Cheapest SR-22 insurance in California

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If you’ve been asked to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs. An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance but rather a certificate 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. Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record typically leads to higher premiums, making finding the most affordable options essential.

The cost of SR-22 insurance can vary significantly depending on your location, driving history, and insurance provider. To help you save money, we’ve researched the cheapest SR-22 insurance options in every state.

In California, Progressive offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $1,508 per year and GEICO at $1,646 per year.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to navigate this complex process, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What’s an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of responsibility (CFR) that shows you’ve purchased the required minimum liability auto coverage required by your state. If you’re categorized as a higher-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DWI/DUI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court order may require you to get an SR-22.

You might hear about “SR-22 insurance,” but an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy – it’s just a term sometimes used to refer to any insurance policy bought by someone who’s required to have an SR-22.

Key Takeaways

An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy but a form your insurer files with the state to show you have the minimum coverage.
You might need an SR-22 in California due to DUI, reckless driving, or license suspension/revocation.
Filing an SR-22 isn’t expensive, but those with an SR-22 often pay higher premiums.

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

As previously mentioned, SR-22 is not an insurance policy but a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV. This form lets the state know that even though you have certain driving offenses on your record, you have at least the minimum required insurance for your situation. The typical filing cost isn’t much – usually around $25.

Examples of 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 have any of these on your record, you may need an SR-22. After purchasing an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV.

You typically must maintain an SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, you could risk license suspension.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in California

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in California is $2,238.

This is $1,223 more expensive than the SR-22 insurance in New Hampshire, the least expensive state.

However, it’s also $1,803 cheaper than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

However, several factors can affect the cost of SR-22 insurance, including why you need the SR-22, your driving history and your city.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in California

Insurance rates typically increase if you have an SR-22, but not all insurance companies charge the same rates for SR-22 holders. The companies listed below offer some of the lowest rates in California.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Progressive	$1,508	$126
GEICO	$1,646	$137
Mercury Insurance	$1,793	$149
Auto-Owners	$2,217	$185
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$2,259	$188
Allstate	$2,285	$190
Travelers	$2,331	$194
Kemper Insurance	$2,407	$201
Nationwide	$2,488	$207
State Farm	$2,511	$209
Hartford	$2,696	$225
CSAA (AAA)	$2,722	$227
Farmers	$2,765	$230
USAA*	$1,699	$142

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in California by city

As discussed above, where you live greatly affects how much SR-22 insurance costs. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across California.

City	Average annual premium
Portola	$1,059
Temecula	$1,260
San Diego	$1,376
San Jose	$1,380
Hayward	$1,434
Fresno	$1,441
Sausalito	$1,488
Irvine	$1,488
Anaheim	$1,497
Vallejo	$1,529
Colma	$1,569
Sacramento	$1,584
San Francisco	$1,600
Long Beach	$1,624
Oakland	$1,628
Los Angeles	$2,039

SR-22 insurance requirements in California

The California DMV mandates all drivers in California to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

$30,000 for injury or death per person
$60,000 for injury or death per accident
$15,000 for property damage per accident

These are only the minimum requirements. Experts suggest getting more coverage than the mandated coverage levels. While it might increase your premium, the extra coverage can be very helpful if you’re in a costly at-fault accident.

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

Some insurance companies are much more forgiving than others if you have a DUI. Some charge a few hundred dollars more, while others charge thousands more per year.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” represents the cost of a policy including the fee to file the SR-22 – without considering the reason why someone needed an SR-22.

Company	SR-22 with 1 DUI	SR-22 Filing only
Mercury Insurance	$2,945	$1,793
Progressive	$3,584	$1,508
Auto-Owners	$4,014	$2,217
GEICO	$4,064	$1,646
Travelers	$4,844	$2,331
Farmers	$4,864	$2,765
Kemper Insurance	$5,174	$2,407
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$6,668	$2,259
Nationwide	$6,923	$2,488
State Farm	$8,657	$2,511
Allstate	$9,082	$2,285
CSAA (AAA)	$9,812	$2,722
Hartford	$10,665	$2,696
USAA*	$4,745	$1,699

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in California

If you have an SR-22 in California, you might think you are doomed to pay inflated insurance rates. But just because you need an SR-22 doesn’t mean you’ll end up paying the highest rates.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies might even specialize in high-risk drivers and be able to offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

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

Shopping 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: If possible, 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 want to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in California

Some states might require you to get an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This proves you have the minimum liability insurance your state requires, which is often needed to get your driver’s license back after a suspension or revocation for violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for people who don’t own a car but still drive and need to meet SR-22 requirements or maintain coverage. This type of insurance provides liability protection when driving someone else’s car and helps you meet state requirements to get your license back after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s generally a cheaper option than a standard car insurance policy since it only covers liability.

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

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 California?

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 California

California’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $2,238, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in California, which is $2,206. That means California’s SR-22 rate is $32 more per year.

But remember that there are a lot of factors that can affect insurance premiums.

What our expert says

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

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:

Shouse Law Group. “SR22 California.” Accessed January 2026.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed January 2026.

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.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

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.