SR-22 insurance isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a certificate that shows a driver meets the minimum required auto insurance in their state. Only drivers who’ve had their driver’s licenses suspended or revoked may need to carry SR-22 certificates. If it’s a requirement for you, it’s important that you know how to secure it, how long it lasts, and what happens if you don’t have proof of insurance on file.
An insurance lapse can reset the Louisiana SR-22 period.
Some car insurance companies don’t process SR-22 forms.
SR-22 insurance has a three-year minimum filing period in Louisiana.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Louisiana
Rates for drivers with SR-22 insurance in Louisiana depend on coverage levels, the severity of your license suspension, and individual factors. The following companies have the lowest liability-only and full-coverage rates for Louisiana SR-22 motorists.
What is SR-22 insurance in Louisiana?
SR-22 insurance isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a form that the state of Louisiana requires drivers to present to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to certify that they maintain the minimum level of liability coverage. The court orders certain high-risk drivers to file SR-22 insurance with their car insurance company, but not every company offers this form.
SR-22 forms act as proof that the driver meets Louisiana’s minimum liability coverage requirements:
$15,000 for bodily injury per person
$30,000 for bodily injury per accident
$25,000 for property damage1
An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance, and Louisiana drivers may purchase any additional coverage limits or options, as long as they meet the minimum liability limits.
SR-22 insurance is important because it ensures that a high-risk driver has the liability insurance necessary to cover injuries or damages they may cause in the future.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Not all states have SR-22 certificate requirements. Some states have no requirements at all, while Florida and Virginia require FR-44 forms. FR-44s are also certifications of financial responsibility and share similarities with SR-22s.
Both forms have the same approximate costs, both are court ordered, and both require a three-year minimum. An FR-44 will also likely raise premiums.
One difference is that Florida only requires FR-44s for drivers with alcohol-related convictions.2 Another difference is that an FR-44 proves that you have higher requirements than the state minimums. If you move from Louisiana to Florida or Virginia, you may have to file an FR-44 in those states in addition to filing an out-of-state SR-22 for Louisiana.
When you need SR-22 insurance
Drivers in Louisiana who require SR-22 insurance typically also require a hardship license or have been convicted of the following criminal offenses:
Revoked or suspended license
Resisting arrest
Refusal to cooperate
DWI convictions
Underage DUI conviction
Driving without satisfactory insurance
Multiple at-fault accidents or violations
Repeat traffic violations, like reckless driving, within a short time frame
Not paying court-ordered child support or other unsatisfied judgments
How to get SR-22 insurance in Louisiana
Getting an SR-22 financial responsibility insurance form in Louisiana isn’t difficult. The court will formally notify you if you need to obtain it. Once you’re notified, follow these steps to secure SR-22 insurance in Louisiana:
Contact your insurance company and ask if it files SR-22 forms for policyholders.
If your insurer doesn’t facilitate certificates of financial responsibility or chooses not to renew your policy based on the cause of your SR-22, find an auto insurance company that does.
Pay a fee to your insurance company to cover the SR-22 filing expense.
Your insurance company will then file the SR-22 form with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
You need to maintain your SR-22 insurance for the length of the court-assigned period. This means making on-time payments and maintaining the minimum liability car insurance coverage so your policy doesn’t lapse.
When you’ve consistently maintained the SR-22 filing requirement for the specific period ordered by the court, you need to call your insurance agent and ask them to remove it from your policy.
How long Louisiana requires SR-22 insurance
Drivers in Louisiana must maintain SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years, on average. Most states require a three-year minimum, though the exact length of your SR-22 depends on the circumstances of your driving offense.
For example, a first-time driver required to carry SR-22 insurance may have it removed after three years. A driver with recurring DUI/DWI convictions, multiple serious traffic violations, or multiple at-fault accidents may have a longer SR-22 requirement period. Keep in mind that the period may reset if your coverage lapses or if you fail to maintain your SR-22.
One of the biggest barriers a driver may face when getting an SR-22 in Louisiana is finding an insurance company that accepts high-risk drivers. Not all insurance companies facilitate SR-22 filings, which means you’ll need to shop around.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Louisiana
SR-22 insurance is a consequence of dangerous driving habits.3 You need to notify your car insurance company and ask it to file an SR-22 on your behalf; when you do, it’ll likely increase your rates.
Expect a higher rate increase than you would receive for smaller violations, like getting a traffic ticket. Just as an at-fault accident or speeding ticket influences your rates as long as it’s on your driving record, your SR-22 will affect your rates until it expires.
If you want to lower your rates in the meantime, try the following tips:
Louisiana SR-22 insurance FAQs
If it’s your first time holding an SR-22 in Louisiana, you should know what your responsibilities are and how long you need to maintain the form. Learn more about SR-22 coverage in Louisiana below.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
An SR-22 requirement doesn’t come as a surprise. A court order or the Louisiana OMV will formally notify you that you must file an SR-22 form with your insurance company and maintain the minimum insurance coverage mandated for a specific duration. If you’re unsure if you require an SR-22 after a conviction like a DUI/DWI, reach out to your insurance company or the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
SR-22 insurance increases your expenses, though the form itself isn’t expensive. Most SR-22 forms cost $15–$25 to file. Rates vary depending on what the state and your insurance company charge. The major costs associated with SR-22 filings are related to insurance premium increases.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Insurance rates typically rise after filing an SR-22, but the exact cost depends on a variety of factors. Just like your driving history influences your initial premium rate, the severity of the conviction, your recent driving record, and your insurance history affect your increase.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Louisiana?
If you’re assigned an SR-22 in Louisiana, the minimum holding time is three years. Many states share this three-year minimum, although some require a shorter or longer period. Individual SR-22 time periods depend on the seriousness of the conviction and how long the Louisiana OMV enforces the SR-22 requirement.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Louisiana?
Either a judge, the state, or the Office of Motor Vehicles determines the length of time required to maintain an SR-22 in Louisiana. You can’t remove the SR-22 from your license until this period expires. Once it does, you need to contact your insurance company and ask it to remove the form for you.
What happens to your SR-22 in Louisiana if you move?
Most states require convicted drivers to have an SR-22 or FR-44 form. You’ll still need to maintain your SR-22 filing in Louisiana as an out-of-state filing. You must also ask your car insurance company to send the SR-22 from Louisiana to the department of motor vehicles in your new state so you can secure an additional SR-22 or FR-44 form.
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