An SR-22 is a filing made by an insurance company on your behalf with the California DMV or court. SR-22 insurance isn’t a type of insurance; instead, it provides proof that you have the required insurance to meet California state law.
SR-22 insurance filings are required in California after certain major violations, if you have been caught driving without insurance or for several other reasons.
If you need an SR-22, you must maintain your insurance coverage and ensure that an insurance company files the form on your behalf. Failure to do so can result in loss of driving privileges and other penalties.
- Understanding SR-22 insurance in California
- How long do you need an SR-22 in California?
- Reasons for requiring SR-22 insurance in California
- How much is SR-22 insurance in California?
- Average SR-22 insurance cost in California for different violations
- Tips to lower SR-22 insurance costs in California
- Frequently asked questions: California SR-22 insurance
Understanding SR-22 insurance in California
An SR-22 is required to reinstate your license after it’s been suspended. In some cases, you might need an SR-22 even though you don’t own a car, or if you need to register a car while still under suspension. There are several forms of SR-22 filings available in California:
- Operator
- Owner
- Owner-operator
If you need to reinstate your license but don’t own a car, you will need to purchase non-owner car insurance to get the SR-22 filed.
How long do you need an SR-22 in California?
The average length of an SR-22 requirement is three years. If you need the SR-22 for a longer period of time, you’ll be informed by the DMV or the court.
If you fail to maintain an insurance policy throughout the duration of your SR-22 period, the insurance company will inform the California DMV of the lapse in coverage. A lapse will result in an extension of the SR-22 insurance duration.
Further serious moving violations during the SR-22 period may also result in an extension of the SR-22 requirement.
Reasons for requiring SR-22 insurance in California
An SR-22 is required in California for several reasons. They include:
- DUI
- Driving without insurance
- Being involved in an at-fault accident while uninsured
- Too many points on your license
- Reckless driving
You will be informed by the DMV or the court handling your conviction of any SR-22 insurance requirements.
How much is SR-22 insurance in California?
The cost of insurance with an SR-22 will vary depending on the violation that resulted in the need for an SR-22. The insurance company will charge you a filing fee that is usually between $25 and $50. On top of that, your insurance rates will go up. Here are a few examples:
- The average cost of DUI first offense and SR-22 insurance in California is $6,111 per year
- The average cost of DUI second offense and SR-22 insurance in California is $9,984 per year
- The average cost of insurance with an SR-22 in California after a reckless driving conviction is $5,876 per year
- The average cost of driving without insurance and SR-22 in California is $3,028 per year
The main factors affecting SR-22 insurance cost in California are the violation itself and what else is on your driving record. The cost of insurance for multiple traffic violations with SR-22 insurance or at-fault accidents on your record will skyrocket.
How much you pay for insurance with an SR-22 will also depend on:
- The type of car you drive
- Where you live
- How you use your car
- Your coverage limits
Average cost of SR-22 insurance in California by violation
Below are average car insurance rates for three different violations that require an SR-22.
| Violation | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| DUI first offense | $6,111 |
| DUI second offense | $9,984 |
| Reckless driving | $5,876 |
| Driving without insurance | $3,028 |
Average SR-22 insurance cost in California for different violations
See the tables below to compare rates from top companies for an SR-22 with various violations.
SR-22 insurance cost by company for DUI, first offense
Below are average car insurance rates by company for a first-offense DUI that requires an SR-22.
| Company | Avg. annual premium | Avg. monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,920 | $243 |
| Progressive | $3,559 | $297 |
| Auto-Owners | $4,014 | $334 |
| Geico | $4,014 | $335 |
| USAA* | $4,645 | $387 |
| Travelers | $4,794 | $399 |
| Farmers | $4,844 | $404 |
| Kemper | $5,169 | $431 |
| Auto Club Entreprises | $6,668 | $556 |
| Nationwide | $6,908 | $576 |
| State Farm | $8,557 | $713 |
| Allstate | $9,082 | $757 |
| CSAA | $9,812 | $818 |
| Hartford | $10,565 | $880 |
*USAA offers car insurance only to military members, veterans and their families.
SR-22 insurance cost by company for DUI, second offense
Below are average car insurance rates by company for a second offense DUI that requires an SR-22.
| Company | Avg. annual premium | Avg. monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,959 | $247 |
| Progressive | $4,336 | $361 |
| Auto-Owners | $5,059 | $422 |
| Geico | $5,687 | $474 |
| Farmers | $5,949 | $496 |
| USAA* | $6,116 | $510 |
| Kemper | $7,907 | $659 |
| Auto Club Entreprises | $8,338 | $695 |
| Nationwide | $8,959 | $747 |
| Travelers | $9,223 | $769 |
| Allstate | $12,284 | $1,024 |
| Hartford | $17,173 | $1,431 |
| State Farm | $18,326 | $1,527 |
| CSAA | $27,455 | $2,288 |
*USAA offers car insurance only to military members, veterans and their families.
SR-22 insurance cost by company for reckless driving
Below are average car insurance rates by company for reckless driving with an SR-22.
| Company | Avg. annual premium | Avg. monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $2,793 | $233 |
| Geico | $2,886 | $240 |
| Mercury | $2,920 | $243 |
| Progressive | $3,251 | $271 |
| Auto-Owners | $4,014 | $334 |
| Travelers | $4,794 | $399 |
| Farmers | $4,844 | $404 |
| Kemper | $5,169 | $431 |
| Auto Club Entreprises | $6,668 | $556 |
| Nationwide | $6,908 | $576 |
| State Farm | $8,557 | $713 |
| Allstate | $9,082 | $757 |
| CSAA | $9,812 | $818 |
| Hartford | $10,565 | $880 |
*USAA offers car insurance only to military members, veterans and their families.
SR-22 insurance cost by company for driving without insurance
Below are average car insurance rates by company for driving without insurance with an SR-22.
| Company | Avg. annual premium | Avg. monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $1,773 | $148 |
| Allstate | $2,285 | $190 |
| Mercury | $2,335 | $195 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,578 | $215 |
| Geico | $2,602 | $217 |
| Hartford | $3,028 | $252 |
| Progressive | $3,066 | $256 |
| Kemper | $3,173 | $264 |
| Auto Club Entreprises | $3,367 | $281 |
| Travelers | $3,400 | $283 |
| CSAA | $3,450 | $288 |
| State Farm | $3,696 | $308 |
| Nationwide | $3,767 | $314 |
| Farmers | $3,876 | $323 |
*USAA offers car insurance only to military veterans and their families.
Tips to lower SR-22 insurance costs in California
Because the need for an SR-22 follows a major violation, car insurance after an SR-22 is expensive. The good news is that many of the methods for getting cheaper car insurance still apply after an SR-22. They include:
- Raising your deductible
- Working to improve your driving record (and avoid any further tickets or accidents)
- Discounts, including for bundling your auto and home insurance
- Usage-based programs that monitor your driving habits in return for a discount
- Shopping around
Shopping around is the quickest and easiest way to get cheaper California car insurance, even with an SR-22.
Frequently asked questions: California SR-22 insurance
What happens if I fail to maintain SR-22 insurance in California?
If your insurance lapses, the insurance company will report it to the DMV. Your license will be suspended or even revoked permanently.
Can I switch insurance providers while I have an SR-22 filing?
Yes. Switching insurance providers with an SR-22 filing is permitted. Just make sure there is no lapse in coverage and that the new insurance company files the SR-22 form.
