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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 New Jersey, Plymouth Rock Assurance offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $1,288 per year and GEICO at $1,356 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 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) that proves you’ve bought the minimum liability auto insurance your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DUI/DWI, or other reasons, your state or a court may require you to obtain an SR-22-a certificate filed by your insurance company that proves you carry the minimum required auto insurance coverage.

While it’s not a type of insurance, filing an SR-22 is often mandatory after serious offenses and it can lead to higher insurance premiums due to your increased risk profile.

Key Takeaways

  • The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in New Jersey is $2,370.
  • Plymouth Rock Assurance offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in New Jersey at $1,288 per year.
  • An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy; it’s a form your insurer files to the state DMV on your behalf to confirm you have the required minimum coverage.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey

The average SR-22 car insurance cost in New Jersey is $2,370.

New Jersey’s rate is $1,355 more expensive than SR-22 insurance in the New Hampshire, the cheapest state. However, it’s also $1,671 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.

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

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in New Jersey

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 New Jersey.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Plymouth Rock Assurance$1,288 $107
GEICO$1,356 $113
New Jersey Manufacturers$1,421 $118
Travelers$2,139 $178
Allstate$2,167 $181
Mercury Insurance$2,541 $212
Progressive$2,611 $218
State Farm$2,680 $223
Farmers$3,935 $328
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Cheap SR-22 insurance in New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

CityAverage annual premium
Fairview$1,174
Allenhurst$1,174
Bloomfield$1,258
Jersey City$1,288
Pleasantville$1,301
Matawan$1,303
East Brunswick$1,303
Hoboken$1,360
Clifton$1,551
Garfield$1,551
Trenton$1,568
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SR-22 insurance requirements in New Jersey

The New Jersey DMV requires all drivers to meet the following minimum requirements for car insurance coverage:

  • $25,000 for injury/death per person
  • $50,000 for injury/death per accident
  • $25,000 for damage to property per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts advise drivers to get more than the minimum insurance. It may lead to a higher premium, but the extra coverage could be well worth it.

How much does SR-22 in New Jersey 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
New Jersey Manufacturers$1,704 $1,421
Plymouth Rock Assurance$2,192 $1,288
GEICO$2,708 $1,356
Progressive$2,962 $2,611
Allstate$3,052 $2,167
Travelers$3,446 $2,139
Mercury Insurance$3,816 $2,541
Farmers$5,053 $3,935
State Farm$10,635 $2,680
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey

If you need an SR-22 in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey

Some states might require you to get an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This proves you have the minimum liability insurance your state requires, which is often needed to get your driver’s license back after a suspension or revocation for violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for people who don’t own a car but still drive and need to meet SR-22 requirements or maintain coverage. This type of insurance provides liability protection when driving someone else’s car and helps you meet state requirements to get your license back after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s generally a cheaper option than a standard car insurance policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in New Jersey

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember, an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. It’s a certificate that proves to your state’s DMV that you have the required minimum insurance coverage.

For example, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to show that you have enough insurance to meet financial responsible.

Remember, not all driving offenses need an SR-22. You’ll be notified if you do. If you’re unsure, check with your local DMV office or a lawyer who specializes in traffic law.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in New Jersey?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

In some cases, the time you need to maintain an SR-22 could be longer or shorter. The length of the SR-22 period will depend on your driving history and how serious the offense is.

The bottom line on SR-22 in New Jersey

New Jersey’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $2,370, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in New Jersey, which is $2,262. That means New Jersey’s SR-22 rate is $108 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.

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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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