A filing requirement changes what you pay, how long you pay it and what happens if your coverage stops for a single day. StateCover explains the rules in plain English and keeps them organised by state, by topic and by the question drivers actually ask first.
Start here
- Basics
What is an SR-22 and who needs one
The mechanics of the certificate, and the events that make it mandatory.
- Cost
How much does an SR-22 cost
Filing fees, insurer charges and the premium increase, broken out separately.
- Process
How to file an SR-22 step by step
Your insurer submits the certificate, but these steps decide whether it lands.
- Timeline
How long do you need an SR-22
Periods by offence and by state, and the events that restart the clock.
Find your state
Filing periods, minimum limits and the agency that handles the paperwork all differ by state. Start with your own.
- Alabama25/50/25 minimums
- Alaska50/100/25 minimums
- Arizona25/50/15 minimums
- Arkansas25/50/25 minimums
- California30/60/15 minimums
- Colorado25/50/15 minimums
- Connecticut25/50/25 minimums
- Delaware25/50/10 minimums
- Florida10/20/10 (property damage liability plus personal injury protection are the actual legal requirement) minimums
- Georgia25/50/25 minimums
- Hawaii20/40/10 minimums
- Idaho25/50/15 minimums
- Illinois25/50/20 minimums
- Indiana25/50/25 minimums
- Iowa20/40/15 minimums
- Kansas25/50/25 minimums
Browse by topic
- Basics and FAQ · 10 guidesWhat an SR-22 is, who needs one and the questions drivers ask first
- Costs and Fines · 7 guidesFiling fees, reinstatement charges and the premium increase
- Filing and Process · 8 guidesHow the certificate is filed, checked, refreshed and closed out
- DUI and DWI · 5 guidesFiling requirements that follow an impaired driving conviction
- Non-Owner SR-22 · 1 guidesSatisfying a filing when you do not own a vehicle
- Renewal and Compliance · 4 guidesRenewals, lapses and clearing the requirement from your record
Most-read guides
- Non-owner
Non-owner SR-22 insurance explained
How a policy that covers you as a driver satisfies a state filing.
- Compliance
What happens if your SR-22 lapses
Why a gap is reported within days, and how to recover without a restart.
- Cost
Cheap SR-22 insurance: what is realistic
What actually lowers a high-risk premium, and what does not.
- Comparison
SR-22 vs FR-44
The two filing types side by side, and which one applies to you.
- DUI
After a DUI: what to expect
The sequence from arrest to reinstatement, and where the filing fits.
- Cost
How to compare SR-22 quotes properly
A checklist that stops a cheap headline number becoming an expensive policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is an SR-22 an insurance policy?
No. It is a certificate that your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry the required coverage. You still buy a normal liability policy; the filing is a notification about it.
Can I file an SR-22 myself?
No. Only an insurance company can submit the certificate. Your role is to arrange a qualifying policy and confirm that the filing reached the state.
How long does the requirement last?
Between one and five years depending on the state and the offence, with three years the most common period. It cannot be shortened by switching insurers, paying a fee or completing a course.
Does moving to another state end it?
Usually not. The requirement belongs to the state that ordered it and normally continues for the full period, even after you move elsewhere.
What happens if my coverage lapses?
The insurer reports the gap to the state, which can suspend the licence again, charge a new reinstatement fee and restart the filing period in many states.
Compare high-risk coverage before you renew
Rates for drivers with a filing requirement swing by hundreds of dollars between carriers for the same record. Get at least three quotes and confirm that each one includes the filing itself.