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In Arizona, the cheapest SR-22 insurance options are offered by GEICO at $1,079 per year and Nationwide at $1,248 per year. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on your location, driving history, and insurance provider.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. If you’ve been ordered to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs.

Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record usually leads to higher premiums, and some carriers won’t cover such drivers, so finding affordable options is essential.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to learn more about SR-22s, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) that proves you’ve bought the minimum liability auto insurance your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DUI/DWI, or other reasons, your state or a court may require you to obtain an SR-22-a certificate filed by your insurance company that proves you carry the minimum required auto insurance coverage.

While it’s not a type of insurance, filing an SR-22 is often mandatory after serious offenses and it can lead to higher insurance premiums due to your increased risk profile.

Key Takeaways

  • The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Arizona is $1,916.
  • GEICO offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in Arizona at $1,079 per year.
  • An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy; it’s a form your insurer files to the state DMV on your behalf to confirm you have the required minimum coverage.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Arizona?

As mentioned before, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. It’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV to show that you have the required minimum coverage, even with certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is usually low, but insurance with an SR-22 can be expensive.

Here are few offenses that might require an SR-22:

  • DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
  • Reckless driving
  • Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
  • Accumulation of too many driving violation points
  • Driving without insurance

If you are convicted of any of these violations, you might need an SR-22. After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

You usually have to keep the SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, your license could be suspended.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Arizona

The average SR-22 car insurance cost in Arizona is $1,916.

Arizona’s rate is $901 more expensive than SR-22 insurance in the New Hampshire, the cheapest state. However, it’s also $2,125 less than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

However, there are a lot of factors that might affect the cost of SR-22 insurance, such as the reason for the SR-22, your driving history, and the city in which you live.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Arizona

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in Arizona.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
GEICO$1,079 $90
Nationwide$1,248 $104
Travelers$1,335 $111
Auto-Owners$1,432 $119
Hartford$1,541 $128
Mercury Insurance$1,678 $140
State Farm$1,946 $162
Progressive$2,106 $176
Allstate$2,575 $215
CSAA (AAA)$2,657 $221
Farmers$3,247 $271
USAA*$1,403 $117
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Arizona by city

As mentioned earlier, where you live can also make a big difference in the cost of SR-22 insurance. Below, you’ll find the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance for most cities in Arizona.

CityAverage annual premium
Douglas$857
Benson$857
Nogales$863
Willcox$876
Sedona$915
Tucson$989
South Tucson$1,006
Tempe$1,053
Avondale$1,150
Mesa$1,155
Phoenix$1,232
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SR-22 insurance requirements in Arizona

The Arizona DMV requires all drivers to meet the following minimum requirements for car insurance coverage:

  • $25,000 for injury/death per person
  • $50,000 for injury/death per accident
  • $15,000 for damage to property per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts advise drivers to get more than the minimum insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but the extra coverage could be well worth it.

How much does SR-22 in Arizona cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies charge different premiums for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” means the cost of a policy that includes the SR-22 filing fee but doesn’t take into account why you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
Travelers$2,059 $1,335
State Farm$2,123 $1,946
GEICO$2,207 $1,079
Hartford$2,307 $1,541
Progressive$2,417 $2,106
Mercury Insurance$2,423 $1,678
Nationwide$2,446 $1,248
Auto-Owners$2,567 $1,432
Allstate$3,882 $2,575
CSAA (AAA)$4,326 $2,657
Farmers$5,741 $3,247
USAA*$3,314 $1,403
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Arizona

If you need an SR-22 in Arizona, your insurance premiums might be very high. However, there are ways to save on car insurance, whether you need an SR-22 or not.

First, it’s a good idea to shop around. Different insurance companies can offer very different rates. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and may give you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to lower your insurance costs with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. It might take some effort, but it’s worth it if you want better rates. A simple step is taking a defensive driving course, which can result in having points removed from your record. Check with your insurer to see if completing such a class could get you a discount. You can also look into usage-based insurance. These programs use technology to monitor your driving habits in exchange for (potentially) lower rates.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, California, recommends the following:

  • Shop around. Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
  • Pay upfront. Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.
  • Opt for non-owner insurance. If you don’t own a vehicle but need to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Arizona

Some states may require you to obtain an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This filing ensures you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements, which is often necessary to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension or revocation resulting from violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for individuals who don’t own a vehicle but must fulfill SR-22 requirements or want to maintain continuous coverage. This type of coverage provides liability protection when driving a car you don’t own and helps you meet state mandates for reinstating your license after violations such as a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s often a more affordable option than a standard policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Arizona

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember, an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. It’s a certificate that proves to your state’s DMV that you have the required minimum insurance coverage.

For example, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to show that you have enough insurance to meet financial responsible.

Remember, not all driving offenses need an SR-22. You’ll be notified if you do. If you’re unsure, check with your local DMV office or a lawyer who specializes in traffic law.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Arizona?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

In some cases, the time you need to maintain an SR-22 could be longer or shorter. The length of the SR-22 period will depend on your driving history and how serious the offense is.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Arizona

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Arizona is $1,916, while the average cost of car insurance in Arizona is $1,661. This means SR-22 insurance in Arizona costs $255 more per year.

Keep in mind that there are numerous factors that affect the auto insurance premiums.

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What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

expert-image
Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.
“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

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Bob Haegele
Contributing Researcher

 
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Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.

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