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In Texas, the cheapest SR-22 insurance comes from Nationwide at $1,310 per year, followed by State Farm at $1,384. 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 at least three quotes before you commit. SR-22 surcharges vary widely between insurers, so the first quote you get is rarely the cheapest.
  • Ask each company how long the surcharge lasts. Some drop the high-risk rate sooner than others, which can matter more than the starting price.
  • Keep your record clean from here. Avoiding new violations is the single biggest thing that lowers your rate over time.
  • Don’t let the policy lapse. A gap in coverage can reset your filing period and signal even higher risk to insurers.
  • Confirm your insurer actually filed the form. You’re responsible for staying compliant, so verify the SR-22 is on file with the state before you assume you’re covered

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 Texas?

  • SR-22 insurance in Texas costs an average of $2,113 per year
  • Nationwide offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in Texas at $1,310 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 Texas?

You may need an SR-22 in Texas 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 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.

What you actually pay comes down to why you need the SR-22, your driving record and where in the state you live. A DUI typically carries a steeper 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 Texas

Nationwide offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Texas at $1,310 per year. While SR-22 insurance is usually more expensive than standard coverage, rates can vary significantly between insurers.

The companies below offer some of the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates 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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Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Texas?

SR-22 rates in Texas 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 Texas with the cheapest average SR-22 rates.

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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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 Texas?

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

  • $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 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 Texas 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 Texas.

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$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

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, non-owner SR-22 insurance lets you meet the requirement. It covers the minimum liability needed when you’re behind the wheel of someone else’s car and can help you reinstate your license after violations like a DUI or repeated traffic offenses. Since there’s no vehicle attached to the policy, it tends to cost less than a standard auto policy.

This situation comes up more often than people expect. Many drivers need to show proof of insurance to get their license reinstated after a violation, even when they don’t own a car. Non-owner SR-22 insurance exists precisely for that scenario.

Is SR-22 insurance expensive in Texas?

SR-22 insurance in Texas 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.

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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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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