Cheap SR-22 Insurance in South Carolina From $74

An SR-22 in South Carolina isn’t just more paperwork — it’s key to getting you back on the road after a serious driving violation, like a DUI or driving without insurance. It’s a form your insurance company files on your behalf to prove you have the minimum amount of car insurance before reinstating your license.

Insurance after receiving an SR-22 can be more expensive, but you have ways to save and find affordable rates. Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in South Carolina.

Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

With more than 1,600 licensed insurance companies in South Carolina, sorting through options for the cheapest SR-22 coverage can feel overwhelming.1 The good news is that some companies offer better deals for SR-22 insurance in South Carolina, even if you don’t have a clean driving record. 

Here are some of the cheapest insurers for SR-22 holders in South Carolina.

What is SR-22 insurance in South Carolina?

An SR-22 isn’t actually insurance — it’s a certificate of insurance that car insurance companies file with the state to confirm your insurance policy meets the state’s minimum requirements.

After a severe driving incident, like a DUI or driving without insurance, South Carolina can require an extra layer of accountability to make sure you’re financially responsible if an accident happens. Your insurer files the SR-22 directly with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), showing you have coverage in place.2

The main difference between SR-22 and regular car insurance is the additional requirement to report your coverage to the state. Each of South Carolina’s more than 4 million drivers needs standard auto coverage. But if the DMV flags you as a high-risk driver, you may need to ask your insurance agent to submit an SR-22 document.

Difference between SR-22 and FR-44

Both SR-22 and FR-44 forms prove to the state that you’re insured, but they’re not interchangeable. An SR-22 certifies you have the state’s minimum liability coverage, while an FR-44 comes with higher coverage requirements.

Only Florida and Virginia require FR-44s, so you won’t need to worry about filing one in South Carolina. But if you ever move to Florida or Virginia and need to file an FR-44, the extra coverage requirement will likely drive up your auto insurance premiums.

When you need SR-22 insurance

In South Carolina, you’ll usually need an SR-22 to get your license back after a license suspension. The state can suspend your license for a few reasons, and the SR-22 is how it makes sure you have coverage in place moving forward.

Here are some of the most common reasons drivers may need SR-22 coverage:3

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Driving with a suspended license

• Accumulating too many points (if you’re younger than 18)

• Driving an uninsured vehicle (even if you don’t own it)

• The state can’t confirm your insurance coverage electronically

• No proof of insurance when an officer asks for it

• Not filing an FR-10 after an accident to verify liability insurance

How to get SR-22 insurance in South Carolina

If you need SR-22 insurance in South Carolina, it can feel like one more hurdle to deal with. But getting SR-22 coverage isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Remember, an SR-22 is just a form that verifies you have the right amount of insurance in place.

Here’s how to get an SR-22 in South Carolina:

How long South Carolina requires SR-22 insurance

South Carolina drivers typically need to keep SR-22 car insurance for three years.4 The state requires this standard time frame to demonstrate that you stay insured after a serious traffic violation. Once you reach that three-year mark, you can ask your insurance company to remove the SR-22 requirement, and it’ll submit the request to the DMV. If your insurer cancels your coverage or you have a lapse in coverage during your SR-22 period, you’ll likely have to restart the process.

Until you confirm you’re eligible to drop the SR-22, you may face a few challenges. First, not all car insurance agencies offer SR-22 filings. If your current insurer doesn’t, you’ll need to shop around for one that does.

SR-22 coverage tends to be more expensive than regular insurance. Plus, you may need to pay reinstatement fees that can add up to $400 or more.

How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in South Carolina

Needing an SR-22 can classify you as high risk, which usually means steeper premiums. SR-22s in South Carolina often follow a serious moving violation, like a DUI conviction or repeated traffic offenses — and having a few bumps on your driving record affects your rates.

While having a history of an SR-22 won’t add points to your license in South Carolina, the incident that led to the SR-22 likely will. Taking a few smart steps to improve your driving record and eventually lower your rates is a good idea.

Here are a few tips to help you manage the cost of SR-22 insurance: