Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois

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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 Illinois, GEICO offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $787 per year and Nationwide at $987 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 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 Illinois is $1,380.
GEICO offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in Illinois at $787 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 Illinois?

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 Illinois

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Illinois is $1,380.

This is $365 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,661 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Illinois

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 Illinois.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
GEICO	$787	$66
Nationwide	$987	$82
Auto-Owners	$1,061	$88
Travelers	$1,112	$93
Mercury Insurance	$1,163	$97
American Family	$1,171	$98
Erie Insurance	$1,224	$102
State Farm	$1,347	$112
Progressive	$1,381	$115
Farmers	$1,486	$124
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$1,791	$149
Allstate	$2,261	$188
Automobile Club of MI (AAA)	$2,473	$206
USAA*	$1,269	$106

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

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Illinois 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 Illinois.

City	Average annual premium
Mount Carmel	$692
Crystal Lake	$704
Bloomington	$707
Decatur	$736
Arlington Heights	$790
Aurora	$808
Elgin	$831
Joliet	$876
Crest Hill	$876
Des Plaines	$937
Chicago	$937

SR-22 insurance requirements in Illinois

The Illinois DMV requires all drivers to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

$25,000 for injury or death per person
$50,000 for injury or death per accident
$20,000 for property damage per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts recommend getting more coverage than the mandated minimum coverage. Although it may raise your premium, the added coverage could prove highly beneficial.

How much does SR-22 in Illinois 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
State Farm	$1,477	$1,347
American Family	$1,555	$1,171
Mercury Insurance	$1,556	$1,163
Progressive	$1,589	$1,381
Travelers	$1,756	$1,112
GEICO	$1,756	$787
Nationwide	$1,920	$987
Erie Insurance	$1,985	$1,224
Auto-Owners	$2,042	$1,061
Farmers	$2,136	$1,486
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$3,319	$1,791
Allstate	$3,629	$2,261
Automobile Club of MI (AAA)	$7,251	$2,473
USAA*	$2,637	$1,269

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

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois

You may face sky-high insurance premiums if you need an SR-22 in Illinois. However, there are ways to save on car insurance whether or not you require an SR-22.

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 specialize in high-risk drivers and 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, Illinois, 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: 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 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 Illinois

Another term that’s sometimes used when talking about SR-22 is “non-owner SR-22 insurance.” This usually refers to liability insurance for people who don’t own a car but need to reinstate their license after it is suspended or revoked. This is often a requirement after a DUI, DWI, or several moving violations.

Non-owner insurance provides secondary coverage when driving cars you don’t own, such as a vehicle you borrow or rent.

If you find yourself regularly driving a borrowed or rented vehicle, you should probably apply for a non-owner insurance policy. These policies have certain benefits, like costing less than traditional insurance.

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

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to prove you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney with traffic law experience.

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

You usually need to keep an SR-22 for three years.

During this time, you must have continuous insurance coverage with no lapses. If your policy gets canceled or lapses, your insurer has to inform the state, which could lead to penalties or a suspended license.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Illinois

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Illinois is $1,380, while the average cost of car insurance in Illinois is $1,364. This means SR-22 insurance in Illinois costs $15 more per year.

Keep in mind that there are numerous factors that affect the auto 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 Illinois.” Accessed February 2026.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed February 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.