension. During that time, if your policy lapses even for a day, your insurer must notify the DMV, which can re-suspend your license. This is why continuous coverage matters more than usual.
The cost of an SR-22 filing itself is small — usually $15 to $25 — but your insurance premiums will rise significantly because you are now classified as a high-risk driver. How much depends on your insurer, your state, and what caused the suspension.
Key Takeaways
- An SR-22 is a form your insurer files to prove you have minimum coverage; you cannot get your license back without one.
- You must ask your current insurer to file it, or find a new insurer willing to file one if your current company drops you.
- Your premiums will increase because you are classified as high-risk, and rates vary widely by state and insurer.
- If your policy lapses for any reason, the insurer notifies the DMV and your license suspension can restart.
- After three to five years of continuous coverage, you can ask your insurer to stop filing the SR-22 and your license restrictions lift.
How to get your license back with an SR-22
The first step is to contact your current auto insurance company and tell them you need an SR-22 filed. If you do not have insurance, you need to buy a policy first. Some insurers will not write policies for drivers who need an SR-22, so you may have to call several companies or contact an insurance agent who works with high-risk drivers.
Once you have a policy in place and the SR-22 is filed, you take the filing confirmation to your state's DMV along with any other documents they require — usually your driver's license, proof of the filing, and a fee. The DMV processes the SR-22 and lifts the suspension. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your state's processing time.
During this waiting period, you cannot legally drive. Do not drive before the suspension is lifted, even if you have insurance and an SR-22 on file. The license is still suspended until the DMV officially removes the suspension.
Finding an insurer who will write an SR-22 policy
Standard insurers like State Farm or Geico sometimes drop drivers who need an SR-22, or they may refuse to insure you in the first place. If your current insurer will not file one, you need to find a company that specializes in high-risk drivers. These include companies like Dairyland, Bristol West, and Acceptance Insurance, though availability varies by state.
Call multiple insurers and ask directly: "Do you write policies for drivers who need an SR-22?" Some will say no when ready. Others will quote you a price. Compare at least three quotes before choosing. The cheapest option is not always the best if the company has a reputation for slow claims processing or frequent rate increases.
An insurance agent who handles high-risk drivers can save you time by calling insurers on your behalf. Search online for "high-risk auto insurance agent" plus your state name, or ask your current insurer for a referral to another company they own or partner with.
What happens if your policy lapses
If you miss a payment and your policy cancels, your insurer is required by law to notify the DMV within a set timeframe — usually 10 to 30 days depending on your state. Once the DMV receives that notice, your license suspension restarts automatically. You do not get a warning or a grace period.
To avoid this, set up automatic payments from your bank account so the premium comes out on the same day every month. If you are struggling to afford the premium, contact your insurer and ask about payment plans or discounts you might not know about. Some companies offer discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, completing a defensive driving course, or maintaining a clean driving record during the SR-22 period.
If your policy does lapse, you will have to buy a new policy, get the SR-22 filed again, and return to the DMV to have your license reinstated. This process repeats the steps above and costs you time and money.
How long you need to maintain an SR-22
The length of time varies by state and by the reason your license was suspended. For a DUI, most states require three to five years of continuous coverage. For unpaid tickets or traffic violations, it may be shorter — sometimes just one to three years. Check your state's DMV website or call them directly to find out the exact requirement for your situation.
Once you have completed the required period without a lapse, you can contact your insurer and ask them to stop filing the SR-22. They will file a final form with the DMV stating that the requirement has ended. At that point, your license restrictions lift and you can shop for regular insurance at standard rates.
Some drivers continue carrying an SR-22 longer than required because their premiums are already high and switching insurers would trigger a new rate quote. Others switch to a standard insurer as soon as they are allowed. The choice is yours once the legal requirement ends.
Why your premiums are higher with an SR-22
Insurance companies use your driving history to calculate risk. A suspended license signals that you have broken traffic laws or failed to pay fines — both signs you are more likely to file a claim. To offset that risk, they charge you more. The increase is not punishment; it is how insurance pricing works.
The amount of the increase depends on what caused the suspension. A DUI typically raises premiums more than unpaid tickets. It also depends on your age, location, and the type of coverage you choose. A 25-year-old in California with a DUI will pay more than a 45-year-old in rural Montana with the same violation, because younger drivers and urban areas have higher claim rates overall.
Some insurers offer discounts if you complete a defensive driving course or maintain a clean record during the SR-22 period. Taking a course costs $20 to $50 and can lower your premium by 5 to 10 percent, so it often pays for itself in the first month.
Minimum coverage requirements with an SR-22
When you file an SR-22, you must carry at least your state's minimum liability coverage. This is the amount of money your insurance will pay if you cause an accident and injure someone or damage their property. Minimum coverage varies by state — for example, it might be $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in one state, but $15,000 and $30,000 in another.
You can carry more than the minimum, and many insurers recommend it. Carrying higher limits costs more but protects you if you cause a serious accident. If you cause $100,000 in damage but only carry $25,000 in liability coverage, you are personally responsible for the remaining $75,000. With an SR-22 on your record, a judge is more likely to pursue that debt aggressively.
Check your state's DMV website to find your state's exact minimum coverage amounts. Your insurer will tell you what they require you to carry before they will file the SR-22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an SR-22 if I do not own a car?
Yes. You can buy a non-owner policy, which covers you when you drive a car you do not own. The insurer will file the SR-22 on that policy. Non-owner policies are cheaper than standard policies because they cover less risk, but they still satisfy the SR-22 requirement and allow you to get your license back.
What if I move to a different state while I have an SR-22?
Contact your insurer and tell them you are moving. They will file an SR-22 with your new state's DMV. Some states have different requirements or shorter filing periods, so ask your new state's DMV what you need to do. You may need to visit the DMV in person to update your license address.
Does an SR-22 come off my record automatically after the required time?
No. You have to ask your insurer to stop filing it. Once the required period ends, contact them and request that they file a final SR-22 termination form with the DMV. After that, the requirement is officially over and you can shop for standard insurance.
Will my insurance company drop me once the SR-22 requirement ends?
Not automatically. Once the SR-22 requirement ends, you can stay with your current insurer or switch to a different one. Many drivers switch because they can now shop for better rates at standard insurers. Your current insurer may also lower your rates once the SR-22 is no longer required, so it is worth asking.
Can I get an SR-22 if I have been denied insurance by other companies?
Yes. Specialized high-risk insurers exist specifically to cover drivers that standard companies reject. If you have been turned down, search for "non-standard auto insurance" or "high-risk auto insurance" in your state. You will find companies willing to write a policy and file the SR-22.