An SR-22 is a document insurance companies file with the state certifying that you’ve purchased the minimum liability car insurance Arkansas law requires. You might need one if you have a serious violation on your motor vehicle record, like driving under the influence. But not every insurer will file an SR-22 on your behalf, and you may have to find a new insurer to provide an SR-22 if you’ve had serious driving issues in the past.
Coverage with an SR-22 can be expensive, and you’ll need to consider several other things if you need SR-22 insurance in Arkansas.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Arkansas
Prices for SR-22 policies vary dramatically between insurers in Arkansas. The table below shows the liability-only and full-coverage costs from some of the most affordable SR-22 insurers in the state.
What is SR-22 insurance in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires every driver to buy $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and another $25,000 in property damage coverage.1
If you’ve made serious driving mistakes in the past, an SR-22 is the state’s way of ensuring you have sufficient coverage, especially because getting an insurance policy with marks on your record can be expensive. In these situations, you’ll need to work with an insurer that offers SR-22 coverage to get the right insurance.
Most states require SR-22 insurance in a variety of situations, including after some impaired driving incidents. The Arkansas state websites don’t specifically explain when you need SR-22 coverage. But the state often requires it after a conviction for vehicular manslaughter or another criminal conviction for a driving-related offense.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
An SR-22 is one type of certificate of financial responsibility you can get from an insurer to show you’ve met your obligations to buy insurance. Another is an FR-44.
Only Florida and Virginia require FR-44 forms. An FR-44 requires you to meet more than the state’s minimum coverage requirements — even double, in some cases.
If you live in Florida or Virginia, you’re usually required to get an FR-44 form only if you’ve been accused of a very serious driving offense, such as a DUI with a high blood alcohol level or you have repeated DUIs or reckless driving convictions.
If you live in Arkansas, you won’t be asked to get an FR-44, only an SR-22, and only in limited circumstances.
When you need SR-22 insurance
You may be required to get SR-22 coverage if you’re guilty of any of the following offenses:
Owning and operating vehicles without insurance
Getting a DUI
Committing another driving offense that imposes serious penalties
But an SR-22 requirement isn’t a guarantee in Arkansas for any of these offenses.2
State officials indicate that SR-22 coverage is usually required if you’re convicted of a serious driving offense, such as vehicular manslaughter. You may also need to provide proof of insurance if you were previously caught driving without coverage. You can use an SR-22 form as the required proof that you have an insurance policy in place.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Arkansas
If you’re a high-risk driver and you need SR-22 insurance, here are the steps you should take to get the best deal on the coverage you need:
Look for an insurer offering SR-22 certification. Not all companies do, and you may need to leave your current insurer.
Provide your information, including your driver’s license details and the kinds of coverage you want, including liability coverage and also collision or comprehensive.
Get quotes from multiple companies so you can find the most affordable rates for your situation.
Apply for a policy when you’ve found a trusted insurer with affordable premiums and a solid customer reputation.
Let your auto insurance company know you’ll need an SR-22 insurance form.
How long Arkansas requires SR-22 insurance
State officials indicate SR-22 car insurance is usually necessary for three years from the time you were convicted of the driving offense that led to you needing SR-22 coverage.
Many other states also require an SR-22 certificate for three years. But in some of those locations, the clock starts running after your suspended license is reinstated. This could happen long after conviction.
Remember, not every car insurance company offers SR-22 insurance, so start looking for an insurance company that does as soon as you know you’ll need this certificate.
Once you no longer need SR-22 coverage, let your insurer know to see if you can qualify for a better rate.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Arkansas
Insurance companies see an SR-22 requirement as a risk, and your request for certification of your insurance status lets the insurance company know that you’ve committed a serious driving violation. If your insurer agrees to file an SR-22 on your behalf, it’ll charge you more than the average rate for a policy.
Even with an SR-22 on your record, you may still have some options to keep car insurance costs reasonable: