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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 certificate of financial responsibility proves you have the minimum liability insurance coverage your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver because of traffic violations, a DUI/DWI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court might require you to get an SR-22. This is a certificate your insurance company files on your behalf with your state Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV).

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, but it’s often required after serious offenses. Having an SR-22 can make your insurance more expensive, and not all insurers will cover you because you’re considered a high-risk driver.

Key Takeaways

  • SR-22 car insurance in Illinois costs $1,380, on average.
  • GEICO offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance policies in Illinois at $787 per year.
  • SR-22 insurance isn’t a separate policy, but a form your insurance company files to with the state DMV to prove you have the required minimum coverage.

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

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 Illinois

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

Illinois’s rate is $365 more expensive than SR-22 insurance in the New Hampshire, the cheapest state. However, it’s also $2,661 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.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Illinois

Insurance rates usually increase if you have an SR-22. But not all insurance companies have the same rates for people with an SR-22. The companies listed below have some of the lowest rates available in Illinois.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage 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

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

Cheap SR-22 insurance in Illinois by city

As mentioned before, where you live can significantly impact the cost of insurance with an SR-22. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Illinois.

CityAverage 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?

Insurance companies differ in the premiums they charge for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” refers to the cost of a policy, including the SR-22 filing fee, without factoring in the reason you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-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

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

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois

If you need an SR-22 in Illinois, 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 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 on your record, the state will require you to prove that 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 who has experience with traffic laws.

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

Illinois’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $1,380, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Illinois, which is $1,364. That means Illinois’s SR-22 rate is $15 more per year.

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

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.

Compare SR-22 insurance rates with other states

Alabama$1,702/Year
Alaska$1,419/Year
Arizona$1,916/Year
Arkansas$1,618/Year
California$2,238/Year
Colorado$2,177/Year
Connecticut$1,654/Year
Florida$3,288/Year
Georgia$1,795/Year
Hawaii$1,523/Year
Idaho$1,115/Year
Indiana$1,418/Year
Iowa$1,363/Year
Kansas$1,581/Year
Louisiana$3,390/Year
Maine$1,141/Year
Maryland$2,020/Year
Massachusetts$1,900/Year
Michigan$4,041/Year
Mississippi$1,502/Year
Missouri$2,504/Year
Montana$1,966/Year
Nebraska$2,001/Year
Nevada$2,632/Year
New Hampshire$1,015/Year
New Jersey$2,370/Year
North Dakota$1,315/Year
Ohio$1,240/Year
Oregon$1,653/Year
Rhode Island$1,887/Year
South Carolina$1,998/Year
South Dakota$1,681/Year
Tennessee$1,458/Year
Texas$2,113/Year
Utah$1,816/Year
Vermont$1,140/Year
Virginia$1,343/Year
Washington$1,473/Year
Washington, D.C.$2,065/Year
West Virginia$1,520/Year
Wisconsin$1,738/Year
Wyoming$1,808/Year
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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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