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In Wisconsin, the cheapest SR-22 insurance comes from GEICO at $896 per year, followed by Travelers at $1,092. 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 form your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the minimum car insurance coverage required to drive legally. You may need one after serious driving violations such as a DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), reckless driving or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a document your insurance company files with the state to verify you’re carrying the legally required coverage. Since drivers who need an SR-22 are flagged as higher risk, premiums tend to climb, and some insurers may turn you away entirely.

How does SR-22 insurance work in Wisconsin?

  • The average cost of SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin is $1,738 per year
  • For the most affordable SR-22 coverage in Wisconsin, GEICO comes in at $896 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 Wisconsin?

You may need an SR-22 in Wisconsin after serious driving violations such as a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance or accumulating too many points on your license.

The specific offenses that require one vary by state, but these are the most common:

  • 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

After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

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 Wisconsin?

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Wisconsin is $1,738. This is $723 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,303 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 Wisconsin

At $896 per year, GEICO is the most affordable SR-22 insurer in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
GEICO$896$75
Travelers$1,092$91
Nationwide$1,094$91
Automobile Club of MI (AAA)$1,340$112
American Family$1,371$114
State Farm$1,459$122
Auto-Owners$1,544$129
Erie Insurance$1,561$130
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$2,108$176
Allstate$2,325$194
Farmers$2,328$194
Progressive$2,551$213
Kemper Insurance$3,692$308
USAA*$814$68
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin?

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

CityAverage annual premium
Oshkosh$537
Sun Prairie$579
Madison$588
Sheboygan$628
Wausau$629
Evansville$635
Menomonee Falls$662
Eau Claire$666
Portage$700
Cudahy$715
Milwaukee$1,020
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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 Wisconsin?

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

  • $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 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 SR-22 in Wisconsin cost with a DUI?

A DUI generally leads to a significant jump in SR-22 premiums, though the exact increase depends on your insurer. The table below shows annual SR-22 rates for drivers with a DUI in Wisconsin.

This table shows two different costs:

  • SR-22 with one DUI – the estimated annual cost if your SR-22 filing is the result of a DUI conviction, factoring in the rate increase insurers apply after a DUI.
  • SR-22 filing only – your standard premium plus the SR-22 filing fee, with no DUI on record. If your filing is tied to a different violation, this column gives you a better estimate of what the SR-22 itself adds to your cost.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$1,592 $1,459
Travelers$1,729 $1,092
American Family$1,794 $1,371
GEICO$2,219 $896
Erie Insurance$2,258 $1,561
Nationwide$2,351 $1,094
Allstate$2,701 $2,325
Progressive$2,982 $2,551
Auto-Owners$2,989 $1,544
Farmers$3,201 $2,328
Kemper Insurance$3,874 $3,692
Automobile Club of MI (AAA)$6,407 $1,340
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$10,543 $2,108
USAA*$1,485 $814
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin

The SR-22 form itself only costs a small one-time filing fee, usually around $25 to $50. What actually drives up your bill is the high-risk premium that comes with needing one. That’s the part you can lower, by comparing quotes, improving your driving record, and choosing the right coverage. Rates for high-risk drivers vary widely from one insurer to the next, so shopping around can make a real difference in what you pay.

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.

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 Wisconsin?

SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin 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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