Cheap Companies for SR-22 Car Insurance
Geico, Progressive and State Farm are the best large companies cheap for SR-22 car insurance. However, depending on where you live, you may find cheaper SR-22 insurance from a regional company like Erie or Auto-Owners.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance
Progressive has the cheapest SR-22 liability insurance, charging an average of $1,286 a year after a major violation. This works out to $107 a month, which is 36% less than the national average.
USAA has the next-cheapest SR-22 liability rates, $1,316 a year. However, USAA is only available to the military community.
Cheapest SR-22 insurance after a major violation
| Company | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,286 |
| Erie | $1,430 |
| American Family | $1,441 |
| State Farm | $1,636 |
| Geico | $1,874 |
| Kemper | $1,986 |
| U.S. average | $2,019 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,032 |
| Allstate | $2,545 |
| Nationwide | $2,670 |
| The General | $2,800 |
| Farmers | $2,952 |
| USAA* | $1,316 |
Major violations include DUI and reckless driving. You’ll pay less for SR-22 insurance after a relatively minor offense, such as driving without insurance.
Cheapest SR-22 car insurance after a minor violation
Erie has the cheapest SR-22 liability insurance after a minor violation, charging an average of $677 a year. This works out to $56 a month, which is 52% less than the national average.
Auto-Owners has the next-best rate, $59 a month, followed by Geico, $87 a month.
Note, however, that Auto-Owners is only available in 29 states. Erie is in 12 states and the District of Columbia.
| Company | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $677 |
| Auto-Owners | $703 |
| Geico | $1,047 |
| State Farm | $1,175 |
| American Family | $1,230 |
| Progressive | $1,236 |
| U.S. average | $1,417 |
| Nationwide | $1,584 |
| Kemper | $1,592 |
| Allstate | $1,998 |
| Hanover | $2,132 |
| Farmers | $2,151 |
| The General | $2,491 |
| USAA* | $784 |
The amount of coverage you need also determines your SR-22 rate. Liability insurance only covers injuries or property damage you cause to others — most states require it by law.
You’ll pay more for SR-22 insurance if you need full coverage. Full-coverage car insurance includes collision and comprehensive (comp), which cover damage to your own vehicle. Neither is required by law, but you’ll usually need both for a car loan or lease.
Cheapest full-coverage SR-22 insurance quotes
Erie has the cheapest full-coverage SR-22 quotes for a major violation, charging an average of $2,869 a year. This works out to $239 a month, which is 40% less than the national average.
USAA and State Farm nearly tie for the next-best rate. Both companies charge about $263 a month.
Full-coverage SR-22 rates after a major offense
| Company | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $2,869 |
| State Farm | $3,154 |
| American Family | $3,213 |
| Progressive | $3,413 |
| Auto-Owners | $4,103 |
| Geico | $4,370 |
| U.S. average | $4,784 |
| Allstate | $4,945 |
| Kemper | $5,377 |
| The General | $6,052 |
| Nationwide | $6,339 |
| Farmers | $7,745 |
| USAA* | $3,152 |
Cheapest full-coverage SR-22 quotes after a minor offense
Erie has the cheapest full-coverage SR-22 insurance quotes for drivers with a minor offense. These rates average $1,658 a year, or $138 a month.
The next-best rates are available from Auto-Owners, $153 a month, and State Farm, $190 a month.
| Company | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $1,658 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,834 |
| State Farm | $2,276 |
| Geico | $2,529 |
| National General | $2,773 |
| American Family | $2,822 |
| Grange | $3,294 |
| Progressive | $3,421 |
| U.S. average | $3,493 |
| Nationwide | $3,650 |
| Allstate | $4,075 |
| Kemper | $4,292 |
| The General | $5,492 |
| Farmers | $5,816 |
| USAA* | $1,833 |
How to get cheap SR-22 insurance quotes
Getting cheap SR-22 car insurance quotes requires you to shop around and seek out as many discounts as possible.
An SR-22 is a certificate that proves you have insurance. You often need one to reinstate your license or registration after certain offenses, including driving without insurance and DUI. Your insurance company usually files the document with your state’s DMV (department of motor vehicles) when you buy a policy.
You should let the companies you contact for quotes know about your SR-22 filing up front. Some companies don’t offer SR-22s. Some companies only offer it in select states.
Insurance companies evaluate several factors to determine your rate. These include:
- Your driving record
- Your insurance history
- The type of vehicle you drive
- Your age and ZIP code
- Your credit (in most states)
- Any discounts you may be eligible to receive
Since each company weighs these factors differently, it’s good to compare quotes from multiple companies when you shop. Make sure to contact both large and regional companies.
Discounts for SR-22 insurance
The high cost of SR-22 insurance makes it important to take advantage of as many car insurance discounts as you can get. Discounts vary by company, though the most important ones to seek out include:
- Bundling: Most companies give you a generous discount for getting more than one policy from them. You can usually save by getting car insurance from the same company that provides your home or renters policy.
- Safe driving: Several companies give you a big discount when you sign up for their safe driver program. These programs usually use a smartphone app to monitor your driving. If you drive safely enough, you get future discounts when you renew.
- Defensive driving: Some companies give you a discount for completing an approved defensive driving course. Eligible courses vary by company, and you usually need to be in your 50s to qualify.
Make sure to ask about any other discounts that may be available to you.
Money-saving tips for SR-22 insurance
Other ways to save money on SR-22 insurance include:
- Dropping full coverage: Collision and comprehensive (comp) are only required when you have a car loan. If you have an older car with a low resale value, consider removing these coverages to save money.
- Increasing your deductible: If you need collision and comp, raising your deductibles will lower your rate.
When to get nonstandard SR-22 insurance
You may have to get SR-22 insurance from a nonstandard car insurance company if you’re considered high risk.
Nonstandard is a term insurance companies use to describe high-risk drivers. Factors that can get you a nonstandard rating include:
- A prior conviction for DUI, hit-and-run or reckless driving
- Multiple prior accidents and/or violations within a short amount of time
- Gaps in your insurance history or a lack of prior insurance
Bristol West, Dairyland, Gainsco, The General and Kemper are among the better-known insurance companies for nonstandard drivers.
Nonstandard companies tend to charge higher rates than mainstream companies. However, if a mainstream company won’t insure you, a nonstandard company is probably your best bet.
A couple of incident-free years with nonstandard insurance usually helps you qualify for cheaper rates in the future.
Frequently asked questions
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company sends to the state when you buy car insurance. You should let your insurance company know about your SR-22 requirement when you request a quote. Make sure your name and vehicle identification number are listed accurately in your policy documents.
An FR-44 requires higher liability insurance limits than an SR-22. Florida and Virginia are the only states that have FR-44s. Drivers convicted of DUI or certain other major offenses in these states usually require an FR-44 to reinstate a license or registration. These states require SR-22s for less severe offenses.
Many companies offer nonowner SR-22 insurance to customers without a vehicle. Nonowner car insurance is usually cheaper than normal car insurance. It covers you in cars you rent or borrow and can help get your insurance records in order before you buy your next car.