What Is SR-22 Insurance and How Does It Work?
SR-22 insurance forms may be necessary for insured individuals who have a DUI or another serious offense on their driving records.
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Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
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Like many auto insurance policyholders, you may have wondered, "What is an SR-22?" or, "What is SR-22 insurance?" An SR-22 is not a type of insurance but rather an important form that certifies an insured individual has at least their state's minimum mandated auto insurance liability coverage. These forms can also be referred to as "certificates of financial responsibility."
If you have a DUI or another serious offense on your driving record, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 form. So, contrary to popular phrasing, "SR-22 insurance" is actually just a legal form or certificate indicating a driver carries enough coverage to avoid state penalties like fines. In this article, we'll answer popular questions such as, "What is an SR-22?" and when and why someone would need this form.
Who Needs an SR-22?
If you've been convicted of a DUI, DWI, or another serious offense, you might be required to have your insurance carrier fill out an SR-22 form. The meaning of an SR-22 is to allow a driver to keep their driving privileges or reinstate their driving privileges after they've racked up at least one serious offense or have repeated offenses on their record. An SR-22 is used to provide proof to an insurance department or state motor vehicle association that a driver is insured and will remain so for a set period of time.
Drivers who don't maintain coverage could have their licenses suspended or revoked after the state is alerted by their insurance carrier. You might also need to fill out an SR-22 form if you've ever been at fault for an accident while you were driving uninsured, if you failed to pay court-ordered child support, or if you've been ticketed several times within a few months.
However, there are some scenarios related to the conviction and state that may require you to fill out a similar form known as an FR-44 instead. Regulations vary by state, however, and not all states require drivers to complete either of these forms.
What Is the Difference Between an SR-22 and an FR-44?
FR-44 forms are only required in two states, Florida and Virginia, and are typically only used for drivers who have been convicted of DUIs and DWIs. If a driver is ordered to fill out an FR-44, they must obtain greater auto insurance liability coverage than their state's mandated minimums, whereas drivers who have to fill out SR-22s can keep a minimum required amount of coverage.
Which States Require SR-22 Forms?
Check the table below for the specific states that require SR-22s vs. those that require FR-44s.
| State | SR-22 Required | FR-44 Required |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | No |
| Alaska | Yes | No |
| Arizona | Yes | No |
| Arkansas | Yes | No |
| California | Yes | No |
| Colorado | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | Yes | No |
| D.C. | Yes | No |
| Delaware | No | No |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes | No |
| Hawaii | Yes | No |
| Idaho | Yes | No |
| Illinois | Yes | No |
| Indiana | Yes | No |
| Iowa | Yes | No |
| Kansas | Yes | No |
| Kentucky | No | No |
| Louisiana | Yes | No |
| Maine | Yes | No |
| Maryland | Yes | No |
| Massachusetts | Yes | No |
| Michigan | Yes | No |
| Minnesota | No | No |
| Mississippi | Yes | No |
| Missouri | Yes | No |
| Montana | Yes | No |
| Nebraska | Yes | No |
| Nevada | Yes | No |
| New Hampshire | Yes | No |
| New Jersey | Yes | No |
| New Mexico | No | No |
| New York | No | No |
| North Carolina | No | No |
| North Dakota | Yes | No |
| Ohio | Yes | No |
| Oklahoma | No | No |
| Oregon | Yes | No |
| Pennsylvania | No | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes | No |
| South Carolina | Yes | No |
| South Dakota | Yes | No |
| Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Texas | Yes | No |
| Utah | Yes | No |
| Vermont | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | Yes | No |
| West Virginia | Yes | No |
| Wisconsin | Yes | No |
| Wyoming | Yes | No |
What Is an FR-44?
An FR-44 form is another type of official document that provides proof that a driver is carrying at least a certain amount of required auto liability insurance and that their coverage is active. Though similar to an SR-22 form, an FR-44 form includes higher liability coverage limit requirements than those required by either the state or an SR-22. You might need to get an FR-44 form if you've been convicted of a DUI or DWI or of injuring others while you were under the influence.
How Much Does an SR-22 Cost?
Usually, you can expect a flat fee of between $25 and $50 to fill out an SR-22. Costs may vary by state, however, and there may be other fees you're required to pay.
Also, you can expect your car insurance rates to increase as a result of having an SR-22 and the violation that led to you being required to fill one out. SR-22 forms and FR-44 forms are valid and last as long as your car insurance policy remains active.
How Much Will an SR-22 Increase My Insurance Cost?
Your car insurance rates may increase after completing an SR-22 form and almost certainly after being convicted of a serious offense like a DUI. Many car insurance carriers consider drivers who must fill out SR-22s or FR-44s to be high risk, and their coverage premiums must be more expensive to compensate for the increased risk. The exact percentage of increase you'll experience varies based on your state's regulations, the type of vehicle you have, your exact violation, your driving and insurance history, and various additional factors.
Which Car Insurance Companies Will File an SR-22?
Not all of the best car insurance companies offer SR-22 forms. Many auto insurance carriers aren't willing to take on the extra risk to cover drivers with prior violations. However, you can likely get a policy and an SR-22 form from the following car insurance companies.
Your independent insurance agent can help you find auto insurance coverage and an SR-22 form from a carrier near you.
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FAQs About SR-22 Insurance Forms
If you got a traffic violation while driving in or visiting a different state, you might need an SR-22 form for that state, even if you don't live there. If you're required to fill out a form for a state that's not the same as the one that issues your auto insurance policy, contact your car insurance company directly to see how you can file your form.
To obtain a car insurance SR-22 form, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you have an active car insurance policy. A local independent insurance agent can help you.
- You or your independent insurance agent can call your car insurance company to request the SR-22 or FR-44 form or another appropriate certificate of financial responsibility for your state.
- Your insurance company will then start the process of filing the SR-22, FR-44, or other appropriate form for you.
Your SR-22 will remain valid for as long as your auto insurance policy is active. As long as you maintain your car insurance, you don't have to worry about your SR-22 expiring. However, most states only require the SR-22 to be on file for three years. After that period, it is no longer needed.
Even if you don't own a vehicle, you might still be required to fill out an SR-22 or FR-44 form to get your driver's license reinstated. Sometimes, a car insurance company will file an SR-22 or FR-44 for you if you purchase non-owner car insurance through them.
Any driver who wants their SR-22 removed must ask their insurance company to do so. SR-22s don't automatically get removed after they're no longer necessary.
You must keep your auto insurance policy active while you have an SR-22 to avoid having your driver's license suspended. After your SR-22 is removed, it's possible your auto insurance rates will decrease, though this isn't always the case.
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/sr22/#how-to-get-an-sr-22
https://www.progressive.com/answers/fr-44/
https://www.marketwatch.com/insurance-services/auto-insurance/sr-22-insurance/
https://www.geico.com/information/sr22-details/
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https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/sr22-insurance
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