If you’ve been ordered by your state or the court to provide proof of financial responsibility as the result of a DUI or major driving offense, you’re probably looking for a place to turn for SR-22 insurance. Since carrying an SR-22 will most likely increase your premiums, you’ll want to find a provider that offers good insurance at the most affordable price. Take a look at some of the best SR-22 insurance companies.
What Is an SR-22?
While it’s often referred to as SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 is not an insurance policy. It is a form that you or your insurance carrier files with the state. The form provides the state with proof that a driver carries the minimum required insurance and is a requirement for high-risk drivers. It allows them to either maintain their valid license or reinstate it.
Some of the reasons a driver might need an SR-22 include:
- Driving without car insurance
- A DWI or DUI conviction
- Reckless driving conviction
- At-fault accidents
- Several speeding tickets in a short amount of time
- Failure to pay traffic fines
Once you’ve been ordered to submit an SR-22 to the state, you need to contact your insurance company. Since not every company will issue the certificate, you might have to shop around for different coverage. If you don’t already have insurance, you need to get it, or you will lose your license.
How To Find the Best SR-22 Insurance Companies
It’s important to do some research and compare quotes and options from several companies to find the best SR-22 insurance company for you. Unfortunately, once you file an SR-22, your insurance premiums will undoubtedly go up, but if you shop around, you can keep the amount of the increase to a minimum.
What Companies Offer SR-22 Insurance?
Geico
Geico is a good option for SR-22 insurance because it offers affordable rates, and the company has a wide variety of coverage options. Geico also has good ratings for its customer service and claims process. Drivers can expect their premiums to go up by about 10% after filing an SR-22 if they have Geico, but they can also take advantage of an extensive list of discounts to help mitigate the increase.
Progressive
Progressive offers competitive rates for drivers who need to file an SR-22, and this company also offers a variety of discounts. Progressive’s premiums are higher than other companies to start, but the increase for an SR-22 is only about 3%.
Esurance
Esurance offers SR-22 insurance at competitive rates. This is a good company for drivers who like to do everything online. There are no insurance agents at Esurance; it’s completely an online process. The drawback for Esurance is its limited coverage options.
AAA
AAA has excellent rates for SR-22 drivers and offers a wide variety of coverage options, including roadside assistance.
Allstate
Allstate’s nationwide availability makes it a good option for drivers who live in areas where they might have a harder time finding coverage. The premiums can be higher than some competitors, but they have high ratings for customer service and the claims process. Allstate also has a large network of local agencies, making it easy to talk to someone in person when you want to.
USAA
Drivers who are current or former military members will benefit from getting their SR-22 from USAA. This provider offers competitive rates and discounts to help keep premiums down.
Travelers
Travelers might have higher rates than several of its competitors for SR-22 insurance, but they offer some significant discounts and many coverage options. Travelers has a good reputation for excellent customer service and claims.
Root
Root works differently from other insurance companies. Its rates are based on driving habits that Root monitors through its mobile app. Root customers can easily get the SR-22 through the app, although it’s important to factor in the time it takes to file the paperwork. When you choose Root, the SR-22 starts on the policy start date or the day an SR-22 driver is added to the policy.
Since Root bases rates on how you drive instead of demographics, you can save on premiums even with an SR-22 as long as you practice safe driving habits.
Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance is a good option for drivers who live in one of the eight states where its offered. This company has competitive rates and offers many discounts.
How To Save Money With SR-22 Insurance
Since your rates will go up when you have to file an SR-22, finding the cheapest rates will be a big factor. As you research the best SR-22 insurance companies, here are some tips for finding the cheapest rates:
- Look for discounts. With an SR-22, you won’t qualify for safe-driving discounts, but you can find discounts elsewhere, such as paperless billing, paying in full upfront, and having safety features.
- Limit coverage. You have to meet your state’s minimum coverage, but you can save money by sticking only with the minimum and dropping the extras you might not need.
- Shop around. Shopping around is the key to finding the best rates.
Best SR-22 Insurance Companies For Non-Owners
Even if you don’t own a car, you should have SR-22 insurance in order to meet the state’s requirements. Many companies offer non-owner insurance, so you’re covered if you borrow or rent a car. Since it doesn’t cover a specific vehicle, non-owner car insurance is significantly cheaper than a standard policy for a driver with an SR-22. It’s important to note that this is only an option if you don’t own a car.
You can get non-owner SR-22 insurance with:
- Geico
- Progressive
- Allstate
- Travelers
- USAA
When you get a notice that you need to file an SR-22, you can expect to pay higher premiums because you’ll be designated as a high-risk driver. Doing some research and shopping around can help you find the best SR-22 insurance company and keep your premiums from increasing too much. If you change your driving habits, your rates will go back down once the SR-22 expires in a few years.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
