Cheapest SR-22 insurance in California
Wawanesa has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in California, at an average cost of $136 per month or $1,632 a year. That’s 67% cheaper than the statewide average, which is $4,881 a year.
The other companies that offer cheap insurance in California if you need an SR-22, include National General and Mercury. But car insurance with an SR-22 costs much more than average and rates can vary widely, so be sure to compare rates before picking a policy.
Company | Average monthly cost of SR-22 insurance | Average annual cost of SR-22 insurance |
|---|---|---|
Wawanesa | $136 | $1,632 |
National General | $186 | $2,229 |
Mercury | $211 | $2,529 |
GEICO | $254 | $3,047 |
USAA | $284 | $3,410 |
Kemper | $299 | $3,590 |
Progressive | $330 | $3,955 |
Travelers | $332 | $3,984 |
Farmers | $357 | $4,280 |
Methodology: Why you can trust our picks for the cheapest SR-22 insurance in California
We found the companies with cheap SR-22 insurance in California by calculating the average rate for drivers with a suspended license, DUI, or a reckless driving citation.
Our sample driver was a 30-year-old male driver of a 2017 Toyota Camry LE with average credit who had a policy with the following limits:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of insurance costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
What is SR-22 insurance in California?
SR-22 insurance isn’t actually a kind of car insurance, it’s a form that your insurance company files for you that proves you have an active policy. An SR-22 in California must show that you have at least the following amounts of coverage:
Bodily injury liability (BIL): $15,000 for injury per person, $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability (PDL): $5,000 per accident
You may be required to have SR-22 insurance after a license suspension or a serious violation. In California, some of the reasons your license may be suspended include being in an accident without insurance, getting a DUI, reckless driving, racing, or getting too many points on your license in a short period of time.
California usually requires SR-22 insurance for at least a few years, but the exact time depends on your violation. Your insurance company will notify the state if you drop your coverage early and you’d face fines and need an SR-22 for longer.
How to get SR-22 insurance in California
Once you know that you need an SR-22, you can follow these steps to find affordable SR-22 car insurance in California:
Find a company that offers coverage: Not every company will cover you once you’re a high-risk driver. You may have to shop around to find coverage, especially if your previous insurance company drops you.
Pay your reissue fee: California may require you to pay a fee if your license was suspended. For example, after a DUI the fee is $125, but the amount depends on the reason for the suspension.
Wait for your SR-22 to process: It takes a few days for your SR-22 to process. You’ll be notified when it’s filed, so wait for notification before getting on the road.
Non-owner SR-22 insurance in California
If you have a license but not a car of your own, you may need to get non-owner SR-22 insurance if your license is suspended or you commit a driving violation.
Non-owners insurance has basically the same coverage as a regular car insurance policy, aside from comprehensive and collision coverage (since there’s no car to protect). A non-owners SR-22 policy usually has lower limits than regular insurance, so it may be cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an SR-22 in California?
On average, SR-22 insurance in California costs $407 per month, or $4,881 a year. That’s high, but lots of companies offer cheaper coverage, so be sure to shop around.
Who has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in California?
On average, Wawanesa has the cheapest insurance in California for drivers who need an SR-22. National General and Mercury also offer cheaper-than-average SR-22 insurance in California.
How do you get rid of your SR-22 insurance in California?
It depends on why you had to file an SR-22 in the first place, but as long as you don’t let your insurance lapse while you’re still required to have an SR-22, your car insurance company will remove it after the required period is up.
