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If you violate certain laws, a court may order you to file an SR-22 with your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV). This form verifies that you have sufficient auto insurance coverage to meet your state's minimum requirements—but having one can make coverage more expensive and difficult to obtain.
Here's what you need to know about SR-22s, including how the process works, when you need to file one and how it can impact your car insurance options and rates.
What Is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a court-ordered form you'll need to file with your state to indicate that you have enough insurance coverage to meet your state's minimum requirements. Depending on where you live, an SR-22 may also be referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility or an SR-22 bond.
There are three types of SR-22 forms, and your situation will dictate which one you'll need:
| Types of SR-22 Forms | |
|---|---|
| Owner's certificate | Covers you when driving the vehicle you own |
| Operator's certificate | Covers you when driving a vehicle you don't own; also known as a non-owners certificate |
| Owner's-operator's certificate | Covers you when driving any vehicle |
Who Needs an SR-22?
You only need to file an SR-22 if you've been ordered to by a court for violating certain laws. Examples include:
- Driving without sufficient insurance coverage
- Driving without a license
- Conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Excessive violations or at-fault accidents
- Repeated violations within a short period of time
- Reckless driving
- Not paying court-ordered child support
If you've had your license suspended or revoked, the DMV may issue a hardship or restricted license for certain needs, such as driving to work or school. However, an SR-22 is typically a stipulation for getting one.
How Long Do You Need an SR-22?
In most states, an SR-22 will be in effect for three years from the date of the offense. However, some states may have longer or shorter requirements, so check with your local DMV to get details for your situation.
Note that the SR-22 attached to your policy won't fall off on its own. You'll need to contact your provider once you're no longer required to have the form and ask for it to be removed.
Also, keep in mind that if you stop paying for insurance coverage during your required SR-22 period or your policy is canceled, your state may suspend your license and restart the clock.
FR-44 vs. SR-22
An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22 in that it indicates that you have sufficient insurance coverage. However, FR-44 forms are only required in Florida and Virginia, and they're typically used for more serious offenses, such as a DUI with a high blood alcohol level or repeated offenses.
Also, while an SR-22 stipulates that the driver must maintain the state's minimum liability coverage amounts, an FR-44 typically requires the driver to have more than the minimum requirement.
How Much Is an SR-22?
Filing and maintaining insurance with an SR-22 can be costly. Here's how those costs break down.
Filing Fees
Because auto insurance policies typically last six or 12 months, you'll need to file an SR-22 for each policy term for which the certificate is required. The cost of filing the form can vary by state, but it's typically $25. So, if you are required to file an SR-22 for three years, you may be required to pay $25 between three and six times, depending on how your auto insurance policy works.
Some states may require you to pay the filing fee directly, but in others, your insurance company may include the fee in the cost of your policy.
Insurance Rates
Having an SR-22 is an indicator that you're a high-risk driver, so you can expect insurance providers to charge higher premiums until you're no longer required to maintain the certificate.
Exactly how much your rates will go up will depend on several factors, such as where you live, your driving record, your claims history and the violation itself.
How to Get SR-22 Insurance
Depending on your situation, getting coverage with an SR-22 can be challenging because some insurers don't offer coverage to drivers with one due to the added risk. That said, here are some steps you can take to get the coverage you need while minimizing your costs:
- Check with your current insurer. If you already have an insurance policy, contact your insurer and ask if it offers SR-22 form filing. If so, you can provide the letter mandating an SR-22 and discuss your coverage options, then the insurer will handle the filing.
- Shop around. If you don't have insurance coverage, your insurance provider dropped you or you simply want to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere, take some time to obtain quotes from multiple insurers to compare your options. Be sure to share your situation upfront, so you can make apples-to-apples comparisons. With Experian's free auto insurance comparison tool, you can compare SR-22 quotes from multiple carriers in one place.
- Provide the order. Once you choose an insurance provider, you may need to share a copy of the letter or mandate you received from the DMV requiring an SR-22.
- Follow up with the DMV. Once you purchase a policy, the insurer will file the SR-22 form with your state's DMV. Contact the DMV to confirm that the filing was completed.
The Bottom Line
An SR-22 is just one of many consequences for risky driving, but in many cases, it's among the most expensive. While it's best to avoid the infractions that could result in an SR-22 in the first place, there are still things you can do to save money on SR-22 insurance if that ship has already sailed.
Whatever you do, it's crucial that you follow the court order promptly and maintain sufficient coverage for the duration of your SR-22 period.