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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 Texas, Nationwide offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $1,310 per year and State Farm at $1,384 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 Texas is $2,113.
  • Nationwide offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in Texas at $1,310 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 Texas?

As mentioned earlier, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV. This form informs the state that you still carry the minimum required insurance despite certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is generally inexpensive, though insurance with an SR-22 can be costly.

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 offenses on your record, you may need an SR-22. Once you buy an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, request your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV.

You usually need to keep an SR-22 for at least three years. Failing to do so could lead to a license suspension.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Texas

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Texas is $2,113.

This is $1,098 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $1,928 less expensive than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on several factors, such as why you need the SR-22, your driving history, and where you live.

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

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Texas

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 Texas.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Nationwide$1,310 $109
State Farm$1,384 $115
GEICO$1,573 $131
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$1,614 $135
Progressive$2,270 $189
Mercury Insurance$2,348 $196
Farmers$2,855 $238
Allstate$3,932 $328
USAA*$1,732 $144
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Texas by city

As mentioned earlier, where you live can also make a big difference in the cost of SR-22 insurance. Below, you’ll find the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance for most cities in Texas.

CityAverage annual premium
Kermit$1,040
Higgins$1,132
Bowie$1,159
Crystal City$1,194
Austin$1,198
Frisco$1,208
San Antonio$1,245
Zavalla$1,251
Fort Worth$1,268
Plano$1,277
Bishop$1,278
Cypress$1,319
Irving$1,376
Beaumont$1,380
Houston$1,413
Dallas$1,436
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SR-22 insurance requirements in Texas

The Texas DMV requires all drivers to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

  • $30,000 for injury or death per person
  • $60,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage per accident

These are just the minimum requirements. Experts recommend getting more coverage than the mandated minimum coverage. Although it may raise your premium, the added coverage could prove highly beneficial.

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

Insurance companies charge different premiums for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” means the cost of a policy that includes the SR-22 filing fee but doesn’t take into account why you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$2,301 $1,384
Nationwide$2,650 $1,310
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$2,665 $1,614
GEICO$2,747 $1,573
Progressive$2,768 $2,270
Mercury Insurance$3,040 $2,348
Farmers$3,245 $2,855
Allstate$5,789 $3,932
USAA*$2,583 $1,732
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Texas

If you need an SR-22 in Texas, 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 Texas

Another term that’s sometimes used when talking about SR-22 is “non-owner SR-22 insurance.” This usually refers to liability insurance for people who don’t own a car but need to reinstate their license after it is suspended or revoked. This is often a requirement after a DUI, DWI, or several moving violations.

Non-owner insurance provides secondary coverage when driving cars you don’t own, such as a vehicle you borrow or rent.

If you find yourself regularly driving a borrowed or rented vehicle, you should probably apply for a non-owner insurance policy. These policies have certain benefits, like costing less than traditional insurance.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Texas

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to prove you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney with traffic law experience.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Texas?

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

During this period, you must maintain continuous coverage without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurer must notify the state, which could result in further penalties or a license suspension.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Texas

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Texas is $2,113, while the average cost of car insurance in Texas is $1,981. This means SR-22 insurance in Texas costs $132 more per year.

Keep in mind that there are numerous factors that affect the auto 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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