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Searching for SR-22 insurance in California? Maybe your insurance provider dropped your policy and you’re worried about finding a viable option that’s affordable and extends the coverage you need.
The good news is you have options to secure the coverage you need at a price you can afford. For example, here are quotes from reputable providers for a 40-year-old married female with a DUI in the past 1 to 3 years. She currently drives a 2015 Ford Taurus, and an SR-22 is included in the quotes.
| Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Infinity | $139 |
| Anchor | $124 |
| Dairyland | $149 |
| National General | $165 |
| Aspire General | $183 |
* Quotes obtained using the following profile: 40-year-old married female with a DUI in the past 1-3 years driving a Ford Taurus.
Best SR-22 Insurance in California:
- Best Overall for SR-22: Progressive
- Cheapest for SR-22: Anchor
- Best for Customer Incentives: Infinity
- Best for DUI Offenders: National General Insurance
SR-22 can be affordable and Benzinga is here to lend a helping hand.
What is SR-22?
Were you recently charged with a serious driving offense? Maybe you were caught driving under the influence, without valid insurance or a license. Have you racked up several moving violations in a short span?
These scenarios may warrant the purchase of SR-22 insurance to have your driver’s license reinstated so you can get back behind the wheel. SR-22s can be ordered in 2 ways — by the court or by the state. If it’s the latter, you’ll be notified by postal mail.
Contrary to popular belief, SR-22 is not a type of insurance coverage. Instead, it’s a Certificate of Financial Responsibility that confirms the insured carries the level of auto insurance mandated by the state.
SR-22 certifications are issued by your auto insurance provider and filed with the state. In the event you’re involved in a car accident and don’t assume financial responsibility, the state will be notified right away.
Unfortunately, car insurance policies with an SR-22 certification aren't always affordable. Insurance providers only charge a 1-time filing fee of $25 for an SR-22. It’s the premiums that could be steep due to the risk the policyholder poses to the auto insurance provider.
You can find a policy in California that fits your needs — it just involves some shopping around.
Laws Specific to SR-22 in California
In California, the SR-22 is referred to as a California Insurance Proof Certificate. You’ll be required to carry at least the state-mandated insurance minimums for:
- Bodily injury coverage: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $5,000 per accident
You have the option to increase these coverage limits if you want to protect yourself even more from sustaining financial losses.
The amount of time that you’re required to carry this certification varies by state. In California, the SR-22 requirement usually remains intact for 3 years. You’ll need to contact your insurance provider to have it removed when you no longer need it.
Struggling to find viable coverage in California? You can explore your options from one of our recommended providers located below or purchase a California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan.
If you relocate to another state, you may not be required to take the SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with you. States that do not use SR-22 filings include Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. These states may have their own requirements for high-risk drivers.
Best Auto Insurance for SR-22 Coverage in California
Don’t let a less-than-perfect driving record haunt you for years to come. Here’s a list of top auto insurance providers in California that offer affordable coverage for SR-22 drivers.
- Drivers with consistently good driving habits
1. Best Overall for SR-22: Progressive
Progressive is among the pool of providers that offer competitive rates on auto insurance policies for SR-22 drivers. It also issues SR-22s for drivers without a vehicle through nonowner operator policies, which cover you anytime you drive a car.
What really sets Progressive apart from other auto insurance companies is its affordable premiums for SR-22 drivers. On average, the rates only increase by about 5% nationwide. You could pay even lower premiums if your driving record was clean before the SR-22 requirement was issued.
Learn more about Progressive and all it has to offer. Get a fast, free rate quote today.
2. Cheapest for SR-22: Anchor
Anchor is another reputable auto insurance provider that can help you get the coverage you need at a rate that’s hard to beat. Mercury offers liability protection, comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and collision protection. You can choose what you need and eliminate all the extras with its flexible plans.
You may also qualify for discounts to reduce your premiums even more. If your vehicle has anti-theft features installed, that could equate to cost savings. Enroll in autopay, pay in full or house several policies under one umbrella to qualify you for lower premiums.
Save even more on your coverage with a policy from Anchor. You can request a no-obligation quote by entering your ZIP code.
3. Best for Customer Incentives: Infinity
Infinity prides itself on providing affordable insurance to policyholders. The company also offers coverage to SR-22 drivers at a rate that won’t break the bank.
Another major incentive is a free membership to the Infinity DriverClub. As a member, you’ll have access to free 24/7 roadside assistance. This program also grants you exclusive discounts on jump-starts, lockouts, refueling, tire changes and towing services.
Discounts are available for safe drivers and multi-vehicle policies. You could also save by paying your policy in full from inception. You may already have coverage and are searching for a more viable option, which means you could save up to 15% by switching to Infinity.
Explore your options with Infinity by requesting a free rate quote today.
4. Best for DUI Offenders: National General Insurance
Life happened, and you were charged with a DUI, which automatically resulted in the need for an SR-22. If your current insurance provider raised your premiums or canceled the policy altogether, it may be worthwhile to give National General Insurance a try.
National General offers competitive premiums on policies for SR-22 drivers who are 1st-time DUI offenders. You won’t have to skimp on the coverage you need or stress when it's time to pay your premiums each month.
Get a free quote today to see if a policy from National General Insurance works for you.
Shop Around for the Best SR 22-Insurance in California
Get a quote from the top SR-22 California insurance providers and compare your options to find the best deal. It’s free to get started and there’s no obligation to purchase a plan. You may want to learn more about car insurance to gauge what the policies entail. It may be sensible to reduce some of the coverage limits and add-ons to secure lower premiums.
If these options don’t quite work for you, check out Benzinga’s top providers. You can get a quote in just minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Q: By law, what types of car insurance do I have to have?
(almost all — not NH) All states require you to carry liability insurance on your vehicle. Your state may require additional auto insurance coverage. Limits are expressed: Amount for injuries per person/amount for injuries total per accident/amount for property damage per accident.
2) Q: Should I have just the minimum amount of car insurance required by my state?
It’s a good idea to purchase more than the state minimum of any type of insurance. State minimums are set relatively low to keep insurance affordable, but in the case of an accident, you can deplete your minimums quickly with expensive medical and property damage costs. Once your bills extend past the minimums, you’ll personally be liable for additional costs and damage. Get the coverage that makes sense for you here.
3) Q: How does my personal credit play a role?
Insurance carriers run credit scores to help determine policy premiums. Your insurance rates will likely be lower if you have an excellent credit score. On the other hand, your insurance rates may be higher if you have a poor credit score. Insurance companies believe credit scores are an indicator of whether you’ll make your insurance payments on time and credit scores combined with other data can be predictive of risk. Check out the best companies for all credit scores now.