Cheapest SR-22 insurance in New Jersey

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In New Jersey, the cheapest SR-22 insurance comes from Plymouth Rock Assurance at $1,288 per year, followed by GEICO at $1,356. Your rate will depend on your driving history, where you live, and which insurer you go with.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a form your insurer files with the state to confirm you’re carrying the minimum required coverage, usually after a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. Because SR-22 drivers are seen as higher risk, premiums tend to run higher than standard rates.

An SR-22 needs to stay on file for around three years, though the exact duration depends on your state and the nature of the violation. Your rates will likely increase immediately after the incident, but keeping a clean record from that point forward will help bring them back down over time. In the meantime, shopping around can help make sure you’re not paying more than necessary.

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 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 New Jersey?

The average cost of SR-22 insurance in New Jersey is $2,370 per year
For the most affordable SR-22 coverage in New Jersey, Plymouth Rock Assurance comes in at $1,288 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?

You may need an SR-22 in New Jersey after a serious driving violation or if your license has been suspended or revoked. It’s your insurer’s way of confirming to the DMV that you’re meeting the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

Common reasons you might need one 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 you’re convicted of one of these offenses, you’ll need to buy a qualifying insurance policy and ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV on your behalf.

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 an SR-22 insurance cost in New Jersey?

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in New Jersey is $2,370 per year. That’s $1,355 more than in New Hampshire, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $1,671 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 New Jersey

At $1,288 per year, Plymouth Rock Assurance 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
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

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

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 New Jersey.

City	Average 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

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 New Jersey?

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

$25,000 for injury or death per person
$50,000 for injury or death per accident
$25,000 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

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.

Company	SR-22 with 1 DUI	SR-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

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

Not every insurer treats SR-22 drivers the same way. Some specialize in high-risk coverage and can offer considerably lower rates than standard carriers. Getting quotes from at least three companies gives you a realistic picture of what you should actually be paying.

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 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.