SR22 insurance in Illinois typically costs $25 to $75 per month on top of your regular car insurance premium, though the total depends on your driving record, age, and the insurer you choose

An SR22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the Illinois Secretary of State to prove you carry the minimum required coverage. It is not a separate policy — it is a form attached to your existing auto insurance. The cost you pay is really two things: the base premium for your regular coverage, plus whatever your insurer charges to file and maintain the SR22 form itself.

Illinois requires an SR22 after certain violations: a DUI or DWI conviction, driving without insurance, reckless driving, or accumulating too many points on your license in a short time. Once you get one, you must keep it active for three years from the date of the violation. If your insurer files it late or you let your policy lapse, the Secretary of State is notified and your license can be suspended again.

Key Takeaways

  • The SR22 filing fee itself is usually $15 to $25 per month, but your base insurance premium will rise because insurers see you as higher risk.
  • Your total monthly cost depends on your age, driving history, the type of vehicle, and which company insures you — not on a fixed state rate.
  • You must maintain continuous coverage for three years; even a one-day lapse restarts the clock and triggers a license suspension notice.
  • Shopping between insurers can save you hundreds of dollars, because some companies charge much less for SR22 filers than others.

What makes your SR22 cost go up or down

The filing fee itself — what the insurance company charges to submit the SR22 form to the state — is usually $15 to $25 per month. But that is only part of your bill. Your base insurance premium will increase because you are now classified as a higher-risk driver. How much it increases depends on what triggered the SR22 requirement in the first place.

A DUI conviction typically raises your premium the most — often 50 to 100 percent higher than a driver with a clean record. Driving without insurance, reckless driving, or too many points raise it less, but still noticeably. Your age matters too: a 25-year-old with a DUI pays more than a 45-year-old with the same violation, because younger drivers already carry higher base rates. Where you live in Illinois also factors in — urban areas usually cost more than rural ones.

The type of vehicle you insure affects the number as well. A sedan costs less to insure than a sports car or a truck. Your coverage limits matter: if you choose only the state minimum (25/50/20 for liability), your premium is lower than if you buy higher limits for protection.

How to find the lowest rate in Illinois

Get quotes from at least three different insurers before you buy. Call or visit the websites of State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, and smaller regional companies like Acceptance Insurance or Safe Auto. Tell each one you need an SR22 and provide the same information to each — your age, driving record, vehicle details, and coverage limits. Write down the total monthly cost, not just the premium.

Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and charge less for SR22 filers than mainstream companies do. Others refuse to insure anyone with an SR22 at all. You will not know until you ask. Do not assume the company that insures your friends is the cheapest for you — rates vary widely.

Once you pick an insurer, confirm in writing that they will file the SR22 with the Illinois Secretary of State on your behalf. You do not file it yourself. The company handles it as part of your policy. Ask when the filing will be complete — it usually takes a few business days — and get a copy of the SR22 form for your records.

What happens if you miss a payment or your coverage lapses

If your insurance policy lapses for even one day — because you missed a payment, forgot to renew, or switched companies without overlap — your insurer must notify the Secretary of State. The state will then send you a notice that your license suspension is being reinstated. You will have to pay a reinstatement fee and start the three-year SR22 period over from that date.

This is why continuous coverage is critical. Set up automatic payments with your bank or credit card so you never miss a due date. If you are switching insurers, buy your new policy and make sure it is active before your old one ends. Do not cancel the old policy until the new one is in force and the new company has confirmed the SR22 is filed.

If you receive a reinstatement notice, contact the Secretary of State's office when ready. You will need proof from your new insurer that coverage is now active and the SR22 is filed. The reinstatement fee is separate from your insurance cost and varies, but expect to pay $100 to $200.

How long you have to carry SR22 insurance

You must maintain an active SR22 for exactly three years from the date of the violation that triggered it — not from the date you bought the policy. If your violation was on January 15, 2022, your three-year period ends on January 15, 2025, even if you did not buy insurance until February.

After three years, you can ask your insurer to stop filing the SR22. You do not automatically stop carrying it — you have to request the removal. Your regular auto insurance continues, but without the state filing. At that point, your premium should drop, though it may not return to what you paid before the violation. Insurance companies keep violations on your record for three to five years for rate purposes, even after the SR22 requirement ends.

Comparing Illinois SR22 costs to other states

Illinois does not set a statewide price for SR22 insurance. Each company charges what it wants, and rates vary by state because different states have different minimum coverage requirements and different risk pools. If you move to another state, your SR22 requirement may transfer, but your rate will change because you are now insured in a different state.

Some states have higher minimum liability limits than Illinois, which means higher premiums. Others have lower limits and lower costs. If you are comparing what you might pay elsewhere, remember that the violation itself — not the state — is what drives most of the cost increase. A DUI in Illinois costs roughly the same as a DUI in Indiana or Wisconsin, adjusted for each state's minimum coverage amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SR22 insurance if I do not own a car?

No. An SR22 must be attached to an active auto insurance policy on a vehicle you own or regularly drive. If you do not own a car, you cannot get an SR22. If you need to drive again, you must buy a vehicle and insure it first, then have the company file the SR22.

Does the SR22 cost the same at every insurance company?

No. The filing fee is usually similar across companies ($15 to $25 per month), but the base premium varies widely. One company might charge $120 per month total; another might charge $180 for the same driver and vehicle. Always get multiple quotes before you buy.

What if I cannot afford the monthly payment?

Contact your insurer and ask about payment plans. Some companies allow you to pay quarterly or every six months instead of monthly. If you truly cannot afford any policy, you cannot legally drive in Illinois. Driving without insurance while an SR22 is required is a criminal offense and will extend your suspension.

Do I have to use the same insurance company for three years?

No. You can switch companies anytime, as long as your new policy is active and the new company files the SR22 before your old policy ends. Never let there be a gap in coverage. Confirm the new SR22 is filed before you cancel the old policy.

Will my SR22 cost go down after one year?

Probably not much. Most insurers keep your rate high for the full three years because you are still in the SR22 period. Some companies offer small discounts after one or two years if you have no new violations, but do not expect a major drop until the three-year requirement ends.