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In Maryland, the cheapest SR-22 insurance is offered by State Farm at $2,589 per year. Rates vary based on your driving history, location and insurance company.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a form your insurer files with the state to prove you meet the minimum required coverage, often after violations like a DUI, reckless driving or driving without insurance. Because drivers who need an SR-22 are considered higher risk, insurance premiums are usually more expensive.

Most drivers need to keep an SR-22 on file for about three years, though the exact period depends on your state and the violation. The good news is that the higher rates aren’t permanent. As the violation ages and you keep a clean record, your premiums typically come back down, and comparing quotes regularly along the way helps make sure you’re never paying more than you need to.

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

  • Compare at least three quotes before you commit. SR-22 surcharges vary widely between insurers, so the first quote you get is rarely the cheapest.
  • Ask each company how long the surcharge lasts. Some drop the high-risk rate sooner than others, which can matter more than the starting price.
  • Keep your record clean from here. Avoiding new violations is the single biggest thing that lowers your rate over time.
  • Don’t let the policy lapse. A gap in coverage can reset your filing period and signal even higher risk to insurers.
  • Confirm your insurer actually filed the form. You’re responsible for staying compliant, so verify the SR-22 is on file with the state before you assume you’re covered

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 Maryland?

  • SR-22 insurance in Maryland costs an average of $2,410 per year
  • State Farm offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in Maryland at $2,589 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 Maryland?

In Maryland, an SR-22 is usually required after a serious driving violation or a license suspension. It’s your insurer’s confirmation to the DMV that you’re carrying the coverage the state requires.

Violations that commonly require an SR-22 include:

  • 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 any of these apply to you, you’ll need to get a qualifying insurance policy and have your insurer submit 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 SR-22 insurance cost in Maryland?

Drivers in Maryland pay an average of $2,410 per year for SR-22 insurance. That’s $654 more than Vermont, the cheapest state for SR-22 coverage, and $3,676 less than Michigan, the most expensive.

Your rate will vary based on the violation behind the SR-22, your driving history and your ZIP code.

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

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

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 Maryland.

CityAverage annual premium
Annapolis$2,225
Baltimore$3,235
Bowie$2,561
College Park$2,699
Frederick$2,211
Gaithersburg$2,322
Hagerstown$2,273
Laurel$2,506
Rockville$2,277
Salisbury$2,353
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Will my SR-22 costs go down over time?

  • Your rates will improve once the SR-22 requirement ends, but they may not fully return to what you were paying before the violation
  • Most violations stay on your record for three to five years, though a DUI can linger considerably longer depending on your state
  • Keeping a clean record and shopping around at renewal are the best ways to make sure you’re getting the best rate available to you

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

The Maryland DMV requires all drivers to carry at least the following coverage:

  • $30,000 for injury or death per person
  • $60,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $15,000 for property damage per accident

These are the minimums, and many experts recommend going beyond them. Higher limits cost more, but they offer much better protection if you’re involved in a serious at-fault accident.

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

Drivers with a DUI usually pay significantly higher SR-22 insurance rates, though costs vary widely by insurer. The table below compares annual SR-22 rates for drivers with a DUI in Maryland.

This table shows two different costs:

  • SR-22 with one DUI – what you’d likely pay per year if you’re filing an SR-22 because of a DUI conviction. This includes the higher rate insurers charge after a DUI.
  • SR-22 filing only – your regular premium plus just the SR-22 filing fee, with no DUI. If your SR-22 is for something other than a DUI, look at this column to estimate what the filing alone adds to your cost.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 filing Only
Allstate$3,602NA
Erie Insurance$2,451NA
GEICO$1,913NA
Nationwide$4,875NA
Progressive$3,571NA
State Farm$2,772$2,589
Travelers$3,222NA
USAA*$2,887NA
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Maryland

The SR-22 filing itself is relatively inexpensive – a one-time fee of $25 to $50. The real cost comes from the high-risk premium insurers attach to drivers who need one. That’s where there’s room to save. Comparing quotes, maintaining a clean record going forward and selecting the right level of coverage can all help bring your rate down. Since premiums for high-risk drivers vary significantly between insurers, shopping around is one of the most effective ways to manage what you pay.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, California, recommends the following:

  • Shop around. Different insurers price SR-22 coverage very differently. Getting quotes from several companies is the best way to find a competitive rate.
  • Pay upfront. Paying your full premium at once rather than in monthly installments can sometimes bring the total cost down.
  • Opt for non-owner insurance. If you don’t own a car but still need SR-22 coverage, a non-owner policy can be 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard one.

Compare high-risk insurers

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 Maryland?

SR-22 insurance in Maryland 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 51 states, including Washington, D.C., across two distinct driver scenarios to analyze auto insurance rates across the U.S.

Your zip rate is based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female with a good insurance score and no violations, driving a Honda Accord LX with a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage. Drivers opt for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible. We analyzed 65,756,440 insurance quotes from 195 companies (73 company groups) across 29,159 cities and 34,595 ZIP codes. The national average annual premium is $2,578.

After a violation, the data reflects the same base driving profile – a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage, opting for a full-coverage policy with 100/300/100 limits and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible; but for drivers with a violation on their record and an SR-22 filing requirement. For these rates, we analyzed 95,071,152 insurance quotes from 131 companies (41 company groups).

Read more about our research standards and methodology.

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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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