Cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey

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Progressive offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey at $3,471 per year. State Farm is another affordable option at $5,263 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 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 form your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the minimum car insurance coverage required to drive legally. You may need one after serious driving violations such as a DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), reckless driving or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a document your insurance company files with the state to verify you’re carrying the legally required coverage. Since drivers who need an SR-22 are flagged as higher risk, premiums tend to climb, and some insurers may turn you away entirely.

How does SR-22 insurance work in New Jersey?

The average cost of SR-22 insurance in New Jersey is $3,869 per year
For the most affordable SR-22 coverage in New Jersey, Progressive comes in at $3,471 annually
An SR-22 is a document filed with the state that verifies you carry the minimum required car insurance coverage

When do you need an SR-22 in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, 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. 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 SR-22 insurance cost in New Jersey?

Drivers in New Jersey pay an average of $3,869 per year for SR-22 insurance. That’s $2,113 more than Vermont, the cheapest state for SR-22 coverage, and $2,217 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.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in New Jersey

At $3,471 per year, Progressive is the most affordable SR-22 insurer in New Jersey. SR-22 coverage costs more than a standard policy, but there’s still a wide range of prices between companies.

These are some of the most affordable SR-22 options in New Jersey.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Progressive	$3,471	$289
State Farm	$5,263	$439

Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey?

SR-22 rates in New Jersey 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 New Jersey with the cheapest average SR-22 rates.

City	Average annual premium
Bayonne	$4,669
Camden	$4,718
Clifton	$4,537
East Orange	$4,943
Elizabeth	$4,981
Jersey City	$4,652
Newark	$5,140
Passaic	$4,990
Paterson	$4,900
Trenton	$4,202

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 New Jersey?

To legally drive in New Jersey, the DMV requires you to carry at least:

$35,000 for injury or death per person
$70,000 for injury or death per accident
$25,000 for property damage per accident

These are the legal minimums. Carrying more coverage costs a bit more each month, but it can save you a lot if you’re ever in a serious at-fault accident.

How much does an SR-22 in New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

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
Allstate	$4,970	NA
Farmers	$8,975	NA
GEICO	$3,784	NA
NJM	$3,156	NA
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$5,372	NA
Progressive	$4,042	$3,471
State Farm	$21,521	$5,263
Travelers	$4,128	NA

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey

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 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?

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 New Jersey?

SR-22 insurance in New Jersey 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.

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 New Jersey.” Accessed August 2026.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed August 2026.

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.

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.