Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois

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GEICO offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois at $787 per year. Nationwide is another affordable option at $987 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 document your insurance company files with the state to show you have the minimum coverage required to legally drive. It’s typically required after violations like a DUI, DWI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy – it’s a form your insurer submits to the state confirming you meet the minimum coverage requirements. Because needing one flags you as a higher-risk driver, you can expect your premiums to rise, and some insurers may decline to cover you altogether.

How does SR-22 insurance work in Illinois?

SR-22 insurance in Illinois costs an average of $1,380 per year
GEICO offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in Illinois at $787 annually
An SR-22 is a state-required filing that proves you carry minimum car insurance coverage

When do you need an SR-22 in Illinois?

You may need an SR-22 in Illinois 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 are required to maintain an SR-22 filing for around three years, though the exact timeline varies by state and the nature of the violation. Throughout that period, your coverage must stay active – any lapse will prompt your insurer to notify the DMV, which can trigger penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees, or an extended filing requirement.

In many states, even a single gap resets the three-year clock entirely, meaning a lapse halfway through could cost you another full cycle. On top of that, a coverage gap marks you as an even greater risk, leading to higher premiums when you re-insure and potentially making it harder to find a carrier willing to cover you at all.

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

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in Illinois is $1,380 per year. That’s $365 more than in New Hampshire, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $2,661 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.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Illinois

GEICO has the lowest SR-22 rates in Illinois at $787 per year. SR-22 coverage generally costs more than a standard policy, but rates can differ quite a bit from one insurer to the next.

The companies below offer some of the most affordable SR-22 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.

Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Illinois?

Your city or ZIP code can have a considerable amount of impact on your SR-22 rate. Here’s how costs break down across major 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

Will my SR-22 costs go down over time?

As your SR-22 requirement ends, you will see an improvement in your rates but they won;t go back to your how low they were before the violation
The underlying violation can stay on the record for 3 to 5 years, but a DUI is likely to stay on your record for much longer
Maintain a clean driving record and compare insurers at renewal period so that you can the best rate possible

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

The Illinois DMV mandates all drivers in Illinois 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

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 an SR-22 in Illinois cost with a DUI?

Having a DUI on your record usually means paying considerably more for SR-22 insurance. The table below shows what drivers with a DUI can expect to pay annually in Illinois.

This table shows two different costs:

SR-22 with one DUI – the estimated annual premium if your SR-22 stems from a DUI conviction, including the rate increase applied by insurers in that situation.
SR-22 filing only – your base premium plus the filing fee, assuming no DUI. If your violation falls into a different category, this column is the better reference for understanding what the SR-22 requirement adds to your overall cost.

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

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

Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer much lower SR-22 rates than standard carriers. Getting quotes from multiple companies is often the fastest way to save.

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 Illinois?

An SR-22 requirement signals to insurers that you’ve had a serious violation. That can be a DUI, reckless driving, or a coverage lapse. Once your violation is on your record, your premiums will reflect it. Even so, rates differ more than you’d expect between insurers, and comparing quotes can go a long way toward keeping costs manageable.

A few other ways to lower what you pay are:

Cut your mileage where you can. Using public transport or carpooling may qualify you for pay-per-mile or low-mileage discounts.
Make use of every discount you’re eligible for. Bundling policies, signing up for autopay, and taking a defensive driving course are all simple ways to reduce your rate.
Keep your record clean going forward. Nothing is more important than maintaining a clean record if you want to lower your rate. A DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years in many states, but steady, clean driving during that period is what will bring your premiums down over time.

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. 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.

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 June 2026.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed June 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.

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.