Home Car insurance SR-22 insurance: What is it and how does it work? Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois The cheapest SR-22 insurance policies in Illinois are offered by GEICO, at $787 a year, and Nationwide, at $987 a year. View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Bob Haegele Bob Haegele 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. | Reviewed by John McCormick John McCormick John McCormick is an insurance expert and the editorial director for QuinStreet's insurance sites -- CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, he was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and was an editor and reporter at several media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance and technology. | Expert insight from Sebastian Hov Sebastian Hov CEO, 18 Insurance.Go to comment | Updated on: June 19, 2025 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. 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 TakeawaysSR-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 violationsReckless drivingAccidents resulting in suspension or revocationAccumulation of too many driving violation pointsDriving without insuranceIf 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 IllinoisThe 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 IllinoisInsurance 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 premiumGEICO$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. You might find interesting The best, cheapest car insurance in IllinoisIllinois car insurance calculatorNon-owner car insurance in Illinois: Which company has the cheapest rates?Best and cheapest companies for home and auto bundles in Illinois Cheap SR-22 insurance in Illinois by cityAs 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 premiumMount 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 IllinoisThe 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 accidentThese 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 onlyState 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 IllinoisIf 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 IllinoisAnother 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 IllinoisIllinois’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.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 MethodologySources:Shouse Law Group. “SR22 Illinois.” Accessed June 2025.Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed June 2025.MethodologyInsure.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 statesAlabama$1,702/YearAlaska$1,419/YearArizona$1,916/YearArkansas$1,618/YearCalifornia$2,238/YearColorado$2,177/YearConnecticut$1,654/YearFlorida$3,288/YearGeorgia$1,795/YearHawaii$1,523/YearIdaho$1,115/YearIndiana$1,418/YearIowa$1,363/YearKansas$1,581/YearLouisiana$3,390/YearMaine$1,141/YearMaryland$2,020/YearMassachusetts$1,900/YearMichigan$4,041/YearMississippi$1,502/YearMissouri$2,504/YearMontana$1,966/YearNebraska$2,001/YearNevada$2,632/YearNew Hampshire$1,015/YearNew Jersey$2,370/YearNorth Dakota$1,315/YearOhio$1,240/YearOregon$1,653/YearRhode Island$1,887/YearSouth Carolina$1,998/YearSouth Dakota$1,681/YearTennessee$1,458/YearTexas$2,113/YearUtah$1,816/YearVermont$1,140/YearVirginia$1,343/YearWashington$1,473/YearWashington, D.C.$2,065/YearWest Virginia$1,520/YearWisconsin$1,738/YearWyoming$1,808/YearShow moreBob HaegeleContributing 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. In case you missed it Best Car Insurance Companies of 2025 The most and least expensive states for car insurance in 2025 What is full coverage car insurance? How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2025? A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy in 2025 What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault Total warfare: What to do when your auto insurer totals your car Car insurance claims: Who gets the claims check? 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Part 1: How insurance companies spot bogus claims Insurance options for rideshare drivers 10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be 1/1 On this page What is an SR-22?Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Illinois?Average SR-22 car insurance cost in IllinoisCheapest SR-22 insurance companies in IllinoisCheap SR-22 insurance in Illinois by citySR-22 insurance requirements in IllinoisHow much does SR-22 in Illinois cost with a DUI?How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in IllinoisNon-owner SR-22 insurance in IllinoisWho needs SR-22 insurance?How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Illinois?The bottom line on SR-22 in IllinoisWhat our expert saysResources and Methodology ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP See rates (844)-645-3330