Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Washington

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

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 Washington, GEICO offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $1,174 per year and Auto-Owners at $1,176 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.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Washington?

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 Washington

The average SR-22 car insurance cost in Washington is $1,473.

Washington’s rate is $458 more expensive than SR-22 insurance in the New Hampshire, the cheapest state. However, it’s also $2,568 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.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Washington

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 Washington.

You might find interesting

• Average car insurance cost in Washington
• Cheapest car insurance in Washington
• Do you need insurance to register a car in Washington?
• How much is gap insurance in Washington
• Non-owner car insurance in Washington: Which company has the cheapest rates?
• The best, cheapest car insurance in Washington
• Washington car insurance calculator
• Best and cheapest companies for home and auto bundles in Washington

Cheap SR-22 insurance in Washington 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 Washington.

SR-22 insurance requirements in Washington

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

• $25,000 for injury or death per person
• $50,000 for injury or death per accident
• $10,000 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 Washington cost with a DUI?

Some insurance companies are much more forgiving than others if you have a DUI. Some charge a few hundred dollars more, while others charge thousands more per year.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” represents the cost of a policy including the fee to file the SR-22 – without considering the reason why someone needed an SR-22.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Washington

You may face sky-high insurance premiums if you need an SR-22 in Washington. However, there are ways to save on car insurance whether or not you require an SR-22.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, Washington, recommends the following:

• Shopping 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 a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Washington

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 Washington

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 Washington?

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 Washington

Washington’s average SR-22 insurance rate is $1,473, compared to the overall average car insurance cost in Washington, which is $1,351. That means Washington’s SR-22 rate is $121 more per year.

But remember that there are a lot of factors that can affect insurance premiums.

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

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.

Bob Haegele

Contributing Researcher

 

|

 . .

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.