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In Massachusetts, the cheapest SR-22 insurance is offered by State Farm at $946 per year, followed by GEICO at $1,376. 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 deciding. An SR-22 will raise your rate, but insurers handle the increase differently – your first quote is rarely your best option.
  • Ask how long the surcharge lasts. One insurer might reduce your rate after three years while another holds it for five. The duration can matter more than the starting price.
  • Keep your record clean. Avoiding new violations is the most reliable way to bring your rate down over time.
  • Don’t let your policy lapse. Any gap in coverage while your SR-22 is active can reset the filing period and signal an even bigger red flag to insurers.
  • Confirm your insurer filed the form. Don’t assume it was submitted – verify directly with your state that the SR-22 is on file.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the state to verify that you’re carrying the legally required minimum coverage. It’s usually required after major violations like a DUI, DWI, reckless driving, or driving uninsured.

Think of an SR-22 as a certificate rather than a policy – it’s a form your insurance company files with the state to prove you’re carrying the required coverage. Drivers who need one are considered higher risk, which typically means higher premiums and, in some cases, fewer insurers willing to take them on.

How does SR-22 insurance work in Massachusetts?

  • SR-22 insurance in Massachusetts costs an average of $1,900 per year
  • State Farm offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in Massachusetts at $946 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 Massachusetts?

You may need an SR-22 in Massachusetts 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 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. From there, expect a suspended license and registration, reinstatement fees, and a new SR-22 filing. In many states, the three-year clock restarts from zero, so a lapse halfway through can cost you another full three years of filings. Worse, a coverage gap brands you an even higher risk, which means steeper premiums when you re-insure and a real chance some insurers won’t cover you at all.

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

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in Massachusetts is $1,900 per year. That’s $885 more than in New Hampshire, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $2,141 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.

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

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Massachusetts

State Farm has the lowest SR-22 rates in Massachusetts at $946 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 Massachusetts.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
State Farm$946 $79
GEICO$1,376 $115
American Family$2,086 $174
Progressive$2,127 $177
Travelers$2,415 $201
Allstate$3,001 $250
USAA*$1,347 $112
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Massachusetts?

SR-22 rates in Massachusetts depend heavily on where you live. Urban areas tend to come with higher premiums due to increased traffic, higher theft rates, and more frequent claims. Smaller towns and suburbs usually sit on the cheaper end of the scale.

Below are the major cities in Massachusetts with the cheapest average SR-22 rates.

CityAverage annual premium
Newburyport$598
Andover$695
Leominster$735
Beverly$735
Fitchburg$822
Lowell$987
Boston$1,033
Worcester$1,182
Springfield$1,223
Chelsea$1,452
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Will my SR-22 costs go down over time?

  • Your rates may drop after the SR-22 requirement ends, but they likely won’t return to pre-violation levels right away
  • The underlying violation can stay on your driving record for 3 to 5 years, or longer for serious offenses like a DUI
  • Once your SR-22 period ends, contact your insurer and provide DMV confirmation if required
  • Keeping a clean driving record and comparing quotes at renewal can help lower your rates over time

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

The Massachusetts DMV mandates all drivers in Massachusetts to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

  • $20,000 for injury or death per person
  • $40,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $5,000 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.

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.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$1,721 $946
GEICO$2,336 $1,376
Progressive$2,506 $2,127
Travelers$3,680 $2,415
American Family$3,910 $2,086
Allstate$6,199 $3,001
USAA*$3,307 $1,347
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Massachusetts

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 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?

If you need an SR-22 but don’t own a vehicle, you can still meet the requirement through non-owner SR-22 insurance. This type of policy provides the minimum liability coverage needed when driving someone else’s car and allows you to reinstate your license following violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses. Since it doesn’t cover a vehicle of your own, it usually costs less than a standard auto policy.

It’s a more common situation than most people realize. Many drivers find themselves needing to prove insurance coverage to get their license back after a violation, even without a car to their name. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is designed specifically for that gap.

Is SR-22 insurance expensive in Massachusetts?

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.

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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.

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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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