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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 Connecticut, Geico offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies at $982 per year and Kemper Insurance at $1,283 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 Connecticut is $1,654.
  • Geico offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in Connecticut at $982 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 Connecticut?

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 Connecticut

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Connecticut is $1,654. This is $639 higher than in New Hampshire, which has the cheapest SR-22 insurance.

However, it’s also $2,387 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.

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Connecticut

Having an SR-22 usually raises your insurance rates, but not all companies charge the same rates. The companies below offer some of the cheapest rates in Connecticut.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Geico$982 $82
Kemper Insurance$1,283 $107
Progressive$1,640 $137
State Farm$1,736 $145
Nationwide$1,896 $158
Allstate$2,551 $213
USAA*$1,491 $124

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

Cheap SR-22 insurance in Connecticut by city

As discussed above, where you live greatly affects how much SR-22 insurance costs. Below, you’ll find the cheapest SR-22 insurance rates in major cities across Connecticut.

CityAverage annual premium
Norwalk$842
Jewett City$862
New London$873
Milford$893
Middletown$898
Stamford$924
Derby$970
Bristol$976
Hartford$1,264
Bridgeport$1,318

SR-22 insurance requirements in Connecticut

The Connecticut DMV mandates all drivers in Connecticut to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

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

Insurance companies differ in the premiums they charge for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” refers to the cost of a policy, including the SR-22 filing fee, without factoring in the reason you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$1,898 $1,736
Progressive$1,904 $1,640
Kemper Insurance$2,716 $1,283
Geico$3,145 $982
Allstate$3,180 $2,551
Nationwide$3,471 $1,896
USAA*$2,606 $1,491

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

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Connecticut

If you need an SR-22 in Connecticut, 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 Connecticut

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 Connecticut

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 Connecticut?

You usually need to keep an SR-22 for three years.

During this time, you must have continuous insurance coverage with no lapses. If your policy gets canceled or lapses, your insurer has to inform the state, which could lead to penalties or a suspended license.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Connecticut

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Connecticut is $1,654, while the average cost of car insurance in Connecticut is $1,455. This means SR-22 insurance in Connecticut costs $199 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.

Compare SR-22 insurance rates with other states

Alabama$1,702/Year
Alaska$1,419/Year
Arizona$1,916/Year
Arkansas$1,618/Year
California$2,238/Year
Colorado$2,177/Year
Florida$3,288/Year
Georgia$1,795/Year
Hawaii$1,523/Year
Idaho$1,115/Year
Illinois$1,380/Year
Indiana$1,418/Year
Iowa$1,363/Year
Kansas$1,581/Year
Louisiana$3,390/Year
Maine$1,141/Year
Maryland$2,020/Year
Massachusetts$1,900/Year
Michigan$4,041/Year
Mississippi$1,502/Year
Missouri$2,504/Year
Montana$1,966/Year
Nebraska$2,001/Year
Nevada$2,632/Year
New Hampshire$1,015/Year
New Jersey$2,370/Year
North Dakota$1,315/Year
Ohio$1,240/Year
Oregon$1,653/Year
Rhode Island$1,887/Year
South Carolina$1,998/Year
South Dakota$1,681/Year
Tennessee$1,458/Year
Texas$2,113/Year
Utah$1,816/Year
Vermont$1,140/Year
Virginia$1,343/Year
Washington$1,473/Year
West Virginia$1,520/Year
Wisconsin$1,738/Year
Wyoming$1,808/Year
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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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