Cheapest SR-22 insurance in Washington

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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 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’s an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate of responsibility (CFR) that shows you’ve purchased the required minimum liability auto coverage required by your state. If you’re categorized as a higher-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DWI/DUI conviction, or other reasons, your state or a court order may require you to get an SR-22.

You might hear about “SR-22 insurance,” but an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy – it’s just a term sometimes used to refer to any insurance policy bought by someone who’s required to have an SR-22.

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.

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

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Cheap SR-22 insurance in Washington by city

As mentioned before, where you live can significantly impact the cost of insurance with an SR-22. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Washington.

SR-22 insurance requirements in Washington

The Washington DMV mandates all drivers in Washington 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 only the minimum requirements. Experts suggest getting more coverage than the mandated coverage levels. While it might increase your premium, the extra coverage can be very helpful if you’re in a costly at-fault accident.

How much does SR-22 in Washington 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.

Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Washington

If you need an SR-22 in Washington, 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 Washington

Some states might require you to get an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This proves you have the minimum liability insurance your state requires, which is often needed to get your driver’s license back after a suspension or revocation for violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for people who don’t own a car but still drive and need to meet SR-22 requirements or maintain coverage. This type of insurance provides liability protection when driving someone else’s car and helps you meet state requirements to get your license back after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s generally a cheaper option than a standard car insurance policy since it only covers liability.

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.

In some cases, the time you need to maintain an SR-22 could be longer or shorter. The length of the SR-22 period will depend on your driving history and how serious the offense is.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Washington

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Washington is $1,473, while the average cost of car insurance in Washington is $1,351. This means SR-22 insurance in Washington costs $121 more per year.

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

 

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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.