SR-22 insurance is a certificate that verifies you carry the required amount of auto insurance in Indiana. The state requires people who lose driving privileges due to driving convictions or insurance violations to carry an SR-22 form.1
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance if you have an SR-22.
Indiana drivers who want to reinstate a suspended license will need their insurer to file an SR-22.
Indiana drivers who require an SR-22 must keep the certificate filed for 180 consecutive days.
Filing an SR-22 costs around $25, but the exact amount depends on your location and insurance company.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Indiana
Indiana drivers with an SR-22 typically pay higher rates for car insurance. Below, you can see the cheapest car insurance companies in Indiana for drivers with an SR-22 certificate.
What is SR-22 insurance in Indiana?
SR-22 insurance is a certificate of proof of financial responsibility that verifies you have the minimum amount of car insurance required in Indiana. Drivers who need to reinstate their license after a suspension will need to file an SR-22 form in Indiana.
Despite the name, SR-22 insurance isn’t actually a type of insurance. It doesn’t provide any bodily injury or property damage coverage. If you need an SR-22 form, you still have to carry liability insurance that meets the minimum-coverage requirements.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
SR-22s and FR-44s are both certificates of financial responsibility for high-risk drivers. The main differences between these two forms include what states issue them and how much coverage they require.
Indiana requires SR-22 insurance for certain high-risk drivers who need to reinstate their driver’s license. The only states that use FR-44 certificates are Florida and Virginia.
If you need SR-22 insurance in Indiana, you need to carry a policy that meets the state minimum-coverage policy. If you need FR-44 insurance in Florida or Virginia, you’ll typically have to carry liability insurance above the state requirements.
When you need SR-22 insurance
Indiana requires SR-22 insurance for people who need to reinstate their driving privileges after certain offenses.
Here are some situations where you might need an SR-22:2
DUI/DWI conviction
Insurance violations, like driving uninsured
Driving without a license
Reckless driving
Multiple at-fault accidents or violations within a short period
Not paying court-ordered child support
Even if you don’t own a vehicle, you may still have to meet an SR-22 insurance requirement in Indiana. In that case, you’d have to have an SR-22 form with a non-owner auto policy, which provides third-party liability coverage when you drive a car you don’t own.
How to get SR-22 insurance in Indiana
If you need SR-22 insurance in Indiana, follow the steps below:
How long Indiana requires SR-22 insurance
Drivers in Indiana must maintain SR-22 insurance for 180 consecutive days, regardless of the conviction or offense. If you cancel your car insurance policy during the required period, it’ll cause your SR-22 to lapse. Your insurer will notify the BMV of the policy cancellation and suspend your driving privileges again.
Your insurer won’t automatically remove your SR-22 certificate at the end of the required period. You’ll need to contact your car insurance company and request them to remove the SR-22 from your insurance. Your insurance company will file an SR-26 form with the BMV to remove the certificate.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Indiana
Indiana insurers will consider drivers who need an SR-22 form as high-risk. As a result, drivers with an SR-22 typically pay more expensive car insurance rates. Your premium can increase during the period while you have the form, but it might also affect your rate in the future.
If you need to maintain SR-22 insurance in the state of Indiana, use these tips to help reduce your car insurance premium:
Take a defensive driving course. Many auto insurance companies will give you a discount if you complete an approved defensive driving course.
Bundle your policies. Bundling your car insurance with another policy, like home insurance or renters insurance, can reduce your premium.
Increase your deductibles. Consider increasing your deductibles for collision and comprehensive insurance to save money on car insurance with an SR-22.
Sign up for a telematics program. Enrolling in your insurer’s telematics-based safe driver rewards program can help you save money when you demonstrate safe driving habits.
Pay your premium in full. By paying your annual car insurance premium up front and in full, you can often lower your premium by a small amount. Many insurers offer a discount for up-front payments.
Indiana SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you need SR-22 insurance coverage in Indiana, you might have questions about what it means and how it works. The following information can help answer your remaining questions about SR-22 insurance.
How do you know if you need SR-22?
If you need an SR-22 form, you should receive a notice from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If the SR-22 insurance is court-ordered, like in the case of a DUI or DWI, the judge will let you know if you need to get an SR-22. You must request the SR-22 through your insurance company.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. Even though SR-22 insurance doesn’t require a premium, you typically have to pay a fee when your insurer files the certificate. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on the insurance company that issues the certificate and your state. But in general, an SR-22 costs around $25 to file.3
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing SR-22?
Car insurance premiums often increase after filing an SR-22. The actual rate increase will depend on the reason you need an SR-22. For example, if you need SR-22 insurance after a DUI conviction, your premium might increase more than if you need an SR-22 for failure to pay court-ordered child support.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Indiana?
In Indiana, you have to carry SR-22 insurance for 180 consecutive days, no matter the violation. If you fail to maintain auto insurance with an SR-22 for the required time period, you’ll have your license suspended again until you can provide proof of car insurance and an SR-22.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Indiana?
Your insurer won’t automatically remove an SR-22 certificate from your record after 180 days. To get rid of the SR-22 requirement in Indiana, you should contact your insurance company to request its removal. Your insurance company will file an SR-26 with the Indiana BMV to remove the certificate.
What happens to your SR-22 in Indiana if you move?
You must maintain SR-22 insurance if you move from Indiana to another state. Your insurance company will need to file another SR-22 with your new state’s DMV.
And if your current insurer doesn’t operate in the new state, you’ll need to shop around and purchase a new insurance policy from a different company. Make sure to choose a new insurer that can issue SR-22s.