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GEICO offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Florida at $1,699 per year. State Farm is another affordable option at $2,544 per year. What you pay will depend on your driving record, your location, and the insurer you choose.

SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy on its own. It’s a form your insurer files with the state to show you have the minimum required coverage, commonly needed after a DUI, reckless driving, or a lapse in insurance. Drivers who need an SR-22 are treated as higher risk, so premiums are usually higher than average.

The SR-22 filing period lasts around three years, though your state and the specifics of your violation will determine the exact timeline. Expect your rates to go up right away, but consistent clean driving from here on out is what will gradually bring them back down. While you’re in that window, comparing quotes across insurers can help make sure you’re getting the best rate available to you.

How to keep your costs down during your SR-22 period

  • Compare quotes from at least three insurers before deciding on one. Rates after an SR-22 vary more than you’d expect – the first offer you get won’t be the most affordable one.
  • Find out how long the surcharge will apply. Some insurers revisit your rate after three years, others after five. How long you carry the increase can matter just as much as the rate itself.
  • Stay violation-free. A clean driving record from this point forward is the most effective tool you have for lowering your premium over time.
  • Keep your coverage active. A lapse while your SR-22 is on file can reset your entire filing period and make you look like an even greater risk to future insurers.
  • Keeping a clean driving record and comparing quotes at renewal can help lower your rates over time.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the minimum car insurance coverage required to drive legally. You may need one after serious driving violations such as a DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), reckless driving or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a document your insurance company files with the state to verify you’re carrying the legally required coverage. Since drivers who need an SR-22 are flagged as higher risk, premiums tend to climb, and some insurers may turn you away entirely.

How does SR-22 insurance work in Florida?

  • The average cost of SR-22 insurance in Florida is $3,288 per year
  • For the most affordable SR-22 coverage in Florida, GEICO comes in at $1,699 annually
  • An SR-22 is a document filed with the state that verifies you carry the minimum required car insurance coverage

When do you need an SR-22 in Florida?

You may need an SR-22 in Florida after serious driving violations such as a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance or accumulating too many points on your license.

The specific offenses that require one vary by state, but these are the most common:

  • 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

After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

What happens if you don’t maintain SR-22 coverage?

Most drivers need to keep an SR-22 on file for about three years, depending on state requirements and the reason for the filing. During that time, your insurance coverage must remain active without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or expires, your insurer will notify the DMV, which can lead to penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees or an extension of your SR-22 requirement

In many states, any gap in coverage restarts the three-year filing period from scratch – so a lapse halfway through means starting the clock over entirely. It also works against you when you go to re-insure, as a coverage gap signals greater risk to insurers, which can push your premiums higher and narrow the number of carriers willing to take you on.

How much does an SR-22 insurance cost in Florida?

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in Florida is $3,288 per year. That’s $2,273 more than in New Hampshire, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $753 less than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 coverage.

Your actual rate will depend on why you need the SR-22, your overall driving record, and your location.

A DUI carries a much more dramatic surcharge than a lapse in coverage, and a city with higher accident and theft rates will cost more than a quieter rural area. Because those factors differ so much from driver to driver, the only reliable way to find your lowest rate is to compare quotes from several insurers.

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

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Florida

GEICO offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Florida at $1,699 per year. While SR-22 insurance is usually more expensive than standard coverage, rates can vary significantly between insurers.

The companies below offer some of the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in Florida.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
GEICO$1,699 $142
State Farm$2,544 $212
Travelers$2,573 $214
Nationwide$2,625 $219
Mercury Insurance$3,649 $304
Progressive$3,924 $327
Allstate$3,998 $333
National General Insurance$4,128 $344
Farmers$4,534 $378
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Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Florida?

SR-22 rates in Florida depend heavily on where you live. Urban areas tend to come with higher premiums due to increased traffic, higher theft rates, and more frequent claims. Smaller towns and suburbs usually sit on the cheaper end of the scale.

Below are the major cities in Florida with the cheapest average SR-22 rates.

CityAverage annual premium
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace$1,308
Jacksonville$1,386
Orlando$1,503
Fellsmere$1,507
Avon Park$1,513
Deland$1,624
Palm City$1,625
Hialeah$1,717
Miami$1,717
Port St. Lucie$1,751
St. Petersburg$1,906
Fort Lauderdale$1,982
Tampa$1,983
Clearwater$2,006
Aventura$2,248
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Will my SR-22 costs go down over time?

  • Your rates may drop after the SR-22 requirement ends, but they likely won’t return to pre-violation levels right away
  • The underlying violation can stay on your driving record for 3 to 5 years, or longer for serious offenses like a DUI
  • Once your SR-22 period ends, contact your insurer and provide DMV confirmation if required
  • Keeping a clean driving record and comparing quotes at renewal can help lower your rates over time

What are the minimum SR-22 insurance requirements in Florida?

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

  • $10,000 for injury or death per person
  • $20,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident

State minimum coverage keeps you legal on the road, but it may not be enough to fully protect you in a costly at-fault accident. Higher coverage means a higher premium, but it also means you’re not paying out of pocket for damages that exceed your limits.

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

A DUI generally leads to a significant jump in SR-22 premiums, though the exact increase depends on your insurer. The table below shows annual SR-22 rates for drivers with a DUI in Florida.

This table shows two different costs:

  • SR-22 with one DUI – the estimated annual cost if your SR-22 filing is the result of a DUI conviction, factoring in the rate increase insurers apply after a DUI.
  • SR-22 filing only – your standard premium plus the SR-22 filing fee, with no DUI on record. If your filing is tied to a different violation, this column gives you a better estimate of what the SR-22 itself adds to your cost.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$2,751 $2,544
GEICO$3,068 $1,699
Travelers$3,974 $2,573
National General Insurance$4,314 $4,128
Allstate$4,408 $3,998
Progressive$4,720 $3,924
Farmers$4,881 $4,534
Nationwide$5,412 $2,625
Mercury Insurance$5,594 $3,649
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Florida

The SR-22 form itself only costs a small one-time filing fee, usually around $25 to $50. What actually drives up your bill is the high-risk premium that comes with needing one. That’s the part you can lower, by comparing quotes, improving your driving record, and choosing the right coverage. Rates for high-risk drivers vary widely from one insurer to the next, so shopping around can make a real difference in what you pay.

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.

Compare insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers

Not every insurer treats SR-22 drivers the same way. Some specialize in high-risk coverage and can offer considerably lower rates than standard carriers. Getting quotes from at least three companies gives you a realistic picture of what you should actually be paying.

Can you get an SR-22 without owning a car?

Drivers who need an SR-22 but don’t own a vehicle can file one through non-owner SR-22 insurance. It provides the minimum required liability coverage when you drive someone else’s car and lets you reinstate your license after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses. Because it doesn’t cover a vehicle of your own, it’s usually cheaper than a standard car insurance policy.

This situation is more common than it sounds. Many drivers lose their license after a violation and still have to prove they’re insured to get it back, even when they don’t own a car. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is what makes that possible.

Is SR-22 insurance expensive in Florida?

SR-22 insurance in Florida typically costs more than standard coverage. Because the requirement usually follows a serious violation like a DUI, reckless driving, or lapsing on insurance, insurers classify these drivers as higher risk and price premiums accordingly.

That said, rates end up looking very different between insurers, and shopping around can make a real difference to what you end up paying. A few other ways to keep costs down:

  • Cut your mileage if you can. Leaning on public transportation or carpooling may drop you into pay-per-mile or low-mileage territory.
  • Claim every discount you qualify for. Common ones include bundling policies, automatic payments, and completing a defensive driving course.
  • Keep your record clean from here on out. This is the single most effective thing you can do. A DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years in many states, and a clean stretch during that time is what actually moves your rates down.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get SR-22 insurance without owning a car?

Yes. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is available for drivers who don’t own a vehicle but still need to meet state insurance requirements. It provides liability coverage when driving someone else’s car and is usually cheaper than a standard policy.

What happens if your SR-22 insurance lapses?

If your SR-22 coverage lapses or your policy is canceled, your insurance company will notify the state DMV. This can lead to penalties such as license suspension, reinstatement fees or an extension of your SR-22 requirement period.

Can you switch insurance companies while you have an SR-22?

Yes, you can change insurers while maintaining an SR-22. However, your new insurance company must file a new SR-22 with the state before your old policy is canceled to avoid a lapse in coverage.

expert

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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Alisha Ambre

 
  

Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.

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